News

AFSCME retiree Sue Conard calls on Congress to fund the front lines

The coronavirus pandemic won’t be controlled until states, cities, towns and schools – and particularly health departments – have the funding they need from the federal government, says AFSCME Retiree Sue Conard.

Conard should know. She spent 24 years as a public health nurse serving Wisconsin’s La Crosse County. One of her many areas of expertise? Immunization.

U.S. Conference on Mayors calls on Congress to go big on funding the front lines

The U.S. Conference of Mayors has sent a letter to Congress that echoes what AFSCME has been saying for months: It’s long past time to robustly fund the front lines.

Union Activism and Community Brought Maricres Back

Terminated by Seattle Colleges during the pandemic, Maricres was reinstated with the help of her union, member activists, friends and colleagues.

Maricres Tuliao has worked for Seattle Colleges in one form or another for 25 years. She started out as a student worker washing gym towels while she pursued an Associate of Arts degree. 

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.