State Labor Council, AFL-CIO Non-Profit Org. 321 16th Ave. South US Postage PAID , WA 98144 AFL-CIO Seattle, WA Permit No. 1850

2015 LEGISLATIVE REPORT

Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO 2015 LEGISLATIVE REPORT

The WSLC’s report and voting record from the 2015 session of the Washington State Legislature Shutdown politics in Senate This is no way to run a state government. state employees, holding hostage their first raises in and middle-class workers pay more while the richest The Republican-controlled Senate embraced the seven years to push anti-union collective bargaining people pay the lowest taxes of any state in the nation. threat of a state shutdown this year so Washington’s bills that are part of a national campaign financed by As you’ll read throughout this report, it was a wealthiest could continue to avoid paying their fair billionaire right-wing conservatives (see story below). theme that played out in most policy areas this year. share and to pursue an ideological anti-union agenda. What did Senate Republican budget negotiators, Gov. and the Democratic-controlled House After three costly overtime sessions and 26,000 pink- led by Sen. Andy Hill (R-Redmond), get out of it? pursued measures to address growing income inequal- slip warnings sent to state workers, a budget deal was They killed an effort to help fund schools though a ity and to make state government function better. The reached just hours before the shutdown was to begin. capital-gains tax affecting a tiny fraction of the state’s Senate, with its two-vote Republican majority, ob- It was a game of political chicken straight out of wealthiest families. They avoided closing corporate tax structed those efforts while serving the selfish few at the GOP playbook in the other Washington, and it loopholes for oil companies and other special interests the top and pushing a politically motivated agenda. brought needless stress to thousands of state employee by insisting on budget gimmicks, like assuming we’ll But in the end, 2015 will be remembered as the families and countless other people and businesses that all be smoking a lot more marijuana. They retained year extremist Republicans decided their right-wing rely on important state services. It also disrespected America’s most unfair tax system, where low-income wish list was worth shutting the state down. What got done, Deal with GOP’s what didn’t extreme agenda By JEFF JOHNSON at the ballot box While some good things came out Elections matter. of the 2015 session, huge opportunities Republican control of the Senate to lessen inequality and to the fix our and a significant Republican minor- structural budget/revenue deficit were ity in the House is hazardous to our dismissed and passed up by Sens. Mark state’s health and will continue to be Schoesler (R-Ritzville) and Andy Hill so until we change things at the bal- (R-Redmond) and their band of Tea lot box. Party Republicans. Three days The process was ugly and bizarre. SharedShared ProsperityProsperity out from the After Governor end of the sec- SESSION Jay Inslee signed the ond extra legis- SUMMARY operating budget on inin thethe HOUSEHOUSE lative session (I June 30, preventing refuse to call it a state shutdown, the House and Sen- Speaker , leader of the Democratic- a “special ses- ate adjourned in the wee hours of July controlled House of Representatives, met with sion,” seeing 1 with voting only partially complete workers on March 3, the day the House passed nothing par- on the transportation package and the PRESIDENT’S bills from the WSLC Shared Prosperity Agenda: ticularly special COLUMN capital budget. Last-minute bargaining about it), Sen- derailed a Senate vote on suspending RAISE THE ate Republicans Jeff Johnson the I-1351 class-size initiative, which to $12/hour over the next four years. introduced and temporarily left a $2 billion hole in the HB 1355, sponsored by Rep. Jessyn heard two bills. One would create a just-signed operating budget. Farrell, was supported by every 30-day continuing resolution to pre- Senate Majority Leader Schoesler Democrat in the House. vent the shutdown of state govern- decried as “extortion” the Democrats’ ment. You have to love the irony of refusal to vote on suspending I-1351 PAID SAFE AND SICK LEAVE for all workers in Washington state. this—it’s like the schoolyard bully unless a student assessment bill—one HB 1356, sponsored by Rep. (pictured above at the far left), declaring that while we couldn’t that passed 92-6 in the House—was also was supported by every Democrat in the House. come to an agreement over the use also brought up for a vote. He and the of your lunch money, we will con- extreme right Republican Senate had Meanwhile, every House Republican—every single one—voted against both bills. tinue meeting over the summer. And just extorted the House and the governor House Democrats advance Shared Prosperity Agenda—See story on Page 8 Continued on Page 2 Continued on Page 2

