tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52089561238966441612012-01-10T09:54:56.228-08:00Federation HOTLINEUnion news from the Washington Federation of State Employees, AFSCME Council 28, AFL-CIO.WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.comBlogger8901100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-23015524372089418102012-01-05T13:07:00.000-08:002012-01-10T09:54:56.245-08:00Federation Hotline Moved!The Federation Hotline Blog has moved to http://hotline.wfsec28.org.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.com0tag: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 by $59 million in revenue
WFSEc28http://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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-78519408807628756922011-10-25T09:58:00.000-07:002011-10-25T09:58:40.280-07:00Governor to unveil "options" ThursdayGov. Chris Gregoire is expected to unveil her budget options at a 10 a.m. press conference this Thursday, Oct. 27, in advance of the special legislative session coming in November, on Nov. 28.This will be when we get a better idea of her position on the devastating “options” already floated to gut public safety and public services – from decimating Community Corrections, to closing six mental WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-16317602989330243682011-10-25T09:48:00.000-07:002011-10-25T09:49:47.502-07:00Bargaining team election ballots going out this week
Ballots for the various bargaining teams (in technical terms, the traditional state employee teams covered by the Personnel System Reform Act of 2002) go out this week. This is for the negotiations starting early next year for 2013-2015 contracts.However, for positions where the number of nominees equaled the number of positions, those nominees have been appointed/elected by acclamation. There WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-39392353596454142622011-10-20T14:20:00.000-07:002011-10-20T14:20:35.052-07:00Do-over in the works for exemptions in the new Consolidated Technology Services agency?Legislators miffed because the administration cut the bargaining and civil service rights of about two-thirds of the new Consolidated Technology Services (CTS) agency may lead the charge to push the undo button and roll back the exemptions of more than 150 front-line information technology workers.The push to pause the CTS job exemptions, which allow the agency to fire them at will for no just WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-16280354779344538322011-10-20T14:16:00.000-07:002011-10-20T14:16:49.181-07:00Natural Resource agency members speak out at legislative hearingThe House General Government Appropriations and Oversight Committee got updates on consolidation efforts in natural resource agencies in their Oct. 19 hearing.In the 2011 session, the administration pushed to merge Parks, Fish and Wildlife and some functions from other natural resource agencies into a new super-agency. That proposal didn’t survive, but a modified version of the bill 2SSB 5669, WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-61030954305828295472011-10-17T14:54:00.000-07:002011-10-17T15:02:39.217-07:00Members needed at legislative hearing on agency consolidations Wed., Oct 19The fight for Information Tech members in agency consolidations continues Wednesday at the state capitol.
We need as many members in AFSCME Green to show up for this Wednesday’s legislative oversight hearing on the consolidation of agencies into the new Department of Enterprise Services and the Consolidated Technology Services agency.
As you know, the IT workers especially are under the gun. WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-66955985592856220222011-10-17T14:46:00.000-07:002011-10-17T14:46:39.861-07:00Corrections members' mobilization continuesDepartment of Corrections members continue their mobilization against proposed budget cuts that would virtually wipe out post-release supervision.This week, DOC members in Yakima and Kennewick will stage peaceful informational picketing this Thursday, Oct. 20:
YAKIMA, 11:30am -1pm at the corner of First Street and Yakima Avenue in Yakima.
KENNEWICK, Noon at the corner of Highway 395 and WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-3025104944708471152011-10-17T14:42:00.001-07:002011-10-17T14:42:53.503-07:00Military department unit chooses WFSE/AFSCMEWashington Youth Academy workers (in non-supervisory job classes)
have won a voice at work now that their choice of the Federation as
their union has been certified.The academy is a unit of the state Military Department. The unit
includes 28 workers in the job classes Youth Academy residential
specialists 1-4 and medical assistant.In a cross-check tally conducted by the Public Employment WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-54476716598565309412011-10-13T18:20:00.001-07:002011-10-13T18:20:43.387-07:00Study shows public employees, unions unfairly blamed for deficitsGuess Wall Street really is to blame......
Read the news story.
Download the report
WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-56348704255790148522011-10-11T15:32:00.001-07:002011-10-11T16:07:44.317-07:00WFSE/AFSCME sues to reinstate PERS-1 Uniform COLA
The Federation Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 11) filed suit in Thurston County Superior Court to stop the state's repeal of the uniform cost-of-living adjustment promised to those in the PERS 1 retirement system - current and future retirees.
The Legislature this year passed SHB 2021 to repeal the uniform COLA created in 1995. SHB 2021 and the repeal took effect June 30.
