AFT Washington, AFL-CIO

06/06/2026

This is such an important program, especially as food costs continue to rise.

This summer, as many as 577,000 Washington children will receive SUN Bucks to help buy food when school is not in session.

OSPI is partnering with Washington state's Department of Social and Health Services to distribute these benefits.

The $120 one-time payment per eligible child will be deposited onto new SUN Bucks cards in June.

“Washington state has continued to expand access to nutritious meals for our young people,” said State Superintendent Chris Reykdal. “Combined with our summer meal programs, SUN Bucks helps ensure students continue to access food during the summer months when they are not in school. We appreciate our partnership with DSHS in administering this program in support of our students and families.”

Click to learn more about the program: mailchi.mp/dshs.wa.gov/sun-bucks-2026

05/30/2026

We have endorsed this campaign and this event looks great!

Wednesday June 17: Join Pramila Jayapal, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, and Dionne For Seattle at the No Hate in WA State Kickoff event in Seattle!

We're all coming together to fight Brian Heywood's transphobic initiatives which would endanger all kids in Washington.

It's free to attend, get your tickets here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/nohatekickoff

05/30/2026

This looks like a really useful opportunity for high school teachers!

Our friends at the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies are co-sponsoring a day-long training for high school educators about incorporating workers' issues into curriculum!

The training will take place on Saturday, August 22nd in partnership with Seattle University and include simulations of a union election and contract negotiations that teachers can use in their classrooms. There is an $150 stipend for participants and participants can also receive clock hours. The link for registration is in the comments section of this post!

05/21/2026

While Washington families are struggling to pay for food, housing, and health care, a mega-millionaire from California is spending millions on two poorly written initiatives that threaten the safety of Washington’s kids.

Initiatives IL26-001 and IL26-638 will endanger WA students by:
- Removing protections for victims of child abuse
- Forcing schools to out LGBTQ+ students
- Forcing invasive ge***al exams on many girls who want to play sports
- Restricting access to help when students need it most

That’s why we need you to VOTE NO on IL26-001 and IL26-638 this November.

05/21/2026

Nurses say MultiCare proposes to eliminate previously won staffing protections; use of phrase “colored nurses” sparks outrage

05/21/2026

Everything MAGA Megadonor Brian Heywood touches turns to ... well, not gold. Something else.

His need to wreck Washington state is certainly something to be seen. By seeing it fully, we're able to stop it and take Washington back from him and the people like him that want to divide and harm us.

Brandi Kruse is bankrolled by the same California hedge fund manager dumping his millions into putting his deceptive right-wing agenda on our ballots: Brian Heywood.

Now he's accused of hiding payments to Kruse for his latest backwards initiatives so he can better mislead voters.

Read the full article here: https://ericacbarnett.substack.com/p/elections-complaint-targets-conservative?utm_source=substack&publication_id=2067529&post_id=197432882&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&utm_campaign=email-share&triggerShare=true&isFreemail=false&r=1vx6xs&triedRedirect=true