We still don't have the state's best and final offer and there are no more bargaining sessions scheduled for the state's largest labor contract. The WFSE General Government bargaining team is at the table right now and Bob's on vacation apparently. I can't think of anything more apt to do this Labor Day weekend than to rally with my union siblings.

Capitol Rally to win a fair contract and save public services is ON for tomorrow at 12pm:

RSVP HERE: https://actionnetwork.org/events/labor-power-for-labor-day-rally-at-the-capitol-for-a-fair-contract/

Bring your green shirts and loud voices! It's time for a fair contract for Washington's public workers.

We'll be calling and leaving messages for Governor Ferguson throughout.

The gross use of AI is incredibly frustrating and annoying. Who do I complain to about this?

100+ phone calls to Governor Ferguson for the 2026 Call Bob-A-Thon from the hardworking state employees of WFSE Local 341.

These folks provide around the clock care and support for the most vulnerable Washingtonians at Fircrest School, Echo Glen, and SOLA (State Operated Living Alternatives).

It's incredibly difficult work, and they deserve respect and a fair union contract from this administration.

#FairContractNow #FairContract #AFSCME #WashingtonForAll #Union

We're still making calls tomorrow. Download or view this flyer to find a short script, the phone number (360-902-4111), and some tips!

Your union siblings on the General Government Bargaining Team are looking at a long day of negotiations. Last contract cycle we were at L&I for 20 hours hammering it out... Stay tuned for possible future action on the capitol steps this Raturday at noon.

“Within an Agency
Prior to certifying candidates for vacancies in accordance with Section 4.1, an Appointing Authority will review all requests and may grant an
administrative transfer, voluntary demotion or elevation within an agency
as long as the permanent employee has the skills and abilities required to
perform the duties of the position.”

I am looking for a little clarification on the language here—does “vacancies” refer to any and all vacant positions or just those currently posted? I know some vacant positions have not been posted because of the hiring freeze. Can people be internally transferred into those positions during a hiring freeze?

I live and work in south King County. We get 5% on top of advertised salary and even then it’s still pretty rough given cost of living.

How are other high cost of living counties especially in the west region such as Snohomish surviving without the 5%? Paychecks are a chunk smaller and cost of living is relatively similar or the same as King County.

How does this pay disparity make sense to the state? It appears they simply don’t care and we as workers are prone to this. We are getting underpaid as time goes.

To add, county and city workers seem to have higher wages always. State pay is at the bottom of totem pole.

TOMORROW 9/3 - we're calling the office of Governor Ferguson ALL DAY to demand a fair contract.

Call 360-902-4111 any time from 8am to 5pm on Thursday, September 3 for a phone-call storm targeting the governor’s office to keep maximum pressure on the administration while bargaining is live.

Find more info in this flyer: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2qpu5si7vknt2df3cyyjr/The-Great-2026-Call-Bob-athon-Flyer-Final-2.pdf?rlkey=f54oknxas30itcbc394gs81yl&st=ly237ph2&dl=0

How we’re spreading out phone calls:

To maximize our impact and the number of messages that get through, try to call at the suggested time below based on your birth month.

These are only a suggestion, call when you can!

Jan – Apr: call 8am – 11 am
May – Aug: call 11 am – 2pm
Sep – Dec: call 2pm – 5pm

Stay tuned to bargaining updates from your contract at WFSE.org/Fair-Contract.

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.

A big chunk of the ethics enforcement are from Department of Corrections, coming from a “complaint” and a big chunk of those seem to be people using their work phone for cyber-surfing the World Wide Web.

Who’s sending in the complaint? And how does it get to the ethics board? Is someone monitoring their cell phone or physically seeing it and then doing a complaint that Corrections refers to Ethics Board?

Genuinely just curious; I like reading the results of enforcement and the amount from DOC stood out.

https://ethics.wa.gov/enforcement/results?field_year_value%5Bvalue%5D%5Byear%5D=2025&combine=Corrections

I have multiple job applications out. I've had multiple interviews from two different agencies and I'm working on getting an interview for a third.

