Welcome to the 2025 Convention page!

This page will become your “convention bag,” stuffed with all the information that delegates and guests need to get the most out of the 2025 Convention of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, which will be held July 22-24 in Vancouver, WA. In the weeks leading up to Convention, we will be posting the tentative convention agenda, rules, proposed resolutions, workshop descriptions, forms, and everything else you need. This page will be continually updated, so keep checking back — and refreshing the page — as we add materials and information.

Get READY

●  REGISTRATION — Registration is now closed. Please contact Willa Kamakahi at wkamakahi@wslc.org with questions. 

●  OUR CONSTITUTION — Check out the WSLC Constitution and Bylaws to understand the structure and organization of the council and its annual conventions.

●  RULES — Check back for the proposed Convention Standing Rules for the 2025 Convention. These rules will be considered and voted upon by the convention body on Tuesday.

●  COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOL — The health and safety of everyone in attendance remains a priority. The WSLC encourages all participants to self-test for COVID before attending the 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 (or in your hotel room) and testing if you develop symptoms – you can find a list of known COVID symptoms from the CDC. Masks are optional at convention.

●  NEW DELEGATES — If you are a first-time delegate, check out the New Delegate page to find out what the WSLC is, what it does, and your role at this convention. We encourage you to attend the New Delegate workshop at 8:00 a.m. in Discovery A before the convention begins on Day 1 to get acquainted with the agenda, traditions and events associated with the convention.

Tentative AGENDA

MONDAY

6:00 – 7:30 p.m. – Early registration | Main Lobby

6:00 p.m. – Opening Reception & Postcard Party | Heritage Rooms E & F

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m. – Registration opens | Main Lobby

8:00 a.m. – New Delegate Orientation | Discovery A

8:30 a.m. – Plenary doors open | Heritage Ballroom

9:00 a.m. – Plenary convenes | Heritage Ballroom

12:15 p.m. – Lunch break
12:15 p.m. – President’s Luncheon feat. AG Nick Brown | Pine & Spruce Rooms (see EVENTS for more info)

1:30 p.m. – Workshops (see below for more info)

3:30 p.m. – Committee meetings (see below for more info)

4:30 p.m. – Registration closes | Main Lobby

5:30 p.m. – Union Family Fun Night | Esther Short Park (see EVENTS for more info)

WEDNESDAY

7:45 a.m. – Trade Section Meetings (more info below)

8:30 a.m. – Convention office opens | Alder Room

8:30 a.m. – Plenary doors open | Heritage Ballroom

9:00 a.m. – Plenary convenes | Heritage Ballroom

12:15 p.m. – Lunch break
12:15 p.m. – Women’s Committee Luncheon | Pine & Spruce Rooms (see EVENTS for more info)

1:30 p.m. – Workshops (see below for more info)

4:30 p.m. – Convention office closes | Alder Room

6:00 p.m. – Hosted Reception | Heritage Ballroom E & F

7:00 p.m. – Awards Banquet | Heritage Ballroom

THURSDAY

8:30 a.m. – Convention office opens | Alder Room

8:30 a.m. – Plenary doors open | Heritage Ballroom

9:00 a.m. – Plenary convenes | Heritage Ballroom

9:45 a.m. – Convention business | Heritage Ballroom

Convention WORKSHOPS

On Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, the WSLC will offer hands-on interactive workshops.

BOTH DAYS

Educating Union Members about their Rights — Union members should be aware of their rights and learn how to exercise them effectively! This workshop will cover the basics of how union members can protect themselves at work, at home, or in public, by exercising their rights and being prepared when interacting with law enforcement, including immigration agents. Learn more about new immigration policies, how to organize with your union membership, and how to create a plan that makes sense for your worksite(s). This workshop is offered in each workshop timeslot, both Tuesday and Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. & 3:15 p.m. The Wednesday, 3:15 p.m. session will be in Spanish, with Spanish-to-English translation available.

TUESDAY @ 1:30 p.m.

Resilience in a Layoff: Union Action and Layoff Support Strategies — Across Washington, unions are leveraging effects bargaining, support from the WSLC, state funds and community pressure to bring additional support to their members during layoffs and closures. Learn about their success stories and additional strategies to provide hope and resources to workers facing job cuts.

