During contract negotiations., our employers didn't want to spend a dime on compensation given the budget shortfall. We walked out for Washington won great contracts. Now we need to convince our elected officials to fund our contract.
On Tuesday, September 10, thousands of WFSE members at over 130 worksites walked out of their jobs to draw attention to the need for a fair contract.
Breakthrough in compensation! The walkouts worked.
Two days following the walkouts, a tentative agreement for a 2025-27 contract was reached for WFSE's General Government contract, which includes most state agencies and the vast majority of WFSE members.
Months into bargaining with the University of Washington, WFSE members feel disrespected by UW’s resistance towards better pay and benefits for the staff that keep the university clean, safe, and functioning.
“Meeting with management, talking about kind of how things are done, management isn’t on the same page about how things are done at the medical center versus the main campus,” said Erik Hellen, a food service worker at UW and WFSE bargaining team member.
When a fast-moving fire threatened hundreds of residents at two state-run hospitals, WFSE members stepped up and saved lives. This kind of selflessness and dedication defines our members’ work but requires well-staffed facilities and pay that keeps these workers on the job.
As a new DCYF employee, Michele Anslow was dismayed when her entire unit was dissolved and employees were reassigned to less than ideal roles and offices. By working together with her union siblings, Anslow successfully advocated for herself and her coworkers to have a say in the process. And thanks to a title review process instigated by her union, Anlow received a pay raise.
WFSE members have been hard at work making DOC a safer and better place to work.
WFSE DOC employees keep communities safe. They deserve respect, fair pay, and safe working conditions. From shop stewards who educate, support, and advocate for their fellow members to activated members getting petitions signed, DOC members are making concrete positive change.
Federal money for programs and services that help millions of vulnerable Americans and employ many AFSCME members could be in jeopardy next year.
AFSCME is teaming up with allies to fight drastic cuts proposed by right-wing lawmakers. More draconian proposals are likely if Donald Trump is elected president in November and his allies seize control of Congress.
