John Traynor named WSLC Government Affairs Director

A 20+ year IBEW Inside Wireman, Traynor brings years of experience on the jobsite and in the State Legislature to the role

SEATTLE, WA (July 1, 2o25) — The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO has named John Traynor as the incoming Government Affairs Director, stepping into the role after several years as part of the WSLC’s policy team with departing Government Affairs Director Sybill Hyppolite and WSLC Chief of Staff Joe Kendo.

John Traynor joined the WSLC as Legislative Director in December 2022. In this role, he has worked to advance the WSLC’s policy agenda, working with its affiliated unions and allied community organizations to build power for working people in the Legislature. As Government Affairs Director, Traynor will help develop and advance the WSLC’s agenda for the Washington State Legislature, promote the AFL-CIO’s legislative and policy objectives among Washington’s congressional delegation, serve on several internal and external policy committees, and continue working with affiliated unions and community partners to improve the lives of Washington’s working families.

Government Affairs Director John Traynor at the State Capitol.

A U.S. Army veteran, Traynor came out of the electrical construction industry as an IBEW Inside Wireman since 1998, and member of both Washington’s Local 191 and Local 48 in Portland, Oregon. He has a long history of service in the movement, having served as an officer of Local 191’s executive board, as the union’s Registrar, and as a Delegate to the Snohomish & Island County Central Labor Council and the Northwest Washington Building and Construction Trades Council.

“John Traynor led our legislative work in 2025 through a tough and complex session, helping secure major policy and revenue wins for Washington’s working families,” said April Sims, President of the WSLC. “John is a dedicated, tireless advocate for working people and committed to the values of solidarity and respect that underpin our labor movement. He has my full confidence as he steps into this new role.”

With deep roots in Washington’s labor movement, Traynor is eager to put his skills to work in a new position.

“United through the WSLC, Washington’s labor movement has been instrumental in improving working and living conditions for people all across this state,” said Traynor. “I’m looking forward to digging into next session’s work to keep moving the needle forward for working people.”

The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO is the largest labor organization in Washington, representing more than 650 local unions and 600,000 working people statewide.