WA public employee union sues state following failed contract vote

A 5,000-member public employee union in Washington that overwhelmingly rejected a new two-year contract in September is accusing the governor’s office and several community colleges of bad-faith bargaining.

The Washington Public Employees Association filed a lawsuit on Friday alleging the state Office of Financial Management engaged in unfair labor practices by refusing to resume bargaining on a full, two-year deal. Gov. Jay Inslee, in his official capacity, and 11 community colleges are also named as defendants. The contract now in place expires next June.

The suit reveals the contention between the union and the state since association members voted down the contract offer, largely because they considered the state’s proposed 5% pay hike inadequate to keep pace with rising costs of food, housing and health care.

By law, the union had to approve a new contract by Oct. 1 for Inslee to include money to pay for it in the two-year budget he will propose in December. Inslee was not involved in the negotiations.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/11/26/wa-public-employee-union-sues-state-following-failed-contract-vote/