PEOPLE POWERED POLITICS
Generating pro-worker political power to secure policy wins for working people
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AI Surveillance Pricing Bans
Businesses are rapidly deploying technology that sets different prices, for different customers, for the same products. These prices are determined by AI algorithms that analyze our personal data to determine the most we will pay for a product. These systems punish customers with unpredictable costs and exploit the basic need for food and medicine. UFCW 3000 supports legislation that bans the use of AI Surveillance Pricing. Learn more here.Fresh Food For All Campaign
UFCW 3000’s food justice vision for Washington includes public option grocery stores, grocery-oriented development zones, banning surge and surveillance pricing, ban digital-only coupons, and mass layoff protections. Learn more here.Tax Structure that prioritizes working people
The Millionaire’s Tax is a step in the right direction, but there is much work to do to reform Washington State’s upside and regressive tax structure. UFCW 3000 will continue to advocate for tax policy that puts working people before billionaires and large corporations. Learn more here.Keeping our communities safe
HB 2105 and HB 1875 are encouraging measures, but more efforts are needed to ensure our neighbors are safe from unlawful arrests and detention. UFCW 3000 will continue to advocate for policy that centers human rights for working people and their loved ones. As Dr. Martin Luther King famously said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. Learn more here.Housing Costs
Housing costs continue to be at the center of the affordability crisis for working people. UFCW 3000 supports legislation that brings down costs by building more housing inventory, caps on rent and fees, and bans on AI algorithmic rent pricing models. Learn more here. -
WINS DURING THE 2025 AND 2026 WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION
2026:
Millionaire’s Tax (SB 6346)
This law enacts a 9.9% tax on households earning more than a million dollars annually, generating roughly 3 billion annually to fund free breakfast and lunch for K-12 students, expansion of the Working Families tax Credit, tax cuts for small businesses, and healthcare for the elderly and disabled. This law takes steps to creating a fairer tax code by shifting the burden of balancing the budget from working people to the billionaires and large corporations that benefitted from the tax cuts in President Trump’s HR 1 (Big Beautiful Bill) Learn more here »Immigrant Worker Protection Act (HB2105)
This law prevents federal agents from entering non-public areas of worksites (break rooms, behind counters, kitchens). This law also requires employers to notify employees of a Federal I-9 audit that can precede a worksite raid. Employers are also required to post a notice in multiple languages about workers’ immigration rights. The Washington State Attorney General can investigate violations and levy fines. Learn more here »
Collective Bargaining Not Covered by NLRA (HB 2471)
This law functions as a “trigger law” designed to protect private sector collective bargaining rights at the state level if the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) is weakened or repealed. This law provides PERC (Public Employment Relations Commission) with the authority to certify bargaining representatives and mediate disputes. This law secures the preservation of collective bargaining rights for private sector unionized workers in Washington State.Learn more here »2025:
Rent Stabilization (HB 1217)
This law limits rent increases to between 7%-10%. Additionally, this law prevents any increases in the first year of a lease, requires 90 days notice for any rent increases, and allows enforcement of the Washington State Attorney General through civil penalties and tenant damages. Housing costs continue to be at the center of the affordability crisis for working people, there is much work to do, but this law is a step in the right direction. Learn more here »Cannabis Growers Legislation (HB 1141)
This law enables workers that grow cannabis to form unions and collectively bargain. Agriculture workers are not allowed to unionize in the United States, and because cannabis growers touch plants in the ground, they are classified as agriculture workers. This law puts cannabis growers under the jurisdiction of PERC (Public Employment Relations Commission) for administration and enforcement. Learn more here »Paid Sick Time for Immigration Hearings (HB 1875)
This law enables workers to use paid sick time to attend meetings that are necessary to immigration hearings. This law takes the decision out of the hands of the employer and secures the rights of workers to use sick time for hearings without fear of discipline or retaliation. Before this law, workers would need approval from their employer to use their sick time, and as a result put in a position to choose between discipline from employer and their attending an immigration hearing. This law also covers family members of the worker (children, grandchildren, grandparents, parents, siblings, spouses, and those under the worker’s care living in their home) Learn more here »Unemployment For Striking Workers (HB 5041)
This law allows striking workers to be eligible for unemployment insurance after two weeks of a strike and can receive up to a maximum of six weeks of unemployment insurance. This law helps balance the power dynamic between union workers and employers. Prior to this law, employers could use the duration of a strike to cause economic hardship to workers and weaken the strength of a strike. This bill gives workers more power at the bargaining table as well as economic security. Learn more here » -
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WHAT PEOPLE POWERED POLITICS IS :
Generates pro-worker political power to secure policy wins for working people
Organizes membership to register to vote, vote, and advocate for policy
Mobilizes membership to engage with community leaders, attend events, and learn about issues
WHO PEOPLE POWERED POLITICS IS
Membership of 58,000 strong across the state of Washington and parts of Idaho and Oregon.Political Action & Advisory Committee (PAAC)
Committee of members that helps generate pro-worker political power
Supports pro-worker legislation, candidates, and issues
Projects, organizing skill development, and political education
Monthly hybrid meeting and social events
Worker Action Team (WAT)
Members have the option to contribute small amount from paychecks ($1-$4 per week) to a pool of resources that are used to support candidates and elected officials that stand up for working people
Formerly known as ABC (Active Ballot Club)
WHY PEOPLE POWERED POLITICS MATTERS
The best way to take on large corporations and the billionaire class is with working class political power .Working people have political power because our jobs are essential to communities, working people outnumber billionaires and millionaires by a large margin, and working people are united by common economic and social conditions.
