Got student debt? Weve got some relief.

See page 4.

VOL. 43 NO. 7

SEPTEMBER 2015

The official newspaper of the

WASHINGTON FEDERATION OF STATE
EMPLOYEES/AFSCME Council 28AFL-CIO

State Employee
WASHINGTON

Help & Heroes

Photo courtesy Washington National Guard

At press time Aug. 26, the wildfires in the Okanogan

Complex had spread to more than 400 square miles, the
largest ever inferno in state history. And that was just
one of the fires in Eastern Washington.
The union is about standing together and not walking
alone. And now is that time to help and honor.

HELP

Assistance for WFSE/AFSCME members in the wildfire

zones.

WFSE/AFSCME members who have lost property or

possessions because of the Eastern Washington wildfires
can apply to the unions Foundation for Working Families
fund for support.

The Foundation for Working Families is a hardship and disaster

relief program overseen by the Washington State Labor Council
(WSLC). Learn more and download applications at
http://wfse.org/foundation-for-working-families/

Donations needed: Locals and members are encouraged to

donate to the Foundation for Working Families to help this effort.

HEROES

If youre in the wildfire zones, we need to hear your stories.

Plus, if there are heroes risking their lives for you that you want
to recognize the firefighters, other first-responders, WFSE/
AFSCME members extending the safety net let us know. Send
photos to us at photos@wfse.org.
Its important that we acknowledge, recognize and honor
Federation members on the frontlines fighting the fires and
helping those in the wildfire zone cope and rebuild.

Weve set up a special form online where you can tell your story
and recognize the heroes who are saving the huge swath of our
state devastated by these record wildfires.
http://wfse.org/wa-wildfires/

Send checks made out to the Foundation for Working

Families to:

Foundation for Working Families, c/o Sue Keller, 1212

Jefferson St. S.E., Suite 300, Olympia, WA 98501

wfse.org

1-800-562-6002

Eliga Sacks latest AFSCME Strong honoree

Eliga Sacks, a member of Local 793 at the Special Commitment Center on

McNeil Island, was honored July 11 at WFSE/AFSCMEs summer Policy
Committee meeting for completing the most member-to-member assessments
as part of the Federations comprehensive AFSCME Strong effort to
strengthen our movement and defend our hard-won rights.
The unions Internal Organizing Committee honored Sacks with a gift basket.
The committee periodically recognizes top volunteers who are making a
difference in this two-way effort to keep members informed, involved and
invested in this movement.
More on our grassroots AFSCME Strong efforts and how you can take
part: http://wfse.org/get-involved/afscme-strong/

Local 53 members:

Public Service Matters in the community

Tacoma-Pierce County State Employees Local 53 members recently volunteered to work the phones at Tacomas KBTC public television fund raiser:
Sean Florance, Bradford Samples, Jessica Tomkins and Paul Zurek.

WFSE/AFSCME job openings:

WFSE/AFSCME JOB OPENINGS

Labor Advocate
(Olympia Headquarters)

http://wfse.org/recruitment-labor-advocate/

This position is the field technical expert of the Washington Federation of State
Employees (WFSE), AFSCME, Council 28. These staff are primarily responsible
for grievance arbitrations and contract and mid-term negotiations. Advocate/
negotiators perform advanced representational work for the organization. Represent the WFSE in presentation of grievances to Pre-Arbitration Review Meetings (PARM) or Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) mediation;
represent WFSE in all aspects of grievance arbitration for disciplinary and nondisciplinary cases including selection of arbitrators, obtaining evidence, conducting research, preparation of pleadings, oral presentation of the case, brief writing,
and possible settlement agreements; investigates and assists in the preparation
and presentation of grievance-related Unfair Labor Practice complaints before
the PERC; attends and presents representational matters related to Personnel
Resources Board (PRB) hearings; represents WFSE in agency-wide Union Management Communication Committee meetings; acts as Chief Negotiator in biennial contract negotiations and represent WFSE in mid-term mandatory subjects
negotiations with full decision-making authority.
Desired Minimum Qualifications: Graduation from an accredited four-year
college or university with relevant course work in labor relations, law, social sciences or allied field. Substantial paid work experience in related field may be
substituted for education. Knowledge of principles and procedures of negotiation,
arbitration, and administrative hearings; working knowledge of general management principles, state and federal laws related to labor and public employment,
and Washington Administrative Codes. Outstanding oral and written advocacy
skills; excellent judgment and discretion, ability to compare and evaluate possible
courses of action, interests of members, and the WFSEs strategic goals. Ability to prioritize work; evaluate and solve problems; work independently and as a
team; be reliable in completing work and meeting deadlines is critical. Must have
a valid drivers license, use of personal vehicle, and valid vehicle insurance.
Release of driving record required prior to interview for in-state candidates.
Out of State candidates must provide a copy of their drive record at the time
of interview. Position is permanent, full-time, overtime exempt, and often requires
work beyond a 40-hour work week. Includes an excellent benefits package. Salary is $70,215 to $83,677 annually. Open until 5 p.m. Friday, September 18,
2015.
Send cover letter clearly indicating the position you wish to apply for, and
your resume to:
Kathy Andruss, HR Director
1212 Jefferson St. SE, Suite 300
Olympia, WA 98501
OR e-mail to: resume@wfse.org
OR FAX to: 360-705-9493

