We’ve changed the conversation in Olympia, but there is still work to be done.

The legislature is now in special session because they’ve been unable to reach agreement on a new two-year budget. The biggest sticking point between the House and Senate budgets has been over compensation for state employees. Both sides recognize that in order for a deal to get done, they’re going to have to fund the contracts.

This was not a foregone conclusion just months ago. What changed was the pressure the collective power of our Union put on the legislature to get it done.

Back in January, when we held our annual – and largest to date – Lobby Day with over 200 members and their families, we kicked off a long engagement with legislators that has spanned some 130 days.

In that time, we’ve accomplished the following in our campaign to pressure legislators:

• Over 140 small businesses, from Forks to Walla Walla, have signed on to support funding for our contract campaign;
• We’ve run ads in areas with a density of small business supporters in the Port Angeles Daily News, the Walla Walla Union Bulletin, the Everett Herald, and in the Olympian;
• We’ve been on the radio, blanketing the state with ads in every major market, talking about the importance of funding our contract; We’ve met with legislators in their offices, testified at committee hearings, and engaged legislators in-district, on the phones and over email;
• Members have submitted over a dozen Letters to the Editor and we’ve placed 3 op-eds in local newspapers.

Together, we’ve done a lot of great work, but there’s still more to be done. Call your Senator today and encourage your co-workers to do the same. Your voice makes a difference!