OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Unions say the liquor privatization plan that voters approved last month violates the state Constitution.
In a lawsuit filed Tuesday, two unions contend that Initiative 1183 is improper because it breaks rules that legislation cannot address more than one subject. They contend that the liquor privatization effort included other issues such as changing rules on wine distribution and how the Liquor Control Board regulates the industry.
One of the unions, United Food and Commercial Workers 21, represents hundreds of state employees that stand to lose their jobs when the new liquor rules go into effect. Voters approved the initiative last month with about two-thirds of the vote.
