AFT Washington, AFL-CIO

08/04/2026

08/04/2026

The Spokane fires are devastating. If you're looking for ways to help, here are some options. If you're an AFT Washington member, we'll also send out some more options in next week's Weekly Update on Monday.

Our thoughts and hearts are with all those affected by the wildfires in Spokane. The local community has banded together to support one another with the local school district providing immediate support for families with children and Spokanimal providing services for families with pets, as well as countless other organizations who have set up systems for support.

You can help support the community, as well. This Spokesman Review article (https://bit.ly/4wWcNXL) includes information about what is happening and three links you can use to donate to those who have lost their homes and/or need support during this time (links are also in the image).

We will continue to post as more opportunities arise. Please reach out to WEA if you know of additional ways to help those impacted.

08/04/2026

There are still a few hours left to vote, and this is an important message!

08/03/2026

A great deal of effort has gone into figuring out what supports help more high school students complete the FAFSA - glad to see that it's paying off and that students are evaluating all their options for life after high school!

08/03/2026

Beginning in July 2026, millions of Americans with student debt will see their monthly student loan bills spike as a result of President Trump’s “One Big

08/03/2026

We join with our siblings in WSNA in their heartbreak for the evolving fire situation in Spokane. We hope that people stay safe, and our hearts are with you all.

We encourage everyone across Washington to look out for one another, check in on neighbors and loved ones, and continue following updates from emergency…

07/28/2026

The racial wage disparity is present in education too. In higher ed, the typical adjunct to tenure pathway is unsustainable for many faculty of color due to overall low wages for adjuncts and the expectation that adjuncts will either work multiple jobs or will have supporting partners. It's always, always worth thinking intersectionally about wages, race, and gender, and how they impact our students and communities.

Last week marked

Black women continue to face a persistent wage gap, but we know what helps close that gap ➡️ Unions.

Black women who are union members earn about $9,150 more each year than those without a union.

Organizing and bargaining together builds worker power, raises wages, and helps close the pay gap.
https://ow.ly/rUWV50ZtFle

07/28/2026

Our recent report asks a bold question: What would the United States look like if we tripled union membership? We find a range of economic and social benefits—such as higher wages, greater access to health insurance, and a stronger democracy. This post examines another social good generated by uni...

07/28/2026

Worth a read, unfortunately. It's a good piece, it's a shame the attacks on higher education are what they are.

Published July 2026.This report was prepared by a joint subcommittee of the Association’s Committee A on Academic Freedom andTenure and the Committee on College and University Governance and was approved by both parent committeesin May 2026.

07/28/2026

This feels like it fills a pretty significant gap for a lot of young people. We'll be interested to follow this.

“Students are graduating from the K–12 system without consistent access to the tools needed to support their independence,” said State Superintendent Chris Reykdal. “Young people are taking on loans and credit card debt without knowledge of the implications. They don’t always know what to add to their resume, or how to register to vote. We can fix that.”

Superintendent Reykdal's plan to support students as they prepare for the future is the Postsecondary Launch Course, a year-long one-credit course taken during a student's senior year.

In June, Superintendent Reykdal shared his Postsecondary Launch Course proposal with the State Board of Education (SBE) for their consideration as they continue a project to update the state’s graduation requirements. In the 2027 Legislative Session, Superintendent Reykdal will request that the Legislature adopt the Postsecondary Launch Course requirement as a part of any changes they make to graduation requirements.

Details about the proposed course: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/news-center/news-releases/state-superintendent-chris-reykdal-proposes-statewide-postsecondary-launch-course-all-graduating