The Federation lawsuit WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-63729050982209901182011-10-10T09:46:00.000-07:002011-10-10T09:46:37.960-07:00Convention 2011 now historyThe Federation’s
Convention 2011 wrapped up at 2:52 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 9) after passing several
new constitutional amendments and firing up delegates to take on management and
Wall Street. The 413 delegates (and 15 alternates) from 41 locals
re-elected Federation President Carol Dotlich, Vice President Sue Henricksen and
Treasurer Rosemary Sterling. And they elected Judy Kuschel of WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-73739022103621051202011-10-06T06:24:00.000-07:002011-10-06T06:30:32.084-07:00Rights of another Haborview Medical Call Center worker upheldThe Public Employment Relations Commission has upheld the rights of another worker at the Harborview Medical Call Center.
A PERC hearing examiner on Sept. 28 ruled that Local 1488 member Robin Jackson was part of the Federation-represented bargaining unit when she was terminated this past January. She was covered by the contract and its grievance procedure, PERC said.
“When the employer chose WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-82799598502001768192011-10-03T19:47:00.001-07:002011-10-03T19:51:10.414-07:00Newspaper reports mental health cuts "could clog mental health crisis centers, emergency rooms and jails"In today's editions of the Tacoma News Tribune and The Olympian, the story:
Cuts muddle mental care releases
Here are excerpts:
DSHS acknowledges in its description of reductions
that those cut off from treatment likely will end up being paid for by the
government in other ways. They could clog mental health crisis centers,
emergency rooms and jails.….
But it’s unclear whether the WesternWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-15254593810717975562011-09-30T18:22:00.000-07:002011-09-30T18:22:09.767-07:00Budget battle updateWe now know that the administration will release an “options list” to the Legislature and public Oct. 24. The administration believes it must put all the proposed cuts on the table first before discussing alternatives, including new revenue.So we will continue to hear bad news as all the proposals are laid out, like:
The Health Care Authority proposal to cut the Basic Health Plan provided by WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-55391581725087785922011-09-28T11:26:00.001-07:002011-09-28T11:27:43.955-07:00DSHS Town Hall Meetings to discuss budget reduction options
• TACOMA
Tuesday, September 27
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Catholic Community Services - 3rd Floor - Alberta Canada Room
1323 Yakima Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98405• YAKIMA
Thursday, September 29
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
1002 North 16th Avenue - 2nd Floor - Conference Room 5
Yakima, WA 98902• EVERETT
Thursday, October 6
2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
840 North Broadway - Room 103
Everett, WA 98201
• WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-40538576156851428942011-09-24T16:04:00.000-07:002011-09-24T16:39:06.439-07:00First push-back job action set for Monday at Western State HospitalThe first pushback rally at the proposed 10 percent cuts to fill the
new $2 billion deficits takes place Monday at Western State Hospital in
Lakewood.
Western is just one of the programs and institutions on the chopping
block after agencies submitted their ideas Thursday. The governor is
calling the Legislature back into session Nov. 28.
Monday’s job action is the first to call attention WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-28517120480016852442011-09-24T12:16:00.001-07:002011-09-24T12:16:34.151-07:00Tell the governor enough is enough on cuts!On Sept. 22, state agencies unveiled possible cuts of 5
percent and 10 percent to address the still-growing state deficit.
Word
leaked out many of the possible cuts will be brutal. E-mails and other
information from your agency directors have been delivered to state
employees. We believe those details will be shocking.
We believe the proposed cuts in such agencies as the Department of
WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-90994236316588651602011-09-20T13:50:00.000-07:002011-09-20T14:34:51.745-07:00Call Personnel Director today on CTS-IT issueThe personnel director’s hearing on the proposed package of information technology exemptions in the new Consolidated Technology Services (CTS) agency took place today.
Quickly, DOP Director Eva Santos did not act, repeat, did not act after a flurry of concerns raised by Federation members and state House Reps. Sam Hunt and Chris Reykdal of the 22nd District.
Before we get into more details, WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-60100977862008958432011-09-16T09:22:00.000-07:002011-09-16T09:22:19.788-07:00Washington's New Biennial Budget CrunchFrom the Public News Service
OLYMPIA, Wash. - Washington state government could take in $1.4 billion
less revenue than anticipated for 2011 through 2013 for the General
Fund, according to the state's chief revenue forecaster. Even so, Dr.
Arun Raha had some good news in his presentation on Thursday to the
State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.
