10 worker wins in 2024

As Washington’s labor movement looks ahead to the new year, WSLC President April Sims celebrates some of the biggest wins for Washington workers in 2024

by APRIL SIMS
December 16, 2024

Working people owned their power in 2024. Union elections surged, hundreds of thousands of workers went on strike, and working communities organized to win progressive policies. Here in Washington, working people had big wins, energizing our movement and building worker power. 

The holiday season is a time for celebration, and Washington workers have ample reason for joy. With great love for our movement, here’s my top 10 workers wins of 2024:

Banned captive audience meetings, prohibiting employers from requiring workers to sit through mandatory meetings unrelated to their job function, kneecapping a common union-busting tactic and making it easier to organize without undue influence from the boss. 

Labor rallying at the State Capitol during the 2024 Legislative Session. Photo: WSLC

Secured $812 million for climate jobs and green energy works, investments that will create more good, union jobs, preserve clean air and water, and build the infrastructure we need for climate resiliency. 

Helped union members gain citizenship through the WSLC’s naturalization partnership with the department of justice and local community organizations in Yakima Valley. 30 union siblings have successfully obtained citizenship this year, along with about 30 community members as well. And more union members are in the process, waiting for their immigration interviews. (To learn more about this service or get assistance with your citizenship, contact WSLC Organizer Dulce Gutíerrez at 509-208-2538.)

Stood with our IBEW 46 Limited Energy siblings as they held the line for 10 weeks, defeating employer attempts to limit future strike rights and winning more than $12/hour in raises over the course of the contract. 

Striking IBEW 46 Limited Energy Electricians and supporters rallying in Gas Works Park in May. Photo: WSLC

Led worker-centered trainings on essential skills for building worker power, like Path to Power – training up working people to run for office – or our Organizing Institute training in partnership with the AFL-CIO. And through our racial and gender justice work, we offered trainings designed to build collective understanding of race/class narratives, empowering working people to have difficult conversations grounded in shared values.

Built political and people power at WSLC COPE Convention, joining together to hear from candidates, discuss their merits, and vote on endorsements. We paired democracy with action, bringing attendees to the line to rally with locked out Boeing Firefighters. 

President Sims and Secretary Treasurer Cherika Carter joined Boeing Fire Fighters as they were locked out at midnight in early May of 2024. Photo: IAFF

Provided support for navigating the state’s unemployment insurance (UI) system, helping more than 2,740 workers since the program’s start in February, offering direct support on claims as well as educational presentations on UI eligibility and process for impacted workers. (You can learn more about this program or get assistance by contacting Coordinator Michael Pichler at mpichler@wslc.org.) 

Backed up our Machinists family who struck Boeing for more than 50 days to win a historic contract with significant gains on wages, quality of life issues, and job security. It’s a contract so powerful it’s even influenced raises for not-yet union workers in South Carolina. 

SEIU 6 members pose for a photo on the IAM strike line. Throughout the strike, union members from across industries backed up the Machinists’ on the lines. Photo: SEIU 6

Elected a full slate of WSLC-endorsed statewide officials, laying the foundation for us to continue to win policies that improve the lives of workers, families and communities – and setting up a powerful line of defense as a new federal administration prepares to take power. 

Defended pro-worker policies at the ballot, demonstrating working peoples’ strong support for taxing the rich, making companies pay for their pollution, and securing a long-term care safety net. In every congressional district, voters rejected attempts to repeal the capital gains tax, and voters in all but one congressional district rejected a repeal of the Climate Commitment Act. Washingtonians are hungry for progressive action, and uninterested in winding back the clock.

This list only scratches the surface of workers’ many wins this year, from hotel workers in SeaTac, academic and student workers at Western, WSU and UW, paraeducators in Mt. Vernon and Port Angeles, and more. Across industries and geography, working people are building power, together. 

As I look ahead to the new year, I’m reminded that organized labor remains a place of unity, hope, and camaraderie, where we can join together for fellowship, joy, and action. As we celebrate our wins this year, Washington’s labor movement is ready for 2025’s opportunities, challenges, and successes.

April Sims is President of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO.