The question isn't whether AI will be used in public services. The question is whether public employees will have a voice in how it is used. Workers deserve a seat at the table before AI decisions are made, not after. 

A key priority for the 2027 legislative session is to pass the AI bargaining bill, which would give public workers the right to negotiate over the implementation of AI in the workplace if it would impact our wages, hours or working conditions.  

Washington can lead the nation by ensuring public employees help shape how artificial intelligence is used, rather than having those decisions made for them. 

NOW is the time to ensure we have a voice in this transformational technology as federal funds dry up and our employers are pushed to cut costs. 

Our state is at a junction as the use of AI rises. AI can help workers and improve public services, but it can also affect job duties, staffing, workloads, accountability, and service quality. That's why WFSE supports legislation guaranteeing public employees the right to bargain over AI. 

Our legislators have a moral question to answer: will public employees have the right to negotiate over new tools that are forever changing the way their work is done? 

Passing this law will be a heavy lift, as the bill faces stiff opposition from powerful tech lobbies, the Governor, the Office of Financial Management, and associations representing Washington cities, counties, and business interests. 

Unlike previous years, we're coming into this session with serious momentum. During contract negotiations this summer, many WFSE members secured a ban on any layoffs caused by generative AI over the two-year lifetime of the agreements. 

We need our members to get loud and show our elected officials that workers want a seat at the table as AI forever changes how state government is run. 

Find all legislative priorities, links to lobby, and more on our 2027 legislative session landing page.