Welcome to
OPEIU
LOCAL 8
OPEIU Local 8 is a progressive, democratically run union working for social and economic justice since 1945. Local 8 represents more than 9,000 members all over Washington state working in many settings including offices, health and home care, housing, social services, the insurance industry, legal services and the public sector.
Welcome to OPEIU
Local 8
WORKPLACE UPDATES
Sea Mar – Taking Action for Our Contract Priorities
Negotiations for our next contract have continued. Although progress has been made in some areas, red flags appeared in others. We have serious concerns about Sea Mar Management’s position on important workplace standards. To raise our concern and show them we’re...
Cancelled: Next Shop Steward Committee Meeting
Hi OPEIU 8 Shop Stewards, Thank you all for building strong unions at your workplace. Our union's power comes from the actions you and your coworkers take every day to hold the line for better working conditions. Next week's committee meeting (Tuesday, May 19) is...
Low Income Housing Institute – Bargaining Has Begun!
On Wednesday this week, our Union Bargaining Team met with LIHI management and gave them our initial contract proposals. Our proposal focused on wage increases that promote retention and recruitment of qualified staff. The proposed increases would help workers keep up...
Washington State Ferries – Submit Your Bargaining Priorities
It’s contract time again! We are preparing now to begin negotiations soon. We are eager to start this process with you and to hear what hasn’t been working well or needs to be added/improved. NEXT STEPS: Survey membership and elect a bargaining team...
GENERAL NEWS & EVENTS
Union Lotería – Sept. 26
All are welcome to participate in a special night of Union Lotería (also known as Mexican Bingo) on Friday, Sept. 26! Join us at the Richland River Front Hotel starting at 7 p.m. You don't have to be attending the Membership Assembly to play. To play, a game board...
Fall Training Opportunities
Upcoming Events – Sept. 2025
Union LoteríaFriday, Sept. 26 7 p.m.Richland River Front Hotel (50 Comstock St., Richland, WA) The night before the assembly (Friday, Sept. 26), we will hold the Hardship Fundraiser! Join us for a night of Lotería, also known as “Mexican Bingo”. Since...
Workers United! (OPEIU Local 8 Newsletter) Sept. 2025
REASONS TO BECOME A MEMBER
We are strongest when we stand together for our rights at work.
The more members our union has in a workplace, the more we will be able to do to improve wages, working conditions, and benefits during contract negotiations.
Union members and their families are eligible for a variety of benefits, including: OPEIU Scholarships, OPEIU Student Debt Reduction Program, OPEIU Life and AD&D Insurance, Identity Protection, OPEIU Towing/Service calls benefit, and discounts through the Union Plus program.
Local 8’s Hardship Fund provides assistance for members who are experiencing an immediate, severe, and temporary financial situation due to an emergency. Our fellow union members raise money for this fund to help our members in their time of need.
By becoming a member of y/our union, you will be able to vote on future contracts, vote for union officers and vote for (or even become) a Shop Steward or Bargaining Team member.
Our Union
We are a group of workers who joined together to have the power to make our workplaces the best they can be – for the employees and communities we serve. We are the Union! Together, we can do what we can’t do alone.
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