Labor communicator David Groves leaving WSLC, The STAND

WSLC Digital Organizer Sarah Tucker named Interim Communications Director

SEATTLE (May 31, 2024) — The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO has announced that longtime Communications Director David Groves, the Editor of The STAND, has resigned his position after more than 32 years at the council. WSLC Digital Organizer Sarah Tucker will take over as Interim Communications Director and become The STAND’s new Editor.

“David’s contributions to the WSLC and working people in Washington have been immeasurable,” said WSLC President April Sims. “From designing and editing the award-winning STAND to producing the annual Legislative Report, we have counted on his knowledge and expertise for more than 32 years. We will miss his dedication and humor, but mostly his incredible taste in music. Best of luck in your next adventure, DJ Wavy Dave, we are grateful for all you’ve done!”

Groves, who began his career as a newspaper copy editor, joined the WSLC communications staff in 1992. He later became the council’s Publications Director and then its Communications Director. In addition to media relations and desktop publishing duties, Groves designed the organization’s first-ever website. Its most popular feature was WSLC Reports Today, which included original labor news stories and links to other labor-related news.

That feature was spun off into The STAND, a separate news website designed and edited by Groves, on May Day 2011. This award-winning site remains the only daily news service of its kind produced by an AFL-CIO state federation.

“It’s truly been an honor to serve the WSLC and its affiliated unions. I want to thank the past and present WSLC officers who entrusted me with this important work and my many co-workers who’ve supported me over the years,” Groves said. “Publishing daily news, in addition to other duties, was always an ambitious undertaking. But it’s been worth it. The STAND has not only helped to fill a void in coverage of labor news and working people’s issues, it has demonstrated and promoted transparency in Washington’s union movement.”

At 58, Groves says he’s not ready to retire yet, but he plans to take the summer off before deciding what’s next. His last day editing The STAND will be by June 7, and his final day in the office will be June 14.

“I have great confidence in Sarah Tucker as the new ‘Entire Staff of The Stand’ and in leading WSLC communications efforts,” Groves said. “She has been a pleasure to work with and WSLC affiliates can continue to expect great things from her.”

Tucker worked on the successful 2016 initiative campaign to raise the minimum wage and served as a Legislative Assistant to state Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon before joining the WSLC staff in November 2018. She served as Executive Assistant to then-Secretary Treasurer April Sims before joining the communications department as the Digital Organizer in March 2021. In that role, she has supported all WSLC communications work, with a particular focus on social media outreach.

“We are thrilled that Sarah Tucker is stepping into the interim Communications Director position,” Sims said. “Sarah is a thoughtful communicator, strategic thinker, and committed trade unionist. Her work as a digital organizer has helped us share worker narratives and build power through social media. I am confident Sarah will be as amazing in her new position as she has been in all her previous positions at the WSLC. We are in good hands!”

“Dave has been an incredible teacher and mentor,” Tucker said. “I am forever grateful to him for sharing his skills, wisdom, and humor with me. I look forward to continuing to work with our affiliates in support of our labor movement, sharing worker stories and building power for all working people.”

The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO is the largest labor organization in the state, representing some 600 union locals and councils with more than 500,000 rank-and-file members. For more information, visit wslc.org.