INSIDE Republicans target public employees’ rights State employees suffered 3 percent to be made up. But instead of supporting Transportation, aerospace tax Sens. Baumgartner, Braun, break accountability, workers’ wage cuts, were denied previously ne- those who support us, an unprecedented compensation ...... 3 Hill lead ideological attacks gotiated pay increases, and were forced number of attacks were leveled against to provide more services to the public workers this session as the Republican “Good, Bad & Ugly” bill By JOE KENDO with fewer resources. City, county, and controlled Senate went full ALEC (the sponsorships ...... 4 Since 2008, public sector workers state employees paid more for their corporate-funded “bill mill” American 2015 WSLC. Legislative have made significant sacrifices to help health care during this period, and pub- Legislative Exchange Council) in their Voting Records ...... 5 the state, counties, and cities make ends lic workers at all levels of government treatment of the public sector. Education, state employee meet as state revenue plummeted during were subject to unpaid furloughs and In the Commerce and Labor Com- contracts, college faculty ..... 6 the recession. Public workers gave up other workload increasing burdens. mittee chaired by Sen. Michael Baum- more than their fair share while legisla- After nearly seven years of deep gartner (R-Spokane) no fewer than nine State revenue, Voting Rights Act, health care ...... 7 tors resisted raising revenue to fund cuts, increased work load, and losses in bills were heard to weaken, overburden, increasing demands for services during pay, it should come as no surprise that this period. in 2015, a great deal of ground needed Continued on Page 8 State’s solution What got done, what didn’t Continued from Page 1 economy is made up of services but we have no sales at the ballot box tax on services. Our Business & Occupation tax system by forcing a poison pill into the transportation package Continued from Page 1 is unfair to small business and our major industries pay that blocked the governor from doing anything admin- a relatively small share of the overall tax burden. Our istratively on clean fuel standards for years. It seems the second bill calls the operating budget good system is top heavy with tax loopholes that should be that one person’s extortion is another’s good policy. and done—still leaving about a $300 million gap closed. Unlike 41 other states, we do not have a capital Legislating is getting harder to do. We have now between the House and Senate spending levels gains tax, never mind an income tax. And our property had 21 extra legislative sessions in this century, so far. and would only fund state employee contracts if taxes are capped at a one-percent growth rate. Nearly a third of them (6) since the GOP took control limitations to future collective bargaining rights Both Gov. Inslee and the House Democrats put a of the Senate in 2013. Another three extra sessions were passed, SB 6126. number of tax alternatives on the table—capital gains, happened when they controlled the Senate in 2003. At the beginning of the Ways and Means B&O reform, carbon fee, and closing tax loopholes. The Republican Senate, with Sens. Michael Baum- Committee hearing Sen. Andy Hill (R-Redmond) Sen. Hill didn’t like any of these ideas. At the end of gartner (R-Spokane) and John Braun (R-Centralia) in had the chutzpah to say that the debate over tax- the day, Republicans agreed to close a few tax loop- the lead, kept up a relentless attack on collective bar- es, education funding, and the social safety net holes but only at the cost of extending others and also gaining rights, injured worker benefits, and a refusal to was over. As if we have come even close to fix- creating some new ones. The net increase in revenue deal with raising the minimum wage or paid safe and ing these gaping problems from this exchange was very small. sick leave. Limiting collective bargaining rights (SB and the myriad of other is- Once again the opportunity to make our state a first 6126) remained on the table until the last day of the sues we have not addressed class place to live, work and learn was cashed in for second extra session. as a state. Republican ideological beliefs. The Republican Senate also refused to pass the But Hill’s job was to Voting Rights Act to address discriminatory voting stay on message. His mes- practices in cities and counties that have prevented Transportation sage was that the Senate candidates of color from being elected to public office. and House are really just After three years of Republican foot dragging, a down to the issue of col- $16 billion transportation package passed in late June. lege tuition. And the Senate Well, almost. PRESIDENT’S Operating budget Republicans favor a 25% An 11.9-cent gas tax increase phased in over two COLUMN At the end of the day some components of note in reduction in college tuition years was approved, but the second extra legislative the operating budget were: session ended without the transportation bonding bill and the Democrats, Gov. Jeff Johnson n State employee contracts were funded as bargained Jay Inslee in particular, or the project list bill passing. It wasn’t until triple with a 4.8% pay increase over two years—the first overtime on July 10 that those bills passed, the culmi- want to keep talking about closing tax loopholes, raises in seven years—and maintaining health benefits. poor people, teacher COLAs, and other ways to nation of a long, hard coalitional effort by labor, envi- n A $1.3 billion down payment was made on the Mc- ronmental and business groups to pass a transportation share prosperity. The Republican conclusion be- Cleary court order to lower K-3 class sizes; expand all- ing, as shamelessly broadcast in a June 25 politi- package. It will significantly increase safety, decrease day kindergarten; and pick up much of the cost of local congestion, finish major economic corridors, improve cal ad funded by the Washington State Republi- schools’ materials, supplies and operating expenses. can Party: “Governor Inslee wants to shut down freight mobility, add another ferry (built in Washing- However, the issue of paying the estimated $3.5 billion ton), improve transit funding, fund stormwater clean- state government, shut down our state parks and cost for teachers’ compensation was not addressed. keep tuitions high.” up projects, create tens of thousands of union jobs, and n Teachers received a COLA of 3% and a one-time return hundreds of millions of dollars to the general The truth of the matter is that Senator Hill and 1.8% bonus that will not go into their base pay. his extreme right party was forcing the state to fund over the next 15 years. n Tuition at four-year colleges and community and But with the victory comes a major loss. The cost the brink of shutdown because they don’t care technical colleges was lowered. Over the next two that we have the most regressive tax system in of the transportation package was a poison pill on years there will be a 15% tuition cut at the Univer- clean fuel standards. This was pure extortion and the the country, they don’t care that teachers will sity of Washington and Washington State University; a only get one-quarter of the cost-of-living pay type of backward thinking we have come to expect 20% tuition cut at the regional four-year colleges; and from the Republican Party. Given the crisis of climate increases that the legislators themselves will get, a 5% tuition cut at two-year colleges. and they don’t recognize the social safety net has change, we need to work together with every policy n For the first time ever, the UW Labor Archives was tool possible to dramatically lower carbon emissions so many holes in it that thousands of our most funded at a $200,000 annual level. vulnerable citizens fall through it every week. over the next several decades. The truth is that the gas n Community and technical college faculty will be and oil industry is going to have start paying their fair Everyone would like to see tuition costs go able to bargain over local funds for the next two years. down. But how about raising wages so that more share of the costs of this pollution and its negative im- The final operating budget included $700 million pacts on our health and communities. folks could actually afford college tuition? How in natural revenue growth, $300 million in anticipated about a tax system where everyone pays their taxes from marijuana sales, and about $100 million fair share? How about closing unnecessary cor- stolen (transferred) from the Public Works Account Capital budget porate tax loopholes? How about enough afford- and other one-time budget gimmicks. This masks the The capital budget was also left partially undone able housing so that people could afford to live problem that we lack the revenue to pay for the natural on July 1 with the bonding bill still hanging out there. in the cities where they work? How about requir- growth in current services the state provides, never Some of the pieces that we have been tracking and that ing paid safe and sick days or fair scheduling? mind the remaining billions due under McCleary, or will achieve policy goals and create jobs are: These issues are not on the Republican agen- repairing the holes in the social safety net devastated n $75 million for farmworker housing, da. Most issues that working class families care by “Great Recession” austerity, or the need to dramati- n $53 million for stormwater clean-up projects, about are not on their agenda. cally increase our investments in higher education, etc. n $35.6 million flood plain projects, It is time to change this. It is time to support House Finance Chair (D-Seattle) n $40.4 million clean energy fund grants, only candidates who support policies and bills underscored the fact that our tax system is outmoded n $25 million energy efficiency and solar grants for that broadly share the prosperity the workers cre- and too narrowly based to support a modern economy public buildings, and ate. and the associated level of services. Two-thirds of our n Casa Latina (elevator) $150,000.

