WFSE/AFSCME WINS LAWSUIT OVER CONTRACTING OUT RULES

A judge today struck down the state’s contracting out rules issued by the state Department of General Administration in a lawsuit brought by the Federation.

Thurston County Superior Court Judge Chris Wickham ruled that GA exceeded its authority when it issued the offensive rules in 2006.

Today’s court decision in favor of the Federation backs up the union’s claim that GA exceeded the power given to it by the Legislature when it wrote restrictive rules about which employees could offer alternatives to contracting out or bid for projects.

The Legislature in 2002 said employees whose positions or work would be “displaced” would be allowed to offer alternatives. But the GA rules struck down today by Judge Wickham would have restricted that opportunity only to employees who lose their jobs or who would be reassigned.

“This ruling combined with the recent unfair labor practice victories over cottage remodeling work at Lakeland Village and clutch repair work in the Department of Transportation signal a new day for Federation members in the area of contracting out,” said the union’s Contract Compliance Director Jeanine Livingston.