National labor leaders praise Laura Kelly as Kansas unions lobby for workers in Topeka

Labor unions are pushing for legislation friendly to workers at a time when they have an ally as governor.

Speaking to a packed Capitol rotunda full of union workers, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly praised organized labor.

"Last year was an historic one for the labor movement nationwide," she said. "Union workers representing a broad spectrum of industries across the country, from Hollywood to Detroit, Teamsters to Starbucks baristas, stood in solidarity and achieved not just huge victories, but a momentum surge the likes of which we have not seen in decades.

"I have always been a fierce defender of organized labor, and I want to acknowledge the important role that unions have played in the unprecedented economic growth we are enjoying here in Kansas."

Beside Kelly were top officials with four of the largest labor unions in the United States: American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten, United Steelworkers regional executive director Cathy Drummond, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers international president Brian Bryant and Communications Workers of America assistant to the district vice president Billy Moffett.

They were in Topeka on Wednesday for the Kansas AFL-CIO's lobbying day.

"Today we show solidarity at the Statehouse," said Tony Spicer, president of Kansas AFL-CIO. "As labor, we all come together."

A top priority for organized labor this session is an update to the state workers' compensation law, which has the back of unions, business groups and government. Among other issues on their legislative agenda is permitting prevailing wage on local government construction projects, tax relief for working families and school and special education funding.

Weingarten said labor is rising, lobbying together for policies on pay, health care, retirement and workers comp that benefit the middle class.

"Workers need to be a priority, working families need to be a priority, and you have a governor that makes that a priority," Weingarten said.

Kelly said unions have had a seat at the table in her administration, especially with a new position at the Kansas Department of Labor "so that organized labor had a direct line to my administration."

"Economic growth has been powered by hardworking Kansans, and it's only fair that they share in the success that they've had helped create," she said.

She listed off various actions, including the two-person train crew rule, paying down public pension debt and proposed state employee pay raises. She also reminded workers, "I stood alongside machinists and UAW members on the picket lines."

"We are living in a time when workers and unions are standing up across the country with a renewed sense of urgency and determination," Moffett said. "We must channel that same energy and spirit as we walk the halls of this Capitol, and urge our elected officials to make Kansas a better state for working people."

He said unions must go beyond the workplaces and picket lines to ensure government officials hear their voices.

"The struggle is also at the ballot box where we must elect candidates who stand with working people," Moffett said.

More: Kansas enticing business with right-to-work status. Here's why some are crying foul.

Labor leaders see Kelly as a politician who stands with workers.

"In Kansas we have been very fortunate to have our close friend Gov. Laura Kelly at the helm," Drummond said. "Although she presides over a state Legislature that is heavily dominated by lawmakers that aren't necessarily sharing our state values, she has fought aggressively on behalf of the workers throughout her years as governor and at the state Legislature."

"With Gov. Laura Kelly, we're not just talking about an ally, we're talking about a champion for working families," Bryant said. "Gov. Kelly knows that growing union jobs grows the middle class."

Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Labor union leaders praise Laura Kelly as an ally of Kansas workers