WA state workers head into difficult wage talks as budget outlook darkens

State worker unions expected tough salary conversations this year, even before Gov. Bob Ferguson warned of difficult spending decisions in Washington's next budget.

Union leaders say his comments last week that "the shortfall will be significant" weren't surprising and echo what state negotiators are conveying in contract talks.

"All of our bargaining teams have been preparing for negotiations with a clear understanding of the financial challenges," said Ashley Fueston, vice president of the Washington Federation of State Employees, which represents 50,000 state government, higher education and public service workers. It has more than a dozen contracts funded in the current budget.

"We also know that state employees have faced years of increasing workloads, staffing shortages, and retention challenges," Fueston said. "Those issues remain real regardless of the state's budget outlook."

https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/wa-state-workers-head-difficult-001352510.html