We want to update you on the status of our ongoing fight with the DOC to access interest arbitration over the vaccine mandate as well as a statewide health and safety grievance our Union filed yesterday.

On Wednesday, a Thurston County Superior Court judge granted a temporary restraining order, which blocks our interest arbitration hearing, until further order by the court, to settle unresolved issues in vaccine negotiations. 

By attempting to undermine our interest arbitration rights through a ULP filed in the courts, the DOC has taken an anti-union position that is an insult to all of you who have made tremendous sacrifices during the pandemic. I urge you to contact Secretary Strange and tell her to request that OFM withdraw its ULP immediately. To send your message, please click here.

In the meantime, our Union filed a statewide health and safety grievance yesterday over DOC's intent to allow unvaccinated visitors and other people inside the facilities. We believe this constitutes a flagrant violation of the Health and Safety provision (Article 13) of our collective bargaining agreement. We are demanding DOC cease the practice immediately. To view the grievance, please click here.

We will continue to update you on the status of our legal efforts in court over interest arbitration and the statewide grievance filed yesterday.