Historic Milestone for Washington’s Legislative Employees
Washington state’s legislative staff has reached a historic milestone with the approval of their first-ever contract, marking a significant moment in the ongoing effort for worker rights in the state’s government. After a long, drawn-out bargaining process, Democratic legislative staff, including policy analysts, communications specialists, and legislative assistants, have ratified two-year contracts, finally joining their Republican colleagues who had approved similar deals earlier in the fall.
A Long Wait and a Reasonable Outcome
The bargaining process for the Democratic staff, which included those working in both the House and Senate Democratic Caucuses, was anything but swift. The staff had initially rejected proposed contracts back in September, only to return to the table and secure a deal nearly three months later. Despite the delay, the decision to approve the agreements was unanimous among legislative assistants, policy analysts, and communications staff.
Josie Ellison, a communications specialist and member of the House Democratic Caucus bargaining team, expressed cautious optimism about the new agreement. “We’re pretty excited,” she said, adding that while the contract may not have met every expectation, it’s still seen as a “reasonable first contract” by the workers involved. “For now, everybody seems pretty enthusiastic about it,” she noted.
Historical Significance and Labor Representation
The successful negotiations have marked a pivotal moment in Washington’s legislative history. For the first time, legislative staff in the state have collective bargaining rights, which they exercised with the help of the Washington Public Employees Association (WPEA). The WPEA, which represented both the House and Senate Democratic caucuses, celebrated the historic nature of the contract’s approval.
“This historic agreement marks a new chapter for our members, providing the protections and support they deserve,” Amanda Hacker, the WPEA president, said in a statement following the contract ratification. The association’s role in this process was crucial, as they guided legislative staff through the often complex and lengthy negotiations with legislative leadership.
Pay Hikes and Contract Details
The contracts secured by both Democratic and Republican staff include pay raises for the upcoming years. Under the new agreements, workers are set to receive a 3% raise on July 1, 2025, followed by a 2% increase the year after. These raises align with similar wage adjustments offered to other state employee unions across Washington.
However, there is still some uncertainty about the funding of these contracts. The Washington state law requires that all state employee unions, including legislative staff units, submit a ratified contract by October 1 in order to be considered for funding in the state’s next budget. Unfortunately, because the Democratic staff did not meet that deadline, their contracts will need to be reviewed separately by the next governor, Bob Ferguson, and lawmakers during the budget process.
Challenges and Support from Legislative Leadership
While the contract’s approval is an important step, there are still challenges ahead. Jeremy Knapp, an executive legislative assistant with the Senate Democratic Caucus and a member of the bargaining team, expressed confidence that legislative leadership would support the funding of the new agreements. “The administration of the Senate and House are supportive,” he said, indicating that despite missing the initial deadline, there is a strong desire among lawmakers to ensure that the contracts are funded and implemented.
Looking Forward to a Stronger Future
The approval of these contracts signals a shift in the power dynamics within Washington state’s legislative environment. For the first time, staff members have established a formal relationship with their employers that includes collective bargaining, providing a blueprint for other government employees and agencies to follow. As the state legislature prepares to finalize the next two-year budget, the success of these contracts will depend on how well they are funded and supported by the new administration and state lawmakers.
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