WFSE/AFSCME spokesman, Tim Welch, joined the Dave Ross Show today on KIRO710 to talk about the lawsuit.
Tim Welch explained, "the point of the lawsuit is - a win would be - that a request goes to the legislature and the legislature has a free and fair debate over funding or not, no obligation on the legislature, they can vote it up or down. If they vote it down, we just go back to negotiations.
"We are very realistic and we realize we may not come out of here with the 2% that we negotiated, but we really believe that there's honest disagreement among friends here and we really want to get the issue to the legislature.
"We have the highest regard for the Governor. We could just spend time in campaign mode and throw grenades at her and call her names, but we just decided to have someone outside our group decide it and that's why we're asking the courts to decide."
Dave Ross asked, "You want this debated by the legislature? What would the nature of the debate be? There's only a certain amount of of money in the pot and actually the budget she proposes assumes about a billion dollars in federal stimulus money - a tremendous amount of money. What's the debate?"
"It's the principle. We have an obligation under the law to defend the law and bargaining.
"They were at the table - they agreed to the contract and to us that implied that they were going to make the request - not say you have to fund it - but make the request and get it to the legislature so the legislature can debate it back and forth.
"I think when we get to the March revenue forecast, it's probably going to be a very sobering event. And part of the promise of collective bargaining - and a lot of the support of the sponsors at the time - was not only that we get something out of it but that we have an obligation to give as well. And we want to have a forum where we can bring ideas to save money as well."
Dave Ross asked, "I thought that was a part of the Priorities of Government process - that you were consulted and that if you have any ideas for saving money, that would be included in the budget."
"We weren't consulted, because we don't have a formal way, a seat at the table in the Priorities of Government process. Our formal seat is at the bargaining table."
Listen to the full interview and listener questions here.
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2 comments:
This is FUNNY as all get out! WSFE endorses 98% DEMOCRATS! This is what happens when you only play on one side of the field! Who you going to cry too? The Republicans? FAT CHANCE! You've SPENT MILLIONS endorsing Democrats, and now the Queen is sticking you a big fatty!
Even AARP realized that by endorsing only one political party caused problems when THAT party didn't win. Because the OTHER party has NO REASON to listen to you!
Start realizing there are TWO political parties and PLAY THE WHOLE FIELD!
I am a state worker as well, and this law suit is unreal. I could almost understand the thought process if the economy was in good condition, but now? C'mon. It is 2%. Thats it. I attended a union meeting today, where the vice president arrived at a different office then she said, and a half hour late. When asked about the lawsuit, she could not give any answers other than the typical "political" answers that never really answer anything. This union is a joke. We have to vote on every last thing, from wanting to discuss any topic, the motion has to pass. Yet, when it comes to filing a lawsuit against OUR employer, they don't contact anybody, don't take a vote, just take it upon themselves to do this. They wasted no time in advertising for Hilary Clinton, and Obama, and made sure EVERYONE had brochures, and even a phone call or two, to inform them of who the union is backing. Yet, they take no time in atleast taking a vote. And let me guess, IF they win the lawsuit, our dues will go up, becuase the "union has worked hard for you". Complete B.S. Anyone else tired of the union? Maybe we can take the money that goes into a seperate account (our dues), and hire an attorney to facilitate the removal of this regime.
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