Lawsuit against the State of Washington
We are writing to provide you with an update on the ongoing bargaining situation. While we’ve made progress, there is no denying the challenges we face.
Despite WPEA’s repeated requests, the Office of Financial Management (OFM) has refused to meet its legal obligation to return to the bargaining table for a two-year agreement covering July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. Their refusal to act in good faith, coupled with threats to restrict bargaining to a one-year agreement starting in July 2026, has left us with no choice but to take legal action.
This week,we filed a lawsuit in the Thurston County Superior Court , seeking immediate court intervention to compel OFM to fulfill its statutory obligations. While this legal action is an important step, we know that courts alone won’t solve this problem. Our real strength lies in you—our members—standing together to demand fair treatment. Additional Details on the Lawsuit
What You Can Do Now:
Participate in Our Letter-Writing Campaign
Help us flood the inboxes of decision-makers with your voices. Share why this contract matters to you and your family, and why OFM must return to the table.
Join your co-workers in wearing blue union shirts every Wednesday. Use this as a chance to start conversations about bargaining, the membership’s decision to reject the contract, and OFM’s refusal to negotiate.
Build Community and Solidarity
This union is made up of all 5,500 of us—not just the leadership. The power to achieve meaningful change at the table comes from collective action. Talk with your co-workers. Share stories about the impact of bargaining and what you hope to see in the future.
We are frustrated by OFM’s inaction, but we remain resilient. This is a historic moment: our membership made the bold choice to reject a tentative agreement that didn’t meet our expectations. Together, we have the power to ensure OFM hears us loud and clear—not just through legal filings, but through a strong and united membership.
Let’s keep the momentum going!
