Saldaña Named To Senate Labor Leadership

Washington state Senator Rebecca Saldaña has been elected by fellow Senate Democrats to chair of the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.  The Democrat from Seattle succeeds Senator Karen Keiser, who is retiring after more than two decades of service in the Legislature.

“It is an honor to follow in the footsteps of Sen. Keiser, whose legacy of leadership on labor issues has improved countless lives across Washington,” Saldaña said. “I look forward to continuing this critical work — advocating for workers’ rights, strengthening benefits and protections, and building an economy that benefits everyone.”

As chair, Saldaña will oversee a committee responsible for matters central to workers and businesses in Washington, including unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, apprenticeships, the Washington Cares Act, and the Paid Family and Medical Leave program.  The committee also handles consumer protection, labor standards, and regulation of industries such as cannabis, liquor, and tobacco.

In 2019, Saldaña introduced Senate Bill 5693 which would have required farmers to report any incidents of slavery, peonage and human trafficking to retailers with more than $200 million in global sales.

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