Union urges Ferguson not to sign budget without their pay raises

Thousands of Washington state employees are urging Governor Bob Ferguson to include their pay raises in the upcoming budget. The Washington Public Employees Association, representing over 5,300 members, claims delays in negotiations by the governor's budget office prevented timely funding of their recently ratified contract. They threaten to oppose the budget unless it includes their pay raises, which were set at 3% and 2% for the next two years. The Washington Federation of State Employees, representing a larger workforce, is also pressing for budget approval but is focused on its members' raises. Union president Amanda Hacker highlighted the negative impact of the budget on those who exercised their rights to union participation.

The association delivered a letter to Ferguson, who has yet to respond publicly. Ferguson's communications director stated that the governor looks forward to reviewing the letter. The situation reflects ongoing tensions between state workers and the administration over contract negotiations and budget priorities.