Union Organizers
(Internal Organizing)

people
Have a passion for social and economic justice
Ability to work long hours, including possible evenings and weekends and
travel throughout the state
Can work independently and have strong record keeping and organizational
skills
The successful candidate must be able to empathize and build relationships
with members in many sectors including social service jobs, childcare, law
enforcement, higher education, technical IT, regulatory, and general state service
positions. They must be comfortable talking to low wage and professional
workers in a variety of settings. Required to be a member of OPEIU/Local 8.
Must have a valid drivers license, use of personal vehicle, and valid vehicle
insurance. Release of driving record required prior to interview. Out of
state candidates must provide drive record at the time of interview. Benefits
include medical/dental, life, and Long Term Disability insurance, annual and sick
leave, $150 cell phone allowance and mileage reimbursement. Salary will be
determined commensurate with experience. Open until 5 p.m. on September
18, 2015.
Send cover letter and resume to:
Kathy Andruss, HR Director
Washington Federation of State Employees
1212 Jefferson St. S.E., Suite 300
Olympia, WA 98501
OR e-mail to: resume@wfse.org
OR Fax to: 360-705-9493

Maintenance Custodian (Part-time)

http://wfse.org/recruitment-maintenance-custodian/

The Washington Federation of State Employees is recruiting for a permanent halftime Maintenance Custodian. The duties include:
Performs a variety of custodial and maintenance work in the Federations Olympia
Headquarters Building.
Sweeps, mops, scrubs and/or waxes floors, cleans walls and other surfaces;
dusts furniture and equipment; empties and cleans wastebaskets and recycle
containers, empties and cleans outside ash trays; washes interior windows;
vacuums carpets
Cleans and sanitizes restrooms, shower; supplies paper towels, soap, tissue
and other items
Collects and disposes of garbage and trash
Set up and tear down tables and chairs in conference rooms
Maintains inventories of supplies and is responsible for ordering needed
supplies
Responsible for locking interior office and exterior doors and securing the
building at the end of shift.
Performs light maintenance such as: replacing overhead lights, paint touch
up, replacing switches, unplugging toilets and sinks, fixing faucets, and putting
together bookcases, shelving, desks, etc. when needed

http://wfse.org/recruitment-union-organizers/

Desirable Qualifications:

The Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is recruiting to fill up

to four positions with experienced Organizers committed to helping workers win
social and economic justice by organizing and strengthening our union in the
workplace. These are non-permanent, temporary appointments lasting for over
six months in duration and may be assigned statewide.

One year as a Maintenance custodian or equivalent in a professional office

building environment
Physical ability to do the work; bend, stoop, crawl on hands and knees, climb a
ladder
Must be able to lift and carry up to 75 lbs. and be able to toss heavy garbage
bags over head into a dumpster
Knowledge of and experience in electrical and plumbing is a must
Ability to read and decipher instructions
Ability to work independently and maintain confidentiality is crucial to this job
Computer knowledge is desirable

These positions will be focused on internal organizing, recruiting and building

teams of activists; conducting one-on-ones and union visibility events; preparing
campaign literature, holding workplace union meetings, running issue and direct
action campaigns; strengthening union membership and leadership; helping union
members build a stronger and more effective union in the workplace.
WFSE Organizers are responsible for all aspects of an organizing campaign
including talking one-on-one with workers at work sites and in their homes,
recruiting and developing member activists, research campaign prep, house calls,
organizing committee development, mentoring
tate mployee
and inspiring union members, running worker
meetings, and developing workplace actions.

