Republican legislative staff move first to unionize under new WA law

Employees of the Washington Legislature could start pursuing union representation Wednesday and two groups of workers did. Both are Republican.

Legislative assistants for GOP members of the state House and Senate want the recently formed Legislative Professionals Association to represent them. Petitions on behalf of workers in each chamber were filed with the Public Employment Relations Commission, which will certify the bargaining unit and conduct an election.

More than 60% of the House and Senate assistants signed cards showing interest, said Jami Lund, association president and legislative assistant for Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview. As of Wednesday, there were 39 House assistants and 21 Senate.

Lund acknowledged the irony of Republican employees emerging as the first to take advantage of a labor law most of their bosses opposed.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/05/01/republican-legislative-staff-move-first-to-unionize-under-new-wa-law/