DOC Bargaining Update

On 7/21/2026, your bargaining team met with management in contract negotiations for the eighth time. The areas of negotiations fall into two broad areas – economic and non-economic. The management team, led by the Office of Financial Management (OFM), offered no Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) for this contract and stated they have no authority to negotiate any increases related to economics. Despite Washington’s inflation being higher than the national average and one of the most expensive states in the country, it is apparent that the administration is attempting to balance the budget on the backs of it’s employees.

Additionally, non-economic improvements to the contract are minimal at best, and most closely tied to the migration from the general government contract to the new standalone DOC contract. On topics that have no fiscal impact, the administration continues to reject reasonable, common-sense proposals without meaningful explanations or good faith efforts to find common ground. Some examples of this include providing retirement cards for staff that retire in good standing, post shooting drug testing requirements, and protecting the work of federation represented staff. It is apparent that we are negotiating with members of the management team that are either unwilling, or unable to make decisions around this contract.

Also included is proposed language that requires all staff, including management, to conduct themselves in a professional manner and be subject to the full grievance process to ensure accountability. Management has rejected this language… language that is imbedded in your personnel documents and agency values. They have also rejected language that holds management to full accountability and want to limit the grievance procedure in this area as it pertains to the contract.

We continue to fight for fair wages that keep up with the cost of living in Washington, a safe and professional work environment where all are held accountable to the same standards, and for the protection of our work.

Your DOC Bargaining Team,

Marlanea Aspden

Doug Chaput

Bill Copland

Jim Furchert

Scott Lee

Sean Raybell

Ton Johnson, WFSE Labor Negotiator

AFSCME Council 28/WFSE
Speaking Up for Our Jobs, Families & Communities
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