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The proposed closures would negatively impact those who are in most need of these services , result in increased recidivism (a 2007 study showed Washington’s reentry centers lead to at least a 2.8% reduction in recidivism), cost the state more money (research conducted by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy indicates that reentry programs have a positive cost/benefit impact; for every dollar spent, $3.82 is returned to the state.), and threaten the capacity of our community custody system when the need for more capacity is rising.
We're calling on our elected officials to ratify and fund our 2025-2027 union contracts to ensure the state can hire and retain the workforce necessary to provide the vital public services we all depend on.
As you may have heard, the governor's proposed budget includes the closure of Yakima Valley School and Rainier School. We can't lose these crucial community resources for Washingtonians who need them. Read on for actions you can take to stand with vulnerable community members and dedicated WFSE members and stop the closures.

Janus case update: Justice Sotomayor questions motives of our opponents

The United States Supreme Court today (Feb. 26) heard oral arguments in the Janus case - the case you've heard so much about that aims to weaken public employees' voice at work and at the bargaining table.

US Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor at today's hearing on the Janus case:

"You're basically arguing, do away with unions," she asked the attorney for the forces trying to take away our voice to win better wages, hours, working conditions and preserve the safety net.

It’s Working People’s Day of Action in advance of the US Supreme Court hearing Monday on the bad Janus case. Hundreds of WFSE/AFSCME members gathered today in SeaTac at our first Day of Action event to say:

“We’re sticking with our union—no matter what Washington DC says.”

Follow coverage AFSCME.org/now

The economy has been rigged against working people by CEOs, billionaires and the politicians who do their bidding. On Saturday, February 24, thousands of working people across the country will stand united to say: un-rig the system.

Fifty years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. joined striking sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee, as they fought for the freedom to join together in a strong union and be treated with digity and respect at work. They carried signs that boldly proclaimed, "I AM A MAN."

February 23, 2018 PNS-WA

SEATTLE – Public employee union members in Washington state will be closely watching the U.S. Supreme Court case Janus v.

Local 1066 fights yet another proposed increase in parking rates.

Eric Needham, Local 1066 Secretary and WFSE representative on WSU’s Parking Committee, staved off a Valentine’s Day vote on a proposed 2.8% parking increase slated for next year.

Eric demanded that the vote be tabled until the Committee was able to review the Parking budget.

Full transparency from WSU is needed, especially in this time of a self-inflicted budget crisis. Local 1066 members are still fighting a unilateral cost increase imposed at the beginning of the school year.

WSU student journalist exposes critical deferred maintenance issue we should all care about

From the Washington State University Daily Evergreen campus newspaper in Pullman.

Note: Our Local 1066 members there have also raised the alarm on this issue because they take their job seriously -- keeping the WSU Pullman community safe and sound and a good place to learn and work.

Here’s some of what WSU journalist Luke Hudson wrote Feb. 20: