April 2024
From the President
I was pretty thrilled a couple of weeks ago when I went to the fifth Mariners’ game of the season with my son, daughter-in-law and a couple of friends, scored a Julio bobblehead, and witnessed a win! But wait, those weren’t even the highlights of the evening! The real highlight was when Vicky, my son’s friend, greeted me with a big hug and “I have a great report for you on our contract!” The last time we spoke was in July when she and her city librarian co-workers were in a struggle to get a respectable COLA … at that time it seemed the struggle might go on for a while. And it did, given this was on April 1st and they had just ratified a contract with meaningful retroactive raises. I was happy with their win but thrilled by Vicky’s display of pride and satisfaction with the collective power of her and her co-workers. The fact that it was the first thing she wanted to tell me about put me over the moon!
When I sat down to write my column this month, several topics came to mind - this summer’s conventions, resolutions on climate, workplace respect, and investments in the common good, our newest local’s ratification of their first contract and our two soon-to-be new locals. As I reflected on the commonalities among the list, I thought about Vicky and the theme was obvious – the power of the collective and the uplifting effect it has on all of us in the labor movement when we achieve and share those wins that make jobs, and our lives, better.
The Washington State Labor Council and AFT hold their conventions in July in Wenatchee and Houston, respectively. Conventions give us the chance to take an active role in the labor movement and to build relationships with our union siblings across professions, learning about challenges and wins, and discovering our common ground.
The WSLC convention (July 16 – 18) provides the opportunity to work with labor allies to pass resolutions in support of our members. We’ll engage organized labor to resolve to fight for better wages and respect on the job for our school-related personnel and for investments in the staff and faculty of the community and technical colleges. Workshops covering a wide range of topics will be on offer and we’ll hear from labor and community leaders, along with plenty of time for relationship building, aka socializing.
AFT’s convention has a different feel…with 3000+ delegates that’s not a surprise. We attend committee meetings to discuss resolutions, hear from national leaders, and learn about the constituencies and programs of AFT. I always leave convention refueled and having gained clarity on the power we hold as a collective of working people.
AFT Washington is consistently underrepresented at these conventions, as well as at Central Labor Council activities. I want to urge you to put this topic on your next leadership meeting agenda and consider ways you can increase the voice of your memberships within the larger labor movement. Sometimes the mutual benefit of engagement isn’t all that clear when you’re immersed in locally based demands, but the benefits are many. Getting the support of the labor movement on our legislative agenda helps to elevate our interests during the legislative session.
Participation in Central Labor Council meetings translates to the opportunity to gain support from other unions in a tough bargaining situation or collaborating on community building activities. The Thurston-Lewis-Mason Central Labor Council spoke up for our Federation of Head Start members when their voices were needed, urging the board of directors to take seriously the needs of the workforce; our faculty local at Tacoma Community College is working with the WFSE local and our staff to host a candidate forum for the congressional district 6 race underway. Working together in this way paves the path to a stronger voice in the future, for example when the administration wants to cut jobs or implement anti-worker policies … both of which are threats our members face on a regular basis. And collaboration works a whole lot better if you’ve gotten to know one another before you’re facing a crisis.
Deadlines are fast approaching for AFT’s convention (your local president should have received information about AFT’s convention in mid-March) and WSLC’s registration has just opened, so take action now.
As the end of another school year approaches, I expect that most of you are looking forward to a break, a slower pace, maybe even a vacation. While you’re planning your summer schedule, save the date for union building! AFT Washington’s Powerful Locals conference is happening in person for the first time since 2019. It will be held at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma and will include several workshops as well as classes designed to position locals to optimize their power through leader development. Please reserve 7/31 – 8/2 for a team from your local to join us. We can’t wait to see you there!
Additionally, we have another “most important election of our lifetimes” in November, and that means active engagement throughout the summer to support the candidates that we are counting on to support us as lawmakers. At the same time, we anticipate a robust legislative agenda in 2025 and these next seven months are a critical opportunity to talk to our legislators; they have a little more time and a little more focus to better understand our interests when not in the thick of a legislative session. We will need you and your members to heed the call when it’s time for door knocking, text-banking, etc. With so many seats open in the state legislature, plus a number of statewide races, to say nothing of the federal races, this is going to be a very active election cycle for us all.