Using Structure Tests to Build Strong Escalating Campaigns: A Smart Approach to Building Mass Power — How do you build toward mass participation actions in your union? How do you know if members are ready for an action like a walkout or a strike? Learn how to stop guessing, and start measuring. In this workshop, we’ll talk about time-tested tools and practices to start small, gauge where members are at, and carefully build toward bigger and bigger actions while strengthening and improving your own communication networks. Learn how tools like structure tests can help take your union’s organizing to the next level!

Worker-Driven Research in Campaigns — In this workshop, we will practice applying research to a campaign. We will share tips and practices for gathering data in the workplace for contract and regulatory enforcement. Participants will also work together to review information about a Washington State employer to develop a short research-aided communication piece to share with their coworkers/union members. In this workshop, we will learn with and from each other. 

Lobbying for non-lobbyists — This discussion will focus on ways to engage with local, county and state lawmakers as a union member. We will break down ways to have your voice heard as a union member and how to use policy as a tool to protect communities and working conditions. We will discuss successful worker-led policy actions and how you can get involved in the work of developing and advocating for worker friendly policy in government.

TUESDAY @ 3:15 p.m.

Labor Leaders Representing the Worker Voice — Are you passionate about your union and industry knowledge? Consider serving as a Labor Member on a Community and Technical College Advisory Committee! This workshop is an opportunity to put your labor expertise to work. Many community and technical colleges are in need of labor volunteers to serve on their industry based Advisory Committees. This is a great opportunity to advance the worker voice and your community engagement. Most committees meet 2-3 times a year. Hear from Workforce Deans on why the committees are so important. Come learn how you can get involved with your local community college! 

Discover the Power of our Union Support: Empowering Workers Through WSLC Direct Worker Services — It’s not just another workshop; this is an opportunity to strenghten your unions collective action and power. The Washington State Labor Council provides direct support to workers, including Project HELP, Workforce Development, and services such as Unemployment Insurance navigation and U.S. Citizenship Legal Aid. Whether you are recovering from a workplace injury, facing a layoff, or seeking legal guidance on your path to citizenship, this session will connect you with the tools to stand strong and move forward. More than just support, these programs are tools to amplify your union’s organizing power, fortify your membership, and expand your collective voice.

Firelands Chair Activity Understanding the Billionaire Economy and What We Can Do About It — Why are working people struggling so much? How did wealth inequality get this bad? Why do more and more working people believe that we should blame each other for our struggles instead of those at the top? And most importantly, what can we do in this highly polarized political moment to unite working people, organize, and win what we all deserve? This interactive activity will engage with these questions and more. Firelands Workers United/Trabajadores Unidos works to build the power and unity of working people in Washington’s rural timber regions. This is a foundational training that all Firelands leaders and members go through to cultivate our shared understanding of how the ultra-rich rig the economy and politics to amass their own wealth and power, how they use narrative to keep us divided and confused, and how we can move and organize people out of those divide-and-conquer stories. 

Evergreen Solidarity: Learning from Those Who Fought Before Us — This interactive workshop explores key moments in Pacific Northwest labor history—from the Seattle General Strike to the rise of LELO, UCWA, and Women in Trades—through the lens of race, gender, and immigration. Learn how past coalitions challenged structural inequity and how their lessons apply to today’s fights for organizing rights, economic justice, and public services. Participants will sharpen storytelling skills, build connections across movements, and generate practical ideas for action in unions and communities.

WEDNESDAY @ 1:30 p.m.

Where are the clean energy jobs? — A breakdown of the continued barriers to building infrastructure, how the federal government’s recent actions have impacted our state, and proposed policy solutions to achieve our state’s clean energy goals.

Labor Law Update — A lot has changed in the world of American labor law. Union-side employment lawyers from the firm of Barnard, Iglitzin, and Lavitt will offer a comprehensive update of the changes our movement must navigate as we orgnanize and repreent workers in both the public and private sectors. Federal and State statutes, case law, administrative law, and agency rules establish the topography unions must navigate on daily basis; don’t be caught off guard.

