Join Our Union

State Agencies and Higher Ed

Interpreters

Private Sector

We are the Washington Federation of State Employees / AFSCME Council 28. 

When you sign a union membership card, you become a member of the largest union for state, higher education and public service employees in the state of Washington! We are over 52,000 strong and together we have a powerful voice to protect workers’ rights, our jobs, pay, benefits, working conditions and public services.

  • Union membership helps us build a strong and united voice for public service and the services we provide. Union membership gives you the right to participate in decisions that impact you at your job.
  • Union membership gives you a voice and the opportunity to participate in the democratic governance of the union.
  • Union membership gives you access to members-only benefits.

Speaking up for our jobs, families and communities since 1943. 

From a small union of Tacoma social services workers during the Great Depression, WFSE has grown into a federation of over 50 local unions and over 52K public workers, interpreters, cultural workers, and more.

UW members in the 70s

Together we have a powerful voice to protect workers’ rights, our jobs, pay, benefits, working conditions and public services.

  • Union membership helps us build a strong and united voice for public service and the services we provide. Union membership gives you the right to participate in decisions that impact you at your job.
  • Union membership gives you a voice and the opportunity to participate in the democratic governance of the union.
  • Union membership gives you access to members-only benefits.

Unity Is a Strong Defense

wfse members at the capitol

Coordinated attacks on unions and workers’ rights across the country impact us right here in Washington. We are at a crossroads. Either we unite and use our voice - and rights - to strengthen our union, or we may lose all we’ve gained:

  • Living wages
  • Basic union rights
  • Affordable health care
  • Real pensions

Bottom Line: Union Membership Matters

members at an overpass event in 2024

We cannot take our rights and benefits for granted any longer. The most important way you can help grow this movement of working people is by becoming a union member today.

Quick Overview of Membership

  • Right of representation under the contract.
  • Full rights of WFSE/AFSCME membership, including input into and voting on union contracts, electing union officers, and participating in other democratic processes.
  • Exclusive member-only benefits and scholarships for you and your family.
wfse members signing up for the union at Western State Hospital, the worksite often described as the most dangerous in the state

How much are dues? In accordance with Article VI, Section 1 of the WFSE/AFSCME Constitution, membership dues are 1.5% of a union member’s gross monthly salary. Effective July 1, 2025, WFSE's monthly maximum dues will be increased to $134.43, per WFSE's Constitution. The rate of 1.5% remains the same, however, the monthly maximum will change to $134.43. 

Our dues cap increases in proportion to wage increases. The dues rate (1.5%) can only be changed if elected member-delegates vote to amend our constitution during our WFSE/AFSCME member convention held every two years.

Need assistance signing up for our union? Please call the Member Connection Center (MCC) at 833-622-9373 or send us an email at [email protected].

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