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Have a jolly union holiday!

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Photo courtesy of Edgewater Hotel
Photo courtesy of Edgewater Hotel

As you search for the perfect holiday gifts for your loved ones, remember to look for the union label so that your presents also give the gift of good jobs.

If you're traveling, or if your friends and family are coming to visit you, be sure to book a union hotel. You'll sleep comfortably at night knowing the hotel staff can afford gifts and special meals for their families.

And remember, the unions that represent retail, hotel, food service, and other workers have led the way in fighting for LGBTQ rights in their contracts and in legislation, like Washington state's marriage equality law.

The Washington State Labor Council's Union Goods and Services Committee has an online resource you can use to identify union-made goods and services. Just go to https://www.wslc.org/buy-union-washington/ for the information. While you're there, click on "Why Union?" to see the advantages of being a union worker.

Another great resource is Labor 411, which regularly updates lists of union-made food, beverages, and gifts for special occasions (https://labor411.org/category/product-spotlight/). For example, you can look for shopping lists for union-made holiday gifts, gifts for her, gifts for him, and gifts for kids.

To be sure you shop at union grocery stores and retailers, you can go to UFCW 21's website and check the list of outlets their union represents (https://www.ufcw21.org/shop-union). Many union grocery stores also have bakeries for your holiday cakes and cookies, and florists for your decorations.

Traveling to Eastern Washington? UFCW 1439 also has a list of union stores in that part of the state: https://www.ufcw1439.org/who-we-represent.

If you're looking for accommodations for yourself or friends and family, visit UNITE HERE 8's website for a list of union hotels (https://www.fairhotel.org/). Be sure to check its boycott list too, so you don't accidently book a stay at a greedy anti-worker venue.

UNITE HERE also represents many concessions at Sea-Tac Airport. Check their list to see who to patronize if you need a snack — or a drink — when you travel (https://www.unitehere8.org/seatac-international-airport/).

Have a wonderful holiday and help spread the cheer to skilled workers who do a good job and get fair pay and benefits in return!

Pride At Work is an LGBTQ labor organization affiliated with the AFL-CIO. You can find out about its work at prideatwork.org.