DOC Arbitration Decision

Bargaining Team Update

The Interest Arbitrator has issued their Opinion and Award following the five days of interest arbitration held August 24–28, 2026.

The WFSE Corrections Bargaining Team entered arbitration representing the interests of approximately 1,477 bargaining-unit employees and presented evidence concerning compensation, workload, working conditions, staffing, recruitment and retention, and the increasing responsibilities assigned to Community Corrections Officers.

The arbitration covered a number of important contract issues, including wages, instructor pay, geographic pay, workload grievance rights, workplace conditions, layoffs, geographic assignments, dog-handler pay, and other special compensation provisions.

The Arbitration Award

The Arbitrator awarded:

• 1.5% wage increase effective July 1, 2028
• 1.5% wage increase effective July 1, 2029
• The existing collective bargaining agreement remains in effect for the other issues addressed in arbitration, except as specifically changed by the award.
• The Arbitrator retained jurisdiction for 60 days to address questions concerning interpretation of the award.

The Arbitrator specifically recognized that the work performed by Community Corrections and reentry employees is vital to communities throughout Washington. The decision also recognized that the work performed today has expanded significantly, including evidence-based interventions, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral programming, increased documentation and victim-notification requirements, treatment coordination, transportation responsibilities, quality assurance requirements, electronic reporting systems, and other administrative responsibilities.

Read the complete decision and award here.

What This Means

The Bargaining Team recognizes that the award does not provide the wage increases or the contract changes that WFSE proposed during negotiations.

WFSE proposed significant wage increases and additional compensation recognizing the work and responsibilities of this bargaining unit. The Arbitrator ultimately concluded that the State was in a position to provide a 1.5% increase in 2028 and another 1.5% increase in 2029.

This process has demonstrated the importance of having a strong, united bargaining unit. The evidence presented by the Union established the increasing complexity and demands of the work performed by Corrections employees.

The Bargaining Team will continue to monitor implementation of the award, including the Arbitrator's retained jurisdiction, and will continue advocating for the members who perform this critical work every day.