Organizers, politicians predict ‘massive wave of enthusiasm’ will revive labor movement

The share of American workers represented by a union has dropped to a record low of about 10%.

So why were labor leaders and politicians so optimistic about the movement at the Washington State Labor Council Convention this week?

For starters, the picture isn’t so bleak in Washington state, where union representation is nearly double the national rate. But the bigger story at the convention was the labor movement’s revival, driven by a more diverse generation of workers and activists.

“If you look at the way the laws are backed against workers, low union density isn't a shock when the punishment for illegal union busting by companies like Starbucks and Amazon is merely fines that don't make a dent in their multibillion-dollar profits,” said April Sims, the new president of the Washington Labor Council. “Yet at the same time, there is a massive wave of enthusiasm for collective action and organized labor sweeping this country.”

Amazon and Starbucks both deny they engage in union-busting tactics.

Sims is the first black woman elected to lead a state AFL-CIO body. She represents a changing of the guard. Historically, the labor movement has been dominated by white men. But LGBTQ activists and people of color comprised the majority of speakers at the convention Tuesday.

That coalition is also organizing workplaces that haven't historically been represented by unions, like fast food and tech companies.

“Workers are organizing in new sectors like tech and video games,” Sims said. “The rising generation of working people may be the most pro-union generation we've seen.”

Labor leaders are encouraged by recent wins at companies that have proven difficult to unionize, like Starbucks and Amazon.

Chris Smalls led the first and only successful union drive at an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island. He visited Seattle to keynote the convention.

“How do we defeat this trillion-dollar company, that's been around for 29 years?” Smalls asked the crowd.

“We did it differently,” he said. “We did it independently. They can't figure it out … no amount of money in the world can amount to the power of people when we come together.”

Despite early success, the Amazon Labor Union has not managed to secure negotiations or a contract with Amazon in the 15 months since winning its election. And there are reports of internal disputes at the union. Earlier this month, some members filed a lawsuit to force a leadership election that could depose Smalls.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson also spoke at the event in his first major speech of his gubernatorial bid. Ferguson told the crowd he turned down an invitation at the White House for the opportunity to address labor in Washington state, to big applause.

Ferguson said his campaign is refusing donations from corporations or corporate PACs.

“I don't want there to be any doubt about who I'm accountable to and what I'm fighting for,” he said. “It’s each and every one of you, and that's the focus of this campaign.”

He was one of several politicians who sought support from Washington's powerful labor coalition at the convention.