Mr. Thomas has been a rank and file member of many unions, and was a shop steward, organizer, and business agent with SEIU. In graduate school he was a rank and file organizer with GSEAC/UAW and part of the union’s successful recognition strike at the University of Washington.

Mr. Thomas has worked with the ILWU Organizing Department on a number of election and first contract campaigns, including the union’s March, 2008 election victory at the Rite-Aid distribution center in Lancaster, CA, which brought over 600 workers into ILWU Local 26. He has represented ILWU in NLRB proceedings that resulted in reinstatement with back pay for dozens of workers unlawfully laid off or fired for union activity, and that overturned election results when an employer’s unlawful campaigning prevented a fair election from taking place. Mr. Thomas also represents public and private sector unions in all manner of advice work, arbitration and litigation.

E-mail: pthomas@leonardcarder.com