Meet our newest PROTEC17 members! Public Relations (PR) Specialists at the City of Seattle were certified in early 2025 by the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC), and will be accreted into the Professional unit of our main contract with the city, securing their union rights and benefits. The group of 42 PR Specialists work across most departments ensuring that internal and external city communications are professional and user-friendly. 

Back in late 2023, a core group of specialists reached out to PROTEC17. Despite not having a majority of their colleagues on board at that time, the group pressed on and made incremental progress over the last year. Then, last fall, some creative thinking and solutions helped the group reach a critical mass, which continues to rise. 

The main reasons that the PR Specialists wanted to organize was for equal treatment with their unionized colleagues, a seat at the table in decisions made about their work, and to have representation on the job. 

For Shanna Christie, a 20-year City employee and PR Specialist in the Seattle Department of Transportation who has worked in both union and non-union positions, the difference is the security.  

“It feels more secure to know that someone has my back and like I have a voice in the decisions that impact my life as an employee,” said Christie.

PR Specialist David Halsell, who helps update and manage the websites for Seattle Public Utilities, among other digital communications technical support tasks, likes that their job helps to provide the essential services that Seattle residents need. 

“I feel like I am making a more positive contribution to society than helping someone sell [a product],” Halsell said. 

Christie agrees: “When you work for the City, you aren’t trying to sell someone a product they don’t need, instead you are providing basic services that impact people’s daily lives.”

While PR Specialists at the City perform a wide range of communications job duties depending upon the needs of their different deparments, according to Halsell, they have created a supportive network of talented and creative communications professionals across the city. 

“My job is to take down the barriers between the details of what government does, and make it clear to the public what work is being done and how to access services,” said Christie. “I always find that really satisfying.”

While expressing gratitude that the City is generally a good employer, Halsell spoke more broadly to the importance and significance of unionizing: 

“Workers should always have a seat at the table and a voice in the workplace. Historically, unions have been a bulwark against fascism and the dominance of corporations, and we are again faced with these struggles in our society. By building union membership, we build solidarity and strength.”

Thanks to the dedication and tenacity of our newest PR Specialist members at the City of Seattle, PROTEC17 continues to grow stronger!