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WSLC honors organizers, presents awards and pauses to remember 11 workers killed in mill explosion
Summary
The council presented the Mother Jones awards and Power to the People honors, and paused to read the names of and memorialize 11 workers killed in a Longview paper‑mill explosion, announcing support funds for affected families.
The Washington State Labor Council used its day‑two program to honor organizers and to pause for a memorial commemorating 11 workers killed in a May explosion at a Longview paper mill.
The council presented the Mother Jones individual award to Mike Andrew for decades of organizing and advocacy and the group award to AWPPW Local 580 for their response after a workplace tragedy. Award presenters highlighted solidarity, community support and demands for transparent investigations.
The convention then read the names of the 11 workers who died in the Nippon Dynawave explosion in Longview. Bill Sodders, the AWPPW Washington representative, led the memorial and asked delegates to join a moment of silence. Mandy Bryant, president of the AWPPW Washington area council, described ongoing support efforts including an impacted worker fund and memorial stickers whose proceeds will aid affected families.
Speakers asked delegates to use union resources to support the injured and the bereaved and to continue work aimed at preventing further workplace fatalities.
