If you would like your donation to be tax-deductible, the United Way of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties is also accepting funds. You can contribute online by clicking here (please note “Nippon Fund” in the donor notes section) or by writing a check to the United Way of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties and mailing it to:

United Way of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties

P.O. Box 1336

Longview, WA 98632

When writing your checks, please note “Nippon Fund” in the memo line.

Thank you for any support you can provide. During this incredibly difficult time, District Council 5 extends its thoughts, prayers, and unwavering support to the Longview community.

Standing Together, Delivering Results

If you’ve been following our social media accounts over the last few weeks, you’ve seen that we have started announcing candidate endorsements for federal, state, and local offices across District Council 5. These endorsements aren’t about politics for politics’ sake but rather improving the lives of our union members and their families.

That’s the union difference. When workers stand together, our collective voice carries weight. And by developing positive relationships with key decision-makers, we have secured legislative victories, protected prevailing wage laws, expanded worker protections, and created new opportunities throughout our region.

From time to time, we think it’s beneficial to reflect on the progress we’ve made and help workers better understand how their union is working for them. We’ve highlighted a few examples from all five states below that we think best illustrate our recent impact:

Washington

• Last session, we successfully passed legislation to crack down on worker misclassification on public works projects, protecting prevailing wages and ensuring contractors play by the same rules (SB 6302).

• Worker misclassification remains a serious threat, allowing bad actors to sidestep paying prevailing wages and putting law-abiding businesses at a disadvantage. That’s why we also pushed for funding to extend the Underground Economy Task Force to combat misclassification and unreported payroll in construction.

• Our members will benefit from thousands of good-paying jobs after Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the state’s $16.6 billion supplemental transportation budget (SB 6005) in March, adding $1.56 billion for infrastructure maintenance and preservation through 2031.

• Other recent wins include passing SB 5041, granting up to six weeks of unemployment pay for striking workers, and supporting HB 1821, which expands the definition of “interested party” under prevailing wage laws to include joint labor-management cooperation committees and Taft-Hartley trusts. The result is greater access to employers’ payroll records in an effort to combat wage theft.

Oregon

• Sometimes it isn’t about the bills you pass, but those you defeat. That was the case earlier this year with SB 1566, which would have exempted certain public projects from paying prevailing wages under the guise of boosting affordable housing development. Thanks to strong labor solidarity, this bill died in committee.

• We also scored a significant win last year by passing HB 2680 (a.k.a. the “Glaziers Bill”), which requires additional certifications for glazing work on certain public projects. This not only helps ensure fairness, but that these taxpayer-funded facilities are built right the first time, avoiding potentially costly repairs.

Idaho

• Over in the Gem State, we supported bills that increased safety for Teamsters and provided cancer medical coverage for firefighters.

• We also thwarted several bad bills in recent years that would have hurt unions’ ability to collect dues via paychecks and made collective bargaining optional.

Utah

• IUPAT was among multiple organizations that pushed back against a proposal banning collective bargaining for public sector unions including teachers, firefighters, transit workers, and more. The state legislature has since repealed this potentially harmful legislation.

Alaska

• Our union played a role in pressuring lawmakers to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s vetoes on education funding, benefitting students, educators, and working families statewide.

• We also continue to deliver jobs and opportunities for our members through a Community Workforce Agreement with the Municipality of Anchorage and Student Community Workforce Agreement with the Anchorage School District, requiring that 15% of total project hours go to workers in registered apprenticeship programs.

These victories didn’t happen by accident. They happened because our union members stood together, made their voices heard, and supported leaders who value working people. While there is always more work to do, we will continue fighting for fair wages, safe working conditions, and opportunities for the next generation of skilled tradesmen and women.

Building Quality From the Floor Up

When people hear the term “floor covering,” they typically think of carpet, vinyl, hardwood, or tile. What many don’t realize is that the industry covers a wide range of specialized materials, installation methods, and technical skills that play a critical role in hospitals, schools, sports facilities, and commercial buildings.

For members of Local 1238, our work extends far beyond residential flooring in Washington state. We install antimicrobial flooring systems in medical facilities that help prevent the spread of blood-borne pathogens. These products must be heat-welded to create a seamless, non-permeable surface capable of meeting strict healthcare standards. We also install synthetic turf at sports fields across the state, including work at Lumen Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks. Our trade even includes wall coverings, window treatments, and other specialty products.

The scope of our work is matched only by the pace at which the industry evolves. New materials, adhesives, moisture mitigation systems, and installation techniques are constantly being introduced. That’s why Local 1238 invests heavily in ongoing education through monthly journeyman upgrade courses where members receive hands-on training that helps them stay current with changing products and specifications.

Today’s installers must understand moisture testing methods, relative humidity levels, pH testing, substrate preparation, and moisture mitigation techniques. They must also possess strong problem-solving abilities, a keen eye for detail, and the mathematical skills necessary to properly lay out complex flooring systems. These are the kinds of skills that prevent costly failures and ensure projects are done correctly the first time.

That commitment to training and professionalism is the union difference. We do not accept shortcuts, and we continually invest in our workforce because quality matters. Whether the project is a hospital operating room, a school renovation, or a major public facility, taxpayers and owners deserve work that is built to last.

One of the greatest challenges facing our industry today is employee misclassification and falsified payroll reporting. Responsible contractors who follow the law and pay fair wages often find themselves competing against businesses that gain an unfair advantage by misclassifying workers or not meeting prevailing wage requirements.

When a responsible contractor’s bid is dramatically higher than the lowest bid on a public project, taxpayers should ask why. Too often, the difference can be traced back to practices that undermine workers, law-abiding businesses, and the integrity of the public bidding process. Washington state has taken steps to address these issues through efforts such as the Underground Economy Task Force, but there’s more to do to curb fraud and ensure public dollars support reputable contractors who follow the law.

Local 1238 will continue documenting potential violations, supporting wage claims, and advocating for enforcement that protects workers and honest employers alike.

Looking ahead, my goals are straightforward. We want to increase opportunities for our members, grow our signatory contractor base, expand membership, and continue strengthening our market share. Just as importantly, we want to preserve the strong sense of community that defines Local 1238. We take pride in the relationships we have built with our signatory contractors and in the professionalism of our members.

Our installers are among the best-trained floor covering professionals in Washington state. We are proud of our craft, proud of our union, and committed to demonstrating excellence on every job site.

Looking to stay in the loop with Local 1238 Floorcoverers? Follow us on Instagram.

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Together, we build stronger communities, protect workers' rights, and create opportunities for success. Stay united, stay strong with IUPAT District Council 5!