The WSLC Legislative Report is an annual publication of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO 321 16th Ave. S., Seattle, WA, 98144 (206-281-8901) — 906 S. Columbia St. SW, #330, Olympia, WA, 98501 (360-943-0608)

President: Jeffrey Johnson Secretary-Treasurer: Lynne Dodson

Vice Presidents: Administrative Staff: Lee Malinda, PAW David Baine, IFPTE Angela Marshall, WA YELL Elissa Goss ...... 2015 Legislative Intern Cariño Barragán Herbie Martin, APRI D. Nolan Groves ...... Communications Director Talancón, LCLAA Dave Myers, IBEW Caitlyn Jekel ...... WIA Labor Liaison Jackie Boschok, ARA Lee Newgent, Ironworkers Joe Kendo ...... Government Affairs Director Todd Crosby, UFCW Paul Parmley, IBT Viona Latschaw ...... Project HELP Director David Freiboth, SUP Jackie Rae, IBEW Bill Messenger ...... WIA Labor Liaison Bob Guenther, IBEW Mark Reavis, LIUNA Teresa Mosqueda ...... Political & Strategic Campaign Director , APALA Patty Rose, IBEW Kairie Pierce ...... K-12/Apprenticeship/College Director Jon Holden, IAM Michele Stelovich, WFSE Lori Province ...... Field Mobilization Director Judy Huntington, WSNA Karen Strickland, AFT Bernice Vance ...... Accounting Manager Rick Johnson, IBEW Beth Thew, CWA Ted Thomas, CBTU Vance Lelli, AFM Support Staff: Stephanie Lloyd-Agnew, Eric Thrift, LIUNA CLUW Jim Tieken, AFSCME Jessica Gallardo, Janet Hays, Kamaria Hightower, Mark Lowry, ATU Shannon Walker, IAM Robert New, Kathy Petruzzelli, Karen White, Justine Winnie

PAGE 2 WSLC 2015 LEGISLATIVE REPORT An investment in Washington Transportation package and capital budget build our state

By JOE KENDO It is a good time to live in Washington. Our econo- my is clearly on the upswing after years of stagnant job and wage growth, and many sectors damaged by the 2008 recession are primed and ready for work. People from all over the country are pouring into our state for new job opportunities, vibrant communities, natural beauty, and diverse cultural opportunities. The Office of Financial Management estimates an additional 1.2 million Washingtonians by 2030, and nearly 8.8 mil- lion people in total by 2040. That’s nearly two million Nyah ayan ayunya. more people than live in Washington today. While we welcome the economic growth and cul- tural vibrancy these transplants bring, we also live A Feb. 20 rally banner shows Washington is an outlier for failing to link jobs to aerospace incentives. with the negative consequences of unplanned growth on a daily basis. These people will need jobs, and they will need reliable transportation options to get there. In 2011, the Seattle-to-Everett commute averaged Accountability sought for tax breaks 62 minutes. That’s two fewer hours per day, every day, When legislators rushed into special session in In other words, because our incentives lack the ac- to spend with one’s family, church, or recreational November 2013 to approve aerospace industry tax countability standards required in most states, taxpay- sports league. Two fewer hours helping a child with breaks worth $8.7 billion over 16 years, we were ers are subsidizing one of biggest corporations in the math homework, or cooking healthy meals, or simply told that the incentives would grow—or at least world even as it sheds jobs in our state. Plus, we are relaxing after working your shift. By 2014, that com- maintain—good family-wage jobs. subsidizing low-wage aerospace companies whose mute increased another 18 minutes—which means We’d been burned before by 2003 incentives employees can’t meet their families’ basic needs. nearly three hours a day in a car, inching through that failed to stop Boeing from expanding 787 So in 2015, the Society of Professional Engineer- Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace, and Lynnwood. production outside the state despite a multi-billion ing Employees in Aerospace/IFPTE 2001 and Ma- This is not an insurmountable problem. But for too tax break. So in 2013, when the incentives were chinists Union District Lodge 751 backed changing long our elected leaders have been unable to buoy the extended from 2024 to 2040, the Legislature added our tax incentive law to create some accountability. clear interest of the people of our state—present and “intent” language to guarantee all 777X assembly n HB 2147, sponsored by Rep. future—against base political instincts and demands and wing assembly would be performed here. (D-Everett), tied Boeing’s aerospace incentives to for a free lunch. But finally, during the unlikeliest of But within weeks of its passage, we got burned maintaining state . It would cut the size legislative sessions, the 2015 Legislature made nearly again. Boeing announced it would move thousands of Boeing’s tax break when employment falls below $35 billion in job-creating infrastructural investments of engineering jobs out of state and out of country. the Oct. 31, 2013, baseline of 83,295 employees. that will establish a steady, reliable framework to put Unlike tax incentives in Missouri, South Carolina n HB 1786, from Rep. (D-SeaTac), Washingtonians to work and improve our quality of and other states, there were still no requirements to required aerospace firms receiving the incentives to life for another generation. ensure that the tax breaks actually increase jobs. pay veteran employees at least the state median wage The elusive state transportation package took three But aerospace tax breaks don’t just go to Boe- for a one-earner family, or about $52,000 per year. years, and nearly 10 pieces of legislation to complete, ing, they also go to hundreds of suppliers. More Boeing and other aerospace workers packed a but its passage will ensure an equitable distribution of than one-third (38 percent) of non-Boeing aero- March 13 hearing to support the bills, but they didn’t mobility infrastructure and job opportunities statewide. space employees in the state earn less than $15 per advance in 2015. With polls showing that more than More than $16 billion will be invested over 16 hour. Those workers’ families likely qualify for two-thirds of Washington voters support tying aero- years in new ferries, roads, bike lanes, sidewalks, and state assistance for health care, housing and other space tax breaks to maintaining jobs with livable transit resources. An additional $15 billion will be basic necessities. wages, these bills will be back. raised, pending approval by central Puget Sound vot- ers, to build the third stage of ’s Link Light Rail which will provide reliable, congestion- free travel options for workers and their families in Little accomplished for injured workers South King and North Pierce counties, Redmond and Issaquah, and Lynnwood and Everett, as well as con- GOP pursues usual cuts, but fails tion workers, injured work- necting West Seattle and Ballard to the lines already ers with families, and some operating through Seattle. This will have the added bo- grocery workers (SB 5510). By JOE KENDO nus of reducing workers’ reliance on carbon intensive SBs 5331 and 5420 would car-oriented commuting, and reduce the overall cost The 2015 Legislature indulged in a lot of bluster have handed over our work- of transportation between the suburbs and the dense and public theater on the issue, but accomplished little ers’ compensation system to urban cores where so many people work. with respect to the workers’ compensation safety net private insurance companies But that’s not all. To ensure our state is meeting its for injured workers. As in past sessions, conservative like AIG, and another (SB needs for clean energy jobs, water infrastructure, and factions and the business interests they serve came out 5509) would have made it affordable housing investments, budget negotiators swinging in January with a half-dozen radical propos- functionally impossible for also agreed on a $3 billion capital budget, after failing als to cut or deny injured workers’ benefits. workers suffering from an to do so in 2014. These investments include hous- An expansion of compromise-and-release lump- occupational disease to se- ing options for farm workers and seniors, new school sum settlements, an old-hat attempt to leverage in- cure the treatment they need buildings to help reduce class sizes, and tens of mil- jured workers into settling their claims for pennies on to get well, get back to work, lions of dollars for research and project development the dollar, found a home in SBs 5513 and 5516. The and move on with their lives. in support of clean energy technology. former, sponsored by Sen. John Braun (R-Centralia), But not everything was These investments act as a trellis upon which sought to expand buyouts to younger workers despite so bleak this session. Working with our community our population and economy can sustainably grow. the program’s failure to live up to the wildly inaccurate partners, the Washington State Labor Council support- Whether you live in Seattle, Spokane, Kent, Marys- cost-saving estimates from 2011. Those estimated sav- ed legislation that would have allowed workers with ville, Lakewood, or Walla Walla, opportunities for eco- ings have been lowered by 85% in the four years since. Permanent Partial Disabilities to continue to receive nomic improvement will increase. Our commutes will Unfortunately, SB 5513 passed the Senate with support medical treatment in instances where their claims were be safer and more reliable, and even if there is another from Democratic Sens. Hargrove, Hatfield, Hobbs and prematurely closed (HB 1613). Another WSLC-sup- economic downturn on the horizon, a massive public Mullet. Thankfully, it failed to get the support of Re- ported bill would have secured attorney fees and costs investment of nearly $35 billion over 16 years will still publican Sens. Miloscia and Roach. Though it died in for injured workers in court settlements when they pre- drive good, family wage employment, in cutting edge, the House, its Senate passage illustrates the irrational vailed during appeals (HB 1611), and another would forward looking industries. obsession of Senate Republican leadership with con- have increased penalties for self-insured employers We can do big things. When workers, businesses, verting this safety net into a risky game of Let’s Make who fail to meet their legal obligations to pay benefits transit advocates, environmental stewards, communi- a Deal. pending hearings before the Board of Industrial Insur- ties of color, farmers, farm workers, and land Further attacks from Sen. Baumgartner’s Com- ance Appeals (HB 1612). These bills failed to receive a use planners come together, we can do them P merce and Labor Committee included bills that would floor vote in the House, but the WSLC will continue to A better. G have slashed benefits for injured nurses, construc- seek justice for these workers. E WSLC 2015 LEGISLATIVE REPORT 3 Some votes that didn’t happen

