As President of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, I work alongside unions and aligned community partners across our state to build real power for working people and deliver real results for working families. I focus on aligning organizing, political action, and policy so our movement doesn’t just respond to challenges, we shape what comes next.

I’m proud to be a member of WFSE Local 793 and UA 26 and to come out of a movement rooted in collective action and solidarity. My path in labor, from rank-and-file union member to President of the WSLC,  has been grounded in bringing people together across race and place and gender and ideology to win lasting change. This work is personal. It’s about ensuring every worker, no matter who we are or where we come from, has a voice, dignity on the job, and a fair shot at a good life.

From leading statewide campaigns to advancing worker protections and expanding collective bargaining rights, I’ve helped turn our shared values into real wins. Together, we’ve grown our movement, strengthened our unity, and built the kind of power it takes to take on the biggest challenges facing workers today.

I’m committed to continuing that work with you, building One Movement, One Future, where working people lead, and where our collective strength shapes a more just and equitable economy and world for all.

April’s Accomplishments

Building One Movement. Winning One Future.

Since 2023, President April Sims has led the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO with a clear strategy: unify Washington’s workers to build power, win results, and shape the future.

Delivering Results for Workers

When labor moves together we win:

• Expanded collective bargaining rights for thousands of workers
• Strengthened wage equity and workplace safety protections
• Increased protections for farmworkers and warehouse workers
• Secured major investments in schools, clean energy, and infrastructure
• Passed the Employee Free Choice Act and banned captive audience meetings
• Advanced the Millionaire’s Tax
• Won unemployment insurance for striking workers
• Protected and advanced pro-worker, pro-climate policies

Turning Strategy Into Power

A unified political program that is delivering results:

• Elected working family candidates to every statewide office (2024)
• Expanded pro-worker legislative majorities
• Defended the Climate Commitment Act and WA Cares
• Won all 9 targeted 2025 special elections
• Built a strong candidate pipeline through Path to Power
• Strengthened statewide field through Labor Neighbor

Building for the Future of Work

Leadership that is preparing workers for what’s next:

• Leading on AI and emerging technology standards
• Advancing climate policy that creates union jobs
• Ensuring labor shapes workforce and economic policy
• Investing in the next generation through Union Summer and the Organizing Institute

Stronger Together on the Frontlines
Solidarity in action:

• Supported successful strikes and contract fights across industries
• Backed organizing campaigns statewide
• Invested in training, organizing, and coalition building to connect racial, gender, and economic justice
• Grown and united a movement of more than 630,000 union workers
• Strengthened coordination and unity across affiliates

This is what leadership looks like. Stronger alignment. Bigger wins. A growing, united movement.

Leadership and Board Service: 

• Washington State Apprenticeship Training Council
• Co-Chair, Washington Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board
• Vice-Chair, PNW Hydrogen Hub
• President, Climate Jobs WA
• AFL-CIO AI State Federation Task Force
• AFL-CIO State Federation and Central Labor Council Advisory Committee
• AFL-CIO Racial Justice Taskforce 
• Climate Jobs National Resource Center Steering Committee
• Vice President, One America 
• Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network Steering Committee