Washington Public Employees Association

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Washington Public Employees Association Founded in 1956, WPEA/UFCW Local 365 now has more than 5,000 members across Washington

WPEA Executive Board Election: Ballots Are on Their Way!Make your voice heard! WPEA’s Executive Board election is underw...
10/15/2026

WPEA Executive Board Election: Ballots Are on Their Way!
Make your voice heard! WPEA’s Executive Board election is underway, and ballots and the Voter’s Pamphlet were mailed on October 14. Keep an eye on your mailbox this month, and when your ballot arrives, take a few minutes to review the candidates and cast your vote.

Every three years, WPEA members have the opportunity to nominate and elect union officers who will help lead our union into the future. This year, the only statewide contested position requiring an election is WPEA Recorder. Districts 5, 8, and 10 are also contested elections.

The elected officers will serve three-year terms from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2029. The Voter’s Pamphlet includes information provided by the candidates to help members make an informed decision. WPEA does not endorse any candidate.
Important Election Dates
October 14: Ballots and Voter’s Pamphlets mailed
November 12: Deadline for ballots to be received at the WPEA post office box
November 13: Ballot count
Don’t wait until the last minute! Your ballot must be received by the deadline to be counted, so be sure to return it promptly.
Visit wpea.org/2026election for more information about the election and candidates.
Your union is strongest when members participate. Make your voice heard and help shape WPEA’s future!

Highline Contract is Now Ratified!Thank you so much to everyone who participated in our vote. The contract was ratified ...
09/10/2026

Highline Contract is Now Ratified!

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in our vote. The contract was ratified with 95% approval. While we did not gain as much ground as we wanted to, we did not lose any ground, and were able to negotiate the $500 bonus (we were initially offered $0, and with 0/0 COLAs on the table with the state, we took what we could get).

Again, if there’s something you think we should have bargained for/fought harder for, please consider volunteering for the bargaining committee next contract cycle. You are the best advocate for the things you are passionate about.

What’s Next?
The ratified contract will go to the Highline College Board of Trustees today or tomorrow. They will have a week to review before they vote at the September 17 board meeting. The contract is expected to pass, but we never know what curveballs might show up. Our fight is not over yet!

What you can do:
Show up to the September 17 IN BLUE. Preferably in person, but you can also join via zoom. The more visible we are, the more pressure it puts on the people in charge to support change, whether it is at the employer, state, or even federal level.
Please continue to write to your representatives objecting the 0/0 COLA offer. While the highest levels of leadership in the state of Washington have been given 5 figure increases, they are offering the lowest paid workers in the state NOTHING. You can find your representatives here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/
Observe the Higher Ed and General Government Bargaining sessions whenever possible. Check discord for meeting links and times. Watch for my next post, which will be my guide to observing bargaining.

Thank you to everyone for your input, your hard, work, and your votes!

From Highline Shop Steward Sheena Pennell

WPEA Members at Pierce College showing up to tell OFM to Bargain the Higher Education Contract.
09/08/2026

WPEA Members at Pierce College showing up to tell OFM to Bargain the Higher Education Contract.

📢 WPEA EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTIONThe 2026 WPEA Executive Board nomination period has closed, and we have several contested...
09/02/2026

📢 WPEA EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTION

The 2026 WPEA Executive Board nomination period has closed, and we have several contested races that will be decided by member vote!

🗳️ Contested Races:
Recorder: Shelley Withee, Tamlyn Crain & Carl Sofie
VP District 5: Jim McNelly & Guy Bergstrom
VP District 8: Wendy Glenn & Austin Lyman
VP District 10: Jonathan Bowers & Stephanie Hahn

📬 MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

October 14 — Ballots & voter pamphlets will be mailed.

👀 Keep an eye on your mailbox this October! When your ballot arrives, make sure you take the time to vote and have your voice heard.

November 13 — Ballot count

Not a member yet? There's still time to sign up to vote! https://wpea.org/join/?JoinSource=Website%20Home%20Page

Your union. Your voice. Your vote. 💙

WPEA Members! Looking to Nominate someone for the WPEA Executive Board - We are ready to take your nominations! Open Ses...
08/28/2026

WPEA Members! Looking to Nominate someone for the WPEA Executive Board - We are ready to take your nominations!

Open Sessions will be available via the links below at designated times:

Friday, August 28th – Zoom Room Available 1:00-6:00pm

Join Zoom Meeting
https://wpea-org.zoom.us/j/89120835837?pwd=nGNt9GaUkq3zgHmzIcnQLwA6ZGaRZH.1&from=addon

Meeting ID: 891 2083 5837
Passcode: 060741
Saturday, August 29th – 9am – 1pm, Saturday, August 29.

