If your WSLC-affiliated union organization has an event scheduled that is not listed here and would be of interest to other unions' members, please tell us about it and we'll post it here.

Online town hall to discuss health care reform
Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Kent) will host an important online town hall meeting at 11 a.m. on MONDAY, JULY 6 to discuss the impact federal health care reform efforts could have on the state. Click here at that time to participate. Topics will include whether a public option should be offered to compete with private health plans, how the state could achieve significant cost savings, and how current and past state reform efforts would be impacted by federal legislation. The online town hall comes on the heels of a trip Sen. Keiser made to the nation’s capital where she met with key congressional leaders and White House officials on the issue and urged them to include the choice of a public plan, affordability protections, and shared responsibility for health care costs in the federal legislation. For more information, contact Sen. Keiser’s office at 206-878-2748.

Seattle City Council Candidate Forum
The M.L. King County Labor Council is hosting a Seattle City Council Candidate Forum from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on WEDNESDAY, JULY 8 at the Seattle Labor Temple, 2800 1st Ave, in Hall 1. The city is facing a $43 million budget deficit, significant transportation challenges and huge shifts in the city's economy and job base. Twenty candidates have filed to run for City Council and this is your opportunity to find out where they stand on important working family issues. Beer and wine will be available for purchase and all proceeds will go to the Puget Sound Labor Agency. For more information, e-mail Lily Wilson-Codega or call her at 206-650-5503.

UA Local 32's Candidate Fair & Rib Roast
Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 32 is hosting a Candidate Fair and Rib Roast SATURDAY, JULY 11 at the Local 32 Hall, 595 Monster Road SW in Renton. Food and beverages will be served starting at noon, followed by keynote speakers at 3 p.m. School board members, state legislators and city council members running for re-election have been invited to come meet with union members and learn about plumbing and pipefitting, and about the industry's career opportunities for young people. Members of all unions are invited to attend this free event. For more information, call Dusty Hoerler at 425-277-6680 x117.

WSLC's 2009 golf tournament fundraiser
"The Tournament in ‘09," the annual golf fund raiser to benefit the Foundation for Working Families and community service agencies throughout Washington state, will be WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5 with a 7 a.m. shotgun start at the Highlander Golf Club in East Wenatchee. For registration information, contact the FWF at 206-281-8901 x14, or download the tournament flier/registration form.

AquaSox Solidarity Night
The Snohomish County Labor Council will host Union Solidarity Night at the Everett AquaSox game on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5 at 7:05 p.m. as the AquaSox take on Boise at Everett Memorial Stadium, 3900 Broadway. Tickets are being distributed to SCLC Affiliates for distribution to their members this month. The first 1,000 fans to attend will receive a glowing baseball, courtesy of NECA and IBEW. Learn more at www.aquasox.com.

2009 WSLC Convention
The Washington State Labor Council's 2009 Convention will be AUGUST 6-8 at the Wenatchee Coast Hotel and Convention Center. Per the WSLC Constitution, a Convention Call has been mailed to all WSLC-affiliated/chartered organizations notifying them the number of delegates to which they are entitled. Contact your local union for information on how to serve as a delegate or alternate representing your union. Click here for more information. 

Summer Institute for Union Women
The 28th Annual Western Regional Summer Institute for Union Women will be held AUGUST 11-15 at the University of California, Los Angeles. The four-day residential program brings together 150 participants from the western regions of the United States and Canada for exciting workshops and speakers on the history, struggles and achievements of working women. This year’s theme, “Women Workers of the World Unite,” speaks to the inclusion of participants who represent not only labor unions but also workers’ centers, community groups, and other organizations that focus on social and economic justice issues. Early bird registration expires June 11. Learn more. 

Labor Day celebrations
Multiple events and celebrations for union members and their families are planned for LABOR DAY, SEPTEMBER 7. Here are the ones organized by affiliated union and central labor councils (contact us with details if you would like you event added):

SEATTLE -- The M.L. King County Labor Council will host its annual Labor Day Picnic on Monday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Seattle's Lower Woodland Park, Shelters 1, 2 & 3. This free event will feature live music, hot dogs, soda, ice cream, clowns, games and prizes for kids, raffle prizes and more. Please bring a can of food for the Puget Sound Labor Agency. For raffle information, call PSLA at 206-448-9277. For more information about the picnic or to volunteer that day, call the MLKCLC at 206-441-8510.

CHEHALIS -- The Thurston-Lewis-Mason Central Labor Council hosts its Labor Day Picnic on Monday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Stan Hedwall Park, 1501 Rice Road (Exit 76) in Chehalis. Food and refreshments will be provided. Bring the family! There will be inflatable toys for the kids.

MT. VERNON -- The Whatcom, Skagit, Island and North Snohomish county region will celebrate its First Annual Labor Day Picnic on  Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hillcrest Park in Mount Vernon. Sponsored by member of Operating Engineers Local 302, all union members and their families in the area are invited to come enjoy the day and get to know each other. Hot dogs and drinks will be provided, but please bring a potluck dish, salad, fruit or chips to share. For more information, e-mail Garrett Hong or download the event flier (Word file).