Lots of bills that would have had a major impact for Washington’s working families never get a vote. Looking But you can tell who supports the good, bad and ugly bills by checking the list of sponsors. Here are some of those bills and the legislators who signed on as co- to the future sponsors. (Democrats are listed in bold.) These young men were among the more than 800 union members and TheThe their families who gathered on Feb. 20 on the steps of the State Capitol. GOODGOOD They were rallying in support of the Washington n HB 1354/SB 5569—WAGE THEFT RETAL- State Labor Council’s IATION—Protecting workers from retaliation for Shared Prosperity Agenda speaking up about wage theft and requesting rightfully and against legislative earned wages attacks on workers’ SPONSORS: Rep. (D-Shoreline) and Sen. freedom of association, Bob Hasegawa (D-Seattle) apprenticeship programs, and wage standards. CO-SPONSORS: Reps. Goodman, S. Hunt, Riccelli, Farrell, Cody, Tharinger, Ortiz-Self, Sullivan, Bergquist, Pollet, Dunshee, Fitzgibbon, Moscoso, Appleton, Sells, Robinson, Reykdal, Walkinshaw, Wylie, Gregory, Moeller, Gregerson, Stanford, and Ormsby. Sens. Jayapal, McCoy, Kohl-Welles, Conway, Fraser, Ranker, Rolfes, Frockt, Keiser, Liias, McAuliffe, Chase, Darneille, Nelson, and Billig.

