Scott Powers, president of Local F-283 Lewis-McChord, was selected in June to serve as the Federal & Industrial Liaison to the WSCFF Executive Board. Scott is replacing Casey Yeager, who was elected WSCFF 4th District Representative at the WSCFF 86th Annual Convention. Scott is a fifth-generation fire fighter who began his fire fighter career in the Air Force. In 2005, he joined the Fort Lewis Fire Department, now Joint Base Lewis-McChord Fire & Emergency Services. Scott is an IAFF 16th District Service Representative and represents the district on the IAFF Occupational Safety and Health Committee.
What motivated you to take on this role?
I grew up in a very union household and understand the goals of the labor movement can only be accomplished through a collective spirit. I recognized the WSCFF was growing in new ways, and I knew I wanted to be involved in its progress.
How has your time as a local president prepared you for this new position?
Like many local presidents, I have learned how to build upon foundations laid by others before me. Taking on this role from Casey Yeager provided a solid place to work from and an opportunity to add new bricks.
What do you see as the biggest challenges currently facing federal and industrial members in Washington?
Our industrial locals navigate a tumultuous intersection of capitalist profits and social services, workplace safety and customer service juxtaposed with quarterly earnings. Maintaining high industry standards is critical under business-friendly administrations. We must continue to encourage corporate and political leaders to commit to our high workplace standards and recognize these standards are in the better interest of their businesses.
Our federal locals are subdivided amongst the Departments of Interior, Army, and Navy. These agencies are scrambling to meet expectations under the President’s agenda, which includes reductions or eliminations of collective bargaining, employee rights, staffing, pay, and benefits. Communicating and strengthening our relationships with federal lawmakers and congressional staff is paramount to defending against these attacks.
How will you work with the WSCFF Executive Board and leadership to ensure federal and industrial issues are more broadly understood?
The liaison position is an element of the WSCFF’s mission and vision. The role echoes the organization’s creative leadership and dedicated service. The obligation of the liaison is to ensure the mission of leadership, education, and political action reflect the unique needs of the federal and industrial locals.
What are you most looking forward to with your new position?
I’m eager to see what this role can do to promote the needs of our federal and industrial locals and, in a small way, help the WSCFF continue to grow as a stalwart labor institution. Additionally, I’m excited about how this position will inspire personal growth as a labor leader and help me better align with the values of my mentors and role models.
What advice would you give to members looking to get more involved with the WSCFF?
Whatever your passion or talent, the WSCFF needs your help supporting it; politics, physical fitness, safer working environments in the station or in the field, data collection, content creation, literally anything. A Union’s success is found in its collaborative efforts, much like the fire ground, working together makes tough jobs easier.
The WSCFF welcomes Scott into his new position, and we look forward to his journey within our organization!