The purpose of the association is to provide a forum and vehicle for the advancement of cooperation of all the local unions in the State of Washington so they may protect each local union member from unjust and injurious competition.

In 1995 the WSA took a dramatic step to face the challenges of lost market share and union density by establishing an organizing department funded by all working members within the WSA. The WSA coordinates and funds organizing activities in each local union jurisdiction and continues to battle the threat of the open shop. Our WSA organizing department and the business managers, who make up the organizing committee, was one of the earliest statewide organizing systems in the United States. The WSA has signed nearly 200 contractors since it started and has organized over 1,000 new members. Still we have a long way to go. We are constantly reviewing our activities and looking for new ways to be successful because we know what worked 10 years ago may not work today. Our construction market and conditions are constantly changing.

The WSA is also very active legislatively and politically. We are working to encourage each local union to become active participants in the state legislature and politically active from the local level to the highest office in the land.

The WSA currently has 7,324 members belonging to six local unions, all of which are United Association affiliates. Its’ affiliated members are:

UA Local 26- Western Washington Plumbers and Steamfitters

UA Local 32- Seattle Plumbers and Steamfitters

UA Local 44- Spokane Plumbers and Steamfitters

UA Local 598- Pasco Plumbers and Steamfitters

UA Local 669- Road Sprinklerfitters