Thousands of Washoe County educators are joining forces with workers across Nevada through a new labor affiliation that leaders say will strengthen their collective voice on issues affecting schools, workplaces, and working families.
The Washoe Education Association has officially affiliated with the Nevada State AFL-CIO and the Northern Nevada Central Labor Council, bringing the educators' union into a broader network representing workers across multiple industries.
Leaders of the organizations say the partnership reflects the connection between public education and the challenges facing working families, while creating more opportunities for educators and other workers to advocate for shared priorities.
“This affiliation is an exciting step forward for Nevada’s labor movement and a reminder that the issues facing educators are connected to the issues facing workers in every industry. We are proud to welcome the Washoe Education Association into our labor family and look forward to building a stronger, more unified movement together,” said Susie Martinez, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, and President Liz Sorenson of the Nevada State AFL-CIO.
Washoe Education Association President Calen Evans said the partnership is about supporting educators while also addressing challenges that affect students and their families outside the classroom.
“Strong public schools and strong communities go hand in hand. The children we educate come from families working in every sector of our economy, and the challenges those families face don’t stop at the classroom door. This partnership is about bringing educators and workers together around a shared commitment to building a better community for everyone. By supporting one another, strengthening public education, and advocating for working families, we can help create a Nevada where our students, our members, and their families have the opportunity to thrive,” said Calen Evans, President of the Washoe Education Association (WEA).
The Northern Nevada Central Labor Council also sees the affiliation as a way to connect educators with workers in fields such as construction, health care, public safety, and hospitality.
"We are proud that the Washoe Education Association's thousands of members are now part of the Northern Nevada Central Labor Council. Today is a historic day for working people in our region. Educators teach our kids. Our building trades build the schools they teach in. Nurses, firefighters, and hospitality workers keep this community running. We all want the same things: fair pay, safe workplaces, and a real voice on the job. Now when WEA stands up for students and classrooms, the whole labor movement stands with them. And they stand with us. Together we bring more voices to the bargaining table, the Legislature, and the school board. Northern Nevada's workers just got stronger,” said Ross Kinson, President of the Northern Nevada Central Labor Council.
The affiliation brings Washoe County educators into a larger coalition focused on workers' rights, working conditions, and advocacy for working families throughout Northern Nevada and the state.
