Bill Messenger has worked for the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO on a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Grant (WIOA) since 2006. The WSLC Labor Liaison is part of the Washington State Rapid Response team. In this capacity he helps workers that have lost their jobs transition to new work. Prior to his job at the Washington State Labor Council, Messenger worked at the Weyerhaeuser Specialty Pulp Mill in Cosmopolis, WA as a power plant operator. He served as a Shop Stewart, Vice President and President of AWPPW Local 211 for over 12 years. Messenger lost his job of 31 years due to a plant closure. He has been a lifelong union member.
Messenger specializes in the preparation & filing of Trade Act Assistance Petitions & National Emergency Grants and was instrumental in bringing a TAA Grant from the U.S. DOL to Washington State designed to increase participation of workers and firms in TAA benefits.
Messenger is a key partner in the participation and implementation of Layoff Aversion activities, if feasible.
The 59-year old Messenger currently serves as the Labor Advisor to the WorkForce Board in “Re-Tooling the Washington WorkForce”, on the Advisory Committee for the State Board for Technical and Community Colleges, Labor Member of Washington State’s CAT (Climate Advisory Team), Member of the Correctional Industries Board (DOC), and staffs the Washington State Labor Council’s Economic Development, Job Retention and Transportation Standing Committee.
Messenger has lived in Washington State most of his adult life. He currently serves as an Executive Board member of his local union, OPEIU Local 8.
Messenger and his wife Sue have 4 adult children and currently reside in Ocean Shores, WA.