Published on May 13, 2026
Five things we learned at the 2026 Labor Relations Institute
Nearly 430 human resources professionals and city leaders gathered at the recently renovated Wenatchee Convention Center May 6-8 for the 2026 Labor Relations Institute. Attendees heard the latest updates on important HR issues and learned how to navigate the complex world of labor relations. Here are five key takeaways.
- A phone call can be worth a thousand emails. When building relationships with union representatives, email may seem like an efficient way to communicate, but actual conversations can save time and prevent misunderstandings. (Be sure to document any decisions!) “I believe that’s true in any business, but it’s particularly true in labor relations,” said Rod Younker, partner with Summit Law Group.
- Respect is dynamic. Keynote speaker Julie Pham, founder and CEO of CuriosityBased, explained the “Rubber Band Rule” of respect, or the idea that you can be flexible for others, but if you stretch too far, you snap and break. “We think of respect and disrespect, but there’s so much in between,” Pham said. “There’s so much nuance to respect.”
- Get ahead and stay ahead. A common theme throughout the conference was the need to stay on top of emerging trends and issues, from updates to the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program to the federal “no tax on overtime” deduction. “The best defense is a good offense,” said Hannah Fredericksen, consultant with Compensation Connections, while discussing the need to update job descriptions to ensure they meet current standards.
- AI is here to stay. Speaking of emerging trends, artificial intelligence is one of the hottest topics in HR today, and attendees packed the room to hear where AI policy, procurement, and practice meet reality in public agencies. Summit Law Group Partner Maki Arakawa noted that while Washington does not yet have a comprehensive AI statute, existing laws already apply. “Employee guidance is the fastest risk-reduction lever,” Arakawa said.
- There are no easy answers. Attendees asked several tricky questions during the always popular Q&A session featuring a panel of attorneys. It’s not easy to understand the intricacies of labor relations law, which is why AWC is pleased to offer this event each year.
Check out photos from this year’s event. Many thanks to our speakers, exhibitors, and sponsors for their support.
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