WFSE Fights Back at 51st Biennial Convention

Earlier this month, 400 WFSE members representing nearly 50 local unions and tens of thousands of workers gathered for our union 51st biennial convention.

We reflected on our wins, celebrated our activism, elected our leaders, and charted a course forward.

Setting our Union's Priorities

The main purpose of convention is for delegates to debate and vote on resolutions.

That’s the nitty gritty business of why we get together every two years

What is a convention resolution?

A resolution is an official declaration or an intention for our union to do something. They are submitted by WFSE’s local unions before convention and then voted on by delegates.

Resolutions set the priorities that our union will undertake over the next two years, until the next convention.

Debate over whether to pass, reject, or amend resolutions went on for hours over multiple days. Emotions ran high, and for good reason. The stakes are high. Public services and workers’ rights are under attack across the country.

Our union’s 52,000 members have real power to stand up and fight back against these attacks. How we decide to use that power is important.

In the end, delegates also understood the need to come out of convention united and focused on what we will achieve together going forward.

Read Complete Convention Resolutions

WFSE’s Executive Board, which will be elected next month, along with WFSE staff will be responsible for ensuring the resolutions are implemented.

Electing our Union's Leaders

When we say members are our union, we mean it.

WFSE has four council officers – president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer – that are elected at convention every two years.

This year, multiple members ran for every position. When members take part in the governance of our union, we’re stronger for it.

Thank you to everyone who ran and congratulations to our council officers!

Meet Your Council Officers

Where do we go from here? We organize. We train. We build. We fight. We win. Because when the working class is under attack—what do we do? Stand up, fight back."
Mike Yestramski, WFSE President, Western State Hospital

"When our agencies and our services were threatened when cuts, closures, and furloughs loomed because of state budget deficits we didn’t back down.
We stood shoulder to shoulder and made it clear: we will not allow austerity measures or any other attempt to balance budgets on the backs of workers."
Ashley Fueston, WFSE Vice President, Employment Security Department

"I’m incredibly excited to hopefully start getting our treasurers organized and having strong locals with strong financials and confident local leaders.
I really thank Paula for all her years of service."
Jeanette Obelcz, WFSE Treasurer, DCYF

"The last two years have been defined by powerful action and incredible successes.
The greatest fear of anti-worker extremists is that we will continue to stand up for ourselves and each other. We must continue to Stand Up! Fight Back! because when we are united, we win."
Tracy Stanley,WFSE Secretary, Lower Columbia College

Thank you, Paula

WFSE’s previous treasurer Paula Lukaszek, a plumber at the University of Washington and president of Local 1495, received a standing ovation from delegates as her term ended.

We thank Paula for her years of work on behalf of our members, and know she's not done fighting for our members at UW!

Convention Awards

Across our union, amazing activists work hard every day to help others, build power for working people in Washington, and improve public services. We gathered for the Awards Banquet to celebrate some of these inspiring leaders.

The Medal of Valor was awarded posthumously to Colleen Bass (Local 782), a security guard who courageously gave her life to protect her union siblings, coworkers, and patients at Eastern State Hospital. The award was accepted by Dianne Womack, president of Local 782 at Eastern State Hospital.

Celebrating Kevin Allen of WFSE Local 843

We celebrated Kevin Allen's (Local 843) upcoming retirement and recognized him for his many years of dedicated, selfless service to WFSE, his union siblings, and the labor movement. Kevin's work has advanced racial and gender equity in Washington and beyond.

"Even in this time where there’s trouble all over the place, be steadfast and unmovable," Allen said. "Know that your labor in labor is not in vain."

Howard Ocobock Awards

Tazia Duncan (Local 491) and Jim Furchert (Local 1060) were awarded the Howard Ocobock Awards. Duncan fought the proposed closure of Rainier Valley School tirelessly, using her voice to save this critical institution.

Furchert was recognized for his leadership in building the WFSE Conversative Caucus and in advocating for WFSE DOC members.

Rosella Charvet Leadership Award

Shauna Lowery (Local 1221) was awarded the Rosella Charvet Leadership Award for stepping into leadership, showing up, and standing in solidarity with migrant siblings in her community.

Job Action of the Year Award

Amy Conklin (Local 948) was awarded the Job Action of the Year Award for her work spearheading the campaign to secure much-needed raises for support staff in our contract. Amy was not in attendance and the award was accepted by fellow members at DCYF.

Partner in Public Service Award

The first ever Partner in Public Service Award was given to attorney Ed Younglove (left), who has spent decades fighting for public employees, from our landmark comparable worth case to protecting the safety and privacy of public employees who are survivors of domestic violence.

Representative Laurie Jinkins, Speaker of the state's House of Representatives and 27th legislative district representative, was awarded the George Masten Courage Award for her refusal to abandon state employees and her work with the Democratic House Caucus to defeat proposed furloughs.

Stand Up Fight Back Panel

Member activists shared about their inspiring work on three important campaigns.

Ava Clarridge (Local 443, L&I) and Chris Vasseur-Landriault (Local 443, DFI) spoke about the April 9 capitol rally that played an important role in defeating proposed furloughs.

We knew we needed to be in their faces, be seen and heard. Because we'd sent them petitions, we'd made phone calls. So this was the next escalatory action we needed to take," said Vasseur-Landriault.

