tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52089561238966441612024-03-13T22:43:59.887-07:00Federation HOTLINEUnion news from the Washington Federation of State Employees, AFSCME Council 28, AFL-CIO.WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.comBlogger890125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-23015524372089418102012-01-05T13:07:00.000-08:002012-12-07T05:02:07.707-08:00Federation Hotline Moved!The Federation Hotline Blog has moved to http://www.wfse.org/federation-hotline/.WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-48496829287098397342011-12-14T08:39:00.000-08:002011-12-14T08:39:45.976-08:00Is this the last day of the special session?This could be the last day of the special session.The House Tuesday night passed the “early action” package of
administrative savings and cuts that trim about a quarter off the
deficit problem.HB 2058 raises about $480 million of the $2 billion needed. The vote
was 86-8. The Senate Ways and Means Committee passed its version of the
same bill (SB 5883). The Senate is poised to vote on the WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-23517690458820919152011-12-14T08:38:00.001-08:002011-12-14T08:38:38.311-08:00Public Safety Matters: Senators urged to reject cuts to community corrections, junvenile paroleThe Senate Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday held what’s is likely
it’s last budget hearing for the special session – this one focusing on
criminal justice issues.Federation Lobbyist Matt Zuvich said frontline officers “have grave
concerns” with the proposed cuts to community supervision and early
release of dangerous offenders.Zuvich said 80 percent of those released from prison would haveWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-39126037051906035742011-12-13T09:56:00.000-08:002011-12-13T09:57:06.966-08:00Lawmakes thinking out of the box on budget/revenue solutionsPUSHED BY YOU, LAWMAKERS ARE STARTING THINK OUT OF THE BOX ON BUDGET/REVENUE SOLUTIONS
Pushed by your job actions, ideas on closing tax giveaways and
personal visits and messages to legislators, many lawmakers are starting
to come up with alternatives to the all-cuts budget.
Starting to. Where it ends up is still uncertain.
Here’s a roundup
The House Ways and Means Committee is scheduled WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-4965499527062570772011-12-09T07:22:00.001-08:002011-12-09T07:22:42.114-08:00Hydraulic fees to protect the environment supported by unionOlympia Local 443 Fish and Wildlife member Tim Young
testified Tuesday in favor of HB 2135, to impose a permit fee for hydraulic
projects (construction projects around water). It would defray costs of the
vital environmental program. “Without these fees, I think there are
going to be some serious compromises relative to resource protection,” Young
told the House Ways and Means Committee.WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-32621869948750036032011-12-09T07:17:00.001-08:002011-12-09T07:17:51.908-08:00Rainier School boostedAt the Tuesday Senate Ways
and Means Committee hearing devoted to health care and developmental
disabilities, Federation Lobbyist Matt Zuvich urged the panel to reject the
governor’s plan to close Rainier School in Buckley. “Closing and
limiting those beds is not looking very far down the road in our opinion and we
don’t believe it’s going to be cheaper, so we hope you’ll take another WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-24525711057020000742011-12-09T07:12:00.001-08:002011-12-09T07:14:13.825-08:00Community Corrections members conintue to mobilize
•
On Tuesday (Dec. 6), WFSE/AFSCME Community Corrections officers and specialists
from Spokane, Okanogan County, the Tri-Cities and Tacoma turned out in force to
show opposition to plans to turn community supervision over to the counties. The
idea was discussed in the Senate Human Services and Corrections
Committee.
• On Wednesday (Dec. 7), DOC members of Local 1299 staged
peaceful WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-57186448821388663512011-12-09T07:05:00.001-08:002011-12-09T07:07:43.127-08:00Legislation to help make up Parks shortfall, but situation still dire
On the day after the stunning announcement that
state Parks was cutting $11 million and potentially laying off some 160 staff
because of the slow takeoff in sales of the Discover Pass, members on Wednesday
(Dec. 7) continued their fight on several fronts. • The Parks
Union-Management Communication Committee held an emergency meeting at the
agency’s Tumwater headquarters. • A majority WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-6602921274014811462011-12-06T09:07:00.001-08:002011-12-06T10:01:35.234-08:00Parks Commission announces deep cuts - and there's a simple way each and every one of us can help
The State Parks and Recreation Commission this morning holds a
special meeting this morning to move a budget cut of $11 million by
mid-January because the lifeline the Legislature threw the agency – the
Discover Pass – has not brought in as much revenue as needed.
