​While membership with WPEA is not mandatory, we encourage you to become a dues paying member to receive full access to all the union offers. This includes scholarship opportunities, reduced price Bachelor’s programs, free foreign language classes, discounted prices for prescriptions, Union Plus membership included, and more added every day. All of those benefits are in addition to your negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement, or CBA. A CBA is the contract between your employer and the union that ensures your pay, leave accrual, hours of work, and protections as a union represented employee. 

However, if you still have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out about all the terms of membership at (360) 943-1121 or email [email protected]. To learn more about the labor movement and WPEA please attend a Welcome to Labor session. Just reach out to [email protected] for a one-on-one presentation. 

Ready to Join WPEA? Send your application to [email protected]

Download Blank Membership Application

If you would like a digital copy sent to your phone to sign please email us

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WPEA Dues & Membership 

Striving to be transparent about the cost of dues 

​Joining WPEA is voluntary, however Unions rely solely on their membership dues to fund the essential functions and services the union provides. Members decide how to fund programs and where the union should focus its resources. 30% of our budget is spent bargaining for better contracts with more benefits, stronger protections and ensuring a better future for state employees. With that, 24% of our budget is spent defending those contracts and rights through grievances, meetings, and provides a dedicated WPEA representative to your institution. These are just some of the services WPEA provides, and all of the dues money is used to provide power and resources for our members. WPEA dues are some of the lowest in state service and have chosen time and time again to keep our dues low. WPEA does not want the cost of membership to become an undue burden. With that, our dues are just 1.25% of your gross pay and capped at $83.44 per month total. This amount is then split between the two paychecks. You may notice a WPEA dues and then a UFCW per capita fee on your paycheck, this amount is included in the $83.44. This fee is sent directly to the UFCW International Union (under Governance in the chart below) which ensures our members voices are heard on national issues, that our members have access to the additional benefits from the International Union, and joins the ranks of 1.3 million members across the country.  

​What happens when | join?  

When you become a member of WPEA, you will receive a box of union branded merchandise to show your support! You gain access to union benefits, ability to receive additional union training, invitations to special events and more. Additionally, you join your co-workers to ensure your workplace continues to grow, support you, and acknowledge the valuable work you do.