Farmers and exporters are doing well, WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-21504882448293215842011-09-15T15:31:00.000-07:002011-09-15T15:31:59.343-07:00Results of Community College Coalition contract ratification votesMembers at all 12 Community Colleges covered by the Community College Coalition have voted to ratify the new Community College Coalition contract.Ballots were counted today at Federation Headquarters in Olympia.Even though it's one contract, members of each college hold separate ratification votes.The new contract takes effect July 1, 2012. The terms and conditions of the 2009-2011 contract WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-59377619603346614062011-09-15T14:56:00.001-07:002011-09-16T10:39:38.807-07:00Fight attacks on our collective bargaining rights
ESSB 5931 stripped collective bargaining rights - and a voice at work
- from information technology workers moving into the new Consolidated
Technology Services (CTS) agency. It was an outrage. But now it's being
interpreted to strip rights from even more IT workers.
This is unacceptable.
On Sept. 20 the state personnel director will hold a hearing to
formally exempt 23 IT job WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-28417974673623399162011-09-14T12:19:00.001-07:002011-09-14T12:21:36.666-07:00EWU members ratify contractMembers at Eastern Washington University in Cheney have ratified their 2012-2013 contract. In the ballot count Sept. 13, the vote was 117 to accept and 3 to reject. Ten ballots were voided. The new contract takes effect July 1, 2012. The terms and conditions of the 2009-2011 contract remain in effect through June 30, 2012.WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-39653986309007914482011-09-08T20:48:00.000-07:002011-09-08T20:48:31.454-07:00Update on the situation in Longview and elsewhere involving our allies in the Longshore and Warehouse union (ILWU)We’re closing watching the struggle of our allies in the
International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which is fighting
back against a taxpayer-subsidized international conglomerate (EGT) at
the Port of Longview and elsewhere.
The Washington State Labor Council, the Seattle Times and others
report that violence erupted today as the ILWU stormed the grain
terminal in Longview.
This WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-84810369112979863442011-09-06T15:42:00.000-07:002011-09-06T15:42:03.977-07:002013-2015 bargaining documents available onlineYou’ll soon be
getting in the mail a special September edition of your union
newspaper, the Washington State Employee, which will include:
the bargaining structure for negotiations on the next, 2013-2015 contracts;
the procedure for nominations and elections of members for the respective bargaining teams;
and a bargaining proposal form you can fill out and take to your local
for consideration. WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-39695314534184231682011-08-31T15:36:00.000-07:002011-08-31T15:37:02.392-07:00Children's Administration Task Force meets with management
Children’s Administration members expect action from DSHS management now
that their task force on management accountability has presented its
documentation that led to the recent 98.6 percent vote of no confidence
in their Deputy Director Denise Revels Robinson.
The task force met today (Aug. 31) with management. Task force members
Joyce Murphy (Local 1400, Kelso), Tony Gorini (Local 313, WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-57285190030212267032011-08-31T15:34:00.001-07:002011-08-31T15:34:08.845-07:00Local 1301 memorial dedication for Greg BallardEllensburg Local 1301 will host a dedication ceremony for the Greg
Ballard Memorial Bench at the Cle Elum High School football stadium 6:30
p.m., this Friday, Sept. 2. The ceremony will be followed by the first
home football game for Cle Elum High School. Greg Ballard was a beloved
Transportation member of Local 1301 who passed away early last year.WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-66587463787604217992011-08-31T15:33:00.000-07:002011-08-31T15:41:03.585-07:00Board adopts bargaining structure and nomination/election procedure for 2013-2015 negotiationsIt’s time to gear up for the next round of bargaining on the
2013-2015 contracts that will start on all General Government and Higher
Education contracts early next year.
The Federation Executive Board on Saturday (Aug. 27) adopted the
bargaining structure for the 2013-2015 negotiations and also the
nominations and elections procedure for this next round of bargaining.
You can find both on WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-42530009979445740602011-08-31T15:28:00.001-07:002011-08-31T15:28:58.599-07:00Bargaining Update for The Evergreen State CollegeThe Evergreen State College bargaining team, representing classified
employees and supervisors, completed negotiations late yesterday (Aug.
29) for their 2012-2013 contract.
For the period July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012, the terms and conditions of the 2009 - 2011 contract will remain in place.
The team was able to secure improvements in working
conditions, suspended operations leave, hours WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-37216795567270331362011-08-31T15:27:00.000-07:002011-08-31T15:27:24.690-07:00Ratification updates for Community College Coalition and Eastern Washington University
The mail ballots for the 2012-2013 Community College Coalition
contract went out Aug. 19 and must be postmarked by Sept. 9. Whatcom
Community College in Bellingham will vote onsite Sept. 8. Ballots for
all campuses will be counted Sept. 15.
