Fighting Back With The Mobilization Committee
By Kaitlin Gillespie, Union Organizing Representative
As the federal threats to workers’ rights and public education mount, AFT Washington members are taking action – and you can help.
The state federation this summer launched a mobilization committee dedicated to organizing statewide resistance to the Trump administration’s assault on democracy. The committee seeks to answer the question members have been asking for a year: “What are we doing to fight back?”
“Our members let us know last spring after the May 1st and No Kings Day events that we need to get outside of our normal ways of thinking about organizing and building coalitions,” AFT Washington President Jacqui Cain said. “They asked us for support in making that happen.”
The committee is made up of members from across the state and will begin announcing initiatives soon, including:
- Training opportunities for civil disobedience and protest safety
- A rapid response network to quickly rally activist members in the event of a crisis, such as the deployment of the National Guard
- Coordinated AFT Washington participation in nationwide protests like No Kings Day
- Coordination with regional and national response networks
The Trump administration has already signaled its sights are on Seattle for further escalation. After the president threatened to send federal troops into Portland, city and state officials told the administration to “stay out” of Washington. On the grounds that Seattle is a likely future target of Trump’s illegal National Guard deployments, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell signed executive orders directing the city to prepare for a challenge to an illegal deployment of the National Guard.
But as our union siblings in Chicago and Portland have seen this month, words aren’t enough to stop aggression at the hands of federal agents, and legal challenges can take time. When it’s time for coordinated action, AFT members across the state must be ready to fight back.
If you are interested in joining the mobilization committee or looking for more information on upcoming projects, email state affiliate political organizer Richard Burton at rburton@aftwa.org, or union organizing representative Kaitlin Gillespie at kgillespie@aftwa.org.
AFT Washington Seeks Members To Join Our Contingent Faculty Job Security Task Force
By Kaitlin Gillespie, Union Organizing Representative
Too many of our contingent and associate faculty work jobs that lack the basic benefits and certainty of their tenured peers. When higher education is built on the backs of undervalued workers, students and communities lose. We're looking for passionate members eager to find solutions to these problems. You do not need to be contingent faculty to serve on the task force.
The Taskforce will review contractual and legislative efforts to improve job security for contingent faculty, and will produce a report and recommendations for the AFT Washington Executive Board next spring. If you are interested, please email Union Organizing Representative Kaitlin Gillespie at kgillespie@aftwa.org.
AFT Washington Non-Violent Civil Disobedience Training Next Month
By Richard Burton, State Affiliate Political Organizer, and Kaitlin Gillespie, Union Organizing Representative
Members across the state have proudly sported their AFT blues at May Day and No Kings Day events this year, but how do we take the next steps in standing up to the authoritarian Trump administration and its cronies? By attending an in-person training on the art of non-violent civil disobedience. This will be led by long-time activist Wes Howard-Brook. He’s earned a law degree and has practiced as a lawyer, is theology faculty emeritus at Seattle University, a published scholar, and has been involved with dozens of these sorts of actions for decades.
Why this training?
Because after many inspiring events, like No Kings Day, over the last six months, some of our members are interested in the possibility of a next, escalated step. At this training, we’ll discuss what issues represent the biggest threats to our members and communities, and practice protest tactics beyond rallies and marches. This training is designed to meet members where they’re at; if you are not yet sure if you’re ready to participate in riskier actions, we encourage you to come and learn anyway.
Why such a long, in-person training?
Because this is a serious topic that requires trust, shared reflections, and community building. There will be a physical component to this training. If you would like to participate and need accommodations, please contact Union Organizing Representative Kaitlin Gillespie at kgillespie@aftwa.org or State Affiliate Political Organizer Richard Burton at rburton@aftwa.org to discuss.
Join us on Sunday, November 2nd from 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM in the AFT Washington Main Conference Room. Registration and more information here.