Choose Your Bargaining Team for Our 2027-29 Contracts

Who will represent you at the  negotiations table with your employer? It’s time to decide.

• Bargaining Team Nominations Open: November 3 at 8am - November 14 at 4pm
• Bargaining Team Elections Open: December 8 at 8am - December 12 at 5pm. Find voting instructions here.

The power of our union is in solidarity: the strength and influence we have when we join forces as WFSE members to protect our jobs, families and communities. That’s what bargaining is all about. 

It’s the power of our joined forces at the table with our employers, advocating for the rights and livelihoods we all depend on as public service workers. 

We are preparing now to negotiate with employers to make crucial changes and updates to our union contracts for 2027-2029. You can find your current contract here.

Jump to:

• Bargaining Team Election Info: How to Vote and More
• Bargaining Structure for Your Team
• What's at Stake?
• Responsibilities of the Bargaining Team
• Who can Participate?
• Contract Proposals Open Now
• What's Next?
• Have Questions?

Remember, only full union members can participate in this process. If you're not a member, join our union here.

Voting PINs sent to members' personal emails 

   Look for emails sent Tuesday December 2, December 8, and December with your voting PIN. 

Bargaining team elections open at 8 am on Monday December 8th and close at 5pm on December 15th.

Members elected to bargaining teams will work alongside WFSE negotiators to hammer out the best possible 2027-2029 union contracts for our jobs, families, and communities.

Being on the bargaining team is a big commitment. We have fought hard to have a seat at the table. We need coworkers and union siblings who you trust for this important process. This is your chance to decide who will be on your team. 

Starting Monday, candidate information can be reviewed along with your ballot at vote.wfse.org. See additional instructions below.

Didn't get your PIN yet? Click here for assistance.

Note: Some bargaining team seats have been won by acclamation and no election is required.

How to Vote

• Visit vote.wfse.org to cast your ballot.
• Log in with your first name, last name and your PIN. Click "ONLINE VOTING" below "Important Links." See screenshot above.
• You will be able to see candidates for your bargaining team and their bios if they provided one.
• Vote using your personal equipment on personal time.

Voting trouble?

If you have your PIN and are having trouble logging in once voting begins on December 8,  contact the Member Connection Center at [email protected] or 833-MCC-WFSE (1-833-622-9373).

Didn't receive your PIN?

If you don't have your voting PIN, we may not have your personal email address on file, you may have unsubscribed from union emails, or the email may be in your spam, promotions, or junk folder. If you still can't find it, contact the Member Connection Center and they can provide members with their PINs.

Only dues-paying union members will receive PINs as only members can choose who will negotiate our contracts.

If you are not currently receiving regular emails from WFSE, fill out this form to sign up. 

Which members don't have elections?

ABHS, Renton Technical College, SPSCC Exempt, and Tacoma Community College Exempt members negotiate on a different timeline and are not choosing bargaining teams right now.

Furthermore, some bargaining team seats have been won by acclamation and no election is required. 

How many team members will you be able to elect from your college/agency/region? 

What’s at stake? 

It's no secret that public services are under attack, here in Washington and across the country. Last bargaining cycle, we protected our raises and fought off attacks on our healthcare despite the worst budget shortfall in state history. 

Now, with the largest cuts ever to programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and Apple Health, and an ongoing federal shutdown, the budget outlook is even worse. 

We'll need as many members involved as possible if we're going to hold the line and protect our jobs and the services Washingtonians depend on.

The negotiations that kick off in the spring of next year will determine:

• How much money will go in your pockets
• How much you'll pay for health insurance
• How many days off you'll have
• Your safety on the job
• And more.

Responsibilities of the bargaining team

The folks representing us at the bargaining table have serious responsibilities that affect the lives of thousands of WFSE members, including

• Formulating contract proposals and engaging with our employers
• Communicating with coworkers and WFSE staff to support an engaged and active membership
• A willingness to work long hours, travel, and take on projects as needed

It's an important decision. The bargaining structure has more information about bargaining team member responsibilities. 

Who can participate?

Negotiating the contract that spells out our wages, benefits, and rights is a critical part of being a union member. 

For this reason, you must be a full WFSE member to nominate, elect, or be a bargaining team member. 

Not a full WFSE member? Join quick so you can participate in the process. You will need to be assigned a PIN manually after you join, so contact the Member Connection Center at 833-MCC-WFSE or [email protected] for help.

Contract proposals are open now!

While this process is underway, don't forget that we are also collecting contract proposals until 12/31/25, which our bargaining team members will consider before meeting with management. 

Have questions?

Find more information about how we bargain over healthcare, ratify tentative agreements, collect and review contract proposals, and communicate with the membership during bargaining in the bargaining structure document below. 

If you can't find what you're looking for, reach out to your Council Rep or the Member Connection Center.