Published Thursday, February 29, 2024 in The Everett Herald
During Walkout for Washington, Thousands of WFSE Members Walk Out for Fair Contract
By Justine Winnie
On Tuesday, September 10, thousands of WFSE members walked out of their jobs to draw attention to the need for a fair contract. The walkouts were held at nearly 130 sites across the state and garnered extensive media coverage.
Members of WPEA, SEIU, and other unions and community groups joined in solidarity, and Washington State Senator Rebecca Saldaña, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, and Washington State Labor Council President April Sims joined various walkout sites to lend support.
"I'm here today to support WFSE in their fight at the bargaining table, bringing 13 million working people's voice and support from across this country, because you are not alone," Shuler said at the University of Washington walkout.
With limited time remaining to conclude negotiations, public employees have been increasingly frustrated with the state's compensation offers. Taking inflation into account, these offers would amount to pay cuts for the hardworking people who repair Washington's bridges, care for vulnerable citizens, safeguard natural resources, and countless other indispensable work.
Without a fair contract, there is nothing to alleviate the turnover that's wreaking havoc on public agencies. Public employees are facing insufficient staffing levels and unsafe working conditions.
As workers leave state service in pursuit of higher wages elsewhere, institutional knowledge is lost as well.
"Your actions and the solidarity that you show with your fellow public servants is what allows us to secure the fair contract that we deserve—one where office assistants don't have to rely on food banks, one with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, one that allows us to tackle retirement, recruitment, and retention issues, and opens the door for a better future for all of us," said Ryan Schmautz, WFSE local 443 member and LNI management analyst.
WFSE members serve every community in Washington. To be able to do their jobs safely and effectively, they need a contract with a living wage that honors their commitment and skill—and they'll keep fighting till it's secured.
Stay tuned for next steps, and check out all bargaining updates here.
https://www.wfse.org/news/during-walkout-washington-thousands-wfse-members