I know that sometimes these letters sound like the work of the union is just that – work – but then moments like the one at the ballgame happen, and it reminds me every time that we put in the work to be able to enjoy the benefits of worker power and our union. Just one of those benefits is in coming together to secure and celebrate our wins. Another is strategizing for future wins, and yet another is building our stronger communities. With that in mind, quite a lot of the feeling of work slides away, but the joy and solidarity shine through.
In solidarity,
Karen Strickland, President
Local Highlights & News
Getting Ready for 2025
By AFT Washington Staff
Planning for the 2025 legislative session is underway. It will be a budget year and we have many economic goals, particularly around compensation for all of our constituencies. In both PreK-12 and the community and technical college system, compensation has been identified as a significant area of need; support from the two systems is helpful but not sufficient to ensure we win the type of investments our members need. Our Legislative Affairs Committee (LAC) will be meeting later this month to generate and review potential agenda items. The committee does not have School-Related Personnel or Higher Ed Classified Staff representation and we are continuing outreach to remedy that.
Potential topics identified thus far include (the first three are carry-over from 2024):
- PreK-12 School-Related Personnel compensation
- Contingent faculty pay equity
- Expanded benefits eligibility for contingent faculty
- CTC Professional staff compensation, either through inclusion in the I-732 COLA or a special allocation from the legislature
- Permanent COLA for TRS 1 and PERS 1 retirees
- Gun responsibility - Permit to Purchase
- Unemployment issues
- Job security for contingent faculty
- Progressive revenue
- Lab/Lecture hours
Activity to prepare for next year’s session is well underway and includes meetings with our Advocacy team – Rebecca Johnson, Lily Codega-Wilson and Dylan O’Connor – and with the PreK-12 Labor Coalition (WEA, PSE, SEIU 925, Teamsters), WEA advocacy team, and higher education union advocacy team including WEA and SBCTC, with ongoing attempts to engage WFSE and WPEA.
Our timeline for identifying priorities has sped up and we hope to influence both the SBCTC and OSPI to include our priorities in their budget requests. The SBCTC aims to have their legislative agenda approved at the June board meeting; we expect that OSPI will have their agency request prepared by August. We’ll have a bit more time on policy bills, with a goal of having them sponsored and pre-filed in the first week of December. We’ve got a lot to do in these next few months to be in the strongest position possible come January 2025, while we also run our endorsement process and help candidates who support our agenda win their elections!
2025 is going to be a big year, and we have ambitious goals for it. If you’re interested in getting involved, either in the Legislative Affairs Committee or in another capacity, please reach out to Richard Burton at rburton@aftwa.org.
Get Ready to Power Up
By Cortney Marabetta, Communications Specialist
Powerful Locals is coming, and this year it is coming in person! Save the date for July 31st – August 2nd at the Pacific Lutheran University campus in Tacoma. We will have tracks on contract management and member engagement, and we are finalizing the details of the additional workshops we’ll offer – let your UOR know if there’s something you think would be great to highlight in the trainings.
More information coming soon!
Get On Your Bike and Ride Update
By Cortney Marabetta, Communications Specialist
April is when AFT Washington members ride bikes to raise money for the AFT Washington/Barnard Iglitzin and Lavitt Scholarship, and we have an update!
So far, halfway through April, our reporting riders have done almost 250 miles in 15 rides, and given the beautiful weather, we know those numbers will be much higher by next week.
There is still time to support the fund! Your local can pledge an amount per mile or per ride for members who ride – contact Tammy Fouts at tfouts@aftwa.org to get set up with that.
And – very important – if you are an AFT Washington member you and your family members are eligible for the scholarship. The application will open in June – get ready to apply. But first, let’s get on our bikes and ride!
Welcome Chris Chapek, Our New Operations Manager!
With a decade-long dedication to advancing education and labor rights, Chris is excited to step into the role of Operations Manager at AFT Washington. His journey, rooted in community organizing, campaign management, and data-driven strategies, has prepared him to contribute to the organization's vision of a just society. With a heart for service and a passion for empowering others, Chris is grateful for the opportunity to lead the Administrative Support Team (AST) in supporting AFT Washington's vital work. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris enjoys hiking, traveling, and cooking. With enthusiasm and dedication, Chris looks forward to embracing AFT Washington's values and contributing to meaningful change.
