Loss of a leader, loss of a friend
By Fabrizio Sasso
Executive Director, Sacramento CLC
This week, we lost a giant in the labor movement—Bill Camp, my predecessor and a mentor to countless organizers, activists, and leaders throughout Sacramento and beyond. His passing leaves a void not only in the hearts of those who knew him but in the very fabric of the labor movement he so passionately fought for.
Bill was more than just a labor leader. He was a visionary, a fierce advocate for working people, and a builder of movements both here and abroad. From the moment he stepped into the role of Secretary-Treasurer of the Sacramento Central Labor Council, Bill committed himself to amplifying the voices of the working class, ensuring that every worker had a seat at the table. His dedication to fighting for the dignity and rights of workers was not just a job for him—it was his life’s calling.
One of Bill’s most enduring legacies was his ability to build coalitions. He understood that the fight for justice couldn’t happen in silos. Under his leadership, the labor council became a powerful force for solidarity, bringing together unions, community organizations, faith groups, and political allies. He never wavered in his belief that the strength of our movement comes from our unity.
His leadership wasn’t just about policy or contracts; it was about people. Bill knew the workers he fought for—their names, their families, their stories. He knew that behind every statistic was a human being trying to make a better life. This personal connection fueled his tireless advocacy for fair wages, safe working conditions, and job security. His belief in justice was matched only by his belief in the power of organizing. Bill didn’t just preach solidarity—he practiced it, often leading by example and always with deep humility.
Bill’s accomplishments in the Sacramento region are too numerous to list. But perhaps his most significant achievement was transforming the Central Labor Council into a political powerhouse. Through his strategic leadership, we saw local and regional candidates—true champions of working families—elected to office. He knew that political change was necessary to protect the rights of workers and to build a more just society. Bill laid the foundation that continues to guide our political advocacy today.
But more than anything, Bill was a teacher. He taught us that victories for working people don’t come easy, and that sometimes the fight is long. He taught generations of labor leaders how to negotiate with tenacity, how to rally with passion, and, perhaps most importantly, how to listen. Bill instilled in us the importance of understanding the struggles of workers—of recognizing their pain, their aspirations, and their hope. His lessons live on in every labor leader, every organizer, every activist who had the privilege of learning from him.
Bill believed in the labor movement’s power to not just improve lives, but to transform them. And he knew that when we fight together, we win. His legacy is one of compassion, resilience, and fierce determination. As we mourn his passing, we also celebrate the indelible impact he had on our region and our movement.
I visited with Bill often, and in the final weeks before he passed, he was so determined to ensure that Kamala Harris get elected President. For years, he would spend weeks on end canvassing in the battleground state of Nevada, knocking on thousands of doors to convince voters to vote for the candidates that support working people. His final wish was to organize people to do this work in his stead.
The CLC will be organizing caravans to Reno on October 5th and 19th. Dubbed the “Bill Camp Challenge,” we are answering his call and respecting the legacy he left behind. We will carry the torch he has passed onto us so that we may build a stronger movement to pass on to the next generations.
Bill, your lessons will continue to inspire us, your spirit will continue to guide us, and your legacy will never be forgotten.
Rest in power, my friend. The fight continues, and we’ll carry it forward in your honor.