State Labor President Pushes for Direct Legislation
Charlie Case challenges Everett union members to fight for initiative, referendum, and recall powers as the primary civic issue.
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President Charlie Case of the Washington State Federation of Labor visited Everett last Friday, addressing the central body on the urgent need for Direct Legislation. Case, a former Everett union leader, praised the city’s organized labor progress and shared insights from his recent travels through Eastern Washington. He urged union members to emulate the Farmers' Grange by emphasizing affiliation, funding, and the importance of supporting union media. Case warned that without the initiative, referendum, and recall, labor will continue to be bullied by organized manufacturer lobbies in Olympia. He argued that these tools are essential to preventing special privileges and ensuring government is held accountable to the majority of voters.
“Under Direct Legislation if a majority of the people want a thing they can get it despite the opposition of employers and their friends in the legislature.”
Case’s plea for Direct Legislation—the power of initiative and referendum—remains a cornerstone of Washington State politics today. His call to 'read our own publications' reflects the persistent anxiety about corporate media influence that persists in modern civic life.
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