The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO — the state’s largest union organization representing the interests of some 600 labor organizations with more than 500,000 members — will hold its 2024 Committee on Political Education (COPE) Endorsing Convention starting at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 18 at the Machinists District 751 Hall, 9125 15th Pl. South in Seattle.
It is at this convention that hundreds of delegates representing WSLC-affiliated unions from across the state will vote on endorsements for congressional, statewide, state legislative and judicial candidates, plus state ballot measures.
Unlike corporations and industry groups — which outspend unions more than 24-to-1 on politics — labor’s support doesn’t just come in the form of a check. It comes in the form of volunteers who do household walks, worksite leafleting, and make personal (not automated) phone calls to other voters. Plus, it includes direct mail and other forms of political outreach intended to explain why endorsed candidates and ballot measures have earned labor’s support.
Delegate Information
COVID PROTOCOLS — The health and safety of everyone in attendance remains a priority. The WSLC encourages all participants to self-test for COVID before attending the COPE Convention. The WSLC recommends that all adhere to the CDC-recommended COVID prevention measures, such as staying current on vaccination, frequent and thorough handwashing, and staying home if you develop symptoms – you can find a list of known COVID symptoms from the CDC. Masks are optional at convention.
CONVENTION RULES — Here are the 2024 COPE Convention standing rules. The body will formally adopt the COPE Convention Rules at the beginning of the convention. All delegates are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with these rules.
REGISTRATION — All WSLC-affiliated unions were notified about the number of delegates/alternates they can send. If you are interested in representing your union as a delegate or alternate at the WSLC COPE Convention, contact your local union for more information.
Any delegate or alternate who arrives to the COPE Convention unregistered must present a signed letter from their union officer to receive their credentials. All delegates and alternates must be registered by 11:45 a.m. to participate. Please come early to give yourself extra time to register.
The registration fee is $200 per delegate. This includes registration, materials, and lunch. As is customary, the WSLC will be asking for donations to assist with its COPE program. The suggested donation to receive the 2024 COPE button is $20.
TENTATIVE AGENDA
7:30 a.m. — Registration opens
8:30 — COPE Convention convenes
11:00 — Break for lunch
12:45 — Deadline for all Delegates and Alternatives to be registered
1 p.m. — Endorsement action begins
COPE Convention usually adjourns around 3 to 4 p.m., but could run longer depending on the pace of voting. The results of the endorsement action will be posted on the Political Action page of the WSLC website on Saturday night.
LUNCH
We’re bringing back hosted food trucks for lunch. Options include:
C. Davis Texas BBQ
- Smoked brisket or pork, over waffle fries. Beverages available.
Stacks Handcrafted Burgers (vegetarian and vegan options)
- Burgers, sandwiches with fries. Beverages available.
Morena’s Taco Truck
- Taco plates with choice of protein and rice. Sodas available.
The Candidates
Candidates seeking WSLC endorsement participate in a process that includes completing candidate questionnaires and interviews with local unions and regional Central Labor Councils.
CANDIDATE LISTS — Candidates in Washington state had until May 10 to file for public office and until 5 p.m. May 13 to withdraw. A complete list of candidates who filed effective May 14 can be found here. A limited number of printed copies of this list will be available to delegates at the beginning of endorsement action.
CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRES — Registered delegates have received the password to access the Candidate Questionnaire page with all completed questionnaires received by the WSLC. If you are a registered delegate/alternate and don’t have that information, contact us.
The Process
Candidates seeking WSLC endorsement participate in a process that includes completing candidate questionnaires and interviews with local unions and regional Central Labor Councils. (Candidates can find questionnaires here. Delegates can email us to receive the link/password to access questionnaires completed by the candidates.)
STATEWIDE COPE — The night before the COPE Convention, the Statewide COPE Committee meets to vote on recommendations to make to the convention body. The Statewide COPE Committee consists of the WSLC’s Executive Officers, members of the WSLC Executive Board, Central Labor Councils, the WSLC Political and Strategic Campaigns Director, and a representative of AFSCME, AFT (includes WSNA), IAM, IBEW, IBT, SEIU, SPEEA and WEA. This year, Statewide COPE will meet at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 17 at the Machinist 751 Hall. This committee’s recommendations will serve as the opening motion in each race at Saturday’s convention.
Delegates can download an electronic list of candidates that includes Statewide COPE recommendations. Because Statewide COPE recommendations are privileged information, this version of the candidate list is posted on the password-protected Candidate Questionnaires page. All registered delegates have received the the link/password to access that page. If you are a registered delegate/alternate and don’t have that information, contact us.
ENDORSEMENT ACTION — On Saturday afternoon, the Chair will proceed through each of congressional, legislative, statewide and judicial races — plus ballot measures — that are under consideration. In each race, the Chair will announce whether Statewide COPE has made a recommendation in the race, and if so, make an opening motion with that recommendation. Delegates will then debate or amend the motion under Robert’s Rules of Order. Floor microphones will be set up and marked “FOR” or “AGAINST” the motion, and delegates should get in the appropriate line to speak. At the conclusion of debate, delegates will vote on the motions for each race. A two-thirds majority of is required for WSLC endorsement.
For details on the rules of debate and voting, see the tentative 2024 COPE Convention Rules, as approved at the Feb. 1 Special COPE Convention. The body will formally adopt the COPE Convention Rules at the beginning of the convention. Also see the COPE Rules and Bylaws, which begin on Page 30 of the WSLC Constitution.
Questions?
If you have registration questions, email Rashea Dickey at rdickey@wslc.org.
If you have questions about the COPE endorsement process, email Osta Davis at odavis@wslc.org.