AFT Washington, AFL-CIO

The AFT Washington 84th Biennial Convention

Convention Is Coming!

We will gather in Tacoma at the Hotel Murano for the 85th AFT Washington Convention this May!

The Retiree Chapter's Biennial Meeting Is May 17th

The AFT Washington Retiree Chapter's Biennial Meeting

Join us for the retiree chapter's biennial meeting!

Update Your Email To Get The Union Spotlight

The Union Spotlight is going exclusively digital - please contact Cortney Marabetta to update your information.

Statement On Our Commitment To Values

The AFT Washington Executive Board has released a statement outlining our democratic values and our commitment to them.

We're Pulling Together To End The Pandemic

There’s a lot of information going around right now about vaccines, mask mandates, rising rates, fatigued healthcare providers, and overflowing hospitals – it’s enough to make your head spin! We are reaching out to you to provide information and perspective. This week, Governor Inslee issued a vaccine mandate for state employees, healthcare workers and contractors with exceptions for medical or religious reasons. PreK-12 and higher education workers were excluded from the mandate, although the majority of public colleges and universities have already established a vaccine mandate for anyone working at or attending their schools. King County and Seattle are also mandating employee vaccinations and it is possible that other cities and counties will follow suit. MORE

In defense of public education

Randi Weingarten and NYC teacher Tamara Simpson

Attacks on public education in America by extremists and culture-war peddling politicians have reached new heights (“lows” may be more apt), but they are not new. The difference today is that the attacks are intended not just to undermine public education but to destroy it.

August 31, 2018

Washington News Service | Eric Tegethoff, Producer

Tacoma, WA - A low-paid group of educators known as paraeducators (or "paras") say it's time they received livable wages. Paras assist teachers in the classroom, often working with students with disabilities and in the special education department. Comments from Barbara Randall-Saleh ("suh-LEE"), president, Tacoma Federation of Paraeducators. [more]

AFT Washington on Recent School Strikes

For release: August 30, 2018

Tukwila -- AFT Washington stands in solidarity with the K-12 public school strikes and our sisters and brothers from the Washington Education Association in their efforts to get a fair contract.

Karen Strickland, president of AFT Washington, said “This is about respect and building the middle class. For decades teachers and school-support employees, whether in K-12 or higher education, have been undervalued and underpaid for their work. Educators should earn enough to have economic security and take care of their families.”

When we stand together, we have power in numbers. That power allows for us to bargain a good contract that includes decent pay, health care, retirement security, and better working conditions. It gives us a seat at the table with our employer to negotiate for things that improve our job and allow us to better serve our communities. Interested in joining? Contact your local to become a member!

Not sure who to talk to at your local? Contact Cortney Marabetta at cmarabetta@aftwa.org for help.