n HB 1716—FAMILY UNITY ACT—Making com- munities safer and keeping immigrant families together by ensuring that local law enforcement agencies focus on their primary missions of serving and protecting the community, instead of immigration enforcement. SPONSOR: Rep. (D-Mtlake Terrace) CO-SPONSORS: Reps. Appleton, Sells, Ortiz- Self, Robinson, Jinkins, Gregerson, Ryu, Peterson, SPONSOR: Sen. John Braun (R-Centralia) that bans union-security agreements. Walkinshaw, Santos, Pollet, and Farrell. CO-SPONSORS: Sens. Becker, Schoesler, Padden, SPONSOR: Rep. (R-Spokane Valley) Angel, Warnick, Honeyford, and Hewitt. n HB 1733/SB 5672—SAFE NURSE STAFFING— CO-SPONSORS: Reps. Scott, Taylor, G. Hunt, Young, and Condotta Directing the Department of Health to establish and n SB 5332–PRE-EMPTING LOCAL STANDARDS enforce patient assignment limits and set a maximum —Pre-empting local jurisdictions’ ordinances, such as number that can be assigned to each registered nurse. n SB 5045/HB 2068—PROMOTING “RIGHT-TO- SeaTac’s minimum wage and Seattle’s sick leave, and WORK”—Promoting the decertification of public em- SPONSOR: Rep. (D-Seattle) and Sen. all future ordinances to change how they are applied to ployees’ union-security clauses in all state, county and Steve Conway (D-Tacoma) union members. This would create conflicts with col- municipal employees’ contracts in Washington state. CO-SPONSORS: Reps. Ryu, S. Hunt, Peterson, lectively bargained contracts, such as building trades SPONSOR: Sen. (R-Port Orchard) and Rep. Jinkins, Goodman, Ortiz-Self, Hudgins, Reykdal, workers’ hour banks for purposes of sick leave. (R-Gig Harbor) Walkinshaw, Wylie, Fitzgibbon, Farrell, Sullivan, SPONSOR: Sen. John Braun (R-Centralia) Bergquist, Dunshee, Moscoso, Appleton, Sells, Pollet, CO-SPONSORS: Sen. Hewitt and Reps. Taylor, G. Hunt, CO-SPONSORS: Sen. Becker, Rivers, Schoesler, Angel, Riccelli, Robinson, Senn, Ormsby, Lytton, Tarleton, Shea, Scott Warnick, Honeyford, and Hewitt. Sawyer, Moeller, Fey, Pettigrew, Gregerson, Orwall, VOTING “YES” IN COMMITTEE: Sens. Baumgartner, Santos, Kirby, McBride, Takko, Gregory, Clibborn, Braun, King, Warnick, Hill, Dammeier, Honeyford, Bai- n SB 5514—MINIMUM WAGE/O.T. EXCUSE— Van De Wege, Tharinger, and Kagi. Sens. Keiser, ley, Becker, Brown, Hewitt, O’Ban, Padden, Parlette, and Creating a “good-faith” defense for employers that fail Hasegawa, Kohl-Welles, Fraser, Benton, and Darneille. Schoesler. to pay minimum or overtime wages. SPONSOR: Sen. John Braun (R-Centralia) n SB 5420—WORKERS’ COMP PRIVATIZATION CO-SPONSORS: Sens. Baumgartner, Padden, Sheldon, —Privatizing our state-run workers’ compensation TheThe Schoesler, Angel, Bailey, Warnick, and Honeyford. system, an idea overwhelmingly rejected by voters in every county of the state. n SB 5707—PREVAILING WAGE EXEMPTION— SPONSOR: Sen. (R-Spokane) BADBAD Exempting certain cities and projects from state pre- CO-SPONSORS: Sen. Braun vailing wage standards. VOTING “YES” IN COMMITTEE: Baumgartner, Braun, SPONSOR: Sen. Doug Erickson (R-Waterstreet Cafe) n HB 1104—AG GAG—An American Legislative King, and Warnick. Exchange Council (ALEC) model bill making it a CO-SPONSORS: Sens. Baumgartner, Bailey, Warnick, crime to document what happens on farms without the and Padden. n SB 5671—BANNING UNION SECURITY— owner’s written consent. Expanding the Harris v. Quinn decision to create so- SPONSOR: Rep. (R-Colfax) called “right-to-work” bargaining restrictions for fam- CO-SPONSORS: Reps. Haler, Robinson, and Buys. TheThe ily child care providers, adult family home providers, language access providers, and home care providers. n SB 5329—PUBLIC BARGAINING—Politicizing UGLY SPONSOR: Sen. Michael Baumgartner (R-Spokane) all state employee collective bargaining talks by mak- UGLY CO-SPONSORS: Sens. O’Ban, Braun, and Angel. ing them open public meetings. This bill was VOTING “YES” IN COMMITTEE: Baumgartner, Braun, pushed by the right-wing anti-union Freedom n HB 2068—“RIGHT-TO-WORK”—Making Wash- King, and Warnick. PAGE Foundation. ington an anti-union so-called “right-to-work” state 4 WSLC 2015 LEGISLATIVE REPORT Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO — 2015 LEGISLATIVE VOTING RECORD

SENATE ESB 5226 (Becker)—Mandate onerous financial (Passed 26-23, Mar. 11) 4 reports for unions. “Right” vote: NO (Passed 26-22, ESSB 5990 (King)—Exempt transportation projects Mar. 10) SSB 6088 (Braun)—Relax class-size requirements 1 from sales tax; siphons money from schools and oper- 8 in voter-approved Initiative 1351. “Right” vote: NO ating budget. “Right” vote: NO (Passed 26-23, Feb. 27) ESSB 5899 (Liias)—Relax restictions on payday (Passed 27-22, Apr. 6) 5 loans. “Right” vote: NO (Passed 30-18, Mar. 10) ESSB 5991 (King)—Shift funds from Environmen- ESSB 5077 (Hill)—Operating budget that included 2 tal Legacy Stewardship Account to pay for unrelated ESB 5854 (Braun)—Post collective bargaining 9 attacks on collective bargaining and other bad policy. projects. “Right” vote: NO (Passed 27-22, Feb. 27) 6 agreements online for all public employee contracts. “Right” vote: NO (Passed 26-23, Apr. 6) “Right” vote: NO (Passed 30-19, Mar. 11) ESB 5513 (Braun)—Expand compromise-and- ESB 5863 (Jayapal)—Promote apprenticeship 3 release structured settlements by lowering age limit for ESSB 5748 (Litzow)—Evaluate teachers and prin- 10 programs for highway construction workers. injured workers. “Right” vote: NO (Passed 28-21, Mar. 10) 7 cipals based on student test scores. “Right” vote: NO “Right” vote: YES (Passed 38-9, Apr. 16)

HB 1356 (Jinkins)—Allow all workers in Washington HB 1541 (Santos)—Close education opportunity 3 to earn paid safe and sick leave. “Right” vote: YES 7 gap. “Right” vote: YES (Passed 53-45, Mar. 5) (Passed 51-46, Mar. 3) HOUSE HB 1230 (Sells)—Allow authorization of interest arbitration when there has been an Unfair Labor Prac- ESHB 2131 (Kirby)—Establish insurance requirement 8 tice. “Right” vote: YES (Passed 51-47, Mar. 6) 4 for drivers of commercial transportation services. SHB 1089 (Hunt, S.)—Promote responsible bidders “Right” vote: YES (Passed 77-17, Mar. 3) HB 1863 (Reykdal)—Step pay increases for academic 1 on public contracts by adding restrictions for wage 9 employees at state community and technical colleges. violators. “Right” vote: YES (Passed 60-38, Feb. 16) ESHB 1745 (Moscoso)—Washington State Voting “Right” vote: YES (Passed 64-34, Mar. 6) 5 Rights Act. “Right” vote: YES (Passed 52-46, Mar. 5) HB 1355 (Farrell)—Raise state minimum wage ESHB 1646 (Senn)—Equal Pay Opportunity 2 to $12 an hour over four years. “Right” vote: YES HB 1590 (Reykdal)—Promote apprenticeship for 10 Act empowering workers to combat wage discrimi- (Passed 51-46, Mar. 3) 6 electricians. “Right” vote: YES (Passed 52-46, Mar. 5) nation. “Right” vote: YES (Passed 55-43, Mar. 11)

