2026 WPEA
We are launching the ratification vote for the 2026 WPEA General Government and Higher Education Contracts. This Tentative Agreement is the result of months of challenging negotiations, during which your bargaining team worked tirelessly to protect member rights, and push back against one-size-fits-all contracts, and in this third round of bargaining they minimized harm when our contracts were left unfunded in the state budget.
While we didn’t win everything we fought for, significant gains were made—and harmful proposals were defeated. Now it’s your turn to review the Tentative Agreement and help decide the next step for our union.
What’s at Stake?
Watch this short video for a quick overview of the Tentative Agreements and the impact of a YES or NO vote:
Thank You, Bargaining Team!
We extend our deepest gratitude to the WPEA bargaining team for their extraordinary dedication and advocacy throughout one of the most difficult negotiation periods in WPEA’s history.
Bargaining began in spring and summer 2024, but progress slowed. By September, five bargaining units rejected their tentative agreements. Two returned to the table in October and ratified updated agreements by December. However, three units faced serious delays, including escalating disputes with the Office of Financial Management (OFM) and eventual legal action.
Thanks to the team’s persistence, negotiations resumed in early 2025. New tentative agreements were reached by March, and all three remaining contracts were ratified in April 2025. Then, in May, when Governor Bob Ferguson signed the state budget—without funding for those contracts—the HE, GG, and Highline agreements had to be renegotiated again.
The bargaining teams returned to the table as soon as the state allowed, facing continued delays and stall tactics. Union members showed their strength by attending bargaining sessions, witnessing the process firsthand. Many have shared their surprise at how difficult the negotiations were and how obvious some of the delay tactics became. It’s clear that the current bargaining system is not designed to favor members.
Despite these challenges, the real victory lies in our union’s growing unity. Through this experience, we have learned together, spoken up together, and stood together—pushing back against pattern bargaining and demanding better for all of us. While the tentative agreements we now present closely resemble those ratified in April 2025, our collective strength and determination have never been stronger.
This outcome is a testament to the strength, solidarity, and resolve of our bargaining team and union members.
Bargaining began in spring and summer 2024, but progress slowed. By September, five bargaining units rejected their tentative agreements. Two returned to the table in October and ratified updated agreements by December. However, three units faced serious delays, including escalating disputes with the Office of Financial Management (OFM) and eventual legal action.
Thanks to the team’s persistence, negotiations resumed in early 2025. New tentative agreements were reached by March, and all three remaining contracts were ratified in April 2025. Then, in May, when Governor Bob Ferguson signed the state budget—without funding for those contracts—the HE, GG, and Highline agreements had to be renegotiated again.
The bargaining teams returned to the table as soon as the state allowed, facing continued delays and stall tactics. Union members showed their strength by attending bargaining sessions, witnessing the process firsthand. Many have shared their surprise at how difficult the negotiations were and how obvious some of the delay tactics became. It’s clear that the current bargaining system is not designed to favor members.
Despite these challenges, the real victory lies in our union’s growing unity. Through this experience, we have learned together, spoken up together, and stood together—pushing back against pattern bargaining and demanding better for all of us. While the tentative agreements we now present closely resemble those ratified in April 2025, our collective strength and determination have never been stronger.
This outcome is a testament to the strength, solidarity, and resolve of our bargaining team and union members.
Voting Period:
August 22 – September 14, 2025
How You'll Receive Your Ballot?
Eligible members will receive both:
- An email with your Voter ID, Voter Key, and a personalized voting link (which will take you directly to your ballot)
- Emails will come from [email protected] on behalf of [email protected]
- Emails will come from [email protected] on behalf of [email protected]
- A letter via U.S. Mail with your Voter ID, Voter Key
How to Vote:
Voting will be conducted online through Election Runner
You will need to visit one of the following websites, then enter your Voter ID and Voter Key to access your voting screen
Important Reminders:
- You can only vote once
- You must be an Active Dues Paying Member to be eligible to vote.
- Results will not be live
- Final results will be announced on Monday, September 15, via:
- An update to this webpage
- Discord
Ask Me Anything:
Contract Vote Q&A with the Union President
Have questions about the contract, the ratification process, or what the Tentative Agreement means for you?
President Amanda Hacker is offering extended office hours to speak directly with members.
President Amanda Hacker is offering extended office hours to speak directly with members.
Office Hours Schedule:
Amanda will be available:
10:00am- 7:00pm
on the following dates:
Amanda will be available:
10:00am- 7:00pm
on the following dates:
In Unity, We Decide What Comes Next
This ratification vote marks the end of a historic and hard-fought battle. From legal action to budget roadblocks, and from rejected agreements to renewed negotiations, WPEA stood strong together.
We pushed back against cookie-cutter contracts and demanded a deal that reflects the real needs of our members. Our bargaining team delivered meaningful wins - including full retroactive compensation and implementation of critical non-economic gains.
But this contract is not final until you vote.
Make your voice count.
Vote between August 22–September 14 using the link sent to your email or the letter mailed to your home.
Have questions? Join Amanda’s office hours or email [email protected]—we’re here to support you.
Together, we’ve proven what solidarity can accomplish. Now let’s finish what we started. Vote—and make it count.
We pushed back against cookie-cutter contracts and demanded a deal that reflects the real needs of our members. Our bargaining team delivered meaningful wins - including full retroactive compensation and implementation of critical non-economic gains.
But this contract is not final until you vote.
Make your voice count.
Vote between August 22–September 14 using the link sent to your email or the letter mailed to your home.
Have questions? Join Amanda’s office hours or email [email protected]—we’re here to support you.
Together, we’ve proven what solidarity can accomplish. Now let’s finish what we started. Vote—and make it count.