Friends — There’s several items we want to update you on with extremely varying emotions. We’ll lead with the good news first:
✊ We’re unionized!!!
It feels rare to see nonprofit employees successfully join together in a union to fight for their workers rights but we’re here to show you, it can and should be done!
Here’s what our union employees achieved at the bargaining table:
- Discretionary time off
- 40-day 3rd-year sabbatical that grows to 90 days by the 5th year
- 18 weeks of paid parental leave
- Yearly adjustments to pay based on inflation
- 100% employer-paid healthcare
- Wellness and remote work stipends
Cassidy Butler, IBEW Political and Nonprofit Workers organizer, told The Stranger, “We hope more nonprofits will follow the lead of WCA leadership and board members by living by the values they claim to hold and engaging in labor-friendly practices.”
Plus, a recent Gallup poll shows labor approval at a 57-year high: 71% of Americans are now pro-union! We love to see it.
🗳 King County Even Year Elections
Join us in person September 14th—that’s next week—to learn about all the ways we can improve our democracy with just one simple change! Yes on King County Charter Amendment 1 will have special guest speakers from the County Council, and more. Light appetizers and refreshments will be provided. Let’s simplify our elections and advance voting justice!
RSVP for the location details!
Now for an abrupt transition into tragedy, which admittedly can’t be done gracefully here but must be acknowledged, said, and felt.
Grieving our dear Sandy Williams
Monday evening, we received news of the sudden passing of our dear friend, Sandy Williams. She was a fierce advocate for our communities and an institutional builder for lasting positive change. Her commitment and work will live on in our hearts.
Sandy founded The Black Lens, an independent community newspaper for the Black community and Spokane’s largest African American news outlet. Sandy also co-founded S.C.A.R (Spokane Community Against Racism). And, of course, many knew Sandy through the Carl Maxey Center, a founding WCA organization and intentional space for Spokane’s Black community, revitalizing the East Central Neighborhood.
As community mourns, please donate to sustain Sandy’s legacies:
- Honor the Black Lens newspaper Sandy created
- Support the Carl Maxey Center
- Keep S.C.A.R. alive
Many of you witnessed Sandy’s dedication to justice when the Carl Maxey Center joined us here at WCA as founding members during our 2020 Census campaign, and again when they became founding members of Washington for Black Lives.
Our deepest love and condolences go out to our Spokane community. We continue to see an outpouring of support from Washington’s leaders recognizing Sandy’s legacy from Governor Jay Inslee, State Representative Marcus Riccelli, South Seattle Emerald founder Marcus Green, education leader Erin Jones, Planned Parenthood, Spokane Libraries, and more.
The Carl Maxey Center itself released a statement that read in part, “she stood unapologetic in her work for justice. Unwavering in her fight for equality. And unmoved in her fight for the common good of all people. Sandy was the light in the darkness of injustice…The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Carl Maxey Center so that her mission may live on.”
Sandy was deeply loved and her memory is a blessing.
We will share more places and moments to mourn together and celebrate Sandy’s life as they arise.
What do you think? Have any questions? Tweet us your thoughts @WACommAlliance.
Keep up on the action and opportunities to get involved through our legislative newsletter, The Tally.
