On May 19, 2017, the Communication Workers of America (CWA) launched a 40,000+ strong nationwide strike! This is the first major workers’ strike since Trump was elected. Here is the statement I shared with CWA workers in solidarity. Sisters and brothers of the Communication Workers of America at AT&T, As a socialist, activist, elected […]
On April 24, 2017, the Seattle City Council unanimously passed a resolution brought forward by the May 1st Action Coalition, the Coalition of City Unions, immigrant rights activists, and me, proclaiming City of Seattle workers have the right to take the day off on May 1, 2017 without retaliation. The resolution further asks that all […]
On March 8, 2017, over a thousand people braved wet and cold weather to rally on International Women’s Day in Seattle. The energy at the rally demonstrated the emergence of a new women’s movement in America. Amidst renewed attacks by Trump and the Republicans on abortion rights, trans rights, and health care, millennial women and […]
On Thursday, February 16, 2017, I sent the following letter to security workers at Amazon and their labor allies who are organizing for workplace rights and against Islamophobia. These workers will hold a pray-in demonstration tomorrow, February 17, 12 pm, at Amazon HQ. Dear Amazon security officers and allies: As a Seattle City Councilmember, a socialist, a […]
On July 30, 2016, more than 200 people representing a powerful coalition of state and city unions, women’s organizations, LGBTQ activists, social justice organizations, faith groups, and working people came together to kick off our bold new movement for paid family and parental leave for all in Seattle. Sponsors of the event included the Washington […]
On June 27, 2016, the Seattle City Council passed International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 600 and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 46’s resolution to protect high quality locally produced broadcast news. For more, watch or read my speech below. Transcript of Speech as Delivered I’d like to thank all the activists from IATSE […]
On January 11, 2016, the Council voted on whether to grant an alley vacation for the development of a new Amazon building, despite strong opposition from workers and community members. I was the only Councilmember to vote against rubber-stamping this decision. I advocated for the Council to first hold Amazon accountable to community concerns and for […]
On December 14, 2015, the Seattle City Council passed groundbreaking legislation to provide the legal framework necessary for drivers of taxis and transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft to form unions and bargain collectively for better wages and working conditions. See my speech below. Sisters and Brothers, Thank you for being here for what I […]
Guaranteed paid parental leave is both a workers’ rights and a women’s rights issue. All workers, regardless of their gender identity or family configuration, should be guaranteed this right. Many Americans know that paid parental leave is common in Europe. It is less well known that paid parental leave is a global phenomenon. In 2013, 96% […]
Yesterday, I wrote about my amendment to secure funding for Career Bridge. Today I would like to speak to a complementary amendment, calling on Councilmembers to support Priority Hire Pre-Apprenticeship Support. Supporting Priority Hire This past January, after two years of campaigning by over 40 organizations and countless community activists, Council unanimously voted to adopt […]