By SARAH TUCKER
SEATTLE ( Mar. 25, 2024 )—” Documented or undocumented, staff may be treated with respect”.
This rallying cry was the nature behind Transform and Transition: The 2024 Labor Immigration Summit this past weekend. More than 150 employees, advocates, and labor leaders gathered on March 23 at the Tradesmen District 751 Hall in South Seattle to create society, increase practical abilities, and uplift expat staff.
The summit’s opening reception included a delightful from MLK Labor’s Rigo Valdez and Connie Rodriguez, the head of the Washington State Labor Council’s Labor and Immigration Committee, AFL-CIO, and MLK Labor’s President ‘ Organizing Initiative Coordinator.
The significance of immigrant justice work was highlighted in WSLC President April Sims ‘ opening remarks for enhancing the power of all working people.
We as labor leaders are well-versed in the a basic truth:” Poor bosses and powerful elites may use those units to tear worker power,” Sims said. We’ve seen sarcastic attacks and enforcement actions being used to disrupt employee organizing. We’ve seen anti-immigrant mood used as a tool to stifle staff ‘ positions of authority. Immigrants have been used as scapegoats as a support for the numerous ways that wealthy people and our communities are being abused by companies and businessmen.
Zenia Javalera
Silvia Gonzalez, Director of Casa Latina, introduced the headline speech, SEIU 6 President Zenia Javalera, to loud cheers from the chamber, with cheerful, loud applause from the large force of SEIU 6 members in attendance.
Javalera, the proud daughter of immigrants, spoke about her family’s experience with immigration detention and deportation, and how these experiences are touchstones for many SEIU 6 members, and workers across labor. And how, despite the difficulties and dangers that immigrant workers face, they are still rising:
” They still take to the streets, they still fight. And we always win”.
Panelists shared their experiences with successfully establishing power for immigrant workers, as well as lessons learned from their fields. The panel was moderated by Amy Leong ( APALA Seattle ), and panelists included Edgar Franks ( Familias Unidas por la Justicia ), Eunice How ( UNITE HERE 8, APALA Seattle ), Diana Noinala ( IAM 751 ), Jane Hopkins ( SEIU 1199 Healthcare NW), and Sasha Wasserstrom ( WAISN).
Participants took workshops that covered topics ranging from a detailed analysis of the Injury2All campaign to a detailed analysis of organizing in immigrant communities.
And with the help of DJ Exesive, joy and justice were in the spotlight during a lunchtime groove.
Numerous people and organizations made a huge difference in the success of this summit.
” This summit is a testament to the power of immigrant workers organizing within our movement, and to the dedication of Washington’s labor movement to build power for immigrant workers”, said lead summit organizer Dulce Gutierrez, the WSLC’s Union, Community &, Naturalization Organizer. ” Muchas gracias a todos”!