Union Tips & Reminders
It's Time For APALA's Annual Gala!
Friday, April 19th, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) Seattle Chapter is hosting their 25th Annual Fundraising Banquet & Silent Auction on Friday, April 19th, 2024, 6:00 pm -8:00 pm, at the Jerry Brockey Center, South Seattle College. This year's theme is “Uniting for A Multi-Racial Democracy: Asian American Pacific Islander Workers Rising.” AFT Washington purchased a table and there are a few seats available. If you are interested in attending, please contact Somma Rath at srath@aftwa.org for more information.
Afternoon Meeting with Congresswoman Jayapal
Tuesday, April 23rd, 1:30 – 4:00 PM
Join AFT Washington’s Retiree Chapter, Communities for Our Colleges, and AFT Seattle locals 1789 and 6550 as well as other labor allies for an afternoon of conversation with Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal! Members are encouraged to bring questions – this is an opportunity to learn more about what’s going on in this Washington, as well as in Washington DC.
Register here.
Evening Forum for 6th Congressional District Candidates
Tuesday, April 23rd, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
The AFT Washington Retiree Chapter, AFT TCC local 2196, AFSCME Council 28, and Tacoma Community College invite you to join us on April 23rd for a 6th Congressional District candidate forum! This event features Commissioner Hilary Franz, Senator Drew MacEwan, and Senator Emily Randall, running for the seat being vacated by Congressman Derek Kilmer. Bring your questions for the candidates!
Register here.
Worksite Representative Training
Wednesday, April 24th, 5:00 - 7:00
Whether you are called a union steward, building rep, officer, executive board member, we all want to do our best to represent our members. During this training you will learn the importance of engaging our membership, building our power inside and outside of the worksite, and enforcing our contract.
Register here.
Washington State Labor Council Convention
Tuesday, July 16th – Thursday, July 18th, 2024
The 2024 Constitutional Convention of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, will be held July 16-18 at the Coast Wenatchee Hotel and Convention Center. This year’s theme is “Reclaiming Worker Power, Energizing Our Movement”. Visit the 2024 Convention page for more information.
AFT National Convention
Monday, July 22nd – Wednesday, July 24th, 2024
From the AFT: We are honored to call the 88th convention of the AFT. The AFT convention is the highest authority of our union and demonstrates union democracy at work. The convention is hereby called to convene at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. and will remain in session until such time as it has given full consideration to such matters as legally may be brought before it.
Human Rights Committee Seeks Members
The AFT Washington Human Rights Committee is sincerely committed to our mission statement of advocating for human rights in our workplaces and our community. We are continuing to work with our locals and allies to combat racism, foster community, and educate our members and communities on the importance of Human Rights. The AFT Washington Human Rights Committee needs your expertise, experience, and investment in upholding Human Rights to do this! We want to have a representative committee that includes all the constituencies within AFT Washington, but to do that we need your participation. You are invited to join the Human Rights Committee as an advocate for the Human Rights issues that are important to our members. To join the Human Rights Committee, contact Ray Carrillo, 206-369-4001, rcarrillo@aftwa.org.
AFT Connect: Better Data For A Stronger Union
Connect is AFT’s web-based, secure local data management system. It provides a great way to record individual member data, and so much more!
Readily use these features and more through AFT Connect’s dashboard, upload bulk spreadsheet updates of your membership, or let Connect help your local turn data into a powerful outreach and management tool through easy, customizable reports.
Maintaining your local’s membership and leadership information in Connect meets AFT and AFT Washington requirements for your local to remain in good standing.
To get started with AFT Connect, or to request training and other member data support, contact Briseida Sanchez at bsanchez@aftwa.org.
Communications Help Is Available
Is your local not sure how to best use your website? Did you know you can have a free website? Would you like help with figuring out strategies for better communications outreach? Got something for the whole union to hear about? We can help with all of these, and more!
On top of helping your local, we can provide outreach to the union as a whole, through the Pulse and the Union Spotlight. We are actively interested in anything your members are doing, such as workshops or innovative problem solving.
If you have questions about them, want guidance, or are interested in learning more, please contact Cortney Marabetta at cmarabetta@aftwa.org.