Introducing AFT Washington's Incoming President!
By Jacqui Cain, President-elect of AFT Washington
It is an honor and a privilege to be elected as the incoming President of AFT Washington at our convention in May. During my union leadership at Pierce College, and particularly on the AFT Washington Executive Board as Vice President for Contingent Faculty Issues, I had the opportunity to engage with the many constituencies that make up our membership, and I appreciate the confidence you placed in my leadership to guide us through the challenging times ahead.
I am especially proud to be the first contingent faculty member entrusted to lead our union: a reflection of the progress we’ve made and the work we must continue to do to ensure all voices are heard and valued. This moment marks not just a personal milestone, but a step forward for all contingent faculty across the state whose voices and labor have too often been overlooked. All our voices together have power; all our labor is important.
From our classified staff and professional employees to school-related personnel, pre-K–12 workers, retirees, and faculty in community, technical, and four-year colleges, I have learned about the many issues, challenges, and wins that AFT Washington has achieved throughout the years. I have also been inspired by the organizing work that we’ve done. I have proudly stood in solidarity as unrepresented workers fought for their unions and won strong contracts. This has made their jobs more sustainable, improving their lives and the lives of their families, and it has strengthened their unions and workers’ rights across the state. Our wins matter, and we must celebrate them.
In working with activists at Walla Walla and Whatcom Colleges, as well as the athletic coaches from the Renton High School District, we learned how to empower each other by telling our stories, how to build trust and hold each other accountable to our shared goals, and how to transform workplaces into spaces people want to be, not just places they have to be. Walla Walla has found their voice, and both Whatcom and the coaches are currently in negotiations for better wages, job security, dignity and respect.
In my first term as President, I am going to work to build connections and relationships with our local members and union leaders. I am hopeful that many of our local leaders are reading this now and will reach out to me or to schedule a time when I can come and get to know you and learn from your experiences; contact me at jcain@aftwa.org and we’ll connect! If you’d like to host a conversation at your local, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are stronger when we act together!
My second goal is to create opportunities for solidarity within our union and communities. Recently an activist told me that while the times we are living in may seem chaotic, they are also opportunities for great change, and if we fight, we can swing the pendulum and create a more just society. (As we say – when we fight, we win!)
One of our first steps will be to create a task force to examine and develop strategies and tools to advance job security for contingent faculty, which you empowered us to do by passing a resolution at Convention. Another is to develop our legislative agenda for next year’s session, identifying the gains we can make in a policy year and the preparations we can make for the 2027 budget year. We’re also refining and continuing our trainings for new leaders at your locals and preparing for expansion of our membership through ongoing new organizing efforts and membership drives. Our strength is found in the diversity and skill of our collective voice. This is what I am committed to, and what will be a guiding principle as I work for our membership.
I’m honored to take on this role, and I know I don’t do it alone. With your voices, your stories, and your commitment, we will continue to grow and fight for the dignity and respect every worker deserves. I can’t wait to meet more of you soon.