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
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.
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.
We stood together and won pay increases, protected health care, raised the minimum wage and more! Our 2019-2021 collective bargaining agreements take effect this month. Download your contract below.
It’s Pride. Rainbow flags are everywhere and there’s a parade every weekend in June in cities across Washington State.
But what does Pride actually mean?
“For me, Pride means a sense of community and family. It’s a time to celebrate a community I’m part of, with allies. Having our union family together really shows the diverse membership that we have,” said Kodi Gaddis.
WFSE members have been celebrating by marching in the Olympia Pride parade, raising the Pride flag at their workplaces, and more.
State employees will see pay increases, job improvements, and expanded bargaining rights this year thanks to the efforts of WFSE members during the 2019 state legislative session.
“There is no workforce in Washington with more at stake [in legislative decisions],” said Cody Cohan, a care resource manager for the Developmental Disabilities Administration. “We are stronger together when working to improve the lives of all Washingtonians.”
Surrounded by friends and colleagues, Pat Bailey was awarded the Laurie Merta Steward of the Year Award. The ceremony took place June 1st at the Rise Up conference.
The award is presented to a shop steward who has “demonstrated outstanding skills to help members and build up the union in the workplace.” Bailey fits the bill.
“I’ve seen her drop everything to listen to someone,” said Jade Monroe. “Immediately she’s very caring.”
WFSE staff and members are mourning the death of labor attorney Anita Hunter.
Before joining the legal team at the Airline Pilots Association in 2017, Hunter was a fierce advocate for WFSE members and served as the union’s in-house general counsel for 11 years. She passed away on Friday, May 24, at the age of 49.
“The labor movement is a richer place for Anita’s contributions,” said Executive Director Greg Devereux. “She was tough, unselfish, and incredibly principled. She will be terribly missed by us all.”
Two hundred WFSE activists gathered for the June 1-2 Rise Up! Conference in SeaTac. The event brought together stewards and member organizers from across Washington to share workplace wins and learn skills and best practices.
AFSCME International President Lee Saunders addressed the conference on opening day and applauded the union’s success in a post-Janus environment.
“I want to thank all of you who’ve come to this conference to upgrade your skills and become even better member leaders,” said Saunders.
