LAP Bargaining update #7

Our negotiations with the state concluded with a two day Interest Arbitration hearing on 8/5 and 8/6.

After 8 meetings to negotiate our 2027-2029 LAP CBA  with the state and a two day mediation we were unable to reach an agreement with the state on several important issues.

The state refused to prioritize the work we do, and was insistent that we were not worth even a penny increase to rates.  

1. Our proposals recognized the increased cost of living, the state offered not one cent;
2. Our proposals recognized the value of our time and prioritized late cancellation/no-show payments for OPI, VRI and all L&I modalities, the state refused to respect your time and offered no changes to the late cancellation language;
3. Our proposals strived to create consistency in how we are paid and sped up the L&I payment process, the State refused to make any changes to existing processes and to including a DES payment process in the CBA;
4. Our proposals created protection from the threat of AI and ensured that accurate and properly credentialed interpretation is prioritized, the state refused to acknowledge the threat.
5. Despite crying poverty the state objected to our proposals to access free arbitration services provided by the State Public Employment Relations Commission, IE the experts on WA state collective bargaining statute.

Being unable to come to agreement on these important issues we presented our proposals and made our case to an independent Arbitrator.   It is in the arbitrator’s hands now, and we expect to receive their opinion and award by late September which enables us to meet the October 1ststatutory deadline for agreements to be finalized.

All is not despair.   We were able to reach agreement on several non-economic subjects and can celebrate gains regarding the following topics:

1. New language establishing respectful workplaces;
2. New language promoting equitable access to interpreting assignments;
3. New language promoting adherence by all to the Code of Professional Conduct for Interpreters;
4. New language creating a  voice for us when agencies decide they will change coordinating entities;

Furthermore, we accomplished all of this without giving up a single existing provision.

Once we receive the arbitrator’s opinion and award we will share the details of the award and full details of the CBA changes.

Best,

Barbara Robertson

Leticia Mares

Luis Borgford

Masuood Muhammed

Leroy Mould

Quan Tran

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