Local 17, AFL-CIO is an organization of more than 8,000 working men and women in Washington State employed primarily in state, city and county governments who do work for the public good. It was established by a small group of engineers in 1918 for the purpose stated in the union's constitution: "To elevate the economic status of its members by establishing higher standards of skills, assisting in the securing of employment, improving the general working conditions and securing, by legal and recognized means, adequate and proper compensation."