ABHS Bargaining Update #2 - Tentative Agreement reached. Voting instructions here.

Negotiation of the 2025-2027 Tentative Agreement between the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) and American Behavioral Health Systems (ABHS) has concluded! 

The tentative agreement (TA) for the 2025-2027 ABHS contract achieves several major goals identified as priorities by the membership:   

• Despite challenging and uncertain budget projections, particularly related to Medicaid and state funding, the contract secures a general wage increase of 4% in 2025, and an agreement to reopen the contract before July 2026 to bargain compensation for the second year of the Agreement.  
• Employees with 2 or more years of service will also receive an additional 25 cent per hour increase on July 1, 2025, which brings many up to about a 5% increase!
• The contract ensures that ABHS will increase employer contributions to employee healthcare costs, lowering monthly costs for employees, and adds two new FSA benefits for health and dependent care!
• Longevity increases were given greater permanence and are now a part of the contract, providing bonuses to all with 1 or more years of service!  
• Major increases to vacation leave accrual and sick leave accrual!  
• Increases to Med Cart pay, and all shift differentials. Employees are eligible for ALL differentials for which they qualify – meaning they stack!
• Indigenous Peoples’ Day is now a paid holiday, bringing the total to 12 paid holidays plus a personal holiday each year!
• Plus, many, many more economic and non-economic improvements! See the full tentative agreement for details.  

Because of these achievements, your ABHS Bargaining Team recommends that you vote YES toACCEPT this Agreement! A summary and complete copy of the tentative agreement is available here: 

We want to thank you all for your hard work, research, job actions, and solidarity. Your strength makes all the difference! If you have questions, please visit a voting assistance center, contact a bargaining team member, or contact your WFSE staff. 

Your WFSE ABHS Bargaining Team

Voting Instructions and Timeline

• Voting opens: June 2, 2025, at 8:00 AM
• Voting closes: June 5, 2025, at 5:00 PM

How to vote: Visit vote.wfse.org to cast your ballot.

Log in with your first name, last name and your PIN. Click "ONLINE VOTING" below "Important Links." See screenshot below.

Check your personal email for your PIN. Be sure to check your spam, promotions and junk folders. Vote using your personal equipment on personal time.

Questions about the TA or difficulty voting? Contact the Member Connection Center (MCC) at [email protected] or 833-MCC-WFSE (1-833-622-9373).