Seamus Petrie (he/him), WPEA is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: WPEA nominations availability
Time: Aug 29, 2026 09:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://wpea-org.zoom.us/j/84203512265?pwd=loXQTnnyTkSIsrNAhXLfrxMsWl9unS.1

Meeting chat link
https://wpea-org.zoom.us/launch/jc/84203512265

Meeting ID: 842 0351 2265
Passcode: 510096

https://wpea.org/2026election/

From: https://wfse.org/news/walkout-august-31stAfter being told “not a dime” had been authorized by Governor Ferguson’s ...
08/26/2026

From: https://wfse.org/news/walkout-august-31st

After being told “not a dime” had been authorized by Governor Ferguson’s negotiations team for public workers 2027-29 union contracts, WFSE announced:

A statewide Walkout With Washington on August 31st
A call to action to send a letter to Governor Ferguson, OFM, and higher education leadership
Unfortunately, during a recent negotiations session, Governor Ferguson’s negotiations team admitted that they hadn’t been authorized to spend a dime one our 2027-29 contracts.

Now is a time to use our numbers. Our walkout will show our elected officials, higher ed leaders, and their negotiations teams that we’re organized and paying attention to what’s happening at the negotiating tables.

This is a coordinated action where folks will take regularly scheduled break, lunch, or vacation time to get outside, get press attention, and bring our message to our communities.

To see where all the walkouts are taking place visit: Walkout with Washington for Public Services – 8/31/26

At 12:00 pm August 31, WFSE members and our community allies will be walking out of work and demanding a fair contract for Washington’s public workers.

How it Works

Enter your zip code on this page to find a walkout near you and RSVP.
Don’t see your worksite? Fill out this form and we’ll add your worksite to the list.

Anybody who cares about public services is welcome and encouraged to join.

If you work remotely, please join the closest walkout to you, regardless of which employer is is for.

Learn more about why we’re walking out here.

Congratulations to our latest WPEA Scholarship Winners! $5000.00 - Kevin Yeh$3000.00 - Steven Reptsis$3000.00 - Rya...
08/25/2026

Congratulations to our latest WPEA Scholarship Winners!

$5000.00 - Kevin Yeh

$3000.00 - Steven Reptsis
$3000.00 - Ryan Decker

$1000.00 - Milo Hoppus
$1000.00 - Parker Liberatore
$1000.00 - Heidi Knotts
$1000.00 - Dillon Gassenburg

More opportunities are available through UFCW and Union Plus - Want to learn more? Email [email protected].

Important dates are just around the corner!Contract Ratification VoteTentative Agreements expected by September 10Online...
08/18/2026

Important dates are just around the corner!

Contract Ratification Vote
Tentative Agreements expected by September 10
Online Voting: September 11–27 (Tentative)

Hybrid Voting (In-Person + Online):
• General Government
• Higher Education
• Yakima Valley College
• Highline College

Online Only:
• House
• Senate

Executive Board Election
Help shape the future of WPEA!

August 24–31: Nomination period

October 14: Ballots & voter
November 13: Ballot count

To learn more check out: www.wpea.org/2026postcard

Important Information for Recent WPEA RetireesDear WPEA Retiree,If you recently retired from Washington state service, w...
08/18/2026

Important Information for Recent WPEA Retirees

Dear WPEA Retiree,

If you recently retired from Washington state service, we want to make sure you have the information you need regarding retroactive payments owed under the 2026 WPEA contracts.
Since you are no longer working for your agency, it is important to make sure your current contact information is on file. Taking a few minutes now to update your information can help ensure that your former agency or college, the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS), and WPEA can reach you if there are questions about your pay or retirement recalculation.

Please take these three steps:
1. Update your information with your former payroll office
Contact your payroll office and confirm that they have your current:
• Home mailing address
• Personal email address
• Phone number

2. Update your information with the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS)

Log in to your DRS online account and make sure your current contact information is correct.

DRS uses this information to communicate with you about your retirement account and benefits. Retirees can update their address information through their online account.
www.drs.wa.gov/account

3. Update your information with WPEA
We also want to make sure WPEA can reach you with important information about your contract, retroactive payments, and other union updates for retirees.

Please update your current:
• Mailing address
• Personal email address
• Phone number
www.wpea.org/update

Why is this important?

Recent retirees may be entitled to retroactive compensation from the 2026 contract agreements, and your retirement benefit may need to be recalculated based on compensation you earned before retirement.

Please take a few minutes to update your information with all three organizations.

You worked hard for the wages and benefits you earned during your career. WPEA wants to make sure you have every opportunity to receive what you are owed.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact WPEA at [email protected].

Hey LCB! Come out next Monday!
08/12/2026

Hey LCB! Come out next Monday!

Address

140 Percival Street NW
Olympia, WA
98502

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+13609431121

Website

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