Our Fates are Connected. Our Power is Collective — This workshop explores the deep connections between immigration justice and public sector labor struggles. We’ll examine how attacks on immigrants are often tied to broader efforts to undermine public services and weaken unions—disproportionately impacting women, Black and Brown workers, and those on the frontlines. Through storytelling, history, and shared analysis, participants will reflect on how our fates are bound together—and how we can build cross-movement solidarity to defend our communities, our jobs, and our right to organize.

Story to Action: Converting your Story into Effective Public Testimony — Want to take your voice and story and convert it into action? This workshop will help you convert your story into effective public testimony. Building a bench of engaged and prepared rank and file union members to speak up. Through group discussion and break-out groups, we will demonstrate best known methods for sharing your story publicly.

WEDNESDAY @ 3:15 p.m.

Building Blocks of a Political Campaign — Are you curious about running for office? This workshop will provide you with the foundational tools to assess the political landscape and build winning coalitions. We’ll also dive into the nuts and bolts of how to run for office–from filing to run to field to fundraising–this workshop ensures that you will be entering any race with eyes wide open.

Convention COMMITTEES

Delegates appointed to serve on the following committees will be notified prior to convention. Meeting times and locations are as follows:

• Sergeant-at-Arms — Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. | Oak Room
• Rules — Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. | Oak Room
• Grievance — Tuesday, 3:15 p.m. | Boardroom
• Labels & Unfair Lists — Tuesday, 3:15 p.m. | Spruce Room
• Legislative — Tuesday, 3:15 p.m. | Pine Room
• Resolutions — Tuesday, 3:15 p.m. | Cedar Room

TRADE SECTION meetings

The Trade Sections meet at convention to elect trustees, consider support for organizing or defense efforts, and conduct other business. By WSLC Constitution, each affiliated local union is entitled to membership in one or more of the following Trade Sections:

Building Trades

Food & Beverage

Industrial Unions

Maritime & Transportation

Miscellaneous Trades

Check back for meeting locations.

Proposed RESOLUTIONS

To be considered on time, all Proposed Resolutions must be postmarked and/or emailed to the Secretary Treasurer at ccarter@wslc.org no later than Sunday, June 22. Any proposed resolutions received after June 22 will be marked late and will be considered only if two-thirds of convention delegates vote to do so.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Resolutions, Legislative and Labels & Lists committees (see above) will meet to review and discuss Proposed Resolutions. These committee meetings are open to all delegates, but only those who have been assigned to serve as committee members will vote on whether to amend and/or recommend adoption of the resolutions. On Thursday, the committees will introduce each resolution to the convention floor for debate and action.

Click here for the list of 2025 Proposed Resolutions.

Convention EVENTS

Opening Reception and Postcard Party: Monday, July 21 at 6:00 PM | Heritage Rooms E and F. Kick off the evening by getting registered early in the Heritage Pre-Function area, then head over to enjoy some great company, appetizers, and drinks. While you’re there, take a moment to fill out postcards to send to fellow union members and help build solidarity across our movement. It’s a relaxed and welcoming way to start the week and connect with your union siblings. We can’t wait to see you there!

President’s Club Luncheon feat. AG Nick Brown: Tuesday, July 22 at 12:15 PM | Pine & Spruce Rooms. Open only to President’s Club members. Signing up for the President’s Club supports the WSLC President’s vision for building power for working people. Inquire in the Convention office in the Alder Room if you would like to sign up; cost is $300 per year and can be paid in $75 quarterly installments.

Family Fun Night aka COPE BBQ: Tuesday, July 22 at 5:30 PM | Esther Short Park. A fun evening with your union family! For only $50 you can purchase both a button AND a ticket, plus a delicious meal from one of three local food trucks: Koi Fusion (Korean-Mexican fusion), Tamale Boy (regional Mexican cuisine), or Faith Catering (Cajun and Southern comfort food). Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options will be available. Your regular registration covers workshops and the banquet dinner, but this special event is separate. 

Women’s Committee Luncheon: Wednesday, July 23 at 12:15 PM | Pine & Spruce Rooms. Tickets at $50. Proceeds support the Committee’s work empowering women workers across Washington state.

Awards Banquet & Silent Auction: Wednesday, July 23 | Reception starts at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the Reception and Awards banquet are included in registration cost. The Women’s Committee’s Silent Auction runs from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Proceeds support the Committee’s work empowering women workers across Washington state.