June 2026
From the President
Like many of you, I am looking forward to the shift into summer and the projects and opportunities that lie ahead. As I am thinking about goals for the second year of my term as President of AFT Washington, I find space to reflect on how much we’ve accomplished and how much I’ve personally learned from the challenges we’ve taken on together.
The work we did during the unexpectedly tumultuous legislative session to preserve funding for the CTCs stands out as our greatest collective win. While we were in it, not knowing if the Millionaire’s Tax would get across the finish line, our members turned out consistently when asked, trusting in the strength of our solidarity. Relationships developed and coalitions were built that will put us in the best possible position for next year, which is shaping up to be even more contentious than the last. At the same time, I have to acknowledge that preserving that funding, crucial though it was and is, doesn’t address the real need among our members for job security and a thriving wage. Our PreK-12 members desperately need wage improvements, and our pro staff members need a guaranteed COLA, to name only two of the gaps that we’re still fighting.
We also made gains in expanding our membership. Many of our locals had successful membership drives, creating opportunities for workers to join the organized labor movement. Both the Whatcom professional staff and the Renton athletic coaches won their first contracts and officially became AFT locals in 2026. Highline College pro staff just won their union and will be getting ready for bargaining, while the pro staff at Wenatchee Valley College are in the process. We are optimistic they will be recognized before the 26-27 academic year begins.
One of my goals for my first year in office was to visit AFT Washington membership meetings to get to know our members. I was perhaps overly ambitious in how many that would be, but the rich conversations that took place when I was able to meet with members gave me an appreciation of how even though our locals are spread across the state, the commitment our members make to serve students is universal. Earlier this month I had the privilege of getting to know the leaders of the faculty union at Peninsula College. Having worked for seven years myself at an extremely remote college, also set in a beautiful forest next to the water, hearing about how they come together with strategies to support their close-knit community, reminded me that some of the best work of our members quietly takes place at the edges.
I am committed to making space for more of these conversations next year.
Looking towards the summer – I am excited for spending time with many of you as we come together with other labor leaders at the AFT and WSLC conventions, and especially at Powerful Locals in August. There is little better than focused time for us to be together in person. Our different perspectives and experiences all unite with the common purpose of bringing what we’ve learned back to our locals and growing and strengthening our union to make a real difference in our many communities. It promises to be the highlight of my work this season. Let’s use the months ahead to recharge, so we can charge ahead!
In solidarity,
Jacqui Cain, President