WASHINGTON

Washington State Employee (USPS 981200) is published monthly, except February

and July, for $5.08 per year by the Washington Federation of State Employees/AFSCME
Council 28 AFL-CIO, 1212 Jefferson St. S.E.
Suite 300, Olympia, WA 98501. Affiliated with
the American Federation of State, County
and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the
Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
Periodicals postage paid at Olympia, WA
and at additional offices. Circulation:
42,000.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
Washington State Employee, 1212 Jefferson
St SE Suite 300 Olympia WA 98501-7501
Sue Henricksen, President
Greg Devereux, Executive Director
Editor Tim Welch
e-mail: tim@wfse.org Internet: www.wfse.org
Member, ILCA

Page 2

Desirable Qualifications: Must have at least

six (6) months of organizing experience on
union campaigns (internal or external) and/or
community organizing campaigns; professional
experience doing one-on-one grassroots
organizing work is a plus
Demonstrated commitment to activism
and mobilization work
Must be relational, comfortable talking to

Please Note: Your cover letter and resume must be specific to the
qualifications listed above.
Must have a valid drivers license, use of personal vehicle, and valid
vehicle insurance. Release of driving record required prior to interview. A
background check will be completed prior to job offer. Position is part time
and is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday. There may be
times, due to operational necessity, that the work schedule may include day time
hours. Includes an excellent benefit package with a salary of $17.62 per hour.
The recruitment is open until 5 p.m., September 18, 2015.
Send a cover letter and a copy of your resume to:
Kathy Andruss, HR Director
1212 Jefferson St. SE, Suite 300
Olympia, WA 98501
OR e-mail to: resume@wfse.org
OR FAX to: (360) 705-9493

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OPTION. If youd like to save paper and postage, you can receive this newspaper electronically. Go to www.wfse.org and hover
over NEWS & INFO, located in the top menu bar. Select from the drop-down list: WASHINGTON STATE EMPLOYEE - Newspaper. Use the form
on this page to register for the electronic version. Or e-mail us at info@wfse.org, or write: WFSE/AFSCME, 1212 Jefferson St. S.E., Suite 300,
Olympia, WA 98501. If youre a represented non-member fee payer and you dont wish to receive this publication in any format, e-mail us at contactus@wfse.org, or write: WFSE/AFSCME, 1212 Jefferson St. S.E., Suite 300, Olympia, WA 98501.

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

September 2015

UNION NEWS
IN MEMORIAM

Photo courtesy Duwane Huffaker

The life of Linda Wincentsen, retired former and

vital member of Lakeland
Village Local 573 in Medical Lake, was celebrated
by friends and family at a
remembrance Aug. 15 in Airway Heights.
Wincentsen died June 17
after a series of strokes. She
was 65.
She worked at Lakeland
Village for 27 years, retiring as
an adult training specialist 2
in October 2008. Wincentsen

Policy Committee delegate

and member of WFSE/AFSCMEs Statewide Executive
Board. She also served on
numerous local, regional and
state labor/management committees.
Linda deeply cared
about the people living at
Lakeland Village and those
who served them, said former WFSE/AFSCME and
Local 573 President Duwane
Huffaker.

Linda Wincentsen
served several terms as Local 573 president, Institutions

::

Remember WFSE/AFSCME members whove died in the past two

years

Going out to delegates to

the Federation Convention in
October is a form to fill out so
members who have died since
the last convention in 2013
can be properly honored at
this years convention.
But you dont have to be
a delegate to submit a remembrance.
The form is available to
you online at: http://wfse.
org/in-memoriam-submissions/
The deadline to submit is
Oct. 1.

Members at Washington
Soldiers Home in Orting
rescue veterans from fire
Quick action by WFSE/
AFSCME members saved
the lives of about 100
disabled veterans many
members of the Greatest
Generation -- when fire
broke out Aug. 13 at the
Washington Soldiers Home in
Orting. The Local 53 members
helped evacuate the
residents while firefighters
tackled the blaze.

