Political Action
Whether we like it or not, politics plays a huge role in our lives. And especially as public employees, lawmakers at every level make decisions that impact whether your job will be funded, your retirement plan will remain solvent, or whether you can take time off to care for a sick loved one.
PROTEC17 advocates for laws and policies at the city, county and state level that support our members and their families. In addition, we have a political action committee (PAC) that makes endorsements for worker-friendly candidates. The PAC is funded through voluntary donations — NEVER DUES MONEY.
Local Political Events This Week!
As a labor union, PROTEC17 upholds the right for every eligible person to vote, and for every vote to count. Three weeks ago, at our Fall Regional Executive Committee (REC) meeting, delegates passed a resolution committing the organization to take steps to protect a fair democratic process.
To do this, PROTEC17 is engaging with dozens of other labor unions and community groups to ensure that this right is secure. We have also urged elected leaders to do everything they can to uphold our election results.
There are many events that are in the works if we are called to demonstrate our solidarity and commitment to democracy. You can join with others who are mobilizing to ensure transparency and democracy prevail in whatever way fits you.
Below are some events happening in Washington:
- Participate in Protests: Please share the WSLC Democracy Defender pledge with your co-workers and fellow union members.
- Join in Wednesday at 5PM for the Protect every Vote rally in Seattle
- Monitor The Stand and protecttheresults.com for listings of local actions
- Volunteer as a Peacekeeper: Join in the Defend Democracy training this Thursday, Nov. 5 6:30-8:30p on Safety, De-escalation and Know Your Rights!
- Ballot Cure: Washington State has a process in statute for voters to “cure” mistakes in time for the ballot to be counted. This gives voters a second chance to participate in elections when particular issues with a voter’s ballot arise. The Washington State Dems will implement a three-phased ballot curing program that identifies and tracks voters with ballot deficiencies, organizes phone calls to these voters, obtains and submits curative forms on these voter’s behalf, and otherwise assists voters to ensure their ballots are counted. Our goal is to cure as many ballots as we can and get as many votes counted as possible. Sign up here to Ballot Cure.
- See more events throughout the week at Protect the Results Coalition
Check out events and actions taking place in Oregon through the Defend Democracy Coalition.
2020 Election Endorsements
WASHINGTON STATE
Governor
Jay Inslee
Attorney General
Bob Ferguson
Secretary of State
Gael Tarleton
Legislative District 1
House 1 – Davina Duerr
Legislative District 3
Senate – Andy Billig
House 1 – Marcus Riccelli
House 2 – Timm Ormsby
Legislative District 4
House 1 – Lori Feagan
House 2 – Lance Gurel
Legislative District 6
House 1 – Zack Zappone
House 2 – Tom McGarry
Legislative District 10
Senate – Helen Price Johnson
House 1 – Angie Homola
Legislative District 11
House 1 – David Hackney
Legislative District 12
House 1 – Adrianne Moore
Legislative District 16
Senate – Danielle Garbe Reser
Legislative District 17
Senate – Daniel Smith
House 1 – Tanisha Harris
Legislative District 18
House 2 – Donna Sinclair
Legislative District 22
Senate – Sam Hunt
Legislative District 25
Senate – Julie Door
House 1 – Jamie Smith
House 2 – Brian Duthie
Legislative District 26
House 1 – Carrie Hesch
House 2 – Joy Stanford
Legislative District 27
Senate – Jeannie Darneille
House 1 – Laurie Jinkins
House 2 – Jake Fey
Legislative District 28
Senate – T’wina Nobles
House 1 – Mari Leavitt
House 2 – Dan Bronoske
Legislative District 30
House 1 – Jamila Taylor
House 2 – Jesse Johnson
Legislative District 36
House 2 – Liz Berry
Legislative District 37
House 2 – Kirsten Harris-Talley
Legislative District 38
Senate – June Robinson
House 1 – Emily Wicks
Legislative District 40
Senate – Liz Lovelett
Legislative District 42
House 2 – Sharon Shewmake
Legislative District 44
House 1 – John Lovick
House 2 – April Berg
Legislative District 46
House 1 – Gerry Pollet
Legislative District 48
House 2 – Amy Walen
KING COUNTY
Superior Court Pos. 13
(dual endorsement)
Hillary Madsen
Andrea Robertson
Superior Court Pos. 30
Doug North
Proposition 1
APPROVE: If approved, the 20-year bond provides health & safety improvements at Harborview, including increasing critical health care capacity, updating & expanding modern infection control standards, expanding capacity for behavioral health needs.
PIERCE COUNTY
Pierce County Executive
Larry Seaquist
Pierce County Council
Ryan Mello
CITY OF SEATTLE
Proposition 1
APPROVE: This transit-only measure expands city bus routes & enables the city to develop a better transportation system.
CITY OF PORTLAND
Commissioner
Chloe Eudaly
Measure 26-218
APPROVE: This transportation bond measure raises approximately $5 billion in transportation funds for the region.
Measure 26-213
APPROVE: This levy raises $45 million/year through a property tax increase to keep Portland Parks employees working & continuing to provide community center & recreation services across the city.
Washington
In Olympia, PROTEC17 has developed a reputation for results. We have co-sponsored bills that protect the personal information of public employees and expand assistance to the families of members killed on the job at WSDOT. We also advocate for funding for state employee contracts and Public Health programs, ensuring that you can continue to provide the quality, vital services that our communities expect and deserve.
At the local level, PROTEC17 works with city and county governments to pass policies that support our membership. Recent wins include: paid parental leave at King County, expanded birth control and fertility treatment coverage at the City of Seattle, and getting time in new employee orientations to learn about your union rights, which has been granted by all of our employers.
PROTEC17 is expanding its political reach in Oregon, too. We have a legislative advocate who keeps track of important bills in Salem that may have an impact on our members at the City of Portland — like changes to the retirement plan, for example.
Meanwhile, in Portland, we continue to build strong connections with City leaders, like the Mayor and City Commissioners, and work together to find solutions to issues that affect members and their families. One of our biggest wins is the change to the vacation accrual rates for City employees. By working with City government, not only do our members get more vacation time and better work-life balance, but the City will improve their recruitment and retention rates, while fostering happier, healthier and more productive employees.