Volunteer for Labor Neighbor walk Oct. 1, Postcard Parties

The general election efforts of Labor Neighbor, the grassroots member-to-member political action program of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, continue this Saturday, Oct. 1. A neighborhood walk will be held to inform union members about labor-endorsed legislative candidates Marisa Peloquin, Mari Leavitt and Christine Kilduff in the 28th Legislative District, which includes Fircrest, University Place, Lakewood, Steilacoom, Dupont, and other parts of Pierce County. (Learn more below.)

TAKE A STAND — VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED for Saturday’s walk. We’ll meet at 9 a.m. at the UFCW 367 office, 6403 Lakewood Dr. W. in Tacoma, to pair up, assign neighborhoods, and get literature and materials. Volunteers will be finished by 1 p.m. Click here to volunteer or call 206-281-8901 for more information. Also, download, post and share the flier announcing this Saturday’s walk.

Can’t make it to Saturday’s walk? Labor Neighbor volunteers are needed on weeknights for POSTCARD PARTIES to prepare handwritten postcards to fellow union members urging them to vote in this important election. Postcard Parties are happening from 5:30 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday night at UFCW 367, 6403 Lakewood Dr. W. in Tacoma; and the same time every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday through October at the Washington State Labor Council’s Seattle office, 321 16th Ave S. You can RSVP via email to April Sims.

The needs and concerns of working families are being ignored in Olympia. Instead, Washington D.C.-style partisan politics and gridlock are killing efforts to create good jobs, raise wages, and improve our quality of life. But this year, we can do something about it.

Marisa Peloquin is a former 82nd Airborne Company Commander who now teaches at Pacific Lutheran University. And now she’s running for the State Senate in the 28th Legislative District.

Peloquin is running against Republican Sen. Steve O’Ban, an attorney who is part of the gridlock problem in Olympia. He co-sponsored a union-busting “right-to-work” bill and has voted to create a so-called “good-faith defense” so businesses that violate minimum wage and overtime pay laws could avoid penalties. Since being appointed senator in 2013, O’Ban has just an 18% voting record on working families’ issues.

In contrast, Peloquin strongly opposes anti-union “right-to-work” laws, which she says harm workers and the economy. She supports the minimum wage and overtime pay standards, and opposes all efforts to weaken them.

The labor-endorsed candidates for State Representative in the 28th Legislative District are:

Mari Leavitt is Deputy Director of Community Connections, which provides essential assistance to vulnerable populations in Pierce County. She’s labor’s endorsed candidate who is running against Rep. Dick Muri (R-Steilacoom), who is also part of the problem in Olympia.

One example: Muri voted against allowing all workers in Washington to earn paid sick leave, even though that legislation was backed by 76% of Washington voters. Leavitt supports creating a paid sick leave standard, and says people shouldn’t face losing wages or their jobs just because they or their child get sick.

Rep. Christine Kilduff (D-University Place) has earned labor’s endorsement with a 100 percent voting record on workplace issues since being elected two years ago. She consistently stands up for working families on issues like the minimum wage, paid sick leave, protecting voter rights, and fighting discrimination.

Kilduff’s challenger, Republican Paul Wagemann, has run unsuccessfully for State Representative three times (so far) and refused to fill out a questionnaire indicating his positions on important working family issues.

Volunteer for this Saturday’s walk and help make that happen!

Also, check out the Labor Neighbor calendar so you can mark your calendars to help out at other walks that are scheduled in the coming weeks. For more information, email WSLC Field Mobilization Director April Sims or call 206-281-8901.