(MONROE, WASHINGTON) – State of Washington corrections workers, represented by Teamsters Local 117, held a picket for safety and respect outside the Monroe Correctional Complex on Wednesday (June 5th) to demand safer working conditions inside Washington State prisons.

Workers also called for an independent, comprehensive safety audit and for the Washington State Department of Corrections to involve Line Staff in decisions related to safety and security, among a number of other demands.

From 2019 to 2023, the Department of Corrections saw a threefold increase in the rate of serious assaults on Staff – and just recently, another assault occurred when an Officer working in the Sky River Treatment Center was punched in the face. 

Paul Dascher, who serves as Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 117, said: "Our Members perform essential public safety work.  They watch over, counsel, care for and prepare the incarcerated population for the time when they return to our communities.  Right now, Department of Corrections leadership is ignoring their concerns and not doing enough to keep them safe.  That needs to change."

Teamsters Local 117 represents 6,000 Corrections Workers who are employed at 12 facilities across Washington State, including 1,000 employees at the Monroe Correctional Complex.

The Union represents dozens of classifications, including Officers, Sergeants, Medical Staff, Cooks, Counselors, Maintenance Staff, Administrative Staff and many others.

To Directly Access This Labor News Report, Go To: DOC Teamsters to picket for safety and respect - Teamsters 117