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.

RATIFICATION Tacoma Community College Student Support Services Unit

Negotiations concluded mid-October on the 2017-2019 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Our Tacoma Community College (TCC) exempt staff tentative agreement for the 2017-2019 contract achieves pay increases for the entire unit.

Final push for Manka Dhingra

This is it. One final weekend for Washington voters to fill out their ballots and return them by Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

That means union members will be volunteering this weekend for get-out-the-vote efforts for Manka Dhingra in the 45th District state Senate race.

We are having our final door knock for Manka Dhingra this coming Sunday, Nov. 5, 10AM @ 8151 164th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052. This is it!

IN MEMORIAM: Charlene "Char" Hunt

Charlene Hunt, a former Labor and Industries activist and member of Local 443 in Tumwater who helped overturn the ban on state employee raffles to raise money for charities, died Tuesday after a long battle with cancer. She was 68.

Char Hunt was a workers’ compensation adjudicator at L&I in 2007 when she and other L&I members culminated three years of hard work on the raffle bill.

Melinda Brockie comes home

We’re pleased to report that Melinda Brockie, the Federation member shot and wounded in the Las Vegas tragedy came home to the Lummi Reservation in Northwest Washington Oct. 25.

She was honored with a parade and a police escort from the Bellingham International Airport to her home, according to the Bellingham Herald.

IN MEMORIAM: George Hartwell

We honored George Hartwell at our In Memoriam presentation at our recent state convention. But out of respect to his family, we waited until his official obituary went public before announcing his passing here.

For many outside his family, George’s name faded away 20 years ago. But his story then is still inspiring today for all Federation members.

Our View, Nov 2017

This month's program features: Coverage of the WFSE convention with AFSCME Pres. Lee Saunders and Gov. Jay Inslee. Also, how a so-called right to work (for less) state holds down the workers but also other citizens of the state. In addition, while Labor Day weekend is a fun an relaxing time for many, its benefits aren't extended to 30% of American workers.