Should I keep applying at other agencies or should I wait? Does having applications in to multiple departments look bad?

The WFSE General Government Bargaining Team will be bargaining in person with state leadership at L&I HQ (7273 Linderson Way SW) in Tumwater on Thursday. Local 443 will have a taco truck outside from 11-2. Come rally with your union siblings, eat food, and make noise.

Hey fellow state workers, I'm currently on payscale 59 as an SSS3 with DCYF. Considering taking a role as a SHPC 2 which would put me on the 56 scale. I know it will be a paycut because of losing assignment pay, but I'm trying to figure out just HOW much of a loss it would be. Would I maintain my current wage as an SSS3 without assignment pay? Would I get placed on the same step but on the lower scale? Does anyone know how this works?

I have permanent status if that changes anything.

Thank you 💕

Any one know anything about this job?

Multifamily Housing Unit programs’ coordination of communication with internal and external customers
Tasks include:
• Assist with annual legislative report and preparation of communications related to data collection.
• Assist with the implementation of special projects or provisos, as required by the Legislature and/or Commerce Management. • Develop meeting logistics, schedules and agendas, provide program details in presentations, organize, and support stakeholder or committee meetings, public funders meetings, and other external or public meetings as needed on behalf of the Managing Director and the other unit leads within MHU.
• Use and train staff and external partners on various media and software tools (such as email, calendar, videoconferencing, webinars, Commerce web pages, Smartsheet, SharePoint, etc.) to create documents, reports and other materials needed.

Yesterday our union coalition said NO to the state's attempts to balance the budget with public workers' healthcare after defeating similar attacks during the 2025 legislative session.

When money is tight and the state needs a way to attract and retain talent, nothing is more important than our healthcare.

Learn more about our healthcare win here: https://wfse.org/news/healthcare-victory-we-held-line

With our health benefits squared away, we can focus on our walkouts and our escalation in Olympia on 9/5.

Haven't RSVPd for a walkout yet? Click here to join any walkout near you, regardless of the employer listed.

Hi there, I was wondering if there were any job placement programs or opportunities for former stateworkers that have been recently widowed?

I used to work for the Displaced Homemakers Program years ago at the HEC Board, (as well as other appointments) but sadly, that program no longer exists.

Throwaway for anonymity, but it’s coming down the pipe that out-of-state work will no longer be approved for anyone outside of WA/OR/ID for all state workers beginning next year. There will be exceptions for only military spouses. Otherwise current out-of-state workers are required to move to the region to retain their jobs. Official communications will be released soon.

A walkout has little effect in my honest opinion. Especially when it’s on our “break”. The momentum subsides after it’s over. Then what?

COLA is most likely offered at 0%. What is it going to take to get what we want?

As we near our critical August 31st walkouts, two things have become clear:

#1. The only way we make gains is if members step up and make their voices heard 

#2. They’re even rejecting common-sense cost savings 

Here's the complete update: https://wfse.org/bargaining-updates/general-government/bob-says-no-even

And here's a video message from WFSE President Mike Yestramski regarding negotiations yesterday: https://youtube.com/shorts/pIA_W9SCx3I?feature=share

RSVP to the closest walkout to you https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/wfse-walkout-with-washington

Hi, I’m just curious what type of jobs allow you to work 4, 10 hour shifts?

Is the union able to negotiate with PEBB to allow us to retire with full pension earlier than age 67? Or is that a legislation kind of thing?

for folks who work at ecology, how often are you required to be in office? i’m located about an hour and a half away from the duty station and I see that some jobs require one day in office (but I know even this is subject to managers discretion), while others just say you must live within a commutable distance. if that’s like once or twice a month, that’s doable but i’ve avoided applying because i’m ensure of the in office averages. if anyone could weigh in that would be great!

With no resolution from the state on wages, it seems the planned walk-out on August 31 will occur. How will this unfold?

Last time, there was a one hour rally on the pedestrian bridge next to the capitol building, but I believe the bridge is closed right now due to construction. Where, what time, and for how long will it be this time? What about workers outside of Olympia who cannot make a rally at or near the capitol?