Zoo members stood with workers to support their fight for economic justice.
On a sunny afternoon last week, over a hundred of Woodland Park Zoo workers took over Phinney Avenue in Seattle and turned it into Union Power Avenue as they held an informational picket chanting and demanding a living wage and a fair contract.
Since September of last year, the workers at Woodland Park, from animal care associates to plumbers, have been without a contract. Now they are taking it to the street holding signs “Worker to CEO: A living wage now!” and “Don’t monkey around with our rights. Fair contract now!”
Whitney Diggs grew up in a union family and is proud to be a union member standing up for her rights.
“I can’t afford to pay rent and buy groceries at the same time on my wage. Even if I were a barista, I would be making more money,” said Whitney Diggs, a Learning Coordinator represented by Teamsters, as she waved at cars honking in support. Whitney comes from a union family and knows the power of union solidarity. She has worked at the zoo for over 5 years creating educational and cultural programs in Seattle communities. One of her favorites is teaching empathy and camera skills to the youth through nature photography camps.
“I love my job, that’s what keeps me working here despite the measly wages,” she continued. “I remember this kid I worked with. Their name is River, and they loved photography. We taught young people to ask for consent before taking pictures, and River always did. They even asked the tiny worm for consent before snapping a picture of it. This is why I don’t want to quit. I don’t want another job – I want to make this job a fair-paid one.”
Zoo workers are represented by a Joint Crafts Council (JCC) Coalition of Unions led by Teamsters 117, and have been fighting like hell for a fair contract for almost a year. In the past months, they have collected over 200 petition signatures with a simple message: “We deserve a life of dignity.” Then, they brought the petition and their fight in front of City of Seattle councilmembers and the mayor.
"If you love the zoo, the best way you can support it is by supporting us."
In the drawn out process of this fight, workers in the Admissions Department at the zoo organized and joined Teamsters. Now Woodland Park is trying to drive a wedge between union workers by demanding that Admissions negotiate a separate agreement.
“It is the workers who keep the animals at the zoo healthy and happy while serving over a million visitors every year,” said Teamsters 117 Secretary-Treasurer Paul Dascher. “The Woodland Park Zoo Society should bargain in good faith with our JCC Coalition to ensure demands of workers are met and that they are afforded a living wage in the city that they serve. Respect your workers!”
Councilmember Mosqueda supported zoo workers who are represented by a coalition of nine unions.
The picket line was visited by a number of local officials including City of Seattle Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth and King County Councilmembers Teresa Mosqueda, Claudia Balducci, and Girmay Zahilay, all of whom supported the workers and joined them in wearing buttons saying: "Fair Contract Now."
Councilmember Mosqueda addressed the crowd by saying: “It’s you, the coalition of workers, who are running this place making it possible for the entire region to enjoy the zoo. King County councilmembers are in solidarity with your fight for economic justice. There is no zoo without you!”
“If there was one thing I’d like the public to know,” concluded Whitney Diggs, “it would be this: If you love the zoo, the best way you can support it is by supporting us.”
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