News

WFSE Member Awarded $10k from State Program WFSE Saved in 2023 Legislative Session

After WFSE fought in the 2023 legislative session to bring back the Productivity Board, a Local 443 member won $10,000 for her idea to improve letter translation in the Paid Family Medical Leav

Higher Education: House, Senate and Ferguson Proposals

If these cuts are implemented by the legislature, the colleges will decide how to implement them. Furloughs are on the table and have been utilized in the past. We need to speak up and demand the rich begin paying their fair share.

WFSE Grievance Nets DOC Members Thousands in Back Pay

After a hard fight, WFSE members received an arbitration opinion vindicating our nine Department of Corrections members who teach Defensive Tactics courses who had been unfairly excluded from receiving assignment pay.

WFSE Members Raise Concerns Over Public Disclosure Requests

Several WFSE members have received notification from their employer/agency regarding two separate public disclosure requests (PDRs) sent to the Department of Retirement Services—one from the Seattle Times and another from the so-called Freedom Foundation (FF). (See sample below.) Click here to complete a brief survey regarding this matter.

Thank You, Officer Eugene Goodman

For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Justin Lee

Olympia, Wash. — The Washington Federation of State Employees (AFSCME Council 28) Executive Committee released the following statement in recognition of US Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman’s bravery during the insurrection at the U.S Capitol on January 6, 2021.

WFSE Thanks US Capitol Custodial Staff

For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Justin Lee

Olympia, Wash. —The Washington Federation of State Employees (AFSCME Council 28) Executive Committee released the following statement thanking public custodial workers of the U.S. Capitol for their brave and selfless dedication in returning the Capitol buildings to a safe and usable state after the January 6 attacks on democracy and justice.

In first days as president, Biden shows bold leadership

In his first days on the job, President Joe Biden has taken swift executive action to protect and empower public service workers, strengthen public services and help working people. On his first day alone, he signed 17 executive orders, memorandums and proclamations that showed the kind of bold leadership our country needs now.

Legislative Update: Furloughs Eliminated, Capital Gains, Juneteenth & More

WFSE made the 2021 Washington State legislative session a success despite the remote status.

4/27: WFSE Members Won Big This Session 

Before the start of the 2021 legislative session, public employees were looking at continued furloughs, layoffs and severe program cuts due to a multi-billion dollar budget shortfall.

Protecting Public Safety Bargaining and Employee Rights

The 2021 Legislative Session is in full swing. Decisions about our wages, work conditions, and the services we provide will be made over the next several months.

WFSE Calls for Peaceful Transition of Power, Denounces Attacks on Public Service Workers

The WFSE Executive Committee released the following statement regarding today's events:

WA Federation of State Employees Calls for Peaceful Transition of Power, Denounces Attacks on Public Service Workers

Violent insurrection provoked by president follows harassment of Washington public employees working to enforce public health orders

Saunders calls Georgia runoff victories a ‘bold mandate for change’

AFSCME President Lee Saunders called the victories of the Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in Georgia’s Senate runoff elections “a bold mandate for change.”