Washington Public Employees Association

06/16/2026

📢 RETIREMENT READY? WPEA HAS YOU COVERED!

One of the many benefits of being a WPEA member is access to valuable workshops designed to help you plan for the future.

Join us for a special UNITY Wednesday presentation hosted by RPEC (Retired Public Employees Council) on the Retirement Process for State Workers.

Whether retirement is just around the corner or years away, this workshop will help you understand:
✅ Retirement eligibility and timelines
✅ Pension and benefit considerations
✅ Important planning steps
✅ Resources available to support your transition

📅 July 8
⏰ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
💻 UNITY Wednesday via Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81922699344?pwd=dbfzaAvNpLkL4UOGhuS2oseCB3bZiD.1

Meeting ID: 819 2269 9344
Passcode: 716299

Your future is worth planning for. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the experts and get your retirement questions answered.

06/16/2026

Fall enrollment is now open through the Union College Benefit, and this exclusive opportunity is available to union members, retirees, and their entire family.

Whether you're looking to earn a degree, gain new skills, advance your career, or help a recent high school graduate take the first step toward college, we can help. Even if your student isn't sure about a degree yet, they can begin taking affordable college courses and explore their options while earning credits.

Through our network of partner colleges, you'll have access to:

• 250+ degree and certificate programs
• 100% online, flexible learning options
• Associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees
• Multiple start dates throughout the year
• Regionally accredited institutions
• Transfer-friendly programs that maximize previously earned credits
• Affordable tuition and exclusive union discounts
• Personalized support from enrollment through graduation

Don't miss the opportunity to start this fall. Contact us today to learn more about your options, compare programs, and find the best fit for you or your family.

https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgfsyztwb-zgpl.maillist-manage.com%2Fclick%2F110e6de2518f437da%2F110e6de2518f311e5&data=05%7C02%7Caubrei%40wpea.org%7C0f9cf3bc5ea24265266308decbbeb72d%7Cf60c0b3fd6764232afcd77784158aed8%7C0%7C0%7C639172217159782692%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=DhRcPSc45HDmiocsrQiLB9Ffw360c6SvjmllNoWHyg0%3D&reserved=0

06/05/2026

📢 WPEA Candidate Interview Schedule Update 📢

Our candidate interview and endorsement process continues, and we have several exciting interviews coming up in the weeks ahead! We're also waiting to hear back from additional candidates, so stay tuned—more interviews are on the horizon.

🗓️ Upcoming Candidate Interviews:

📍 Friday, June 5 at 12:00 PM
• Senator Deb Krishnadasan — Candidate for Senate, 26th Legislative District

📍 Monday, June 8 at 6:00 PM
• Mark Hodgson — Candidate, 24th Legislative District

📍 Thursday, June 11 at 12:00 PM
• Representative Cindy Ryu — Candidate for Senate, 32nd Legislative District

📍 Thursday, June 18 at 12:00 PM
• Jaelynn Scott — Candidate, 37th Legislative District

📍 Thursday, July 2 at 12:00 PM
• Natasha Laitila — Candidate, 29th Legislative District

All WPEA members and staff are welcome to attend and participate in these important conversations. This is your opportunity to hear directly from candidates and help shape our endorsement decisions.

We hope you'll join us! [email protected]

06/01/2026

👀 Interested in politics? Want to help shape WPEA's endorsements?

We've got FOUR candidate endorsement interviews this week and are looking for members who would ask great questions and help evaluate candidates.

📅 June 1 – Ben Christly (17th LD)
📅 June 2 – Patrick Stickney (29th LD)
📅 June 4 – Chris Bloomquist (32nd LD)
📅 June 5 – Sen. Deb Krishnadasan (26th LD Senate)

Want to join the conversation? Email [email protected] and get involved!

05/30/2026

This weekend's board meeting has been scheduled due to family emergency. Now will be June 13th!

Executive Board Meeting

Saturday, May 30th @ 9 AM - 4 PM

Come for 10 minutes, schedule time to pitch an idea, or stick around for the entire meeting.

Executive Board Meetings are where the union’s elected leadership makes high-level decisions that guide our strategy and protect members.

The Board determines which escalated grievances proceed to arbitration, sets and oversees the budget, approves campaigns, and establishes the overall direction of the union.

Email [email protected] for Zoom Link

05/28/2026

FYI Skagit Valley Head Start Members!! We sure to attend if you can - We look forward to seeing you

05/27/2026

Executive Board Meeting

Saturday, May 30th @ 9 AM - 4 PM

Come for 10 minutes, schedule time to pitch an idea, or stick around for the entire meeting.

Executive Board Meetings are where the union’s elected leadership makes high-level decisions that guide our strategy and protect members.

The Board determines which escalated grievances proceed to arbitration, sets and oversees the budget, approves campaigns, and establishes the overall direction of the union.

Email [email protected] for Zoom Link

05/26/2026

Do you work at Washington State Department of Agriculture? Next meeting June 8!
Stay informed. Get connected. Build solidarity

When: Second Monday of every month
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Where: Zoom https://wpea-org.zoom.us/j/88305349498 Meeting ID: 883 0534 9498

What to Expect:

• Union updates and important news
• Open Q&A; with members
• Connect with coworkers statewide
• Share ideas, concerns, and feedback

Even if we can’t meet in person, this is our space to come together and strengthen our collective voice.
We’re starting with monthly meetings and may adjust frequency based on members' feedback.

Questions? Contact:
Stacie Leanos WPEA Union Representative
360-810-1627 | ✉ [email protected]

05/25/2026

The WPEA Political Action Committee (PAC) gives union members a direct voice in the political process by connecting members with candidates running for public office.

PAC members participate in candidate interviews, ask questions, discuss endorsements, and help decide which candidates WPEA should publicly support. Members can also recommend additional candidates for the committee to interview.

The PAC is not funded through union dues. Any campaign contributions come only from voluntary donations made specifically to the PAC fund, which is small and used sparingly. Most of the committee’s work focuses on building relationships and ensuring candidates hear directly from the public employees they may one day represent.

Legislators make decisions based on the people and experiences they encounter. Participating in the PAC gives members an opportunity to share their experiences firsthand and help shape how elected officials understand public sector work before they take office.

If you would like to participate in any PAC interview, email [email protected]

05/22/2026

📢 Join WPEA Candidate Interviews & Endorsement Process! 📢

WPEA is conducting our own candidate interview and endorsement process — and all members & staff are welcome to participate!

Here’s our upcoming interview schedule:

🗓️ Friday, May 29 at 12pm
• Will Chen — 32nd LD

🗓️ Monday, June 1 at 6pm
• Ben Christly — 17th LD

🗓️ Tuesday, June 2 at 6pm
• Patrick Stickney — 29th LD

🗓️ Thursday, June 4 at 12pm
• Chris Bloomquist — 32nd LD

🗓️ Friday, June 5 at 12pm
• Senator Deb Krishnadasan — 26th LD Senate

🗓️ Monday, June 8 at 6pm
• Representative Cindy Ryu — 32nd LD Senate

🗓️ Thursday, June 18 at 12pm
• Jaelynn Scott — 37th LD

💻 Join all interviews via Zoom:
https://wpea-org.zoom.us/j/83618620913?pwd=j8ibcmKtXIxHGqWp06FcoUkrjP1J93.1

Candidate interviews are generally held:
• Mondays & Tuesdays at 6pm
• Thursdays at 12pm

Interested in participating or learning more?
📧 Email: [email protected]

Your voice matters — we hope to see you there!

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