Seattle police union expelled from large labor group

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

SEATTLE (AP) — The largest labor group in the Seattle area has expelled the city’s police union, saying the guild representing officers failed to address racism within its ranks.

The vote Wednesday night by the King County Labor Council to exclude the Seattle Police Officers Guild comes after weeks of protests in the city over police brutality and racism following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

It’s also significant as the labor council is politically influential. Local elected leaders are reluctant to go against the umbrella group of more than 150 unions and 100,00 workers.

“Any union that is part of our labor council needs to be actively working to dismantle racism in their institution and society at large,” the labor council said on Twitter after the vote. “Unfortunately, the Seattle Police Officer’s Guild has failed to do that work and are no longer part of our council.”



FILE - In this June 3, 2020, file photo, police officers behind a barricade look on as protesters fill the street in front of Seattle City Hall, in Seattle, following protests over the death of George Floyd, a black man who was in police custody in Minneapolis. The King County Labor Council, the largest labor group in the Seattle area, vote Wednesday night June 17 to expell the city’s police union, saying the guild representing officers failed to address racism within its ranks. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)


Read more: https://apnews.com/7267abcb991ec5210f85aa03eb7ed433

[LisaM]

1. Interesting. Labor in Seattle is not what it once was, even in the last couple of decades.

When the labor market shifted from Boeing to tech workers, it really hurt the unions.

But the King County Labor Council still has enormous influence, particularly during elections, where their endorsement is much sought after.

interesting to see where this will go.

[OneCrazyDiamond]

2. I wonder why the tech workers didn't unionize.

It would seem the unions would enjoy the membership, and the worker would get the union protections. The management gets the benefit of a unified labor contract. wins all around.

[LisaM]

5. Jeff Bezos doesn't seem like a union guy.

Neither does Bill Gates.

Of course, it's a shift from manufacturing to white collar jobs, that's a big part of it. And the younger workers I know don't see the benefits of unions, not to mention that they've heard scare stories their whole lives.

And tech jobs also pay well. Those people aren't being left behind right now (well, not till their first round of layoffs, as they get aged out). They honestly don't see the benefits, and I think tend to think of unions in terms of not just Boeing, but lots of blue collar jobs that used to define Seattle, longshoremen, for example.

[OneCrazyDiamond]

6. Bezos and Gates might not like it, but

their workers have a right to unionize (should they choose to). I think the tech industry should unionize (how many billions are made in tech, or is it trillions yet?). I looked it up and kickstarter (ironic) is the first to have it's workers to unionize, so it might change.

Also found this:
https://teamster.org/tech-industry-organizing/

Apparently “app-based” workers in Seattle unionized with Teamsters Local 117.

[LisaM]

8. We'll see.

I don't trust Bezos. He's a weasel.

[Lonestarblue]

3. Excellent. I hope this spreads.

Hardline police unions are a significant part of the problem.

[paleotn]

4. Good. No room in union ranks for fascists.

[dalton99a]

7. About time.