The mail ballots for the 2012-2013 Eastern Washington University contract went in the mail Aug. 24. They must be back by 5 p.m., Sept. 9. The ballot WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-15603499848818079152011-08-31T15:23:00.001-07:002011-08-31T15:23:58.103-07:00Bargaining Update for Western Washington UniversityAt Western Washington University, the WWU Bargaining
Team there re-opened negotiations on their previously-ratified 2012-2013
contract to discuss compensation. The revised agreement for more than
400 Federation members at Western Washington University takes out the
reference to a 3 percent pay cut. There’s still a 3 percent budget cut –
but the agreement commits the union and university to WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-90227136126999237362011-08-31T15:22:00.001-07:002011-08-31T15:22:42.326-07:00Media reports verify that the state workforce has shrunkSome didn’t believe us earlier this year when we publicly said that
the recession has taken a real toll on the size of state government –
and its ability to provide services to the public.Both The Olympian and the Seattle Times report that the number of
state employees has shrunk almost 10 percent (some 6,409 positions in
General Government alone) since the start of the recession in 2008. TheWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-28711355809838306932011-08-16T13:45:00.000-07:002011-08-16T13:45:25.349-07:00Eastern Washington UniversityThe Eastern Washington University Bargaining Team reached a tentative agreement on a 2012-2013 contract Aug. 11 in Cheney. If this sounds like déjà vu, you’re right. The EWU team reached a tentative agreement a year ago, but it was determined to be economically infeasible by the state Office of Financial Management. This latest agreement settles the union’s unfair labor practice complaint WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-40325449314889063302011-08-09T15:43:00.000-07:002011-08-15T14:07:48.165-07:00Community College Coalition reaches tentative agreement; ratification vote plans being finalizedThe Community College Coalition bargaining team comprised of representatives from Bellevue Community College, Centralia College, Community Colleges of Spokane, Everett Community College, Green River Community College, Lower Columbia College, Peninsula College, Seattle Community College, Shoreline Community College, South Puget Sound Community College, Tacoma Community College and Whatcom WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-3680093722986417802011-08-09T09:08:00.000-07:002011-08-09T09:08:11.575-07:003% pay cut - shared sacrifice?WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-46108339509307721202011-08-05T07:13:00.001-07:002011-08-05T07:13:01.708-07:00Final 2012 health premiums postedThe final 2012 health premium rates have been posted the by state Health Care Authority at http://www.pebb.hca.wa.gov/announcements/peb-board-approves-new-plans-benefit-changes.html.
They had to be recalculated after the Public Employees Benefits Board lowered co-pays for diagnostic services in Group Health. For the most part, the premium shares are slightly lower than originally proposed forWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-6760337910784399322011-08-05T07:09:00.001-07:002011-08-05T07:09:30.802-07:00More on voluntary pay cutsWhile some legislators opted to take a voluntary 3 percent pay cut, others have pointed out correctly that the provision in ESSB 5860 technically applies only to elected officials in the EXECUTIVE branch, not legislative branch, of state government. That means the governor, and other elected statewide officials are explicitly allowed to take the pay cut. But several legislators followed theWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-70208284392071311132011-08-04T11:32:00.000-07:002011-08-04T11:32:15.509-07:00Solidarity sing-along from Madison to Olympia - August 9EVENT:
On Wisconsin's historic recall election day, Tuesday, August 9, we would like to bring the Solidarity Sing Along from Madison to Olympia.
The Solidarity Sing Along is a peaceful protest that has kept a consistent presence in the Wisconsin State Capitol. An ever-changing group of citizens, activists, workers, visitors, and supporters have come to the capitol in Madison EVERY noon WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-63165847873006865202011-08-03T09:34:00.000-07:002011-08-03T09:34:20.902-07:00Zarelli tells member he won't take voluntary pay cutSen. Joe Zarelli of the 18th District in Southwest Washington says he will not join his House colleague Rep. Ann Rivers and take a voluntary 3 percent pay cut under the new law encouraging state elected officials to make the same sacrifices as frontline state employees who are having pay cut.
Zarelli is the ranking Republican on the Senate Ways and Means Committee and was one of the 36 WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-7767397463068159922011-08-03T09:27:00.000-07:002011-08-03T09:27:45.899-07:00Fund set up for son of DOC member Michelle DykesA memorial fund has been set up at the Washington State Employees Credit Union for the son of Michelle Dykes, the Department of Corrections Local 53 member who died July 26 from injuries suffered in a July 21 motorcycle crash at the I-5/SR 101 interchange in Tumwater.
