WPEA lobbyists Sam Tinsley and Seamus Petrie have been meeting with members of the Washington State Legislature in preparation for the upcoming legislative session. Their conversations have focused on ensuring full funding for our negotiated contracts, which the Office of Financial Management (OFM) is submitting to the legislature for approval, and which we expect will be in the Governor’s budget, released in December.

So far, Sam and Seamus have received positive feedback from legislators and staff about the status of funding for our WPEA contracts. Lawmakers have expressed support for honoring collective bargaining agreements and maintaining commitments to state employees, even in the upcoming bad budget year.

Given the state’s lack of revenue, some budget writers have told fellow lawmakers not to introduce new funding items in the supplemental budget. However, we don’t consider state employee contract funding isn’t a normal “new budget item” subject to this constraint, and several lawmakers have stated clearly that all state employee contracts should be funded, especially because our contracts came in as part of the normal process this year. But the state’s budget shortfall means that nothing is certain.

Across the state, WPEA members are filling out postcards to send to lawmakers, asking legislators to fund our contracts. Many worksites are holding “pie and postcards” parties in November and December: to come together in solidarity, eat good food, and take meaningful grass-roots action to support contract funding.

Want to host a party, or get some postcards for you and your coworkers to fill out? Email Solidarity@wpea.org and we’ll help you get started.

There will also be opportunities to meet with your lawmakers, including in Olympia for the Washington State Labor Council’s Legislative Reception and Lobby Day, held on February 4 & 5, 2026.

Interested in coming to Olympia to meet with your state lawmakers? Email Solidarity@wpea.org . We hope to see you there!