News

WFSE members have chosen who will represent them at the bargaining table to negotiate their 2025-2027 contracts.

Dedicated WFSE members at the Washington Department of Children, Youth and Families show up for kids and families during some of the hardest times in their lives.

Big decisions about our working conditions and livelihoods will be made in Olympia during the 2024 legislative session. Through our union, we have a seat at the table. Register for your lobby day today!

Throughout my son’s long career at AFSCME, there have been countless times when I’ve seen Lee proudly wearing an AFSCME T-shirt. Often, these T-shirts feature slogans like “Rise Up” and “Never Quit.”

To Lee, these are much more than just slogans. They’re principles that guide him as president of AFSCME. As his mom, the meaning behind these phrases evoke a long and powerful legacy within our family.

Gerry first came to Washington state in 2008 to assist with and learn from WFSE’s Conservative Caucus, a first-of-its-kind working group that had been established by WFSE members in 2005 and quickly achieved bipartisan support for and passage of crucial legislation. With Gerry’s guidance and help with messaging, the Conservative Caucus became a model for other councils, affiliates, and locals and even changed the way AFSCME International viewed and talked about politics.

Public approval of labor unions is at its highest level in 17 years, with nearly two out of three Americans (65%) expressing support of unions, according to the latest Gallup poll.

This is part of a series highlighting WFSE stewards across Washington State.

WFSE’s dedicated volunteer stewards ensure accountability and respect on the job, organize their workplaces, assist with member communication and so much more. Stewards are critical to our success as a union. 

We caught up with WFSE activist and steward Maggie Bear on the challenges and rewards of this role.

What inspired you to become a steward?

Karen E. Johnson has been a case manager at the Columbia River Community Services Office (CSO) in Vancouver, Washington for fifteen years. When she relocated to Washington to begin working in the CSO, it was with a shining record of public service.

Johnson didn’t know her work would lead her to confront oppression within public service agencies. As a Developmental Respect, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) Facilitator-Ambassador, she travels Washington to share stories, advice, and hope to fellow public employees.

A power outage in the Olympia area has impacted phone lines at WFSE's Member Connection Center. The power company has informed us that lines should be restored by 3:30 p.m., 8/26.

If you need to reach the Member Connection Center, please email [email protected].