Wash. voters reject workers compensation privatization plan

OLYMPIA, Wash.—Voters in Washington state have rejected a measure that would have allowed private insurers to compete for employers' business in the state's workers compensation system.

More than 58% of voters on Tuesday rejected Initiative Measure 1082, according to the Washington Secretary of State's office. Washington is among four U.S. states that have a monopoly workers comp system.

The Building Industry Assn. of Washington, along with insurance industry support, sought to end the Department of Labor and Industries' monopoly. Organized labor and trial lawyers opposed the initiative.

The measure would have eliminated a Washington practice of requiring workers to pay a portion of workers comp premiums as well as allowed private insurers to sell policies.