Michelle, 39, was a Community Corrections officer 2 in Tacoma and 10-year member of the Federation.
You can go to any WSECU WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-41742575352836158852011-07-29T16:07:00.000-07:002011-07-29T16:07:23.173-07:00Compromise on internal transfers in DSHS reached may settle issueA team of Federation DSHS members met with the state Labor Relations Office Wednesday (July 27) regarding the demand to bargain over the use of NEOGOV (careers.wa.gov) in DSHS to apply for internal transfers. This comes under Article 4.3 of the new, 2011-2013 General Government contract.
Your union team emphasized the employees’ dissatisfaction with the online application process. They also WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-80875774974836414382011-07-29T15:52:00.000-07:002011-07-29T15:52:01.513-07:00House committee probes plans for new Department of Enterprise Services, Consolidated Technology Services agenciesAn oversight committee of the state House of Representatives wasted no time in asking tough questions of the administration about the move to create the new Department of Enterprise Services and Consolidated Technology Services agency.
We already know that this new scheme to consolidate virtually all information technology functions in one agency, plus services now provided by the WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-4907619988068856532011-07-29T15:50:00.000-07:002011-08-01T10:01:18.203-07:00Bet you didn't know - bill allows legislators and statewide officials to cut their payThe Legislature passed a bill (ESSB 5860) that included a section allowing legislators and statewide elected officials to voluntarily cut their pay by 3 percent – to equal the sacrifices being made by state employees. The governor signed the bill into law June 15. The law directed the Department of Personnel and Office of Financial Management to develop a form allowing elected officials to WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-46217281165670320672011-07-29T15:49:00.000-07:002011-07-29T15:49:25.287-07:00New York Times poll measures voters' approval rating of state governorsThe Washington State Labor Council’s The Stand passes along findings from the New York Times’ analysis of polls measuring voters’ approval ratings of their respective state’s governors. No. 1 on the list was Maine’s Gov. Paul LePage who removed a mural dedicated to state workers because he thought it looked too “Communist.” Some 56 percent of Maine’s voters disapproved of his job performance.
NoWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-64172177680543870662011-07-22T13:43:00.000-07:002011-07-22T13:43:56.330-07:00UW Board of Regents welcome union members calling for justice on the UW Medical Center Call CenterThe powerful University of Washington Board of Regents and new UW President Michael Young welcomed a delegation of Federation members to their 22nd floor meeting room Thursday as the Local 1488 members urged the regents to drop the university’s appeal of the state order reinstating call center workers’ collective bargaining rights.
The call center workers, formerly located at the UW-run WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-91140816471372647332011-07-22T13:34:00.001-07:002011-07-22T13:35:09.923-07:00CBTU Banquet postponedThe banquet of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists scheduled for tomorrow (July 23) has been postponed because of unforeseen problems with the location, the Machinists Hall in south Seattle. The event will be rescheduled as soon as possible.
Those who would like ticket refunds or who have any questions can call Jacquie Jones-Walsh at (206) 772-2079 or (206) 245-9542, or Mari Wyatt at (206) WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-635810680565418352011-07-21T11:58:00.000-07:002011-07-21T12:00:04.616-07:00WA Voters to Bend Ears at Progressive Caucus ForumJuly 21, 2011 http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/21309-1 SEATTLE - U.S. House Democrats are having a public get-together on Saturday in Seattle, as part of a national tour by the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC). South Seattle is the only stop in the state for the tour, but it might be enough to give the CPC representatives an earful while they're here. WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-37875151216058079942011-07-21T11:18:00.000-07:002011-07-21T11:18:05.601-07:00Benefits board acts on 2012 health rates, plansThe Public Employees Benefits Board today (July 20) adopted the state employee health plans for 2012. The changes take effect Jan. 1, 2012. Open enrollment when you can change plans if you want will be in November.
In a small but significant victory thanks to your objections, the board revised its proposed rates for diagnostic services in Group Health. After objections from Local 443 member WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-57977667151760674402011-07-18T13:48:00.000-07:002011-07-18T13:48:29.368-07:00Benefits board acts on 2012 rates Wednesday - show up or get message in to oppose costly benefit design changesThe Public Employees Benefits Board meets Wednesday to adopt the 2012 premium rates and other benefit changes for your health plan. In November, you’ll have the annual open enrollment period when you can change health plans if you want.
