Washington State Employees Ratify Contract

October 10, 2008

THEIR VOICES WERE HEARD – Members of Council 28 marched this summer on the governor’s office in Olympia, Wash., to demand a contract that included decent pay increases.

Photo Credit: Laura Reisdorph

Some 39,000 state workers, including state agency and higher education employees, have overwhelmingly ratified contracts that raise wages over the next two years and include no increase in health insurance premiums.

Despite a tough economy, most members of the Washington Federation of State Employees/AFSCME Council 28 will receive 2-percent wage increases in each of the next two years. About 2,500 University of Washington employees will get 2.25 percent. Funding for the agreement is still subject to approval by the state Legislature, which meets again in January. Lawmakers can accept or reject the contracts, but cannot change the compensation packages.

“We gained a lot and we didn’t lose a thing,” says Sue Henricksen, a case resource manager with the state Department of Social and Health Services in Tacoma and a member of Local 53. “Our members out in the field were just amazing with their job actions in support of the team and a strong contract. It was probably one of the most collaborative efforts in getting a contract than ever before.”

Council 28 members covered under one contract include 33,000 state agency workers, such as community corrections officers, social workers, highway employees and direct care workers. Separate contracts were similarly approved for some 6,000 employees at Washington State University, the University of Washington and 15 other colleges and universities across the state.

Read more about the victory in The Olympian.