If you’ve attended a PROTEC17 Chapter meeting, Regional Executive Committee meeting, rally, or event in the Seattle or King County area, you’ve likely run into Rocco DeVito and Jamie Fackler. The two PROTEC17 Stewards are well-known in their respective Chapters for steadfastly supporting their union colleagues and causes. Now, both DeVito and Fackler are hoping to bring their pro-worker platforms to politics as they run for City Council members in their communities. 

As a Steward, Fackler – who works as a Building Inspector for the City of Seattle – has helped his colleagues stand up for safer working conditions, pushed back against discrimination and fought to protect jobs. He also played an instrumental role in contract negotiations with the City in 2022 and 2023. As one of the most active members of PROTEC17’s Seattle contract action team, he helped to organize a historic rally for city workers that ultimately resulted in big wins in the contract.

Fackler is running for Seattle City Council Position 2, which represents South Seattle, from Yesler Terrace to Rainier Beach. He wants billionaires to pay their fair share so that the City can address the issues impacting working families – like affordable housing, safe streets, mental health, and the drug crisis.

“Being in a union has taught me that  we don’t have to accept things the way they are,” says Fackler. “We don’t have to accept a city that only works for a select few. If we organize, we can build a Seattle where everyone has a home, where every kid feels safe walking to school, where our communities are rooted, strong, and filled with hope, not fear.”

As a father that has served on the Parent Teacher Association, a Board member for Washington’s 37th Legislative District, and a community organizer for last year’s Social Housing Initiative, Fackler knows what Seattle can achieve by working together towards a common good. 

“I believe in what we can do when we stand together – I have seen it,” he continued. “I’ve seen people win fights no one thought they could win and I believe we can do it again.”

“Being in a union has taught me that we don’t have to accept things the way they are,” said Fackler. “Having people in elected office who don’t need convincing to do the right thing for working families is the primary reason that I am running.” 

PROTEC17 Steward and candidate for Burien City Council Rocco DeVito

Like Fackler, DeVito also has a long history of community and public service. As the child of a military, working class, and union family, Rocco was drawn to public service, serving in the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps before starting his career with King County Metro where he has helped residents get connected to transit options, including launching programs that provide transit passes to those who need them the most. 

By running for Councilmember for the City of Burien, Wash., DeVito wants to help his community achieve more affordable housing, safer streets, stronger youth programs, and to have a government that works for working people. 

“I’m running because I love my city,” exclaimed DeVito. “Folks want their city government to work on everyday issues, and they want to be able to interact with our leaders, and that isn’t happening in Burien right now. I want to help bring people together to solve problems and to make our town a place where everyone can work, live, and thrive!”

“Being an active union member helped me to fully see that when we are organized, and fight for what we deserve, we win,” said DeVito. “I want to bring that same union spirit to Burien City Council to make sure the city listens to and works for our working families.” 

The PROTEC17 Workers’ Roundtable, (PWR) which interviews candidates for office and makes endorsement recommendations, has unanimously endorsed both DeVito and Fackler. 

“No one will fight harder for the issues that impact working people than Jamie and Rocco,” said PROTEC17 Political Director Mark Watson, who provides support to the PWR group. 

“We need the experiences and perspectives of working people to be better represented in our local governments,” he continued. “Having a union member in office is key to creating more of a balance of power.”

In recent years, union members across the Pacific Northwest have been stepping up to run for office, including PROTEC17 member Sadie Silke in last year’s Portland City Council race. If you are interested in learning what it takes to run for office, the Washington State Labor Council hosts an annual training called Path-to-Power – typically held each spring – to get union members up to speed on the ins-and-outs of running a political campaign. 

If you want to talk more about what running for office entails, please reach out to Mark Watson at for more information.