News

As you may have heard, the governor's proposed budget includes the closure of Yakima Valley School and Rainier School.

This year, we took on many challenges to become stronger as a union, protect our jobs, and ensure our families have the best futures possible. We aren't stopping there.

If you're worried about the pending budget shortfall, here's what you need to know.

We’ve known about the budget crunch since June, and here’s the good news. We’re ahead of the game.

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.

BILL WOULD HELP RELIEVE CHILDREN’S SOCIAL WORKERS OF STUDENT DEBT

HOTLINE 1/18/18 On the airwaves and in the halls of the Legislature, WFSE/AFSCME social worker members beat the drum for a program to help these dedicated workers pay off the crushing student loan debt they took on to get the specialized degrees.

The bottom line is a life dedicated to helping abused and neglected children shouldn’t leave social workers in debt.

Local 1671 Interpreters United members show support for the bill (SB 6245) to expand the state’s successful interpreter procurement system for medical Interpreters to other high-demand agencies like Labor and Industries.

“Please pass this bill and let’s save a lot of money,” Local 1671 member Milena Waldron told the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.

Follow this bill at WFSE.org/6245

AFSCME Council 28 (WSFE)'s Stanley urges passage of part-timers bill

AFSCME Council 28 (WFSE) Secretary Tracy Stanley urged senators today (Jan. 18) to pass a bill that would leave no question about part-time employees.

SB 6184 would add part-time state employees to state civil service. Many part-time groups are already in; SB 6184 would make it wall-to-wall.

Add high-risk state institutions workers into the Public Safety Employees Retirement System (PSERS).

AFSCME Council 28 (WFSE) President Sue Henricksen (at far left) and Western State Hospital Local 793 member Rick Hertzog (at far right) today (Jan. 17) as they urge the House Appropriations Committee to move the bill to add high-risk state institutions workers into the Public Safety Employees Retirement System (PSERS).

Campus police arbitration bill boosted

AFSCME Council 28 (WFSE)-initiated bill (HB 1559) to give state college and university campus police binding arbitration got a good reception in the House Appropriations Committee Monday (Jan. 15).

The bill makes sense because it would level the playing field for these law enforcement officers, AFSCME Council 28 (WFSE) Lobbyist Matt Zuvich told the committee.