News

WFSE 50th Biennial Convention Energizes, Inspires, and Unites

WFSE’s 50th Biennial Convention, coinciding with the 80th year of our union’s history, took place from October 6-8 in SeaTac, WA. 

2025-2027 Contract Negotiations

An engaged membership is an empowered membership. Download graphics, print signs, find Teams backgrounds and much more!

Mind Games at the Department of Health

Millions of taxpayer dollars have been spent on faith-based “empathy training” that silences discrimination concerns and penalizes protected union activity. DOH employees are calling for it to stop. Sign their petition here.

American Red Cross workers, including AFSCME members, rally for fair contract

American Red Cross (ARC) workers, including many AFSCME members, are rallying this week in cities nationwide to fight back against mistreatment from their employer and demand a fair contract. The protests are being held in Washington; Lansing, Michigan; Peoria, Illinois; Hartford, Connecticut; Pomona, California; and San Diego.

Overlooked by management during the pandemic, Red Cross workers fight for a fair contract

They collect, protect and deliver our nation’s blood supply, yet the almost 3,000 American Red Cross workers are not being paid what they deserve, lack the staff to do their jobs effectively, face cuts to their health care and, over the course of the pandemic, have often gone without pay and adequate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Biden administration extends pause on student loan repayment

Good news for federal student loan borrowers: This month, the Biden administration again extended the pause on student debt repayment – this time through Aug. 31.

400 Employees at Western/Eastern State Hospitals Demand Safety

In a coordinated effort, over 400 Western State Hospital and Eastern State Hospital employees signed petitions demanding safe working conditions and fair compensation. Both petitions were delivered to management over the last week.

AFSCME celebrates Jackson’s confirmation; Saunders calls it ‘a watershed moment’

AFSCME members and working families are celebrating the Supreme Court confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, whose life experience and extraordinary legal career make her uniquely attuned to the challenges working people face.

The Senate confirmed Jackson today by a vote of 53-47. President Joe Biden nominated her as associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court in February after Justice Stephen Breyer announced his retirement.

Report highlights need for state and local government jobs

A new Center for American Progress (CAP) report describes how state and local governments, having already shed critical public service jobs since the Great Recession, have lost 695,000 more since the onset of the pandemic.

Because the services these jobs deliver are critical to society’s functioning, state and local governments must invest in job creation.

A WFSE Member’s Student Loans Were Forgiven—Apply for Forgiveness Today

Find step-by-step instructions and resources on how to apply to have your loans forgiven.

Courage, Leadership, and Creating Space for Others: The Powerful Women Leaders of WFSE

Each year, Women’s History Month is a chance to thank and appreciate the many women in our movement who give their talent, time, and passion to lift up their union siblings.

We spoke with four women leaders in WFSE who exemplify the courage and solidarity that unionism is all about.

Leanne Kunze

“I have a low tolerance for injustice That’s why the labor movement has been a calling. It’s about advocacy and helping people find their voice.”