The proposed changes rolled out last week include increases to your premium shares to reflect the negotiated change where you will go from paying 12 percentWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-2587480088737628552011-07-18T13:43:00.000-07:002011-07-18T13:43:01.138-07:00Exchange Time committee meets, needs your inputA memorandum of understanding in the new, 2011-2013 General Government contract mandated a statewide master agreement Union Management Communication Committee (UMCC) to discuss the issue of overtime-exempt employees’ use of exchange time in specific state agencies.
That special committee met with the management reps from several agencies last Wednesday (July 13). The agencies include the WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-39468630305471552032011-07-18T13:40:00.000-07:002011-07-18T13:40:05.783-07:00Congressional Progressive Caucus brings listening tour to Seattle SaturdayThe Federation and other allies are urging you to attend the Congressional Progressive Caucus Listening Tour at 12 noon, this Saturday, July 23, at the Brockey Conference Center at South Seattle Community Center, 6000 16th Ave. S.W., Seattle, WA 98106.
This group of progressive members of Congress, including Rep. Jim McDermott of the 7th Congressional District in Washington state, is WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-20548522515652806642011-07-18T13:35:00.000-07:002011-07-18T13:36:41.508-07:00Inslee first major candidate to seek WFSE/AFSCME forumInslee greets board members after Saturday appearance.
Congressman Jay Inslee became the first candidate for governor in 2012 to see a forum before the Federation Statewide Executive Board Saturday (July 16) and received a warm reception as he invoked the can-do spirit of Harry Truman and defended state employee collective bargaining, pensions and contracting out rights.
“The heat is going WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-77785755505877063872011-07-13T15:46:00.000-07:002011-07-13T15:46:02.462-07:00No endorsement in District 4 raceIn this off year, there are only a few legislative races to fill out the rest of a term where an incumbent resigned earlier. In the 4th District Senate race in Spokane, Federation locals interviewed candidates and voted to take no action in that race.WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-65942966986422154082011-07-13T15:45:00.001-07:002011-07-13T15:45:27.223-07:00State agrees to $13,500 in backpay for LPNs at Western State HospitalLPNs caring for geriatric patients at Western State Hospital have been arriving early for years to prepare medications for their patients. It seemed the best way to avoid interrupting the patient’s day. But the time worked pre-shift was not calculated for pay.
Shop Steward Scott Marshall questioned the practice and research by Council Representative Sean Dannen showed that 16 employees wereWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-43670263428974089302011-06-29T15:38:00.000-07:002011-06-29T15:38:22.538-07:00State Senator joins rally against ward closure at Western State HospitalAbout 100 day shift and swing shift Local 793 members rallied today outside Western State Hospital in Lakewood to protest the closure of the S-4 Ward and moving those patients with privileges into the community to the high-security Forensics Ward – a move that jeopardizes security of patients, the staff and surrounding neighborhoods and schools.
The ward closure came despite management WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-85583824989679269492011-06-28T15:16:00.000-07:002011-06-28T15:17:08.392-07:00Interpreters ratify contract with 99% "yes" vote!Interpreters (from left) Narscisa Hodges, Magde Rojas and Kathy Guttromson mark the historic 99% ratification of their first contract after ballot count at WFSE/AFSCME HQ in Olympia today.
Federation-represented medical interpreters today ratified their first-ever – and groundbreaking – contract with the state with a 99 percent yes vote.
The vote was 256 to accept and 3 to reject, with 30 WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-71919122590100144612011-06-23T10:01:00.000-07:002011-06-23T11:11:50.021-07:00Althea Lute, longtime Local 1488 and WFSE/AFSCME activist and staffer, dies
Althea Lute, the beloved Washington Federation of State Employees staffer and former University of Washington/Harborview Medical Center Local 1488 activist who made her mark on organizing, direct action and grassroots political mobilization, passed away last night (June 22) at about 6:30 p.m. at Swedish Hospital in Seattle.
She had been hospitalized for several weeks with complications WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-79787996168453929202011-06-22T10:31:00.000-07:002011-06-22T10:31:11.474-07:00A special note about AltheaMany of you remember Althea Lute, the former Local 1488 president and our former vice president, organizer, director of organizing and political action field coordinator who retired in 2006.
She has been gravely ill recently. It’s a sign of how beloved she is that she has received a flurry of phone calls and visits while in the hospital. But her family has now requested no more visits or WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-45688120303007591202011-06-22T10:21:00.000-07:002011-06-22T10:22:19.914-07:00Budget and other bills signed into lawIN CASE YOU MISSED IT… the governor last week signed into law the 2011-2013 state budget, 2ESHB 1087.
