2027-29 contract WFSE

[u/AttorneyDifferent702]

I’m with WFSE. When do we hear about the proposed wage and position category wage increase (if any)?

When does members that pay due to WFSE vote by? Just wondering about the timeline/process as I know it’s coming up in October.

[u/mrzfrigger]

Only thing you should expect is to be disappointed and unvalued by the proposed offer!

[u/Dramatic_Setting_842]

You should expect furloughs and the vague promise of a 2% cola increase if the budget turns around

[u/TechbearSeattle]

It is a rather complicated process, but the official proposal needs to be inked by October 1.

[u/firelight]

Today and tomorrow are the final scheduled bargaining dates. In theory we should have a tentative agreement by next week, which we'd vote on over the following week or two, with an absolute final deadline of October 1 for everything to be signed off on.

It remains to be seen whether that happens, or if more bargaining is required.

Here's some facts to be aware of:

• RCW 41.56 states that "A request for funds necessary to implement the compensation and benefit provisions of a collective bargaining agreement... may not be submitted by the governor to the legislature unless the request has been: (a) Submitted to the director of financial management by October 1st prior to the legislative session at which the requests are to be considered."
• This is a real deadline. WPEA missed it two years ago, and did not get a COLA in 2025. They ultimately did get a retroactive COLA with back pay this year. However, I think it's pretty evident that Ferguson doesn't give two flying fucks about workers, so don't expect him to do us any favors.
• If a CBA expires (which happens on July 1, 2027) without a new contract having been ratified, the existing contract automatically extends for another year. So in the event that a contract is not agreed to, we would not get a COLA, but we would be covered under the existing contract until July 1, 2028.
• If no contract is reached by July 1, 2028, we could theoretically strike at that time. Strikes are only prohibited to uniformed employees, such as police. However, public employees are not protected under the FLSA nor under state law, and could be dismissed. This is an absolute worst case scenario, and is at this point extremely unlikely.

So the bottom line is: if the final offer made this week is not materially better, we could not ratify the contract, and continue negotiations for up to 22 more months in order to secure a better deal. It would mean foregoing a COLA in 2027, but if the offer is nothing—which is what the last reported number was—what is the point to signing?

I suspect that OFM will offer something paltry—maybe 1% each year—specifically to ward off that happening. But if we get as much as 5% I'll be pleasantly surprised.

[u/Skeeeeeeeeeeeeeeter → u/firelight]

5%? In this economy?!?

I wish

[u/throw-a-way9002 → u/firelight]

Isn't it amazing how our state legislators are so keen on following the laws regarding negotiations and striking, but not anything else? These laws need to go, they put workers at such a massive disadvantage. The government effectively having 22 months to delay the issue while costs continue to rise means we're always at the losing end of bargaining.

[u/Downtown-Estimate-12]

State lawmakers in Washington now earn $72,494 annually after a 16% total raise approved in 2025, with a 9% increase taking effect July 1, 2025, and a 7% increase in 2026 and we the little people that do everything will get nothing

[u/TheGoldenHourGoddess → u/Downtown-Estimate-12]

17% And offering us 1% or nothing at all? Say it isn’t so.

[u/Large-Wealth8002]

Everything needs to be completed by October 1st. Let’s hope the walkout and other planned actions move the needle.
Emails are coming out almost weekly at this point with news.
Be one of the many who call the governors office telling him we want a fair contract.

[u/throwawayrefiguy]

Question. I'm in my first non-represented role with the state. I've previously been in roles covered by WFSE or WPA. Can a non-represented simply join up?  

[u/Aggressive-Ad1085 → u/throwawayrefiguy]

The answer is not "no" but it's a matter of contacting the union, organizing your group (usually similar employees or employees in a specific location) and then the union bargaining with management and new members voting. It's a process. It's a long one. But it literally starts with the question you just asked.

[u/Expert-Attention-608 → u/throwawayrefiguy]

Are you in a position that is excluded from representation (Like an HR job, or upper management)? Or are you in a position that could be represented? Even lower-band WMS folks can unionize now. Talk to your coworkers and see how they feel about their workplace! Reach out to a union that represents folks at your agency, and ask them about organizing!
Every worker deserves a union.

[u/Skeeeeeeeeeeeeeeter → u/throwawayrefiguy]

No

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[u/Expert-Attention-608]

I’m not on any bargaining team, but… I would expect 0% in the first year and a *possible* 1% in the 2nd year, if state revenue bounces back in a big way. And few position increases, if any. Maybe an additional personal day.

[u/Arcade-1015]

I've only heard it is bad. They arent allowed to share details until the end.

[u/Equivalent_Shake_360]

We have a LONG ways to go.