Ashley, an Employment Security Department employee and the Vice President of AFSCME Council 28/WFSE, shares the latest from union negotiations at the General Government table.
Yesterday, your bargaining team continued the fight for a strong 2025-2027 contract.
Your team represents all 38,000+ members within our General Government contract, which includes employees from the vast majority of state agencies —from DSHS and Natural Resources to Transportation and the WA State Lottery. And everywhere in between.
Employer Proposes Changes to Your Contract
On April 29, it was our turn to present our initial proposal for a 2025-2027 contract. Yesterday it was the employer’s turn.
We’re excited to share that we were able to agree (reach a tentative agreement, or “TA”) to a few contract articles, and members will be able to vote yes or no on these items when we reach a TA on the full contract.
We’re in for a Long Fight
As the employer went through their proposals, it became clear that this is going to be a long fight. Our positions and the employers are far apart on many key issues.
We asked clarifying questions, made corrections, pointed out inconsistencies, and educated them about the nature of our work.
We do these jobs, not them.
Many of us have years — sometimes decades — of experience serving on bargaining teams and enforcing our contract in the workplace.
What about Our Pay?
Before we move into compensation-related proposals, both sides of the table must wait for the next Economic and Revenue Forecast which will come out in June.
What’s Next?
At the end of the day, we went through the employer’s entire proposal and developed counter-proposals for our next bargaining session on May 29. Check out the actions below to help support us at the table.
We’re fighting for you.
- Want to share this update and others? Use the bargaining updates webpage
- Bargaining Survey due 6/30: Click here to rank the issues most important to you
- Wear Green on Your Negotiation Dates! 4/29, 5/13, 5/29, 6/12, 6/25, 7/8, 7/22, 8/19, 8/26, 9/9, 9/12, and 9/19
WSDOT Highway Maintenance Workers in Bellingham (WFSE Local 1060 members) supporting your General Government Bargaining Team yesterday at the worksite!
Get Involved!
Visit our 2025-2027 Contract Negotiations landing page to learn about how negotiations work, and download social media graphics, flyers, and posters to support your bargaining team.
Use Hashtag #UnitedforWashington to post about our contract campaign and follow all the action on our social media channels!