Jeanette Obelcz (Local 889, DCYF) spoke about Local 889's role in organizing satellite rallies for April 9 and the challenges of involving essential child welfare workers.

"We connected with foster parents all across the state who want to make sure kids are safe and in-home service providers and other folks who understood how important it was that child welfare workers and other state employees weren't furloughed. They were willing to bring supplies. They were willing to bring people to make those rallies even larger," Obelcz said.

Brittany Barber (Local 491, Rainier School) and Tazia Duncan (Local 491, Rainier School) shared their experiences, advice, and strategies from the successful campaign to save Rainier School.

“If Rainier School ended up closing, what’s next for our residents?” Duncan said.

“We’ve had area closures on grounds in the past, forcing some of our residents to be in the community before they were ready., And it caused a lot of client deaths,” Barber said.

Their campaign involved community events, social media, and constant advocacy at the capitol by Duncan, other Rainier School employees, and supporting WFSE siblings from other agencies.

Convention Speakers

WFSE Convention attendees were honored to welcome AFSCME President Lee Saunders. Saunders, AFSCME's first Black president, has committed decades to building our union and movement.

"When management proposed devastating cuts during recent contract negotiations, you didn’t cry. You didn’t run away and hide. You didn’t flinch. You stood up. And you fought back. And a result, you won 100 million dollars in additional funding and secured 5 percent wage increases, and fended off higher healthcare costs. That’s WFSE in action. That’s our union in action," Saunders said.

"I would like to tell you we can sit back and relax, not have to get in somebody’s face. But I can’t tell you that. Because we’ve got to continue to do what you do best. And that is organizing and mobilizing our members to fight."

Former WFSE Local 793 member and current Washington State Labor Council President April Sims joined us to kick off our awards banquet.

"We deserve joy with our justice. We’re doing the hard work, and we can also take the time to celebrate tonight," Sims said.

"We refuse to cede our future to the forces that seek to destroy us. Tomorrow, we stand up and we fight back."

Representative Emily Randall, who represents Washington's 6th congressional district, joined us to offer her solidarity and thanks for WFSE's work.

"We know that when we work together, when we stand shoulder to shoulder with each other, we are unstoppable. Working people are unstoppable. And right now, in this moment, we need your power more than ever," Randall said.

"Our country needs you. We need your leadership. We need your strength. The fight is long. The fight is hard. But I couldn’t be prouder to be in it alongside each and every one of you."

Oregon AFSCME's Oregon Joe (also known as Joe Moore) spoke to the convention about our Oregon siblings' recent strike fight.

"I cannot stress how important events like this are, Trainings, organizing actions, and conventions like this are opportunities to grow new connections and strengthen your existing ones with your sibling locals. I can tell you from experience, when it comes time to fight, those connections matter," Moore said.

"[During our strike] union siblings from all over joined the fight, reassuring them that our fight was worth it."

We heard from AFSCME IVP and associate director for Oregon AFSCME Council 75 Corey Hope Leaffer.

"Alongside fear there is always hope. And in the labor movement, hope is not just a feeling. It is a strategy. It is an action. It is what drives us toward a vision of change," Leaffer said.

"The victories of the past two years are not just a list of achievements. They are proof. Proof that hope is not naive, proof that when we hold on to hope and organize around it and act with courage, we can turn it into reality."

Ken Workman of the Duwamish Tribe, a 5th-generation grandson of Chief Seattle, welcomed us to his native land. He retired from Boeing in 2015 where he worked as a Data Analyst. He is a Council member of the Duwamish Tribe.

Dr. Joyce Del Rosario, the director of Faith Action Network, blessed delegates to kick off Convention.

Convention Workshops

Workshops held at convention overed a wide range of practical skill building.

In New Delegates, union siblings new to Convention the ropes of resolutions, elections and more.

"Convention is where we decide the path we take as a union. This is where our members make the choice. That’s how we know what to move forward with,” said WFSE Vice President Ashley Fueston.

During Money Matters, attendees dug into the nitty gritty of managing local finances efficiently and ethically.

"If you need help implementing these practices in your specific local, you can find help at the resources desk throughout Convention,” said staff facilitator Joshua Thomson.

Political Power is Union Power focused on the critical work of legislative and political action.

Participants discussed how to connect with union siblings about the real issues we face, across superficial divides.

“When you frame the issue differently you have more acceptance,” said Fabrice Dongmo (Local 1181). “This is about serving the interests of we, the workers. How does this legislation further your cause or improve your standard of living?”

In Preparing for Retirement, RPEC siblings shared resources and strategies for planning for retirement as a public employee.

"Joining RPEC is a great way to continue your union involvement into retirement," said Jakob Canup, RPEC Membership Coordinator.

Stand Up, Fight Back! featured interactive exercises to build our activist base and fight back against attacks on our unions.

Workshop participants strategized how to build power with the larger labor movement, from fellow WFSE locals to statewide and national organizations.

“I’ve been a CLC member for years and it’s one of the best things I ever did,” said Chuck Pirtle (Local 1181).

In Talking Up Your Union, attendees worked together to practice organizing conversations.

Attendees practiced strategies like using open ended questions, making a connection and finding commonality, and finding what motivates a person to take action.