2025 legislative session

There are only so many things employees get to have a say over in their jobs. Which laptops or messaging app your office uses might not be your call. For a while, decisions on the use of technology in the workplace have been up to management for public workers in Washington state, thanks to a law passed in 2002. But now, some lawmakers want to pass an exemption that would allow public sector employees to bargain on one broad and ever-changing technology — artificial intelligence.

For workers in Washington state, there are a number of bills being brought forward this legislative session that labor leaders hope will make working life better in the state.The Washington State Labor Council has introduced its legislative agenda for 2025, which focuses on improving child labor laws, bargaining over artificial intelligence in public sector jobs and improving wages and benefits.