News

During contract negotiations., our employers didn't want to spend a dime on compensation given the budget shortfall. We walked out for Washington won great contracts. Now we need to convince our elected officials to fund our contract.

 Members of 1221 participating in Walkout for WA around Spokane. 

On Tuesday, September 10, thousands of WFSE members at over 130 worksites walked out of their jobs to draw attention to the need for a fair contract.

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.

General Government (GG)
Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
CBA with tracked changes

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.

AFSCME is on a roll. We are notching victories coast to coast – at the bargaining table, in the organizing trenches and in state capitals.

Following a brutal workplace attack in October that left her unconscious and hospitalized, Tina Suckow is speaking out. She and her AFSCME sisters and brothers are raising their voices against her firing by Iowa state authorities and in favor of a federal bill that would help prevent such workplace attacks.

When management decided to eliminate the custodial night shift at Bellevue College, the custodians fought back—and won. 

Shift changes disrupt the delicate balance workers have in their lives between family, second jobs, and long commutes.

Eseta Ropati has been a custodian at Bellevue College since 2016. She spoke of the challenges of raising small children and working at the college.

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.”

SEATTLE – A bill in Congress to address workplace violence for health-care and social-service workers is moving closer to a vote in the House. 

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.”