WSLC’s Legislative Reception & Conference will be Jan. 31-Feb. 1

In addition, WSLC calls Special COPE Convention for Feb. 1 to consider endorsement for 2024 Governor’s race

UPDATED Jan. 4, 2024

OLYMPIA (Dec. 7, 2023) — The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, the state’s largest union organization representing the interests of some 600 unions with more than 500,000 members, will hold its 2024 Legislative Lobbying Reception and Conference in Olympia on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. In addition, delegates representing unions from across the state will convene a special COPE Endorsement Convention on Feb. 1 to consider the 2024 race for Governor.

All WSLC-affiliated unions have been notified of the events and urged to register now to participate.

“Democracy and working together across sectors is how we continue to build worker power,” wrote WSLC President April Sims and Secretary Treasurer Cherika Carter in the conference/convention call. “We look forward to our time together as we ‘Reclaim Worker Power, and Energize Our Movement’ in 2024.”

WSLC President April Sims speaks at the 2023 Legislative Conference.

WSLC LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION & CONFERENCE — As always, the WSLC Legislative Reception and Conference offers an opportunity for union delegates to hear about the priority legislative issues facing Washington’s working families, get updates from elected leaders and union lobbyists, and attend appointments with delegates’ state senators and representatives to urge their support for pro-worker legislation.

Unfortunately, the Olympia Hotel at Capitol Lake, the usual site of the reception/conference and the only unionized hotel in Olympia, is closing on Dec. 31.

Therefore, the WSLC Legislative Reception will be held Wednesday, Jan. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Heritage Room of Octapas, 610 Water St. SW in Olympia.

The WSLC Legislative Conference will begin at 10 a.m. (with coffee and registration starting at 9 a.m.) on Thursday, Feb. 1 at the Olympia Ballroom, 116 Legion Way SE in Olympia. There will be training and a review of the agenda until noon, then delegates will break for lunch before convening the Special COPE Endorsement Convention at 1 p.m. (see below). Beginning at about 2 p.m., buses will take delegates to the Capitol campus for scheduled meetings with legislators. Delegates are free to leave after their appointments, which should conclude no later than 4 p.m.

Delegates cast their unions’ votes at the WSLC’s 2022 COPE Endorsement Convention.

SPECIAL COPE CONVENTION — The WSLC Executive Board voted last week to conduct a Special Committee on Political Education (COPE) Endorsement Convention on Thursday, Feb. 1 for the sole purpose of considering an endorsement in the race for Governor of Washington. It will begin at 1 p.m. at the Olympia Ballroom, 116 Legion Way SE.

The convention call has been mailed to all WSLC-affiliated unions notifying them of their delegate counts and voting strengths. A two-thirds majority vote of the convention is required for endorsement.

Per the WSLC Constitution, the Statewide COPE Committee — which consists of WSLC officers and the Executive Board, representatives of the state’s AFL-CIO Central Labor Councils, the WSLC Political and Strategic Campaigns Director, and a representative from International Unions with more than 10,000 per capita members — will meet via Zoom on Thursday, Dec. 14 to consider making a recommendation in the Governor’s race. If the committee votes to make a recommendation, a motion with that recommendation will begin debate at the Feb. 1 convention. Any affiliated organization may observe the Statewide COPE proceedings. Contact the WSLC’s Strategic and Campaigns Director Osta Davis at odavis@wslc.org to receive the Zoom information.

The WSLC will consider all other endorsements for Congress, statewide offices and ballot measures, and State Legislature at is regular 2024 COPE Convention scheduled for Saturday, May 18 at the Machinists (IAM) District 751 Hall in Seattle. That convention call will be sent to WSLC-affiliated unions 90 days prior to the event.

REGISTRATION — WSLC affiliates can register delegates here for the Legislative Reception & Conference and the Special COPE Endorsement Convention.

Conference delegates are urged to register as soon as possible because early registration helps to secure appointments with legislative offices so delegates have an opportunity to connect directly with legislators.

The deadline to register for the Special COPE Endorsing Convention is Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. (The online registration will serve as the master credential.) Any registrations received after Jan. 2 will be considered late, and late credentials may only be approved by a majority vote of the convention.

ROOM BLOCK: The WSLC has secured a block of rooms at the Courtyard Marriot Olympia under “Washington State Labor Council.” To secure a room, please call 360.943.8448 to reserve before January 10.

Registration questions? Please contact Rashea Dickey at rdickey@wslc.org or by calling the WSLC at 206-281-8901.