We can help by buying the $30 annual Discover Pass, which gives you
access to nearly 7 million acres of state parks, WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-60104820736796086772011-12-05T12:36:00.001-08:002011-12-05T12:39:45.393-08:00It's time to take the "stop cuts - find revenue" campaign to your hometownThe Legislature is not doing much in this second week of the
emergency special session. Today and Friday, lawmakers will pretty much
be on the floor or in caucus. Some important hearings take place this
week, but the pace we expected hasn’t materialized.
Legislation has already surfaced on revenue alternative ideas
different than the governor’s. Rep. Chris Reykdal will shortly introduce
WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-24027300797884193552011-12-02T16:15:00.001-08:002011-12-02T16:16:12.431-08:00Members rally for childrenTHIS IS CHILDREN’S DAY AT THE CAPITOL: MEMBERS RALLY FOR CHILDREN
Members from the University of Washington, Children’s Services and
Western State Hospital joined the "Protect Our Future/Protect Kids"
children's rally at the Capitol Friday.
IRONICALLY, ON CHILDREN’S DAY, DSHS CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION MANAGEMENT CONTINUES TO SHUN UNION ON WORKLOADThe union’s Children’s Administration Union WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-59161069197946653262011-12-02T16:14:00.001-08:002011-12-02T16:15:21.272-08:00Special Session Week 1 - RecapAs move into more action at the Capitol and, more importantly, back
home in legislative districts, it’s a good time to sum up some of the
testimony given at budget hearings and rallies this week.
Senate Ways and Means Committee, 11/28/11
Federation Executive Director Greg Director joined more than 160 other speakers in calling for revenue and a stop to cuts.
“In 18 years of doing this work, WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-26438337754630538132011-12-01T09:07:00.001-08:002011-12-01T09:09:08.339-08:00Stop cuts, find revenue message hitting home as legislator annouces bill to roll back some 160 tax giveaways, raise revenue
At yesterday’s Capitol campus rally against the excesses of the
wealthiest 1 percent, Rep. Chris Reykdal of the 22nd District said he’ll
introduce legislation next week to close some 160 tax breaks and make
other changes to raise revenue to protect public safety, public services
and higher education.He told the crowd of about 200 his bill will also create jobs.He said the court fight WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-30078855591569837362011-11-30T08:58:00.001-08:002011-11-30T09:00:00.557-08:00Medical Interpreter Day at the Capitol -- and legislators began wearing "Take the Vote" pledge buttons
WFSE/AFSCME
Local 1671 Medical Intepreters, whose program faces elimination in the
governor's budget, met with dozens of legislators over lunch Tuesday on
Day 2 of the Week of Action in Olympia. Some legislators, like Rep.
Cindy Ryu, D-32, donned one of the union's "Take the Vote" buttons to
signal they're ready to vote on cutting tax giveaways to find revenue
for public safety, public WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-7497512961943641482011-11-29T14:23:00.001-08:002011-11-29T14:42:45.756-08:00Federation members show their colors as they join 3000 at Capitol on opening day of the special session
Several hundred Federation members descended on the Capitol Monday
to lobby their legislators and to join 3,000 allies from a wide range of
good government groups and social service advocates to set the agenda
for this extraordinary moment in time.
Federation President Carol Dotlich summed it up well during the
morning briefing of members, who were joined by dozens of Occupy Seattle
WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-87460147891891548252011-11-21T12:53:00.001-08:002011-11-21T12:55:25.521-08:00Governor unveils all-cuts budget, proposes ballot measureGOVERNOR UNVEILS ALL-CUTS BUDGET, PROPOSES MARCH BALLOT MEASURE TO RESTORE SOME CUTS, LARGELY POOH-POOHS CUTTING TAX BREAKS
Gov. Chris Gregoire this morning unveiled her all-cuts budget that
will go before the Legislature when lawmakers return to Olympia for an
extraordinary special session starting next Monday.
