Unions: Everett’s Past, Present, and Future

You may have noticed something happening in our city in the last few months. Maybe you’ve seen more people marching in front of businesses and more signs about fair wages and workers’ rights. Maybe you’ve seen some businesses close for the day or heard the phrase “we’re just really short-staffed right now” when you visit. Maybe you’ve heard the term “unions” pop up more in conversation - both overheard and your own - and wondered where this is all coming from.

Suppose you were to use the dictionary definition. In that case, unions are “the action of joining together or the fact of being joined together, especially in a political context” and “a society or association formed by people with a common interest or purpose.” But we know unions are much more than a dictionary definition - especially in Everett. Unions are one of the foundations our city was built on, and insurance that workers are paid fairly for their time and given compensation in benefit packages so they can support themselves and their families. Personally speaking, unions have given me a living wage and good medical benefits, so I don’t have to make the choice between insulin or food, as many other Diabetics have to do every month.

Many people know at least a little about the history of unions in Everett. For example, some community members may know that Everett was already home to over 20 unions less than 15 years after it became incorporated. Other Everettites are likely familiar with the Everett Massacre of 1916, where Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W.), also known as the Wobblies, clashed with the local sheriff and several residents. So what happened in Everett’s history that made it and kept it pro-union?

While Everett was in its early years in the 1890s, it was part of the area’s thriving lumber business and was home to various mills. However, only a few men, like David Clough, owned these mills. This consolidation of power combined with poor working conditions (and poorer wages) is what made Everett the perfect place for unions to take root and grow, a growth that’s continued to this day.

Washington state has one of the highest rates of union representation in the country and there are 64 unions in Snohomish and Island counties alone, so it’s no surprise that many current Everett residents belong to unions and continue to do the work of neighbors past. This is important work because unions help people stay housed, fed, and able to afford much-needed medical care as much as they ensure that people are working in safe conditions. Considering our current issues with homelessness, and all the issues that come with people experiencing a lack of housing, unions, and all the benefits that come with them, are needed more than ever in our community.

So, next time you see a picket line or hear about another business trying to unionize, don’t be afraid to show your support! Everett may be the home of many unions, but there’s always room for more workers’ rights.

Angela Di Filippo currently works in State Social Services and recently earned her Masters in Industrial/Organizational Psychology with extensive training in evidence-based leadership coaching. Angela moved from North Carolina to Washington 6 years ago and has proudly called Everett her home for 5 of those years. When not helping others solve problems in creative and strength-driven ways, Angela enjoys her time painting, hiking with her terrier-mix, Indy, and eating waffles.