Remembering Laurie Merta

by Jon Melegrito  |  June 25, 2012

Laurie Merta

The AFSCME family is grieving the loss of a sister who passed away this weekend in Los Angeles where she was attending AFSCME’s 40th International Convention.

Laurie Merta, 56, was an activist member in Community Corrections and director of field services of the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE)/AFSCME Council 28.

“She was responsible for building some of the best steward, Member Action Team (MAT) and field services structure in all of labor,” said Council 28 Exec. Director and International Vice President Greg Devereux.

“The Federation lost an incredible warrior for our members. While details have not been released, it appears she died peacefully in her sleep. She will be missed terribly by all of us. She was a loyal, passionate advocate for all members and for the union as a whole. She had been her normal funny, caring, focused self all week in the midst of a very spirited AFSCME convention. We will all miss her presence and her love for the union. Our prayers and love go out to her family and friends.”

Tributes and memorials may be left on WFSE’s website.

Details of her memorial service will be posted as soon as they are available.