WSLC’s 2023 Convention will be July 18-20 in SeaTac

SEATTLE (June 16, 2023) — Hundreds of delegates representing unions from across the state will meet in SeaTac on July 18-20 for the 2023 Convention of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. The state’s largest union organization, representing some 600 unions and more than half a million members, will hold its annual convention at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport.

“This is an important moment for unions in Washington and across the nation,” said WSLC President April Sims. “Unions are more popular and more active than ever, and many more workers are hoping to join together to negotiate for better wages and working conditions. We need to make sure we are meeting the moment so our existing — and future — members can build better lives for themselves and their families.”

At the convention, delegates will hear from distinguished labor and political leaders — including United Farm Workers President Teresa Romero, Amazon Labor Union President Chris Smalls, State Attorney General Bob Ferguson, and Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler can’t attend because the AFL-CIO Executive Council meets the same week in the other Washington, but will send a special video message. Delegates will also participate in panels and educational workshops focused around the 2023 theme of “Better Jobs, Stronger Communities.” (See the tentative agenda.)

Convention delegates will consider the resolutions that are a key part of the WSLC Convention and the organization itself. It is through the debate and passage of these resolutions that WSLC positions, policies and priorities are established.

“The WSLC convention is an important opportunity for Washington’s union movement to share best practices, build relationships, and plan how we can work together to improve people’s lives,” said WSLC Secretary Treasurer Cherika Carter. “And since this will be the first convention of the new Sims-Carter administration at the WSLC, we’re going to mix things up to make sure everyone has an informative and fun time.”

REGISTRATION — The WSLC mailed the official Convention Call to its affiliated unions back in April. Those letters indicated the number of delegates and alternates each union can have, plus other important details. Union members who are interested in representing their organization at the convention should contact their local union for information about how to serve as a delegate or alternate. Online registration is still available for delegates who are properly credentialed by their local unions. If you have registration questions, please email Rashea Dickey.