TALK ABOUT a delayed reaction. Council 2 members who attended this year’s Legislative Weekend in Olympia were disrupted by the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that hit the Puget Sound region — even though the quake had occurred more than a week earlier.

The attendees were unable to meet with legislators and tour the Capitol building as planned because the quake damage had forced the building’s closure.

The Council 2 organizers of the March 8-10 event did not know of the closure until a day or two before the event. Until that time, state authorities said the building could be used.

"We made the best of it and we appreciate everybody’s cooperation," says Pat Thompson, Council 2's Director of Legislation/Political Action.

"Despite it all, we were still able to get our message out regarding the issues that are important to our members," Thompson says. The issues include pension reform, contracting out, and retiree medical coverage.

After being held in Seattle last year for the first time, the popular event returned to Olympia this year.

About 200 people attended.

Among the events were a Council 2 hosted lunch on Friday at which State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler spoke and a workshop conducted by Don Craig of AFSCME on "Developing a Communications Strategy."