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WSLC 2015 LEGISLATIVE REPORT 5 Short-term fixes only for education The Washington State Labor Council will invest in our future workforce, cre- state. Happily, the Labor Archives did beyond grade 3. In final budget nego- 2015 Shared Prosperity Agenda rec- ate thousands of good jobs, reduce the receive an additional $400,000. There- tiations, Senate Democrats were able to ognized the important role that public cycle of debt, and create greater oppor- fore, a strong labor education program force a temporary reform that will allow education has in our state. It’s a prior- tunities for workers and families.” will require our continued commitment. 2,000 high school students who passed ity echoed by clear directives In addition, we have a There was some good news for pub- all required courses but couldn’t pass a from both the courts in the keen interest in ensuring the lic education in this session. high-stakes biology test to graduate. McCleary decision calling for health and survival of the La- After many long years without, the It was disappointing that these mod- adequate funding of educa- bor Education and Research budget provides a 4.8 percent cost-of- est gains took a regular session and tion and the public with the Center (LERC) at South Se- living adjustment over two years for three special sessions to accomplish. passage of I-1351 calling for attle College, and the Labor K-12 teachers, community and technical It was also disappointing that our one smaller class sizes. Archives at the University of college faculty, technical college clas- statewide Labor Education program was As our agenda noted: “For Washington—our two pub- sified employees, and K-12 school sup- left without adequate resources. too long the state government Secretary licly funded labor programs. port staff. Two-year college faculty also In the end, the Legislature failed to has not sufficiently funded Treasurer’s Column So, what happened? finally won what other educators have address Washington’s ongoing revenue what is supposed to be its Lynne Dodson First the bad news. While always had—the right to bargain local crisis in a meaningful way. We can’t paramount duty: public edu- both the governor’s budget funds for professional development and properly fund education with our broken cation. As a result, our K-12 public and the House budget included addi- experience (step) increases during the tax system (see next page). There were schools have suffered under unaccept- tional funding for LERC and the Labor 2015-2017 fiscal biennium. solutions offered this session, includ- able teacher-student ratios, underpaid Archives, the final budget cut additional A small decrease in student tuition ing the capital gains tax and closing tax education professionals, and soaring funding for LERC. Unions have pro- was welcome and will help keep the loopholes for big profitable companies, higher education tuition costs... Our vided LERC resources to supplement its cost of higher education from skyrocket- but the Senate majority would not com- community and technical college faculty base budget—enough to hire a second ing further. But the 13.8 percent increase promise on such long-term fixes. have not only been denied COLAs, but labor educator and a part-time support in the higher education budget doesn’t So we must continue our work—not also the step pay increases they should staff. Unfortunately, the new budget pro- cover all of the loss from tuition cuts. only to elect legislators who will cham- earn for professional development and vides only enough for the director and The K-12 system’s budget was in- pion a true Shared Prosperity Agenda, experience. Investing in education at one labor educator. It is one in the series creased a welcome 13.1 percent, but but also to run our own initiatives that every level, fair pay for teachers, and of attempts by the Senate Republicans this fell far short of funding the I-1351 properly fund education and improve decreasing the cost of higher education to undermine the labor movement in our class-size reductions sought by voters the lives of people in this state. CTC faculty can now seek step increases But that right expires in ‘17 For years, the hard-working faculty members at our state’s Community and Technical Colleges (CTC) have sought the right all other teachers have: to bar- gain over local funds for step increases in pay. In 2015, thanks to some persua- sive bargaining by House Democratic budget negotiators, they finally got it— but only temporarily. Current law says that only state ap- propriations can finance such increases. As state funding for higher education has declined and college tuition and fees have increased, these local funds now account for more than half the funding at 21 of 34 CTCs. Small business owners declared their support for fully funding the 2015-17 state employee contracts at a It makes no sense to keep local “Public Service Matters” press event held at Capitol Florist in Olympia on May 27. funds off limits for step increases, un- less your goal is to suppress already- lagging CTC faculty wages. So, as it has since 2010, AFT Washington supported State employees finally get raises legislation this year to change that law. HB 1863, sponsored by Rep. Chris Our state employees have made The Republican-controlled Senate Employees/AFSCME Council 28, Reykdal (D-Olympia), passed the House significant sacrifices in recent years. voted 29-20 on April 3 for a budget Teamsters Local 117, SEIU Health- 64-34 (House Vote #9, Page 5), but Sen. The people who keep our communities amendment to fully fund the con- Care 1199NW, PTE Local 17, AFT Michael Baumgartner (R-Spokane) safe, care for the elderly and disabled, tracts. But GOP leaders had rigged Washington, Washington Public Em- wouldn’t even hear, much less vote on teach and protect our children, main- the game, passing a rule change that ployees Association/UFCW 365, and the bill in his Senate Commerce and La- tain our roads, and provide other es- required a 30-vote supermajority for others. The coalition raised awareness bor Committee. So it died, again. sential services have not had a general any amendment. Republican budget of the important work state employees But then, House Democrats resur- pay increase in seven years. In fact, for negotiators, led by Sen. Andy Hill do and called for community sup- rected Reykdal’s proposal during nego- two of those years amid the Great Re- (R-Redmond), then held the contracts port for full funding of the contracts. tiations for the operating budget. In the cession, state workers took 3 percent hostage for the rest of the session and The Public Service Matters campaign budget that ultimately passed, a proviso pay cuts, furloughs and layoffs. through two overtime sessions, refus- included actions at the Capitol and in was included to allow CTC faculty to Last year, the unions representing ing to fund them unless Democrats communities across the state, newspa- negotiate for step increases using local state employees negotiated contracts approved bills weakening state em- per and radio ads, support from local funds for the 2015-17 biennium. with the Governor’s Office that would ployees’ collective bargaining rights business owners, and more. “This sets the stage for narrowing grant them their first modest wage (see Page 1 story). It wasn’t until hours before a July the 20% salary gap between CTC facul- increases in seven years—4.8 percent Amid this shameful obstruction 1 shutdown, for which 26,000 state ty in Washington and other states, but it spread over the next two years. and disrespect of state employees, employees had been issued pink-slip is a short-term fix for a bigger problem,” In contrast to his predecessor, who state legislators themselves were warnings, that Sen. Hill and Senate notes AFT Washington President Karen negotiated contracts with raises and awarded 11.2 percent pay raises by an Republican leaders finally agreed to Strickland. “State law prohibits bargain- then declared them “financial unfea- independent commission. fund the state employee contracts in ing for local funds for salary increases. sible” to implement, Gov. Jay Inslee’s So the unions representing state the 2015-17 operating budget. Unless the law changes, access to local pre-session budget fully funded the employees took their case to the com- About a week later, Gov. Inslee funds will expire in 2017.” negotiated contracts. So did the budget munity. The WSLC helped coordinate officially signed the contracts granting That’s why AFT Washington and the approved by the Democratic-controlled a “Public Service Matters” coalition the long-awaited raises and maintain- WSLC will be back in 2016 to urge pas- P House of Representatives. of the Washington Federation of State ing health-care benefits. A sage of HB 1863. G 6E WSLC 2015 LEGISLATIVE REPORT 7.5%

