Shutdown Has Frontline Workers and Washington Families Reeling
WFSE sounds the alarm as layoff notices sweep through the state workforce due to the federal government shutdown.
Hundreds of members of the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) who provide low-income families with SNAP (food stamp) benefits at the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) have received temporary layoff notices effective November 4th.
Layoff notices related to federal funding have also been received by union members at the Department of Health (DOH), Peninsula College, and Centralia College.
“This is an unacceptable failure of federal leadership, and now working people, both our members and the vulnerable Washingtonians they serve, are being caught in the crossfire,” said Mike Yestramski, president of the Washington Federation of State Employees, who works at Western State Hospital.
“Our members ensure food is on the table for thousands of families every day. They deserve to be able to take care of their families, too.”
11/3 Negotiations Update
The WFSE Bargaining Team met with state HR on Monday, November 3 regarding temporary layoffs.
The court ruled on Friday (10/31) that the USDA must use contingency funds to provide food assistance for 42 million Americans. On Monday (11/3), the USDA declared that it will use those contingency funds and provide reduced snap benefits for November.
Still, the next steps for DSHS remain unknown. They committed to providing what their position is in response to the court order ASAP.
Another meeting is being scheduled for later in November, but we are closely monitoring impacts of the federal shutdown and are prepared to engage at any point.
That said, WFSE has been clear about the need to communicate with transparency to anyone potentially impacted as a result of the reduced SNAP funding.
“Every day that this drags on it’s going to continue to cause unknowns and anxiety,” said WFSE President Mike Yestramski who along with WFSE's other council officers will negotiate with the state as long as this crisis plays out.
Preventing Temporary Layoffs from Becoming Permanent
We continue to emphasize that the employer should take every measure possible to minimize negative impacts to employees, such as to ensure TLOs do not become permanent by exceeding 30 days, and that health benefits are not lost as a result of not having 8 paid hours each month.
In DOH, employees working with WIC are recalled for three days for this very reason.
At this time, temporary layoffs are not occurring in other General Government agencies or Community Colleges, but that could change in the coming weeks if the shutdown continues.
Tell Congress to End the Shutdown — without slashing healthcare
The only way we prevent impacts from spreading is forcing Congress to end the government shutdown without increasing healthcare costs for 22 million low-income Americans.
Rep Baumgartner (Spokane) and Rep Newhouse (Sunnyside) voted for the largest Medicaid cuts in history, despite their two districts in eastern and central Washington having the highest Medicaid utilization rates in our state.
They are our most important targets for ending the shutdown: Take action here.
"My mom, a single parent, worked as a teacher, and nannied kids on the side, but it was Medicaid and SNAP that helped keep our family afloat."
"Instead of focusing on lowering costs, politicians like Baumgartner are on vacation," said WFSE Local 1221 member and Spokane Community College employee Manousos Kouidis Jacobsen (center left).
"Our politicians only care about the interests of their rich donors, they have forgotten who elected them. Enough is enough It’s time for Congress to get back to work too and finally do something to lower costs for Spokane families."
Resources and How to Help
Have you received a layoff notice or feel you are at risk? Check out the resources below.
Donate to union members in need
To support impacted union members in Washington, you can donate to the Foundation for Working Families. 100% of the proceeds go to help union members in need.
Statewide WFSE Formula and Food Drive
WFSE members statewide are setting up food banks to help those impacted.
The Olympia drive was set up by laid off members who provide SNAP and WIC benefits to the public and are making sure their clients remain fed while they are laid off and unable to issue benefits.
More drop-off locations will be added here when they are set up.
Tell Congress: Save Healthcare, End the Shutdown
Anti-worker extremists in Congress prioritized massive tax breaks for the super-rich when they passed the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” in July.
Now they are withholding the funding needed for essential services in our state and threatening to double the healthcare costs for 22 million low-income Americans.
Dr. Jim Hulse, a WFSE Local 793 member at Western State Hospital is deeply concerned about what the government shutdown will mean for the patients that he serves, for his co-workers — who are already stretched to the breaking point — and for public safety.
"This month alone, I’ve already worked 45 extra hours of overtime,” said Hulse.
Ultimately, our elected officials in D.C. need to hear the impact the shutdown is having on our communities. Use the link below to tell your reps to end the shutdown without throwing 22 million people off their healthcare.
Tell Congress: Lower health care costs. Protect federal workers and fund public services.
Public services are under attack. But AFSCME is fighting back and winning.
Our union is playing a leading role in protecting public services on the national level and here in Washington state.
“This decision affirms that these threatened mass firings are likely illegal and blocks layoff notices from going out,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders in a press release.
“Federal workers have already faced enough uncertainty from the administration’s relentless attacks on the important jobs they do to keep us safe and healthy. They deserve respect for the work they do."
AFSCME lawsuits are also challenging an executive order that sought to strip union rights from nearly 100,000 federal workers. Get involved and sign up for updates at AFSCMEGO.org.
Click here to learn more about federal cuts to Medicaid/Apple Health, how they may impact our jobs and services, and how our union standing together and fighting back.