Teamsters in both the main Department of Corrections and Washington Management Service groups have voted overwhelmingly to reject the State’s Last, Best, and Final proposals over our 2027-2029 collective bargaining agreement.

VOTE RESULTS – STATE’S CONTRACT PROPOSAL

Main DOC Vote Results:

  • 95% (2110) voted to REJECT the State’s offer.
  • 5% (108) voted to ACCEPT the State's offer.

WMS Vote Results:

  • 96% (113) voted to REJECT the State’s offer.
  • 4% (5) voted to ACCEPT the State's offer.

Clearly, the membership found the State’s proposal to increase wages by 0% over the coming biennium unacceptable. We presented these vote results to Arbitrator Starr Knutson as we made our case for higher wages in our interest arbitration hearing, which concluded earlier this week.

INTEREST ARBITRATION HEARING

On Tuesday, our Union's legal team wrapped up our interest arbitration hearing to settle unresolved issues in contract negotiations. The hearing consisted of seven days of testimony, including powerful testimony from several members. Now, Arbitrator Knutson will consider arguments on both sides before issuing an award before October 1, 2026 so it can be included in the Governor's budget.

Whatever the arbitrator decides, the award must be funded by the legislature in the 2027 legislative session in Olympia for the compensation elements of the award to take effect.

GENERAL WAGE INCREASES

At the hearing, our legal team, which included financial experts retained by the Union, made the case for a general wage increase for all members of the bargaining unit. For the DOC main group, we are calling for a general wage increase of 8% in the first year of the biennium and 8% in year two. For our new members at WMS, we are proposing a general wage increase of 20% in the first year of the biennium and 10% in year two.

Our proposal also calls for several range adjustments to address recruitment and retention issues as well as range increases to classifications that are behind their comparables.

STATE BUDGET FORECAST

The State is facing a serious budget deficit this contract cycle. The State's Office of Program Research estimates a $4.3 billion deficit for the coming biennium. While our members and our Union’s financial experts made strong arguments for raising wages throughout the hearing, the State repeatedly emphasized the tough budget environment, which is something the arbitrator will surely consider.

ADDITIONAL ISSUES

At the DOC main table, we were able to achieve tentative agreement on most language issues, making compensation the primary focus for the group. For our WMS members, we made some important proposals that were rejected by the State but will ultimately be decided by the arbitrator. These include:

  • A proposal to allow Lieutenants to bid on shifts
  • A proposal to allow WMS members to transfer between facilities
  • A proposal for WMS members to have critical incident leave
  • A proposal to designate Lieutenants as scheduled work period employees, which would make them eligible for overtime for any hours worked after their scheduled shift

RETIREE’S HEALTHCARE

Under the new statue that allows us to bargain supplemental benefits, we are not eligible to take our proposals over retiree’s healthcare to interest arbitration. As a result, we are still negotiating with the State over this issue. As soon as we have more information, we will let you know.

UNION COMMITTEE & MEMBER TESTIMONY

Thanks the 37 rank-and-file members on your Union Negotiations Committee for the incredible job they did representing you at the bargaining table. Thanks also to Director of Corrections Sarena Davis and Senior Staff Attorney Eamon McCleery for leading us through this process as well as the members who provided testimony during the interest arbitration hearing. Finally, thanks to all of you for your patience and commitment to each other.

Whatever the arbitrator decides, we will need to have strong turnout at our 2027 DOC Lobby Day to make sure the legislature funds our award. As soon as I have more information about that event, we will let you know.