‘Unions remain a place of unity and hope’

Special report from the 2024 WSLC Constitutional Convention

WENATCHEE, WA (July 18, 2024) — The 2024 Constitutional Convention convened in Wenatchee on Tuesday, July 16, bringing together union members representing the hundreds of unions that make up the WSLC, and more than half a million union workers state-wide. Under the theme of “Reclaiming Worker Power and Energizing our Movement,” delegates heard from speakers, listened to expert panels, participated in workshops, and fostered solidarity and fellowship with fellow union activists. 

Tuesday’s morning plenary opened with a presentation of colors by IAFF fire fighters, followed by a tribal acknowledgement and moment of learning from Marie Neumayer, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, sharing the histories of the Wenatchi, Colville, and other tribes indigenous to the Wenatchee area.

WSLC President April Sims opened convention with remarks lifting up the WSLC’s work in the past year, and recognized the essential role unions play in 2024. 

“At a time when trust in our foundational institutions is wavering, when political violence and charged rhetoric is rising, unions remain a place of unity, and of hope,” said Sims. 

President April Sims addresses the delegates. Photo: Owain Waszak

Sims also issued a strong call for working people to stand tall against threats to our movement. Sims spoke on the rise of facism, a deeply anti-worker ideology that has taken root in conservative institutions across the US. “Facism is the opposite of organized labor, a movement that has been the principal force in this country for turning misery and despair into hope and progress, in the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King,” said Sims. “We must continue to be that force.”

“Siblings, we must understand: fascists are organized,” said Sims. “They are empowered in this moment. They believe that they will win. But they will not. Working people will not let them.”

Morning programming continued with a panel covering the WSLC’s four strategic priorities for building worker power: building independent political power; growing our organizing capacity; centering working people in the emerging green energy economy; and connecting the fight for racial and gender justice with our fight for economic justice. Panelists included members of IBEW 46, Teamsters 117, UA local 32, and WEA. 

Delegates also dove deeper into the climate jobs work of the WSLC. Chris Green, the President of the PNW Hydrogen Hub, shared the collaborative, worker-centered approach that secured nearly a billion dollars in clean energy infrastructure investment from the Biden administration into the PNW region. Delegates learned more from a panel led by the new Executive Director of Climate Jobs Washington, Cassie Bordelon. Panelists included representatives from the Machinists Institute, Puget Sound Energy, and the Renewable Hydrogen Alliance. 

Afternoon workshops covered topics central to building power and fostering solidarity, with opportunities to learn more about Climate Jobs Washington, to practice skills necessary for cultivating welcoming and healthy spaces, how to turn workplace issues into organizing campaigns, and the power of research in organizing, among others. 

Wednesday’s plenary opened with an invocation from Mohamud Adan (Drivers Union), followed by remarks from WSLC Secretary Treasurer Cherika Carter.

Carter shared the generational opportunity found in emerging AI technology, and the importance of centering working people in its development and implementation. “We are not anti-technology,” said Carter. “We are pro-worker.” 

Carter shared how her personal experiences with automation when working as a pharmacy tech shapes her approach to leveraging new technology to build worker power. 

Carter’s remarks were followed by a panel on AI, featuring members of ATU 587, SAG-AFTRA, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, and WFSE, and a panel on the organizing opportunities arising from Seattle’s selection as a host city for some of the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, featuring representatives of the Seattle 2026 FIFA World Cup coalition, Ironworkers 86, MLK Labor, SEIU 6 and UNITE HERE local 8. 

Delegates attended workshops on racial equity and public policy, navigating UI, and the power of sharing worker stories. The WSLC’s endorsed candidate for Governor, Attorney General Bob Ferguson, joined union activists for a luncheon to share his plans for improving the lives of working families. 

Annual awards were presented throughout Wednesday’s programming. The Bruce Brennan award was presented to Shana Peschek for her work with the Machinists Institute, expanding access to registered apprenticeship. 

WSLC President April Sims, Shana Paschek, WSLC Vice President Robert Driskell, WSLC staffer Emmanuel Flores, and WSLC Secretary Treasurer Cherika Carter. Photo: Owain Waszak

The Elsie Schrader award was presented to Heather Kurtenbach, Ironworkers 86, for her work breaking glass ceilings and expanding opportunities for women workers in the trade. 

The group Power to the People Award was presented to the IBEW 46 Limited Energy Electricians who led a successful, 10 week long strike that electrified Washington’s labor movement, and Mallorie Davies (LiUNA) received the individual Power to the People Award for her work passing policy to improve sanitary conditions for cosntructions workers who menstruate, lactate or express milk. The Mother Jones award was presented to Megan Kirby & Trina Chapa, for their service leadership during the IBEW 46 Limited Energy strike, and to the UNITE HERE local 8 Homegrown workers for their tireless activism to win a fair contract and reinstate fired union activists. 

IBEW 46 members with WSLC Executive Officers and staff. Photo: Owain Waszak

The President’s Award was presented to long-time labor champion State Senator Karen Keiser, and to retiring WSLC Vice President Vance Lelli, who has served more than two decades on the WSLC Executive Board. 

Convention continues Thursday morning with remarks from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and SEIU President April Verrett, followed by convention business including the democratic consideration of resolutions.