She proposes $1.7 billion in cuts offset byWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-81776858414152223932011-11-17T12:24:00.001-08:002011-11-17T12:30:15.849-08:00Latest revenue forecast: deficit no worse.
The latest state revenue forecast released today (Nov. 17) was not much worse than the September forecast. The deficit problem remains about $2 billion. That deficit is what’s bringing legislators back to town for an extraordinary special session starting Nov. 28.
And as you know, that will bring the forces against corporate greed in unison with the Federation and others who for 10 years WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-51301829118194618122011-11-17T06:48:00.001-08:002011-11-17T06:50:32.371-08:00Jobs and Revenue SummitThe Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO hosts a Jobs and Revenue Summit with remarks by WFSE/AFSCME Executive Director Greg Devereux, WSLC President Jeff Johnson, stories from people receiving services, Occupy Seattle, small business and more.
WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-51437029976857139842011-11-09T12:06:00.001-08:002011-11-17T06:46:28.677-08:0027 Ways to cut the deficit by cutting tax breaksTell Legislators to cut tax breaks to raise revenue
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WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-73735142515812270822011-11-09T11:27:00.000-08:002011-11-09T11:57:19.597-08:00Emboldened by election results, defenders of corporate greed waste no time targeting public safety, public services and public servantsEmboldened
by the COSTCO-bought passage of Initiative 1183 to privatize state
liquor sales, politicians on both sides of the aisle and their
supporters in Big Media have wasted no time once again blaming public
servants for our economic mess as a smokescreen to protect corporations
from paying their fair share.But they might want to look for lessons from as far away as Ohio and as close to WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-28429739183302177972011-11-01T17:03:00.000-07:002011-11-01T17:03:14.947-07:00Seattle Times columnist endorses Federation's 3% corporate tax break furlough plan
We’ve had our differences with
the Seattle Times Editorial Board. But Times columnist Danny Westneat did a
little digging and thinks our call for a 3 percent furlough of this state’s
corporate tax breaks would bring in a cool $450 million, or nearly a quarter of
the money needed to cover the new $2 billion deficit.Wrote
Westneat: “But what if the corporate world was asked to give the WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-15926406943082824642011-11-01T16:59:00.000-07:002011-11-01T16:59:47.387-07:00KOMO TV investigation blows the lid on cuts to DOC Community CorrectionsKOMO TV's Oct. 31 investigation turned up
victims of sexual assault who "fear they are living on borrowed time" because of
budget cuts to supervision of the sexual offenders who ruined their
lives.Watch the report here:
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/132977248.html
WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-73155549624460727692011-11-01T16:57:00.000-07:002011-11-01T16:57:45.672-07:00Job actions by DOC members continueThe peaceful information picketing by DOC members in Yakima continues 4-6 p.m.,
tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the corner of 40th and Summitview in Yakima.
This is just one of many actions Community Corrections members have undertaken
and will continue to do.
WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-89787733127578809982011-10-28T09:16:00.000-07:002011-10-28T09:16:19.046-07:00WFSE/AFSCME-led health care coalition declines re-negotiations
The Federation-led State Employee Health Care Coalition late
yesterday (Oct. 27) told the governor’s office they are not interested
in the invitation to re-open negotiations on your health insurance
contract article.In the response, the coalition said state employees and the people
they serve have given enough in pay cuts, higher health costs and
program cuts.“Enough is enough,” the WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-30000485496376949922011-10-27T14:03:00.000-07:002011-10-28T15:42:17.764-07:00All-cuts budget options announced; urge legislators to cut tax breaks and raise revenue
Read the message at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/occupywfsec28
Governor Gregoire today presented a list of budget reduction alternatives
that lawmakers may use to resolve the state’s budget deficit. The list
is long and the cuts basically decimate the state’s safety net. Here’s a quick overview: elimination
or reduction of supervision by Community Corrections Officers; closure
of RainierWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0