King
County Labor CouncilKing
County Labor Council
Vice President Gore visited our annual picnic as a guest of AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. Sweeney chose to spend Labor Day in Seattle based on Puget Sound’s thriving organizing movement and progressive programs designed to help unions and their members succeed in today’s workforce.
"Vice President Gore’s strong pro-worker upbringing has made him sensitive to the struggles faced by America’s working families and a staunch supporter of labor. The workers of Puget Sound should feel proud that he wanted to spend this important holiday here in Seattle," said Ron Judd, KCLC Executive Secretary. The customary ban on speeches during the Labor Day picnic was lifted this year to give picnic-goers a chance to hear Sweeney, Gore and U.S. Senator Patty Murray address the issues of workers’ right to organize. Their comments were met with many rounds of applause and cheers from the estimated 5,000 union members and labor supporters in attendance.
While our special guests were the highlight of this year’s picnic, we tried to maintain the family-friendly atmosphere of our past picnics by offering other attractions. The exotic animal exhibit was a hit with kids and adults alike, all hoping to pet a snake, rabbit or one of the three llamas in the exhibit. Environmental Youth, a non-profit organization, has been bringing their animals to our picnic for years to give kids a chance to meet and learn more about them. Our assortment of clowns also helped kids enjoy the picnic with face-painting, bubbles and games. Nearby, the Postal Workers set up a karaoke station that was popular throughout the day.
The KCLC Education Committee sponsored a tent where attendees could learn more about Common Sense Economics and trends affecting workers’ incomes. The Committee also gave union members’ kids a chance to get involved with a mock voting booth where youngsters could vote on questions concerning fairness issues. To vote, they dropped one bean for each question into clear plastic tubes marked ‘yes’ or ‘no’ that were visible from outside the booth. The results were encouraging, showing a strong sense of fairness and collective responsibility. (The booth is available for use at other functions — call Jennifer Snyder at 206-461-8408 for information.)
As you might imagine, it takes a lot of resources to put on our picnic every year. We would like to thank a few of our major sponsors and vendors for helping us make this year’s event such a success. The Saturn Dealerships of Lynnwood, Bellevue and Renton covered the full expense of the food and beverages provided by O’Callahan’s Restaurant (a union caterer from the SeaTac Radisson Hotel). Saturn has offered continual support to our labor community in so many ways — their willingness to help really makes them a first class employer. UFCW Local 1105 once again donated a great selection of ice cream to help us all stay cool. We can thank The Fabulous Boomers, hired through the Musicians union, for providing wonderful music throughout the day. Rise Up! Productions, headed up by AFM members Bob Barnes and Scott Reed and staffed by IATSE, did a terrific job of coordinating the many production aspects of the picnic. Thanks also to the volunteers who helped blow up balloons, set up tables and return the site to its pre-picnic condition.
We would also like to extend our sincere apprciation to all our affiliates who helped cover the cost of the picnic with their generous contributions!
On the road to being a true "Union City," the King County Labor Council continues to work with the unions of King County to educate and motivate their members, defend the rights of workers to join unions, organize new members and create a powerful new political voice that speaks for working families.
• No! 200 Labor Committee: MaryAnn
Schroeder (UFCW Local 81). Special thanks also to past chair Herman Gilman
(State Employees Local 304).
• Organizing Committee: Motter Forman (Musicians Local 76-493).
• Diversity Committee: Norma Kelsey (OPEIU Local 8).
• Education Committee: Co-chairs Norma Kelsey (OPEIU Local 8) and Leta Blackwell
(IBPAT Local 300).
2505 Third Avenue, Suite 150
Seattle, WA 98121
Phone: 206-956-0494.
A key responsibility for the Labor Liaison will be to work with union members to make sure that organized labor is represented on all advisory committees for job training programs at the community and technical colleges. The Council will provide training, orientation and ongoing support for union members volunteering to serve on these committees.
The skills and expertise of union members in hundreds of occupations are needed to help the colleges evaluate their programs through committees. These committees recommend new approaches or technologies to include in programs to meet workplace needs. They work to ensure that students acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes that are necessary to find and succeed in living wage jobs.
These advisory committees typically meet three times a year. A vast range of training programs need new labor committee members, for everything from office technologies to auto body repair. Also, special advisory committees for other programs such as tech prep and ESL need labor’s input.
Current union members on advisory committees point out that they receive great satisfaction from knowing they have helped spend our tax dollars wisely to build a skilled workforce. They also feel they are helping the labor community contribute to quality education programs that spur the economic growth of King County.
Are you interested in making sure that labor’s voice is heard? There is an ongoing need for a few "good people" to serve on advisory committees. We’ll make sure you get what you need to begin as a labor advisory committee member. Call 206-461-8408 to volunteer your expertise.