With 58,000 members in UFCW 3000, we can make a significant contribution to pro-working political power in the Pacific Northwest.
Washington Elections FAQ
Voting in Washington State
Q: How do I return my ballot so my vote is counted?
A: Once you’ve marked your ballot, put it in the security sleeve and the envelope, and signed the envelope, you can return it one of two ways:
📮 Mail your ballot. Your ballot requires no postage, it is free to mail. Your ballot envelope must be postmarked by Election Day, so if you are mailing it on Election Day, make sure you check the pickup times or hours at your local post office or mailbox.
🗳️ Drop your ballot in your local ballot dropbox. These dropboxes are placed strategically throughout the state (see the map above). Dropboxes close at 8pm on Election Day.
It’s a good idea to mail your ballot early if you can, so you don’t have to stress about these deadlines.
Q: Where’s my nearest ballot drop box?
A: You can find ballot box locations on your county’s Elections Office website.
Q: I didn’t get my ballot, what can I do?
A: Go to VoteWA.gov to request a new ballot or update your registration.
Q: Can I get a replacement ballot if I lost or messed up my ballot?
A: Yes! You can contact your county elections office or log into VoteWA.gov. Remember, your county will verify your signature and only accept one ballot.
Q: Can I vote in person?
A: Yes! Your county should have a voting center open during business hours during the voting period, which starts 18 days before the election and ends at 8pm on Election Day. Find your nearest voting center by logging into VoteWA.gov or contacting your county elections office.
Q: I missed the Online Voter Registration deadline, can I still register to vote?
A: Yes! You can register in person all the way up until Election Day. Here is a list of Election Offices statewide, by County.
Q: How does the elections department process my mail-in ballot? How do I know it’s secure?
A: The Washington Secretary of State explains it in the graphic below and like this: “It is essential to the integrity of an election that ballot processing be accurate and transparent, while maintaining your right to a secret ballot. After you return your voted ballot, your county elections department follows this ballot counting process: Your signature on the outer return envelope is checked against the signature on file in your voter registration record to make sure they match. You are credited for voting in that election. This ensures that only one ballot from each voter is counted. The outer return envelope, which identifies you, is then separated from the inner security envelope, which contains your voted ballot. Your ballot cannot be traced back to you, ensuring the secrecy of your vote. All ballots are inspected to make sure the tabulating machine will be able to read all votes. Tabulation equipment is tested before every election to make sure it is working accurately.”
Q: Is my voting record public?
A: Who you vote for is completely secret, but whether you vote is public information, and organizations can follow up with you after the election about your voting record. Lots of people take pride in having a good voting record, and we want UFCW 3000 members to vote in every election so we can always make our voice heard!
Q: Will my ballot count if I choose not to vote on certain issues or candidates?
A: Yes, it will count. You can choose to skip any measures or offices you don't wish to vote in and all the votes you do cast will be counted. But we recommend you look into who’s on your ballot so you can help decide who we send to our City and County Councils, to the State Capitol, to Congress, and to the White House. As union members, we understand the power of voting and having a voice.
Q: What should I do if I’m not able to vote, but I still care about politics?
A: There are lots of ways to be involved in the political process through your union, from local issues to national races. Email us at politics@ufcw3000.org for more information.
Registering to Vote and Checking or Updating Your Voter Registration
Q: When is the next election?
A: Future election dates can be found at the Secretary of State’s Elections website. In Washington State, we vote by mail, so if you are registered to vote, your local elections office will mail your ballot out to the address they have on file for you at least 18 days before each election.
Q: How do I know if I’m registered to vote and will get my ballot at the right address?
A: It’s easy to check on your registration! Just go to VoteWA.gov. If the address listed there is not correct, you should update your registration. You can do that online, as long as you have a current Washington State driver's license, permit or ID card. If you don’t have one of those, you can still update your registration by printing and mailing this form, or contact your county elections office for more options.
Q: If I’m not registered, how do I register to vote?
A: You can register online, by mail, or in person. The easiest way for most people is to register online. The deadline to register online is 8 days before Election Day. To register online, you need a current Washington State driver's license, permit or ID card. Otherwise, you can print and mail your registration: find a voter registration form here. To request a form be mailed to you, fill out this form. Mail registrations must be received 8 days before Election Day as well. If you miss the deadline, you can register to vote in person all the way until Election Day by going to your county elections office.
Q: I’m not 18 yet, should I wait until my birthday to register to vote?
A: Actually, in our state 16- and 17-year-olds can pre-register to vote. Click here to pre-register, and you’ll be registered to vote as soon as you turn 18.
Q: I have a felony conviction. Can I vote?
A: Maybe. Go to Restore Your Vote to learn more about your voting rights and whether you can vote in the upcoming election.
Why I’m Voting: UFCW 3000 Members
