Steward Spotlight: Sam Guthrie and Kris McArthur
As an Engineer with the Solid Waste Division in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) at King County, Sam Guthrie helps ensure that our landfills are in compliance [...]
PROTEC17 members negotiate agreements on COVID-19 vaccine mandates, return-to-office, hazard pay, and other policies
Since the start of the pandemic, PROTEC17 members in all of our jurisdictions across the Pacific Northwest have continued to provide quality services to the public, and our union has [...]
Be a Member Leader! Chapter Elections This Fall!
Your union, your colleagues, and your fellow members – over 9,000 public sector workers throughout Washington and Oregon – need your skills, experience, and enthusiasm to help our organization be [...]
Constitution committee to wrap up two-year revision project
The PROTEC17 Constitution Committee is nearing the end of the their two-year project to update and modernize our union’s governing document. Tasked with the project in 2019, the Committee – [...]
Nominations are now open for the 2021 Executive Board election
Nominations are now open for the following PROTEC17 Executive Board positions: Greater Northwest Trustee (currently held by Jessica Garcia) and City of Portland Trustee (currently held by Emily Tabachnick). The [...]
PROTEC17 members in law enforcement come together to talk about the future of public safety
Public safety members from various employers across Washington state convened on July 29 for the first meeting of the PROTEC17 Law Enforcement Task Force. As workers who’ve dedicated their lives [...]
King County, City of Seattle, and State of Washington require vaccines for employees
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to devastate communities across the country, including in the Pacific Northwest, employers throughout our region – both public and private – are beginning to require [...]
With Labor input, Oregon adopts emergency rules to protect workers from heat and wildfire smoke this season
New statewide rules to protect workers from excessive heat and wildfire smoke went into effect this summer in Oregon. The emergency adoption of these policies serves as a way to [...]
‘March for a Safe Workplace’ highlights safety issues at King County Courthouse
In response to a violent assault that occurred at the end of July in the King County Courthouse in downtown Seattle, court employees and supporters held a rally and march [...]
PROTEC17 scholarship deadline July 31!
The annual college scholarship program for dependents of PROTEC17 members is now open! Since its inception in 2011, PROTEC17 has awarded 17 scholarships totalling over $50,000 towards the advanced education [...]
Join the PAC! Candidate endorsement interviews this summer
As public employees, politics play a huge role in PROTEC17 members’ lives. Lawmakers at every level make decisions that impact funding for the work we do, as well as our [...]
What is Juneteenth? Important day now recognized as a holiday
June 19th, also known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day, marks the day in 1865 that enslaved peoples in Galveston, Texas learned that they were free — two and a half [...]
PROTEC17 members across the PNW gear up for contract negotiations this year
Thousands of PROTEC17 members from across our union are in the midst of contract negotiations or are about to kick off bargaining for their new contracts this year. From Portland [...]
Wash. legislative session ends with many wins; Ore. session ends June 27
The 2021 Washington state legislative session was challenging in many ways, but PROTEC17 showed up (virtually!) to make sure our voices were heard and we have some real victories for [...]
Unions and business community work together to stop job cuts at City of Portland’s BDS
Early this year, a remarkable coalition of Labor and Business converged around announced cuts at the City of Portland’s Bureau of Development Services (BDS). With about ninety-eight (98) percent [...]
Furloughs eliminated for state employees; 2021-23 contract in effect July 1
Because of advocacy and pressure from State employee unions – including PROTEC17 – the furloughs scheduled for the 2021-23 biennium have been eliminated. While we still need to negotiate the [...]
Vaccination efforts continue: Unions help get workers protected from COVID-19
As vaccination efforts have ramped up over the last several months to prevent the spread of COVID-19, labor unions and community partners have been tapped as trusted resources to help [...]
PROTEC17 Scholarship application now available!
The annual college scholarship program for dependents of PROTEC17 members is now open! Since its inception in 2011, PROTEC17 has awarded 17 scholarships totalling over $50,000 towards the advanced education [...]
Sessions continue in Olympia and Salem; some progress made
While the regular legislative session in Washington state is rapidly coming to its April 25 closing date, it will likely be extended to a special session to allow our elected [...]
Meet Carina, the platform that supports good union jobs and quality care for your loved ones
Imagine an online platform to connect families and individuals to the care support they need but with a fierce commitment to advocate for care workers so they can provide the [...]