The Washington State Labor Council recently announced its plan to “formally join forces” with the Washington Education Association (WEA). The WEA’s Executive Board voted to affiliate with the WSLC, and the new relationship will officially begin January 2016.
WSLC President Jeff Johnson stated of the plan,
“This is an historic moment for the labor movement in Washington state. At a time our unions and members continue to be assaulted by those who promote austerity, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, voter suppression, climate denial, the Uberization of the economy, and the ‘right to work for less,’ the labor movement is coming together to speak with one voice. Never has solidarity been more important in the struggle to win back economic justice and a voice at the workplace, in the community, and in politics.”
WEA President Kim Mead stated,
“WEA’s 85,000 members work and live in every community in our state, and we are excited to join our brothers and sisters in the Washington State Labor Council. We’ve worked side-by-side as allies for a long time. Now we’ll be an even stronger voice for workers and families in Washington state.”
The addition of the WEA’s 85,000 forced-due-paying members will bring the WSLC’s total to 500,000 members. The additional revenue via union dues—and the accompanying increase in power and influence over Democrat lawmakers—is how we assume the new partnership plans to “win back” its voice in politics (as if that very loud voice was ever not being heard by Democrat lawmakers) and exercise its “stronger voice.” Of course, all for the benefit of union bosses, not actual working families.
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