The shared leave difference

State agency members shared leave rights

get important boost in new contract

our shared leave requests are extremely important

because its a right you have under legislation the
union first won in 1989 and which has been expanded several times since. This humanitarian right is
also part of your union-negotiated contracts.
Did you know that the just enacted
General Government contract (20152017) further expanded state agency

SHARED LEAVE REQUESTS

STILL IN NEED OF SHARED
LEAVE:
Patricia Shives, a support
enforcement officer 2 with
DSHS in Fife and a member
of cal 53, is battling breast
cancer and is undergoing five
months of chemotherapy. She
underwent a second surgery
July 21 and is in need of shared
leave while she recovers and
undergoes the five months of
chemotherapy. Contact: Carol
Murray at (253) 476-7663, or
your human resource office.
Kirsten Moylan, a financial
services specialist 3 at the
DSHS Kent Community Service
Office, has been approved for
shared leave. Contact: your
human resource office.
Denise Threlkeld, a fiscal
analyst 2 with the Department
of Ecology in Lacey and a
member of Local 872, suffers
from Lyme Disease and went
back into treatment Aug. 1.
She needs 97 hours of shared
leave. Contact: your human
resource office.
Rebecca Ashby, a social
services specialist 3 with DSHS
in Seattle and a member of
Local 843, is again requesting
donations of shared leave to
cover time she is away from
work during her treatment for
an ongoing serious health
issue. Contact: Sandy Gump at
(206) 341-7246, or your human
resource office.
More shared leave requests:
Jane Zimmer, a support
enforcement officer with DSHS
in Vancouver and a member of
Local 313, is requesting shared
leave to cover her extended
time off during her recuperation
from a serious accident.

September 2015

members shared leave rights with

new language requiring that your
agency post shared leave requests, and

Contact: Pam Miller at (360)

397-9704, or your own human
resource office.
Stanbery Foster III, a medical
assistance specialist 3 with
the Health Care Authority in
Olympia and a member of Local
443, is seriously ill and has
been off work since June 25
with 18 days as an inpatient at
the University of Washington
Medical Center in Seattle. He
may need significant surgery.
He has nearly daily medical
appointments and tests, in
both Olympia and Seattle.
Contact: Paula Williamson in
HCA Human Resources at
(360) 725-3805, or your human
resource office
Judy Johnson, a research
investigator 3 with the
Employment Security
Department in Olympia and
a member of Local 443,
underwent brain surgery
Aug. 26 and may be off work
for up to three months. She
will exhaust all leave during
September. Contact: your
human resource office.
Marcia McBride, an office
assistant 2 with the Department
of Labor and Industries in
Tumwater and a member of
Local 443, was scheduled for
surgery Sept. 4 and is in need
of shared leave. Contact: your
human resource office.
Irene Valdez, a WorkSource
Specialist 4 with the
Employment Security
Department in Moses Lake and
a member of Local 1299, has
been approved for shared leave
to care for her spouse who will
require 24-hour care for about
three months because of an
illness. Contact: your human
resource office.
Tia Hanke, a support

repost them monthly if needs are not

met?
Heres the exact language your
elected General Government Bargaining Team successfully pushed for and
won for state agency members:
General Government Article 14.5
-- Once approved, and with authorization from the requesting employee,
agencies will post and/or distribute
shared leave requests. If an employees shared leave needs are unmet,
and upon request from the requesting
employee, shared leave requests will
be distributed at least monthly.

