Keeping with Labor Day tradition, there’s lots to do to honor the contributions made by the labor movement and the individual workers in that movement to the laws protecting workers as well as the strength and prosperity of our nation. Here’s what I’m up to on Labor Day, Monday, September 4. I hope to see you.
- The 3rd Annual Labor Ride and Poker Run – Come join me at the third annual Labor Ride and Poker Run.
Proceeds will benefit the Labor Archives of Washington, University of Washington Libraries Special Collections. Union members, friends of labor and Labor Archives supporters are all welcome! Bring your sport bike, scooter, cruiser, or tiddler on a route that will stop at several local union halls. It’s called a “poker run,” because riders with the best poker hand (you get a playing card at each stop on the route) can win prizes donated by local businesses and unions. We’ll start at the West Seattle Chelan Café at 9 am (registration begins at 8 am) and end up at the Martin Luther King County Labor Council Labor Day Cookout!
- Martin Luther King County Labor Council Labor Day Cookout – Join us at the Tukwila Community Center (12424 42nd Ave S, Tukwila 98168) 11 am – 3 pm to have some fun. They’ll have Frisbees, a bouncy house, a nerf games, magnetic fishing, and a giant “tug-o-war” at this family friendly event. They have a bouncy house lined up; a nerf shooting gallery, and magnetic fishing for the kids (with prizes). The high point is a BBQ by award winning grill master and Executive Board Trustee, Officer Kevin Stuckey.
- Workers host Round-Table to Discuss the Future of Worker Organizations – from 10 am to 11 am at SEIU 775, 215 Columbia St, with elected officials to discuss their rights as workers to organize, the future of worker organizations, portable benefits, universal basic income and 21st century unions, addressing income inequality, and building wealth for working families.
Workers from across various non-union service sectors, including an Amazon security officer, an Uber driver, a retail worker, a domestic worker and other non-union workers, will hold a round-table discussion with me representing the Seattle City Council, U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal, Speaker of the Washington State House Frank Chopp, King County Councilperson Claudia Balducci.
SEIU 775 represents more than 45,000 long-term care workers providing quality in-home care, nursing home care and adult day health services in Washington State and Montana.
Teamsters Local 117 is a union of 17,000 members that builds unity and power for working people across the Pacific Northwest to improve lives and lift up our communities.
SEIU 925 is a union of 17,000 educators, child care providers and higher education workers at the University of Washington.
SEIU6 Property Services NW represents over 6,500 members, including janitors, security officers and airport workers in Washington State.
Working Washington is a workers’ organization that fights to raise wages, improve working conditions, and change the conversation about wealth, inequality, and the value of work.
Hurricane Harvey: How You Can Help
We have all seen the devastation in Houston and the surrounding area left in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Thousands have been displaced and many have lost their lives, some saving others.
To offer mutual aid, 17 personnel from the Puget Sound Region have been deployed, four of whom are Seattle Firefighters. This team has delivered five pick-up trucks and two trailers, including water rescue supplies such as Flat-bottom Jon Boats, inflatable boats, extra boat motors, and basic preparedness items.
If you have the means and would like to donate money, here are a few organizations that are accepting donations specifically for the purpose of Hurricane Harvey disaster recovery.
- Houston-Harris County disaster relief fund
- Houston Food Bank
- Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County
- SPCA of Texas
The Park District Oversight Committee Needs Applicants to Represent Council District 1
What does the Oversight Committee do?
- Provide advice to the Mayor, City Council, and the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation related to the Seattle Park District’s projects and programs
- Meet, at a minimum, quarterly to make recommendations on the allocation of the Major Projects Challenge Fund
- Hold public meetings to consider updates to the Seattle Park District’s future spending plan
- Provide reports on the progress of the expenditures and projects of the Seattle Park District
Interested and passionate parks advocates with a diversity of expertise and perspectives, including, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, parks management, public financing, urban horticulture, landscape architecture, contract management, the interests of low-income communities, and the interests of communities of color. Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to: Susan Golub: susan.golub@seattle.gov. Committee meetings are on the third Tuesday of the month, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at 100 Dexter.