Chief of Staff

 

Joe Kendo (he/him) was named Chief of Staff of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, in November 2022. In this position, he directly supervises WSLC administrative and support staff, helps inform WSLC elected officers’ personnel decisions, collaborates with other staff and partners to develop WSLC policies, supports the officers in strategic planning and plan implementation, assists with the council’s legislative, political and communications activities, and represents the WSLC on legislative and state agency workgroups, advisory committees, boards and commissions.

Kendo joined the WSLC lobbying team in October 2013 and became the council’s Government Affairs Director in May 2015. In that position, Joe helped develop the WSLC’s legislative agenda, served on several internal and external policy committees, and worked with affiliated unions and community partners to improve the lives of Washington’s working families. He has represented the WSLC on the L&I Workers’ Compensation Advisory Committee, the Paid Family and Medical Leave Advisory Committee, the Employment Security Advisory Council, and the External Advisory Committee to the University of Washington’s Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences.

Prior to joining the WSLC, Kendo served as a Council Representative for the Washington Federation of State Employees, AFSCME Council 28, where he did internal organizing in support of contract negotiations and better working conditions, trained shop stewards, and recruited members for WFSE political activities and leadership positions on the council. Prior to that, during the 2008 legislative session, Kendo was the WSLC’s Legislative Intern.

Kendo lives in Bellevue with his wife, Becca, and their four boys, and is a member of IAFF Local 46. Contact him at 206-747-8279 or via email.