She also signed the less-than-desirable compromise workers’ comp bill (EHB 2123), the RHC “reform” bill (2SSB 5459), the DOC criminal justice bill (ESSB 5891), the TANF bill (ESSB 5921) and the consolidation bill (ESSB 5931), without our requested vetoes of language taking away rights overWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-37119009505372997242011-06-13T14:32:00.001-07:002011-06-13T14:32:10.335-07:00Gregoire won't runGov. Chris Gregoire announced this morning (June 13) that she will not seek a third term. She said she wants to spend the last 18 months of her term focused on the economy.WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-39776196223629656902011-06-13T14:28:00.001-07:002011-06-13T14:28:58.505-07:00WFSE/AFSCME, 26 other unions ask governor to veto parts of consolidation bill that scuttle contracting out, collective bargaining rightsThe Federation, with the support of the Washington State Labor Council and 25 other unions, on Friday asked Gov. Chris Gregoire to veto those sections of the Department of Enterprise Services/Consolidated Technology Services agency bill that strip more than 100 workers of their bargaining and civil service rights and exempt most proposed privatization schemes in the new agency from current WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-2616406792668349322011-06-13T14:27:00.000-07:002011-06-13T14:27:18.339-07:00Tentative Agreement reached on Interpreters' contractLate Sunday (June 12) our DSHS Interpreters United Bargaining Team reached tentative agreement on their first contract with the state. Now the TA goes out for a ratification. If ratified, it will take effect July 1. Congratulations to the interpreters and all other Federation members who’ve worked so hard to give them a voice!
Learn more at WFSE.org > Bargaining > Interpreters United
WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-28192700250135714602011-06-07T05:41:00.000-07:002011-06-07T05:41:05.419-07:00Results of No Confidence Vote of DSHS Children's Administration HeadWe have some sobering results from today’s ballot count in the no confidence vote in the DSHS deputy secretary for Children’s Administration Denise Revels Robinson.In the ballot count conducted by the election committee at Federation Headquarters in Olympia, the results were:
No Confidence – 772 (98.6%)
Confidence – 11 (1.4%)
There were 66 ballots voided.
The counting ended Monday evening.That WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-39605865495376687072011-06-07T05:38:00.000-07:002011-06-07T05:38:22.845-07:00State found guilty of unfair labor practice (ULP) over supplemental bargainingThe Public Employment Relations Commission has found the state guilty of an unfair labor practice over supplemental bargaining in General Government.The union last year attempted to have separate tables to bargain agency-specific issues that sometimes get pushed aside in bargaining over the full contract at the master table.A PERC hearing examiner ruled Friday (June 3) that the state’s WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-35549484067886196422011-06-07T05:31:00.000-07:002011-06-07T05:31:43.511-07:00State, union reach settlement on remaining furlough challengesThe Federation and the state on Friday (June 3) reached a settlement on the union’s unfair labor practice complaint and grievance over the initial furloughs imposed by the Legislature that started in July 2010.The agreement came as the parties headed into a hearing on the ULP complaint at the Public Employment Relations Commission.The settlement’s impact is on the future.If this ever happens WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-89626773723440763532011-05-26T15:17:00.000-07:002011-05-26T15:17:43.635-07:00UW found guilty of unfair labor practice over treatment of Patient Access Center (PAC) members at Harborview Medical CenterThe union has won a major victory for the dedicated Local 1488 call center members at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle who were forcibly stripped of their bargaining rights in a call center consolidation – and threatened with losing their jobs if they didn’t go along.A hearing examiner for the Public Employment Relations Commission yesterday (May 25) found the University of Washington WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-865476844129515452011-05-26T06:34:00.000-07:002011-05-26T06:40:43.066-07:00Legislature adjourns special session after passing budget, modified DES/CTS bill passedThe Legislature adjourned its special session at 10:26 p.m. Wednesday night after passing a recession-affected budget and an improved but not perfect bill creating the new Department of Enterprise Services and Consolidated Technology Services agency.
That bill, ESSB 5931, passed with collective bargaining intact but sacrificed competitive contracting. The measure passed the House 54-42 with two WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-13106236246158166342011-05-25T19:26:00.000-07:002011-05-25T21:16:37.860-07:00ESSB 5931 passes house 54-42 with collective bargaining intact, competitive contracting sacrificedWith pressure from the Senate and the Operating Budget (HB 1087) held hostage, the House rejected the friendly amendment made by the House Ways & Means and adopted an amendment from the floor offered by Rep. Zach Hudgins (D11).
