Reflecting the Communities We Serve
The Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee was created by Convention Resolution 21-03 to educate our members and to make recommendations to reduce and eliminate barriers to the recruitment and hiring processes which can be used by affiliated locals to develop a workforce that is more diverse and representative of the communities we serve. Committee members are selected by the WSCFF President, serve two year terms, and represent small, medium, and large locals. Contact the committee here.
- Co-Chair Ricky J. Walsh, IAFF 7th District DVP
- Co-Chair Alan Rivas, Local 1828 South County
- Madeline Dailey, Local 1747 Kent
- Anthony John, Local 2024 South King County
- Chelsea Stayton, Local 3390 Gig Harbor
- Patience Taylor, Local 3520 East Pierce
- Makenna Solberg, Local I-66 Boeing
DEI Video
Background
At the 2021 WSCFF Convention delegates passed Resolution 21-03 to establish a standing DEI Committee. The resolution highlighted that it is essential for unions to be diverse and inclusive; labor must improve recruiting a diverse and inclusive workforce; and we must encourage employers to promote diversity in hiring and eliminate barriers. Resolution 21-03 tasked the committee to educate members, recommend changes, and eliminate barriers by providing tools and education to members and partner with stakeholders.
Purpose
Eliminating barriers and educating for a diverse, equitable and inclusive Union.
Ethos
- Diversity
- Equity
- Inclusion
- Education
- Collaboration
- Leadership
Mission
The WSCFF DEI Committee will employ strategic planning, communication, and accountability to provide Local Union Affiliates with the tools necessary to attain and foster a diverse workforce by breaking down barriers in recruitment, hiring, and retention throughout the career of a member.
Events & Resources
Reading
Anything by authors Ijeoma Oluo, Ibram X Kendi, Jason Reynolds, Kathy Obear, Robin DiAngelo, Richard Rothstein, Michelle Alexander, Dr. Christopher Emdin, Isabel Wilkerson, Bridges to Heal US: Stories and Strategies for Racial Healing by Erin Jones; How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race: Practical Tools for Necessary Change in the Workplace and Beyond, by Kwame Christian.
Podcasts
- American Radical
- South Lake
- Revisionist History
- Teaching Hard History
- Code Switch
- This American Life
- Words Matter
- 1619 Project
- Nice White People
- Calling Justice
- Seeing White
- Facing Ourselves
- Speaking of Racism
- Throughline
- Black History for White People
- The Ezra Klein Show.
Websites
- Learning for Justice
- 21 Day Racial Equity Challenge
- Times Up Foundation
- Leadership Development Programs Need an Upgrade, Five Ways to Advance Racial Equity
- How To Support Black Employees
- How to Support Your BIPOC Employees
- Six Ways to Support Mental Health at Work
Watch
American Radical, South Lake, Revisionist History, Teaching Hard History, Code Switch, This American Life, Words Matter, 1619 Project, Nice White People, Calling Justice, Seeing White, Facing Ourselves, Speaking of Racism, Throughline, Black History for White People, The Ezra Klein Show