Labor Archives of Washington, UW Special Collections

10/12/2026

We are co-sponsoring this important event and exhibit about the history and impact of the Teamsters for a Democratic Union.

Join TDU activists and allies in Seattle on Thursday, November 19, for an evening marking five decades of rank-and-file organizing and looking at the fight ahead.

Hear from State Sen. Bob Hasegawa and TDU co-founder Ken Paff, and check out our new history exhibit.

📅 Thursday, November 19
🕡 6:30–8:30 PM
📍 Seattle Labor Temple, 5030 1st Ave South

RSVP: https://www.tdu.org/sea2026

09/17/2026

Great video from the Seattle Channel on Fil Am /Asian American Alaskero history that used the collections of the Labor Archives of Washington, UW Special Collections as well as the collections of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) and the Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project. We provided reference support and historical context. The Seattle Channel has also televised several of the Labor Archives' annual events as well as events we collaborated on at Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI). In 2013, they also used these same collections in the excellent documentary "One Generation's Time: The Legacy of Silme Domingo & Gene Viernes" [Link in comments] University of Washington Libraries MLK Labor Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific - ILWU Columbia River Region ILWU Coast Longshore Division Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) Washington State Labor Council Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies

This Labor Day, we remember them.⁠ They were known as the Alaskeros...

09/16/2026

📣 Yesterday was the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month!
This , we're highlighting scenes from a comic book about the history of CASA Latina — a worker center and nonprofit in Seattle that works to assist and empower Latine immigrant workers.*
(*The term Latine includes workers with Hispanic heritage, though not all Latine have Hispanic heritage!)
About CASA Latina:
🟡 Founded in 1994
🟡 Originally did street outreach in borrowed spaces
🟡 Has run a dispatch hall and job training programs since 2009 out of a campus in the Central District
🟡 Affiliated with the AFL-CIO in 2014
🟡 Today has over 750 worker members
📚

—
Image credit:
Labor Archives of Washington, University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, CASA Latina Records, 5975-001, Box 6, Folder 36


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09/16/2026

09/08/2026

Happy (September) Labor Day, all! Here’s a video on the history of the two days celebrating labor and workers: Labor Day (the first Monday in September in the US and Canada) and International Workers Day (May 1 throughout the world). They both have their origins in US labor history! Thanks to MLK Labor for creating this video, which ties into the collaborative exhibit!

09/03/2026

Doggoned! We planned on posting a list of these pups for National Dog Day last week, but it somehow didn't post in the dog days of summer. (Original text below)
Happy National Dog Day! We're celebrating by highlighting some canine members of SEIU families in Washington!
Interested in learning more about the history of SEIU? The Labor Archives has recently published series of oral history interviews with labor activists from SEIU 925 and 1199. Learn about the history of organizing healthcare workers and classified staff at UW!

08/20/2026

For American Artist Appreciation Month, we’re shining a spotlight on the Tomás Ybarra-Frausto photograph collection.
A former UW professor of Romance Languages and Literature, Ybarra-Frausto dedicated his career to documenting Chicano culture and history across the Pacific Northwest—from theater and dance to student movements and farmworker associations.
These powerful images transport us to 1972, capturing a performance by Teatro del Piojo at the U.S. Penitentiary on McNeil Island in Steilacoom, WA. A striking reminder that art thrives even in the most unexpected places. 🎭
📸: UW Special Collections (SOC3349, SOC3366, SOC3353, SOC3350 - edited)
University of Washington Libraries Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies MLK Labor Washington State Labor Council Pierce County Central Labor Council Thurston Lewis Mason Central Labor Council - TLM CLC Labor Heritage Foundation
Southwest Washington Central Labor Council Spokane Regional Labor Council NorthWest Washington Central Labor Council Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Central Labor Council

06/25/2026

For the final of Pride Month, we want to highlight YOU! There is a major gap in collections related to LGBTQ+ workers at the Labor Archives. Help us address this gap by sharing your story and taking steps to preserve your records!
Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries University of Washington Libraries
University of Washington Libraries MLK Labor Washington State Labor Council Thurston Lewis Mason Central Labor Council - TLM CLC NorthWest Washington Central Labor Council Southwest Washington Central Labor Council Pride at Work Spokane Regional Labor Council Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Central Labor Council Pierce County Central Labor Council