Through the Static

by Hannah Saunders

Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) workers’ attempts to unionize under the WAISN Worker Collective have officially come to an end following a mass round of layoffs at the end of September, but the group is still seeking accountability. On Oct. 7, Silvia Leija, who is the union’s co-chair and last member still employed by WAISN, provided an update, citing the organization’s financial crisis announcement in August.

“They assured us layoffs were off the table, and if there were going to be layoffs, we would get at least a week’s notice. But, just six days later, three staff members were abruptly terminated under the guise of “restructuring,’” Leija said.

On the morning of Sept. 30, WAISN laid off all hotline organizers and rapid response organizers, with a total of 14 people being impacted. One organizer who was laid off described the impacts that came with the loss of their employment:

“Literally I felt like they were hunting one by one and the faces with no emotions. Also…she [the People Success Manager] said also your health benefits will be cut off today unless I signed [the Release of Claims Agreement]. I was shaking of all emotions.”

This came as 11,000 Washington immigrants lost their Medicaid coverage on Oct. 1, and during a historic surge in ICE activity. WAISN workers came together to draft and send emails demanding that co-executive directors, Brenda Rodriguez Lopez and Catalina Velasquez, step down from their positions due to the creation of a hostile work environment and a loss of trust.

The WAISN Worker Collective sent a formal request on Sept. 8 for leadership to recognize its union. In return, they were informed that the letter was received and that there would be an update for the group on the week of Sept. 28, which the Collective said was the Sept. 30 layoffs.

“My co-workers immediately filed individual unfair labor practice charges and we petitioned the NLRB [National Labor Relations Board] for an election to ensure laid off workers could vote in the situation of a union election,” Leija said.

On Oct. 2, the NLRB informed the union that employees would be authorized to vote, although their votes could be contested. Several hours after, WAISN’s co-executive directors offered voluntary recognition of the union to staff members who remained in an email.

The WAISN Worker Collective declined that offer on Oct. 7, citing the mass round of layoffs that impacted the union.

“By choosing to dismantle the very workforce that built this effort, leadership fundamentally destroyed the bargaining unit and made it impossible for us to unionize as intended. We also believe that your prolonged financial mismanagement of WAISN’s assets, your decision to retain your own salaries and executive associates while firing so many, and your continued use of expensive consultants and attorneys have made clear your bad faith approach to the current crisis,” part of the Collective’s response stated.

Despite unionizing efforts falling apart, WAISN Worker Collective members will follow through with the NLRB and their unfair labor practice charges, but right now, their biggest priority is supporting each other.

“Our asks to support laid off workers include donating to our solidarity fund, continue demanding accountability and open transparency from the WAISN leadership with the communities they said to be representing, of course, share any job openings for an incredibly skilled staff of organizers, and if any labor lawyers have hours they can donate to us in support,” the Collective told TtS.

When it comes to the ICE surge in kidnappings and the loss of all hotline and rapid response organizers at WAISN:

“People should be connecting with their local rapid response groups for information and support, as well as volunteer opportunities,” the Collective said.

Donate to the WAISN Worker Collective at www.gofundme.com/f/stand-with-waisn-workers-organizing-their-union.

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