Lauren Gallup

6 days ago | nwpb.org | Lauren Gallup

On a gray, early spring morning, I drove to Steilacoom, Washington, to catch the ferry to Anderson Island. I boarded alongside the line of other cars and after parking, stepped out onto the deck of the boat. The ferry pushed off from the dock and rocked a little in the Puget Sound before steadying. I took this journey to the real Anderson Island to see from the water what inspired Northwest author Kirsten Sundberg Lunstrum’s new novel, “Elita,” which was published earlier this year.

2 weeks ago | nwpb.org | Lauren Gallup

A state budget deficit is normally nothing to sing about. But, workers with the Washington Federation of State Employees have turned their frustration over potential budget cuts into a song, “Washington For All.” The refrain, “Washington’s for all, not just for the rich,” evokes the union’s stance that instead of making cuts to state services and workers, lawmakers should increase taxes on Washington’s wealthiest residents.

3 weeks ago | nwpb.org | Lauren Gallup

Personas de diferentes lugares del estado de Washington viajaron a Tacoma para manifestarse en apoyo a los trabajadores agrícolas frente a una tienda Safeway el lunes por la tarde. United Farm Workers (UFW), o Unión de Campesinos, y sus simpatizantes están pidiendo a Windmill Farms, en Sunnyside, que reconozca los esfuerzos de sindicalización y dé a los trabajadores un contrato.

3 weeks ago | nwpb.org | Lauren Gallup

People traveled from across Washington state to rally outside of a Tacoma Safeway store in support of farm workers Monday afternoon. The United Farm Workers and their supporters are calling on Windmill Farms in Sunnyside to recognize the unionization efforts and give workers a contract. The union said workers have been trying to get recognition since 2021, back when the plant was owned by Ostrom Mushrooms. Windmill Farms bought Ostrom in 2023. “Windmill Farms is not coming to the table to negotiate.

1 month ago | nwpb.org | Lauren Gallup

Ever since he started working at Rainier School in Buckley, Washington, Willis McNabb has been hearing that the state was going to close it. This time, he said it feels more real. “I’ve never been so worried as I am today,” McNabb said, speaking in his capacity as a WFSE Local 491 member. Since 1991, McNabb has worked at Rainier, which gives people with intellectual and developmental disabilities a place to find community, learn, work and receive comprehensive health treatment.