A group of nearly 500 public safety employees have voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 117. The workers, who are currently members of the Public Safety Employees Union (PSEU) Local 519, voted in favor of affiliating with Local 117 in an election conducted by their Union on Monday, August 31, 2026.

As soon as the Public Employment Relations Commission certifies the change in representation, which Local 117 anticipates will occur by the end of the year, the workers will become members of their new Union and Local 117 will be certified as the group’s exclusive bargaining representative.

“We are thrilled that these workers have voted to join Teamsters Local 117,” said Paul Dascher, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 117. “As public safety employees, they play critical roles in ensuring that communities across King County are protected. We are committed to providing them with outstanding representation and bargaining strong contracts that honor their indispensable work.”

The workers, who comprise a range of classifications at numerous worksites across King and Snohomish Counties, sought representation with Teamsters Local 117 because they wanted a strong, professional union with vast experience representing workers in the public safety professions.

"I'm excited about our transition to Teamsters Local 117,” said William Welty, a Court Administrative Specialist who works in the King County Department of Judicial Administration. “They have a more robust staff and a larger pool of resources, which will be very helpful to our growing team. Their experience with Legal Administrative Specialists in other departments gives them a much better understanding of how our dynamic workflow functions. This change will benefit all of us!"

Teamsters Local 117 will be holding member welcome meetings for the workers at various locations across King County over the next several weeks to introduce them to the Local.

“We look forward to meeting these workers in person to learn more about the challenges they face in the workplace and negotiating strong contracts they can be proud of,” Secretary-Treasurer Dascher said. “Our Union is stronger with their membership.”