The bill as passed expressly prohibits state employees from competing for work historically performed by them in the newly formed Department of Enterprise ServicesWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-60072104248621206802011-05-25T07:22:00.000-07:002011-05-25T07:22:36.293-07:00House passes budget; sends ESSB 5891 back to Senate amendedThe House Tuesday night passed the budget on a vote of 54-42 with two excused. It now goes to the Senate for expected action Wednesday.
The House shortly before midnight passed the Corrections bill, ESSB 5891, on a vote of 50-43. It goes back to the Senate because it was amended. That amendment (849) authored by Rep. Tim Probst mitigates the bill a good deal.
The effect:
Restores supervision WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-51280155583938111462011-05-24T12:36:00.000-07:002011-05-24T12:38:25.736-07:00Compromise budget unveiledLegislative leaders of both parties this morning unveiled their compromise budget (ESHB 1087). But our focus still needs to be on fighting attacks on collective bargaining and on your competitive contracting rights – all of which are part of the budget debate.
Presumably, the budget will go to quick floor debates without public hearings as lawmakers rush to finish business by the end of the 30WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-52904479216669406172011-05-24T06:12:00.000-07:002011-05-24T06:12:23.764-07:00Grave concerns over RHC consolidation billAt the same House Ways and Means Committee hearing, Federation Executive Director Greg Devereux and Yakima Valley School Local 1326 member Julianne Moore raised grave concerns about 2SSB 5459, the bill to consolidate residential habilitation centers caring for some of this state’s most profoundly developmentally disabled citizens.Among the concerns is that closing Frances Haddon Morgan CenterWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-87975717303035661092011-05-24T05:54:00.000-07:002011-05-24T05:54:33.669-07:00Bad workers' comp bill passes both House and SenateThe so-called compromise workers’ compensation bill supported by the governor and legislative leaders of both parties easily passed both the House and Senate Monday and is headed for Gov. Chris Gregoire’s desk for her signature into law.
The bill institutes “structured settlements” for seriously injured workers who will turn to other public safety net services if the settlements run out or WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-34324316520667144512011-05-24T05:49:00.000-07:002011-05-24T05:49:09.078-07:00Enterprise Services/Consolidated Technology bill moves, but barelyOn a narrow 14-12 vote, the House Ways and Means Committee early Tuesday morning passed out the bill to consolidate GA and other “back office” work into a new Department of Enterprise Services, with most of DIS going into a new Consolidated Technology Services agency.
The committee adopted a striking amendment to ESSB 5931 authored by Rep. Zach Hudgins of the 11th District that goes a long WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-67484198372406640852011-05-24T05:44:00.000-07:002011-05-24T05:44:06.847-07:00WFSE/AFSCME blasts bill that aims to end run court on contracting outWFSE/AFSCME members watch hearing on HB 2122 to end run a recent court decision against contracting out.
A last-minute bid to undo the judge’s order against contracting out of case management in Child Welfare Services came before the House Ways and Means Committee Monday evening and was blasted by the Federation.
SHB 2122 would basically revise history and say the Legislature two years ago WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-8229766633828303432011-05-23T15:51:00.000-07:002011-05-23T15:51:11.658-07:00Budget deal reached; details coming TuesdayFrom the Seattle Times: Washington lawmakers reached a tentative agreement Monday on how to close the state's $5 billion budget shortfall, finding the elusive compromise after weeks of talks.WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-90049389986376991732011-05-23T15:49:00.000-07:002011-05-23T15:49:23.950-07:00OPPOSE ESSB 5931 and HB 2122Tell House Ways & Means Committee members to OPPOSE Wisconsin-style attacks that erode collective bargaining and competitive contracting rights.
OPPOSE ESSB 5931 and HB 2122
BACKGROUND:
The Governor is insisting that weakened collective bargaining rights be included in the DIS reorganization bill (ESSB 5931). The Administration has never made any proposals at the bargaining table or ever WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208956123896644161.post-88066165411552372372011-05-22T17:20:00.000-07:002011-05-22T17:20:55.955-07:00Members in AFSCME Green shirts needed in the gallery Monday and TuesdayThe main actions in the next couple of days affecting WFSE/AFSCME members will be in the House, which is now meeting today (Sunday). The Senate also meets today.
Among the key bills in the House in the closing days of the special session are: SB 5931 (the DES/CTS consolidation bill)
SB 5891 (Corrections)
SB 5114 (WSH Forensics unit)
SB 5459 (RHCs)
And there's still the budget
Everything isWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0