Over the past 25 years, state revenue Senate kills 7.0% collections as a share of the economy

6.5% have dropped by nearly 30 percent. WA Voting

6.0% Rights Act

By TERESA MOSQUEDA 5.5% This year marked the 50th anniver- General Fund revenue sary of the national Voting Rights Act’s 5.0% Projected passage in Congress. On this important as a percentage anniversary, and on the heels of the historic federal ruling in Yakima that 4.5% of personal income demanded the city implement district- ing to address racially polarized voting, 4.0% the Washington State Voting Rights Act was introduced in the Legislature for the third year in a row. 3.5% Led by sponsor Rep. Luis Moscoso 1983 1987 1991 1995 1999 2003 2007 2011 2015 2019 (D-Mountlake Terrace), HB 1745/SB 5668 quickly moved through the House Source: Washington State Revenue and Economic Forecast Council, October 2014 with bipartisan support. (See House Vote #5, Page 5.) In the Senate, cham- pioned by sponsor Sen. Cyrus Habib Our tax system: Unsustainable, unfair (D-Kirkland) and freshman Sen. Pramila Jayapal (D-Seattle), community organiz- Conservatives like to point out that state tax receipts—in ers, unions, and faith groups continued terms of dollars—have gone up since the Great Recession. So, to push until the last day for the WVRA they say, there’s no need to raise revenue. But that argument to come to the Senate floor. ignores Washington’s growing population and businesses that But, despite having bipartisan sup- create demand for more state services. The better measure of port and the votes necessary to pass whether our tax system is sufficient and sustainable is whether the Senate, Republican leaders refused revenue as a percentage of state economic activity is stable. to allow a vote. This marks the third It’s not. In fact, by that measure, state revenue is down by consecutive year the bill has died in the nearly 30 percent over the past 25 years (see chart above). Senate chamber. State budgets passed during and since the Great Reces- The bill has been negotiated, it has sion ignored our broken tax system and cut billions of dollars been debated, and it deserved a vote in funding for infrastructure, schools, colleges, public safety, in the Senate. The time for waiting or mental health, and other critical services our families rely on. further study is over, as the WSLC told That’s why legislators found themselves under court order to those who wanted to kick the can down restore some of that funding this year. the road yet again. For decades, Latinos Meanwhile, Washington’s system has become the most un- have been denied an equal opportunity fair tax system in the nation. The wealthiest 1% pay just 2.4% to influence local elections in some ar- of their total income in state taxes. Middle-class families pay eas of the state. Now the majority in four times that rate, and low-income families pay seven times many cities and even some counties, that rate. Low-wage and middle-class workers pay more than have closed some tax breaks for large profitable corporations. Latino representation in local govern- their fair share toward revenue. But big corporations and the House Democrats sought to have these proposals included ment has not kept up with the changing wealthiest among us simply aren’t paying their fair share. in the final budget, but Senate Republicans would not budge demographics. These votes deserve to Five of our state’s biggest industries—aerospace, high- and steadfastly protected the wealthy and big corporations be recognized. tech, agriculture, timber and mining—combine to contribute from having to pay any more to restore funding for schools While the 50th anniversary of the just 4% of all the B&O taxes collected last year, while smaller and other critical services. national Voting Rights Act is historic, businesses were responsible for paying the rest. But the conversation about improving Washington’s tax we held back our celebration and kept In 2015, House Democrats proposed taking a first step to- system advanced in 2015, thanks to the work of Washington fighting for the WVRA as we know ward making our tax system a little more fair and sustainable United for Fair Revenue, a statewide grassroots campaign racially polarized voting continues to with HB 2224, sponsored by Rep. Reuven Carlyle (D-Seattle). supported by the Washington State Labor Council and more this day in Washington state. We will be It would have the very wealthiest in the state pay a 5% tax on than 100 other community, labor and business organizations. back, working in coalition next year to large investment transactions, or capital gains. Washington is This coalition will continue to fight to update and improve pass the WVRA to make every Wash- one of only nine states with no such tax. HB 2224 also would Washington’s tax system. ington vote count.

Hundreds of union film and television Health Care Is a Human Right crew members staged Zombies Attack! an apocalyptic film movement gains steam in ‘15 set, complete with zombies, at the By TERESA MOSQUEDA put the goals of the Health Care Is a Capitol on March 17. Health Care Is a Human Right! Human Right Coalition on the radar It was an effort to That’s more than just a slogan, of the Legislature. More than half educate lawmakers it’s a movement in our state. Staffed of the Democrats in each chamber about the importance by WSLC and led by community and co-sponsored the bills. Through lob- of Washington affiliate partners, the Health Care Is a bying, testimony, stories and letters, Filmworks, the Human Right Coalition supported in- we explained that not everyone has state’s film incentive tent legislation to cover all Washing- coverage, health care is not affordable that has good job- tonians by 2020. This effort mimicked for all, families are falling through the creation standards the strategy used a decade earlier to cracks, and therefore, we must con- and protections. cover all kids. In 2005, intent legis- tinue to improve our system. Legislators had a lation was passed, and in 2007, the The effort was supplemented by chance to tour a policy details were finalized. robust field mobilization via Washing- staged set inspired by ton CAN’s canvassing, which signed While this year’s bill didn’t pass, Z-Nation, a popular up more than 18,000 individuals to it succeeded in highlighting the need series on the SyFy be part of the Health Care Is a Human to improve coverage and access for network filmed in all, and exposed how many Wash- Right Coalition. With this power, next year we will be back with these stories Spokane, thanks to ingtonians still lack access to com- Washington’s film prehensive, affordable or accessible in hand and we’ll turn up the volume on the call for health coverage for all incentive program. care. HB 1321 (Rep. June Robinson) PAGE Washingtonions. (Photo by and SB 5305 (Sen. ) Heather Weiner) WSLC 2015 LEGISLATIVE REPORT 7 House Dems back Shared Prosperity Every Democrat supports minimum wage, sick leave

