According to the lawsuit, the initiative also changes the law for both the distribution and sale of wine, the ability of the Liquor Control Board to regulate advertising and creates new franchise protections for spirits distributors. (AP Photo/File)

Washington state voters may have spoken, but two unions want to stop an initiative from becoming a law.

I-1183 officially becomes a law on Thursday, but the Teamsters and United Food and Commercial Workers which represent about 1,000 workers employed at state-run liquor stores say that what Costco did was illegal.

"I wouldn't say we are seeking to overturn the will of the voters, in fact, that's really one of the issues that plays with the legal challenge. I think that the will of the voters was really quite clear," said Tom Geiger, speaking on behalf of the unions filing the lawsuit.

He explains, "The problem was that the other things that were included in that initiative by Costco were never detailed in the public debate."

The unions say, in their lawsuit, that the privatization of liquor sales isn't the only law that will change when the initiative is enacted. They say the initiative also changes the law for both the distribution and sale of wine, the ability of the Liquor Control Board to regulate advertising, and creates new franchise protections for spirits distributors.

Costco disguised these other legal changes, according to Geiger, and voters were likely unaware of them when they answered the simplified question of 'Would you like to privatize the sale of liquor.'

Geiger told 97.3 KIRO FM's Dori Monson Show, "This legal challenge is about whether or not this initiative, as it was written, is legal."

Dori argued that it's possible voters did know the repercussions of what they were voting for.

"That's very possible," responded Geiger. "That wouldn't change the fact on whether it was legal or not, but I think that the reason why, for a hundred years, we've had an initiative process, is to allow for these very kind of robust debates."

Geiger said that if Costco wanted to change the law, it should have done so legally. The legality of the initiative-turning law will head to court, and later, likely the Supreme Court, speculates Geiger.

The Seattle Times reports the initiative will be defended by the state Attorney General's office, as it does any measure passed by voters.

The 1,000 workers expected to lose their jobs when the law is enacted have been offered job interviews by Costco, but would then no longer be a part of their union.

Alyssa Kleven, MyNorthwest.com Editor

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