News

Election Win! WFSE Votes Save Jobs and Future Raises

Our hard work paid off this election year. WFSE voters took down three anti-worker initiatives, which would have resulted in job loss, income stagnation, and fewer services for Washingtonians and elected labor-friendly representatives that we'll need to vote to fund our contract. With a budget shortfall on the horizon, we need all hands on deck.

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.

ARP funds are an opportunity to build up communities by investing in public service workers

The American Rescue Plan, which AFSCME members helped make a reality and which President Joe Biden signed into law a year ago, provided $350 billion in funding to states, cities and towns.

Don’t Close Naselle Youth Camp: Hear Workers’ Voices

Tucked amid the temperate rainforests, streams and tidelands of Washington’s Pacific coast, Naselle Youth Camp (NYC) is a peaceful environment where youth undertake major transformations.

They graduate from the camp’s high school. They learn trades like forestry, aquaculture and electrical that serve them for a lifetime and fast-track them for good-paying careers. They receive behavior therapy, anger-management training and chemical dependency treatment from dedicated professionals that monitor and celebrate their progress. 

For union members, the ‘state of the union’ is strong


For union members, the ‘state of the union’ is strong

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler

Saunders praises nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court

Today, following President Joe Biden’s nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve on the United States Supreme Court, AFSCME President Lee Saunders issued a statement praising the historic selection.

Year in review: 2021 was a banner year for Cultural Workers United


2021 was a banner year for Cultural Workers United

Walker Worker Union (AFSCME Council 5)

WFSE: Inadequate Funding of State Institutions Jeopardizes Staff & Public Safety

WFSE: Inadequate Funding of State Institutions Jeopardizes Staff & Public Safety

Injuries reported at Echo Glen are a regular occurrence in understaffed state institutions    

Olympia, Wash. – The Washington Federation of State Employees released the following statement regarding the assaults on staff at Echo Glen Children’s Center Wednesday morning:

Help Make WFSE Legislative Priorities a Reality - Sign Up to Lobby

WFSE members from across the state attended our union's lobby training on January 8. Now, members are testifying in support of WFSE priorities, including funding for agreements that bring as much as 3.25% in pay increases along with a lump sum payment.

Virtual lobby days are scheduled. Pick your date here.

2023-2025 Bargaining Teams Announced

Check out the 2023-2025 WFSE bargaining teams. Next, teams will attend a training, review bargaining proposals and prepare to negotiate the best possible contracts for our jobs, families and communities