(The Center Square) – The latest bargaining session between union leadership for the Washington Federation of State Employees and the Office of Financial Management lasted 15 hours, but apparently did not bring the two sides any closer to a contract agreement.
WFSE members have scheduled a Sept. 10 walkout for some 50,000 state employees.
According to a union update , leaders are frustrated with negotiations on the new two-year contract (2025-2027) calling the latest offer from OFM “disrespectful.”
According to a post on the WFSE website, the union contends OFM is proposing takeaways in the latest offer.
“Not only are they saying no to the most basic improvements to working conditions, but they’re also actually proposing takeaways, including cuts at 24/7 institutions like Green Hill School and Western State Hospital that are suffering the most acute staffing shortages and assaults on the job,” the website states.
The union contends “management’s lack of preparation, respect, or even care for the work you do was obvious. They were completely clueless about the realities of your job.”