This week is National Correctional Employees Week, a time to honor the 6,000 Teamster corrections employees who serve communities across Washington State.

Last week the so-called “Freedom” Foundation sent out a mailer to all DOC Teamsters trying to stop us from signing commitment cards that strengthen our union.

Our outstanding bargaining team of 21 rank-and-file DOC Teamsters gathered yesterday at the union hall in Tukwila to finalize our proposals for upcoming contract negotiations

Over the last several weeks, I've had the privilege to attend many of the contract proposal meetings across the state as we prepare for upcoming negotiations over our 2019-2021 DOC contract.

Please welcome your DOC Bargaining Committee. They are volunteers from all across the state representing a comprehensive range of DOC positions.

The life of a steward at the Monroe Correctional Complex (MCC) keeps you on your toes. Jason Heuer, a sergeant at the facility who joined the steward ranks in March 2017, spent the better part of his day last week defending the contractual rights of his fellow members.

The spring issue of our Guardian newsletter is hot off the press! In this issue, you can get caught up on the following stories impacting Teamsters who work at the Department of Corrections:

Dozens of shop stewards who work for the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) gathered at our union hall in Tukwila today for training, discussion, and preparation for upcoming contract negotiations.

We did it! Thanks to your efforts, the legislature allocated funding in the state budget for an external audit of staffing levels at the Department of Corrections.

The 2018 legislative session wrapped up yesterday with some historic wins for workers.