WSLC Wednesdays

WSLC Wednesdays is a feature of The Stand where different departments of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO describe their recent activities and the services they are providing to WSLC-affiliated unions. 

Opening doors to union careers, security (Oct. 4) — The Pacific Northwest Labor Leader Workforce Development Conference hosted by the WSLC touts workforce development as a key to labor’s growth and future.

WSLC offers naturalization services for union members (Sept. 20) — The WSLC launched an innovative program in 2020 offering naturalization legal services for union members in 2020. Our next Citizenship Clinic will be Sept. 30 in Seattle.

HELP is here for workers’ compensation (Sept. 6) — During its 2022-2023 contract period, Project HELP participated in more than 200 outreach events, a 43 percent increase from the previous year. As outreach has increased, so have the inquiries from people seeking assistance.

Childcare affordability, flexibility a WSLC priority (Aug. 23) — Access expanded for apprentices, but more needs to be done. Let state legislators hear your stories about struggling to afford or find child care.

WSLC resolutions chart course for Washington’s ‘voice of labor’ (Aug. 2) — Hundreds of delegates representing affiliated unions from across the state gathered at the 2023 Convention to debate and approve resolutions that will guide the WSLC in the coming year. Resolutions were approved on topics ranging from apprenticeship to train crew sizes.

Progress on workers’ priorities in Olympia (July 12) — The WSLC has published its 2023 Legislative Report, which summarizes this year’s legislative session and shows how state legislators voted on bills of importance to working families.

Meet some folks working behind the scenes (June 28) — The WSLC Workforce Development Department’s “Labor Leader Spotlight” recognizes those who are promoting good jobs and careers.

UW strikers are holding the line for all of us (June 14) — The WSLC and the union movement are rallying behind University of Washington researchers as the state’s largest public employer attempts to evade wage standards.

WSLC proudly supports LELO, its leaders’ extraordinary change (June 7) — Legacy of Equality, Leadership and Organizing (LELO) celebrates its 50th anniversary by honoring past leaders and launching new ones.

Climate jobs efforts are already paying off (May 24) — The WSLC and its affiliated unions are working to center quality job creation in clean-energy policies.

Project HELP is empowering injured workers (May 17) — This WSLC program offers one-on-one assistance with workers’ compensation claims. Here are some examples.

‘It’s the newsstand about taking a stand’ (May 10) — The WSLC’s award-winning news service, The Stand, stands alone as the only “daily digital newspaper” produced by an AFL-CIO state federation. But as The Stand turns 12, it’s time for a redesign. Tell us what you want!

May Day: Together, we have the power (May 3) — This year, the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO and many of its affiliated unions participated in May Day marches and actions throughout the weekend in every corner of the state.

Ensuring our workforce ‘meets the moment’ (April 26, 2023) — As the economy shifts, workforce development professionals at the WSLC and its affiliated unions are making sure workers are prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Understanding how workers’ comp works (April 19, 2023) — In addition to individual one-on-one workers’ compensation claims guidance, the WSLC’s Project HELP program provides is training for groups of workers about the system and their rights and responsibilities if they are injured at work.

WSLC continues building ‘Path to Power’ (April 12, 2023) — Hundreds of union members and supporters have learned how to run a successful campaign for public office via the WSLC’s candidate training program.

Labor voices to learn from (besides ours) (April 5, 2023) — The WSLC’s Communications Department seeks to get as much information as possible into the hands of Washington’s workers. Where do we find all the news that we share? Find out about the experts, advocates, creators – and a cat – that are building worker power.

Anything dividing our solidarity is a threat (March 29, 2023) — Thousands of union members have participated in the WSLC’s Race & Labor training to develop a shared understanding of how racism is used as a strategy for dividing worker solidarity for the benefit of bosses and billionaires. You can help us reach thousands more.

Training builds worker power (March 22, 2023) — The COVID-19 pandemic hit UNITE HERE members especially hard, but as the hospitality industry continues to recover, Local 8 and the WSLC are supporting training opportunities for better working conditions and stronger job opportunities now, and in the future.

‘Life-changing’ opportunities at the WSLC (March 15, 2023) — Each summer, the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO gives a diverse group of people a taste of what it’s like to promote good jobs and social change. Union Summer is the paid ($20/hour) summer internship program where participants spend an exciting seven weeks — this year, from June 20 to Aug. 5 — getting hands-on experience making a difference in our communities.

Help for getting ‘sure and certain relief’ (March 8, 2023) — For more than 35 years, the WSLC’s Project HELP program has made a difference by educating injured workers and providing individual one-on-one workers’ compensation claims guidance. The program takes a hands-on approach to helping and teaching people about the claims process.

BHM 2023: Celebrating our diverse labor leadership (March 1, 2023) — At ‘We Out Here!’ event, Washington’s AFL-CIO constituency groups and unions offer a reminder: Joy and justice go hand in hand as we build power for all working people.

WSLC fights for immigrant workers’ rights (Feb. 22, 2023) — Immigrant rights are workers’ rights. As part of the WSLC’s Organizing and Communications departments’ work in this area, Washington state legislators are being urged to support unemployment protections for undocumented workers.

WSLC offers workforce development toolkit (Feb. 15, 2023) — Labor leaders serving on regional workforce boards play an important role. The WSLC’s Workforce Development Department helps them be effective.

In Olympia, there’s strength in our solidarity (Feb. 8, 2023) — At the WSLC Legislative Conference, more than 300 union members and leaders support each other’s priority issues at the State Capitol.