Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 21, 2002
Contact:  Michael Marchand, Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Locke Focuses on Washington Workers in Keynote Address at State Labor Convention

SPOKANE - Aug. 21, 2002 - Gov. Gary Locke today highlighted the many successes and future challenges facing Washington state workers during his keynote address at the Washington State Labor Council constitutional convention in Spokane.

“As we continue our efforts together for the working families of our state, we follow a great and proud tradition,” Locke said. “Unions have been strong advocates for family wages, safe working conditions and solid benefits.”

Locke mentioned recent organizing successes, including the 26,000 home care workers who joined the Service Employees International Union, as well as lauding state efforts such as the civil service reform bill that gives state employees collective bargaining rights and the apprenticeship program.

The governor also took the opportunity to touch upon some of the challenges facing the state, including the budget deficit and the need for improving the state’s transportation system.

“Our state has grown, but the transportation system has not kept pace,” Locke said. “In the past 20 years our population has grown 43 percent and vehicle miles traveled on Washington highways and streets have increased 88 percent. We lose $2 billion every year due to congestion.”

“Meeting the transportation challenge will mean a brighter future for our state,” Locke said.

More than 500 union delegates are expected to attend the five-day event. The theme of this year’s convention is “Labor is Your Neighbor.”

» Return to this month's News Releases

» View News Release Archive