Collective bargaining agreements
Collective bargaining agreements
Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) provisions have expired for Paid Leave and WA Cares.
Workers previously excluded from Paid Leave and WA Cares due to CBA provisions are now included in both programs.
Paid Leave
Paid Leave’s CBA provision expired Dec. 31, 2023.
Workers who were previously excluded from Paid Leave because of a CBA are eligible for the program beginning Jan. 1, 2024.
WA Cares
WA Cares’s CBA provision expired Dec. 31, 2025.
If you have workers who were previously exempt from WA Cares because of a CBA:
- Start withholding WA Cares premiums from gross wages paid on or after Jan. 1, 2026. Use our premiums estimator and Employer Reporting and Premiums Toolkit to learn more.
- Inform impacted workers that you’ll withhold WA Cares premiums from wages paid on or after Jan. 1, 2026. These contributions go toward their future WA Cares benefits. Note: Hours and wages that were exempt under a CBA cannot be used when applying for WA Cares benefits. Learn more about the WA Cares program at wacaresfund.wa.gov
- No longer indicate these workers are exempt on wage reports starting Quarter 1 of 2026 (report due April 2026). Note: Do not withhold WA Cares premiums if your employee is exempt from WA Cares due to having a non-immigrant work visa or an approved exemption.
How can I stay informed about my responsibilities as an employer?
Join our mailing list so you can stay up to date with our monthly employer newsletter, where we share law changes and updates that impact you and your employees.
Contact us if you have any questions about previous reports you’ve submitted.
Example, if you’ve been withholding premiums from employees who should’ve been excluded, or you’ve not been withholding premiums or reporting wages for employees who should’ve been included.
Questions? Email us at paidleave@esd.wa.gov
To get you to the right team, include “UBI” followed by your 9-digit UBI number or “BUSINESS” followed by your business name in the subject line.