Rossetti Reminds Voters Of Primary

Published by JD Rossetti in The Rebel on July 27, 2018

WSLC News
In May, delegates representing unions from across the state including the Washington Area Council of the AWPPW, voted on early election endorsements at the Washington State Labor Coun- cil, AFL-CIO (WSLC)’s 2018 Committee on Political Education Convention in Seattle. A complete list of endorsements made by the WSLC in congressional, legislative, and state Supreme Court races can be found at: http://www.thestand.org/2018/05/wslc-delegates- make-election-endorsements-2.

In other news, WSLC President Jeff Johnson will not seek re-election. Johnson stated, “From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for the support, confidence, and friendship you have given me over the decades and for your support of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO and our labor movement.” Secretary Treasurer Lynne Dodson is anticipated to replace Johnson at the end of the year.

The AWPPW Washington Area Council will participate in the 2018 Constitutional Convention of the Washington State La- bor Council, AFL-CIO, set for July 17-19, at the Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel and Convention Center. Again, delegates representing unions across the state will join in reviewing additional political endorsements, work in committees and craft resolutions.

U.S. Supreme Court
It has been a horrible month for the Supreme Court, as they have handed down ruling after ruling that violate our values and our rights. And with the resignation of Justice Kennedy, these attacks will only get worse.

As you may have heard, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its long-anticipated decision in Janus v. AFSCME ruling 5-4 along ideological lines to enact “right-to-work” restrictions on all public employee unions nationwide. All state and local governments and all public employee unions will be prohibited from agreeing to fair-share provisions in their contracts.

Additionally, public employee unions will be required to represent non-members, even if those individuals don’t pay to support the effort.

In a statement, Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO President Jeff Johnson and Secretary Treasurer Lynne Dodson said: “No court deci- sion will stop us from fighting for good jobs, safe workplaces, affordable health care, and dignity at work for everyone. Today, we recommit not only to sustaining Washington’s labor movement, but to building a stronger one.”

August Primary
Ballots will be mailed July 20th to Washington voters for the primary election of August 7th. Labor campaigns are underway to inform union members and their families about which candidates have earned labor’s endorsement. Union volunteers are needed for phone banks and Labor Neighbor walks. Make a difference this election year in your community, so we have a government that puts people first, and prioritizes the needs of working families.

Sincerely,
— JD Rossetti
Washington Legislative & Political Director Washington Area Council, AWPPW