News

Governor Inslee has rescinded the COVID -19 vaccination mandate for state employees that was ordered by proclamation on August 9, 2021.

Together, we convinced the legislature to fund record-setting contracts that will make our workplaces safer, improve recruitment and retention, address significant pay disparities, and improve access to vital services for all Washingtonians.
There's a lot going on for WFSE Department of Correction Members: an arbitration award resulting in significant raises for our 2023-25 contract, workload concerns, important legislation, union organizing in WMS, and much more. Find everything you need here in the Corrections Corner.

Friday is “Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day”

From the Washington State Department of Commerce

Millions of dollars in Earned Income Tax Credits go unclaimed each year – is some of it yours?

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a benefit for working people with low to moderate incomes.

Affordable housing bill needed for state employees because high rents “are making it difficult for them to survive”

AFSCME Council 28 (WFSE) members and our allies countered opponents and made a strong case today for our priority affordable housing bill as a matter of survival for many state employees.

PHOTO (from left): Rod Palmquist, WFSE/AFSCME; Chris Genese, Washington Community Action Network; Tommy Fuglestad, Local 304, North Seattle College; Joelle Craft, WACAN; and Jim Hulse, Local 793, Western State Hospital.

Our partners in the Retired Public Employees Council of Washington urged the House Appropriations Committee to pass HB 2511 to provide a one-time cost-of-living adjustment for PERS 1 retirees.

Nightmare ends with reinstatement, $11,000 cash settlement

WSE Jan 2018

His shop steward  ‘had my back’ -- now Andrew Simbler is back on the job

PHOTO:  Andrew Simbler (right) with WFSE/AFSCME Council Representative Addley Tole.

Bill protects state employees' privacy

Sponsor of good privacy bill: Needed to protect state employees from “hackers, stalkers, crooks, other unsavory folks”; meanwhile, Freedom Foundation asks Supreme Court to give them access to your date of birth.

In the attached photos (from left): Antonio Garcia, Local 443; Dennis Eagle, WFSE/AFSCME legislative and political action director; and Melissa Kover, Local 443.

Great news. Your consistent advocacy for the capital budget (SB 6090) has paid off. The bill passed both the House and Senate last night freeing up money for construction projects and stopping layoffs. It's now on its way to the Governor.

Read the bill report here.

Finally! Capital Construction Budget passed, on way to governor’s desk

It took 287 days, but the state Capital Construction Budget is no longer a hostage.