Teamsters 117 members rally on the Capitol steps during our 2025 lobby day, bringing our Union's voice to Olympia.

The 2026 legislative session in Olympia convened on Monday, January 12 and is expected to run through mid-March. This 60-day session will focus on crafting a supplemental budget and advancing priority legislation that impacts working families across our state.

In anticipation of session, our Union's Legislative Affairs Department has been working with members to put together our legislative agenda for 2026. 

Members will have two opportunities to meet directly with legislators to talk about our priorities. Our Lobby Day for Teamsters at the Department of Corrections will be held on Wednesday, January 28 in Olympia. On Thursday, February 5, we will be partnering with the Washington State Labor Council for a WSLC Lobby Day to lift the voices of Teamsters working in both the private sector and other public sector jurisdictions. 

All members of Teamsters 117 are encouraged to participate in these events. If you are interested, please contact Political Organizer Guillermo Mogollan at [email protected]. 

OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR 2026

IMPACTING OUR PRIVATE AND/OR PUBLIC SECTOR MEMBERS 

Safety for Autonomous Vehicles (SB 5042 / HB 1984)

According to the U.S. Dept of Transportation, there were 496 injuries and fatalities involving autonomous vehicles between 2019-2024. While rapid advancements have been made, the technology is clearly not ready for widespread commercial use. This bill will require a human safety operator in all autonomous commercial vehicles.

Tax Wealth Not Work 

Washington ranks next to last for fairness and equality in our tax system. Washington families whose income is in the bottom 20% pay 13.8% of their total income in taxes, while those whose income is in the top 1% pay only 4.1% of their income. A millionaires’ tax on those who make more than $1 million in income in a single year (less than 1/2 of 1% of all Washingtonians) will raise at least $3 billion every year. This revenue can be used to cut taxes for working families and small businesses and to support services that benefit workers.

Safeguard Union Rights

We will be working to put in place a state-based structure to secure basic collective bargaining rights for private sector workers if federal courts undermine bargaining rights.

Defend Workers from Exploitation 

Wage theft costs workers billions of dollars each year. Workers are paid less than the minimum wage, prevented from taking rest or meal breaks, have tips withheld, do not receive overtime pay, or are misclassified as independent contractors. This harmful practice disproportionately impacts low-wage workers and people of color. The AG should have the ability to investigate wage theft and discrimination and a fund is needed to expedite payment to workers who have been victims of wage theft. This legislation would help prevent unscrupulous employers from depriving workers of fair pay, benefits, and equal treatment on the job.

Protect Working People (HB 2105, SB 5852)

Federal immigration enforcement is targeting immigrant workers at job sites, ripping families apart and threatening the safety of working people, both immigrant and U.S.-born, at impacted workplaces. The legislature should pass legislation requiring employers to notify workers of federal I-9 audits, providing workers with a layer of protection and defending workplaces against federal government overreach.

IMPACTING OUR DOC AND/OR LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMBERS 

Presumptive PTSD Coverage for DOC (HB 1070 / SB 5043)

Teamsters at the Department of Corrections are often exposed to traumatic incidents in the workplace. Assaults, fights, suicide, and the threat of violence occur much more frequently in a prison environment than in other workplaces. Occupational stress and exposure to trauma lead to high rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among prison staff. HB 1069/SB 5044 would give DOC employees presumptive coverage for PTSD for workers’ compensation through the Department of Labor and Industries. This presumption is already extended to other public safety employees such as police officers, firefighters, nurses, and 911 telecommunicators.

Supplemental Retirement for DOC (HB 1069 / SB 5044)

The state’s retirement system forces corrections employees to work longer than they should, which can compromise staff safety inside the prisons. Employees often work well into their 60’s and beyond because they don’t have sufficient benefits to support them in retirement or access to affordable healthcare. HB 1070/SB 5043 would amend state law to allow workers and their unions to negotiate over supplemental retirement benefits, including medical plans. This will give Teamsters at the DOC the opportunity to retire with dignity.

Interest Arbitration for Corrections Employees in Small Jurisdictions (HB 2137/SB 5972)

Current statute unfairly carves out corrections employees in small jurisdictions from having access to interest arbitration rights. This legislation would expand the state’s definition of uniformed personnel to include corrections workers employed by a city, town, or county. This change would grant interest arbitration rights and a level playing field in negotiations to Teamsters working in small towns and cities across our state.

If you have questions, please reach out to your Union Representative or connect with our Teamsters 117 Legislative Affairs Department.