By Jake Goldstein-Street | Reporter
Negotiators for Gov. Bob Ferguson refused to offer a wage increase to state ferry engine room workers in months of talks on a new two-year collective bargaining agreement. The union did not ratify an agreement, and the contract dispute went to a third-party arbitrator, who sided with the state and awarded no wage hike amid the state’s budget woes. Now, after a sickout among workers brought much of the ferry system to a halt last week, Ferguson is calling for a new evaluation of their salaries and no more work stoppages.
Also in today’s edition…
• Oregon quietly pulls back from transgender healthcare law.
• How data center backlash will play into next month’s elections.
• And, President Donald Trump will campaign out West ahead of the midterms.
News tips, feedback, questions? Email us: [email protected]
Washington State Ferries’ Wenatchee approaches the Bainbridge Island terminal in fall 2025. (Photo by Tom Banse)
By Jake Goldstein-Street
Union members have long complained of uncompetitive wages and a reliance on overtime that drives burnout. Many engineers work between 500 and 1,500 hours of overtime per year, according to the union. A survey of 80-plus members in June found more than 60% were either somewhat or very likely to retire or leave the ferry system for another job. Over half reported poor morale among their colleagues.
They say their wages are now 20% below above-deck ferry workers.
“I work a second job in my off weeks just to make ends meet,” Nick Twietmeyer, an oiler, said in a statement. “I’m hopeful the state is serious about fixing this system. That would be a win for WSF crew and more importantly the thousands of people and businesses in our communities who depend on ferries to get around.”
Ferguson said he is committed to dealing with pay disparities between engine and deck workers.
By Jake Thomas
Oregon’s efforts to protect gender-affirming care for its transgender residents are being tested by a federal government actively hostile to it. Advocates for transgender people don’t agree on how the state should respond, but they worry gender-affirming care could become harder to come by.
By Alex Brown
Candidates who once touted data centers as an economic boon have backtracked, and voters in at least three dozen cities, counties and townships will consider ballot measures in November that could ban data centers in their communities. Analysts say the opposition to data centers has come from Republican and Democratic voters alike.
By Ariana Figueroa
As the midterms near, and the deeply unpopular war in Iran enters month eight, resulting in spiking prices at the gas pump and skyrocketing fertilizer prices for the agriculture industry, Trump is scheduled to rally in Alaska on Tuesday and Arizona and Montana on Wednesday.
ICYMI
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