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Lynnwood issues Labor Day proclamation; AFSCME warns pending layoffs could affect city services
Summary
The City of Lynnwood issued a Labor Day proclamation and representatives of AFSCME Local 30035 thanked the council while warning that active negotiations and pending layoffs threaten workforce stability and service delivery.
The Lynnwood City Council read a Labor Day proclamation on Aug. 11 recognizing workers' contributions and the city's intent to build relationships with indigenous communities as part of the acknowledgment. The proclamation names Sept. 1 as Labor Day in Lynnwood.
Darlene Stokes, president of AFSCME Local 30035, accepted the proclamation and used her remarks to underscore ongoing labor negotiations and staffing concerns. "Labor Day is not just a day off," Stokes said. "We are currently in active negotiations with the city, and we do so under the weight of pending layoffs that may deeply impact our workforce and the services we provide to our residents."
Stokes told the council the union's members have continued to provide city services during the pandemic and through increased workloads, and she urged bargaining that "prioritize people over spreadsheets." The council acknowledged her remarks and thanked union representatives in attendance; a representative of the Lynnwood Police Guild also thanked the council for recognition.
Why this matters: Stokes' remarks put a public spotlight on labor negotiations and potential layoffs at a time when the council is also debating budget shortfalls. City leaders did not announce any personnel actions during the meeting.
Quotations and attributions in this article come directly from the Aug. 11 meeting transcript.
Ending: The proclamation was signed by Mayor Christine Frizzell and Council President Nick Quaylo; no formal action on labor contracts occurred during the meeting.
