Mobilize against terrible workers' compensation bill - members needed in Senate gallery on Sat., 3/5

The Governor’s workers’ compensation “package” bill, SB 5566, is expected for a vote of the full Senate Saturday.

We need Federation members in the Senate gallery with AFSCME green shirts on. The Senate convenes at 10 a.m., tomorrow, Saturday, March 5. Get there whenever you can.

At issue: Washington State Senators are negotiating "compromise" legislation that will include significant benefit cuts for workers who get injured or permanently disabled on the job in Washington state. These cuts have nothing to do with the budget crisis.

This is a serious threat to the quality services provided by our members in the Department of Labor and Industries. And it’s a direct attack on L&I members’ jobs. We defeated Initiative 1082 this past November. We need to finish the job in the 2011 legislative session. 

Please show up Saturday and call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000:

Tell your legislators to “OPPOSE SB 5566 and any bill that would cut workers' comp benefits. OPPOSE compromise-and-release lump-sum buyouts and OPPOSE cutting injured workers off of their disability pensions.”