Delegates from the Thurston - Lewis - Mason Central Labor Council joined union members from across the Evergreen State July 18th through 20th at the Seattle Airport DoubleTree Hotel for the 2023 Washington State Labor Council Convention. Over the course of the three-day Convention the Delegates heard from Labor leaders, participated in thought-provoking panels and workshops, and heard from elected officials who thanked the unions for their work and support.

"This convention pointed out now is the opportunity for labor progress, having the most friendly president for labor in our lifetimes," said TLM CLC President Bob Guenther. "This convention showed off a new crop of political leaders who are listening to 70% of the public who believe in unions, and brought together the young and old labor leaders."

"This was my first WSLC Convention and I didn’t exactly know what to expect," Delegate Tim Sullivan said. "What I came away with was incredibly valuable. I heard heartwarming stories of Union siblings supporting each other in times of need, emotional personal testimonies about how Union resources helped save jobs and lives, and passionate speakers shared their experiences and motivation for active union membership."

Kian Alden, also a first-time Delegate to the WSLC Convention, said, "I was inspired to see so many union siblings coming together to chart a collective course for the future and was able to learn new tools to take back to my Local that will help us continue to grow."

In addition to hearing from speakers and participating in workshops, Convention Delegates debated and voted on resolutions setting the State Labor Council’s priorities for the year ahead. While attendees were passionate in that debate, Guenther points out that, "this convention was very calm even during disagreements on issues; business was conducted with respect to all views of issues."

Sullivan agrees, saying, "I felt a true sense of camaraderie with my Union siblings, even when we were on opposite sides of an issue."

Thurston - Lewis - Mason Central Labor Council President Bob Guenther speaks to Delegates at the 2023 Washington State Labor Council Convention in Seattle (click to enlarge.)

Amongst all the business during the three-day Convention, there was still time for fun. "I would be remiss if I did not mention the Pictionary tournament," Sullivan said, "in which WFSE Local 443 led our team to victory!"

As the Convention drew to a close on July 20th, TLM CLC Delegates returned to our region with a new sense of purpose. Sullivan summed the feeling up by saying, "The WSLC Convention provided a great venue to hear and share with my Union brothers, sisters, and siblings about what our struggles and victories have been, and what goals we are planning and looking forward to in the future, both long and short term... I definitely plan on returning next year!"