POSITION: State Affiliate Political Organizer (SAPO). AFT Washington is excited to offer the opportunity to engage with our membership, community allies, and legislators around developing and moving our legislative agenda. This position is responsible for driving member engagement in our legislative and political program on behalf of AFT Washington’s membership. This position is jointly funded by AFT Washington and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

ATTENTION: WASHINGTON STATE COVID-19 RESOURCES LIST

Washington State’s Employment Securities Department has a website for workers who are affected by the coronavirus outlining what state benefits are available to you if you are:

• Quarantined

• Ill or being tested

• Affected by reduced hours, temporary shutdowns, or layoffs

• Facing loss of employment

Are you or anyone you know interested in working for social change?

Union Summer is the paid ($16/hour) summer internship program for people interested in getting involved in the labor movement. Union Summer participants will spend an exciting six weeks — June 25-August 3 — working full-time and hands-on with different campaigns — talking to our community, marching for justice, and gaining first-hand experience in the movement. The positions are based in and around Seattle, but campaigns may take place throughout the region.

Fill out this application. The deadline to apply has been extended to Friday, May 24.

TAKE ACTION! Please visit BreaksAreALifesaver.org to send your state senator a message to vote YES on this important patient-safety legislation. Supported by the Washington State Nurses Association, UFCW 21, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW and many other public health advocates, SHB 1155 will help ensure our nurses and caregivers are well-rested and alert, and help reduce medical errors and ensure quality care for Washingtonians.

Spaghetti Feed to benefit Puget Sound Labor Agency is tomorrow at IAM 751

SEATTLE — Join union leaders, members and community supporters from across the region for a special Spaghetti Feed Fundraiser benefiting the Puget Sound Labor Agency, AFL-CIO — and helping to fund its impending relocation — on Tuesday, March 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Machinists 751 Hall, 9125 15th Place S. in Seattle. Read more.

King County is having a Diversity in Construction Trades Event on April 3. This is for those interested in starting careers in commercial construction trades through free local apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs.

Space is limited: Register today at diversityinconstruction.eventbrite.com

What: Diversity in Construction Trades: Apprenticeship Pathways to Construction Careers 
When: Wednesday, April 3, 2019 // 5:30-8 PM 
Where: NewHolly Gathering Hall, 7054 32nd Ave. South, Seattle, WA 98118 
Cost: Free and open to all

On March 16th the news broke that Sound Transit has quietly been taking steps to contract out their Express bus service to a private, for-profit corporation. They plan to start with 14 buses and increase to 55 buses by fall 2020. A Request for Proposals (RFP) was put out in February, without consultation with King County Metro, which currently collaborates with Sound Transit to operate the Express buses.

This is unacceptable for so many reasons. Privatization of public transit is a profit-grab that in other cities has led to eroding service and safety standards, not to mention that any “savings” come from turning middle class union-represented bus driver positions into lower-wage jobs with poor benefits. Contracting out with a private company also undermines public oversight, transparency, and accountability. Please take a minute to email members of the Sound Transit board urging them to halt efforts to privatize our public services, and share widely!

I-940 Historic Victory