By TERESA MOSQUEDA This session, the House of Representatives made substantial progress in promoting shared prosperity in Washington state by passing legislation to increase the state minimum wage and to provide all workers the opportunity to earn paid safe and sick leave. The House advanced a minimum wage increase to $12/hour, phased in over four years. Sponsored by Rep. (D-Seattle), HB 1355 cleared multiple committee hurdles to reach the floor on March 3 so the people of Washington can see where their representatives stand on the issue. (See House People who work full time shouldn’t live in poverty Vote #2, Page 5.) Also that day, the House voted on “and require public assistance to meet basic needs. HB 1356, the Safe and Sick Leave bill sponsored People shouldn’t be forced to choose between caring by Rep. Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma). (House Vote for a sick child and losing pay. These are core values #3, Page 5.) The bills advanced with every single held by most of us. The state representatives who Democratic member voting for both bills. They then supported these measures deserve our thanks for moved to the Republican-controlled Senate, where taking concrete steps to help struggling working the bills sat without a hearing for nearly a month. families in this era of historic income inequality. After a month of lobbying, letters, calls, and public outcry, the Senate Commerce and Labor — WSLC President Jeff Johnson” Committee finally held a hearing on them. Its chair, Sen. Michael Baumgartner (R-Spokane), clearly Wage Theft never wanted to hear them, let alone move the bills (D-Spokane) and Sen. David Frockt (D-Seattle). out of committee, but public pressure for a fair and All workers, whether they live and work in red n Providing a path to better recover wages owed balanced hearing could not be silenced or ignored. or blue areas of the state, believe the same thing: — HB 1518/SB 5567 by Rep. Mia Gregerson (D- The March 30 hearing was a critical opportunity If you work hard and play by the rules, your work SeaTac) and Sen. (D-Kent). for community and business leaders, workers, and should be rewarded. But that isn’t true for thousands n Increasing penalties for wage theft — HB 1006/ their families to speak to the need for a higher of workers across Washington who have had their SB 5568 by Rep. (D-Tacoma) and minimum wage and paid sick leave. The proponents, wages stolen by their employers. Sen. Steve Conway (D-Tacoma). Wage theft is a crime and yet it continues to real workers and small business owners, vastly out While the minimum wage and paid sick and safe grow. In Washington, if a worker speaks up about numbered the few industry lobbyist opponents. leave bills passed out of the House, the third leg wage theft and is retaliated against or fired, there Baumgartner never considered moving the bills of the Shared Prosperity stool — protection from are no administrative protections for the worker. out of committee despite the fact that a 2014 poll retaliation and wage theft — never made it to the In reality, there are no significant consequences for showed that 65% of Washington voters support the House floor for a vote. employers who break the law by retaliating against gradual phase in to $12/hour, and more than 76% The same low-wage workers who would have workers or stealing wages. Because fines are so of voters favor requiring all employers to provide benefited from an increase in the minimum wage low and administrative consequences non-existent, sick and safe leave. Neither of these issues should also experience retaliation and wage theft. The same wage theft has become a pervasive business model be partisan. Low-wage workers and local economies low-wage workers who have no sick or safe leave in many industries, including construction, janitorial, throughout the state would have benefited from also experience retaliation and wage theft. Thus, we retail, service, restaurants, painting, and many more. passage of these bills. In the 2014 national elections, have our marching orders: we need worker stories For the third straight year, the Stop Wage Theft voters in several red states passed ballot measures and testimony, ongoing education and pressure. Coalition and the Shared Prosperity Coalition pushed to raise the minimum wage and allow all workers to Legislators in the House and Senate need to be a package of legislation to address wage theft by: earn paid sick and safe leave. reminded by workers who experience wage theft that Since the Senate didn’t approve the modest n Establishing protection from retaliation for they are in their district, they are their constituents, proposals, the WSLC will be back next year with reporting wage theft—HB 1354/SB 5569, sponsored and they are their friends and neighbors. faster, more proactive timelines for implementation, by Rep. Cindy Ryu (D-Shoreline) and Sen. Bob The WSLC is calling on lawmakers in 2016 to because working families cannot wait any longer Hasegawa (D-Seattle). protect workers from retaliation and stolen wages, to have an economy that works for all, not just the n Addressing the misclassification of workers and to increase wages and protections for workers wealthy few. — HB 1519/SB 5566 by Rep. across Washington.

these collective bargaining attacks. They Public Service were rolled into SB 6126 by Sen. John Continued from Page 1 Braun (R-Centralia) and Hill extended his hostage crisis through two overtime and distract workers and their unions sessions before finally giving up as a from negotiating fair wages, benefits, costly state shutdown loomed. and working conditions. Instead of sup- “Attempts to limit collective bar- porting these workers and recognizing gaining rights for public employees the contributions they made to our state were in play throughout all the sessions during the worst economic collapse this year,” said WSLC President Jeff since the Great Depression, these Sena- Johnson. “Senator Braun was relentless tors chose instead to focus on politically in his attempt to accomplish this. His SB motivated attacks intended to defund 6126 did not pass and failed to get rolled unions and disrupt collective bargaining. into the operating budget due to the These ALEC-inspired bills were Union members are briefed at the WSLC Legislative Lobbying Conference on staunch support for public employees by designed to inject chaos and instability Feb. 20 before heading to the Capitol to talk to their state legislators. Senate Democrats and also Republicans into union finances and collective bar- , Mark Miloscia, Don Ben- gaining in general: difficult for shop stewards and union mine working people were apparently ton, Brian Dansel, and Kirk Pearson. n SB 5237 required public employers reps to defend workers’ rights in griev- too much for even the Senate Repub- Thank you, Senators, for standing up for to open bargaining sessions to the public ance proceedings or attend negotiations. lican majority, and most failed to get a our hard-working state employees.” —a requirement not applied to any other At their most extreme, so-called floor vote. Those that did pass, such as A bipartisan majority of senators saw negotiation arrangement—and would “right-to-work” bills were introduced SB 5226 (Senate Vote #4, Page 5), soon most of these bills for what they were, a have allowed anti-union interests to dis- to ban or restrict union-security agree- died in the House. crass, politically motivated attack on rupt and politicize bargaining sessions. ments in public employee contracts—an Remarkably, this bipartisan lack of working people and their unions. The n SB 5226 applied overly burdensome action wholly in line with the modern support didn’t stop Senate budget ne- reckless pursuit of these bills by Hill, financial reporting require- Republican Party’s water-carrying for gotiator Andy Hill (R-Redmond) from Braun and a handful of extremists are a ments to public unions. the extreme right-wing billionaire class. holding hostage state employees’ first disturbing reminder that the billionaires P A n SB 5602 made it far more (See these bills’ sponsors on Page 4.) general wage increase in seven years funding such attacks across the nation G E These bald-faced attempts to under- unless Democrats agreed to some of have foot soldiers in Olympia. 8 WSLC 2015 LEGISLATIVE REPORT opeiu8/afl-cio