enforcement officer 2 with

DSHS in Vancouver and
a member of Local 313, is
requesting donations of shared
leave to cover time she is
missing from work during
her treatment for a chronic
health condition in preparation
for additional major pending
surgery and expected long
term recovery. Contact: Rose
Hasford at (360) 664-6869, or
your human resource office.
Tammy Bronov, a tax
specialist 3 with the
Employment Security
Department in Olympia and a
member of Local 443, has been
approved for shared leave.
Tammy is requesting shared
leave to cover the time she will
be out-of-state caring for her
father during his post-surgical
recovery. She has used all
his available sick, vacation
and personal leave. Contact:
Kathleen Young at (360) 9029538, or your human resource
office.
Marcus Kittock, a custodian
1 with the Department of
Enterprise Services in Olympia
and a member of Local 443,
has been approved for shared
leave. Marcus is requesting
shared leave to cover him
during his surgical recovery. He
has used all his available sick,
vacation and personal leave.
Contact: Megyn Melton at
(360) 407-8426, or your human
resource office.
Karen Lucero, a secretary
senior with DSHS in King
County and a member of
Local 843, has been approved
for shared leave. Karen is
requesting shared leave to
cover the time she has missed
during her extended illness
and subsequent medical
appointments. She has used
all available sick, vacation

Shared leave another example of

how your hard-won bargaining rights
matter.
And of course, in addition to the
posting by your agency, you can ask
for posting on WFSE/AFSCMEs comprehensive communications network.
If youve been approved for shared leave by
your agency or institution, you can have
your shared leave request listed here. Donations of unused annual leave, sick leave
or all or part of your personal holiday may
be made. To add your request here, call Tim
Welch or Tavie Smith at 1-800-562-6002,
or e-mail tim@wfse.org or tavies@wfse.org.

and personal leave. Contact:

Marilyn Nichol (425) 590-3048,
or your human resource office.
Pam Strickland, a WorkFirst
program specialist with DSHS
in Tacoma and a member of
Local 53, is in need of shared
leave. Contact: your human
resource office.
Steven Halpain, a safety
and health specialist 3 with
the Department of Labor and
Industries in Longview and a
member of Local 1400, has
been approved for shared
leave. Steven is grateful to
everyone who has already
donated leave. He is still
recovering from his last series
of surgeries and complications.
He has just come home from
his fifth hospital stay this year.
He has used all his available
sick, vacation and personal
leave. Contact: Laura Cadwell
(360) 902-5488, or your human
resource office.
Samantha Huggins, a
support enforcement officer 2
with DSHS in Tacoma and a
member of Local 53, has been
approved for shared leave
because of an urgent and
unexpected emergency medical
situation. Contact: Carol Murray
at (253) 476-7663 or your
human resource office.
Angela Gonzalez, a social
services specialist 3 with DSHS
in Yakima and a member of
Local 1326, has been approved
for shared leave following
an accident that has caused
her ongoing medical issues.
Contact: Cory Gonzales at
(509) 454-6911, or your human
resource office.
Barbara Mix, an administrative
assistant 3 with the Workforce
Training and Education
Coordinating Board in Thurston

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

County and a member of Local

443, is requesting shared
leave to cover her extended
hospital stay and long term
recovery from diabetic-related
amputation. She has used all
her available leave resources.
Contact: Patrick Woods at (360)
709-4622, or your own Human
Resources.
Lorena Taylor-Miles, a
customer services specialist
3 with DSHS Home and
Community Services in
Alderwood and a member of
Local 948, is in need of shared
leave. Contact: your human
resource office.
Dan Strate, an account
manager at the Department
of Labor and Industries in
Tumwater and a member of
Local 443, continues to deal
with ongoing back problems.
He has exhausted all leave.
Contact: Laura Cadwell at
(360) 902-5488, or your human
resource office.
Isabelle Estrada, a social
services specialist 2 with DSHS
in Renton and a member of
Local 843, is ill and will be off
work for an extended period of
time. She has been approved
for shared leave. Contact:
MaryLou Baker at (253) 3725827, or your human resource
office.
Brian Gladden, a maintenance
mechanic 3 with the
Washington State Department
of Transportation in King
County and a member of Local
378, is requesting shared leave
to cover his extended time
off while recuperating from a
high-impact car accident. He
has used all his available leave
resources. Contact: Robert
Smith in WSDOT Human
Resources at (425) 314-8996,
or your human resource office.

Page 3

FACT SHEET: WFSE/AFSCME Student Debt-Free Resources

Student debt is a ticking time bomb for
middle class students & their families

At first Student Debt-Free Education event in Seattle Aug. 15. WFSE/AFSCME members joined with colleagues from the
American Federation of Teachers, Jobs with Justice and South Seattle CC Labor Center in first phase of this new effort.

We are not a loan

Help for you and

your children to
retire student
debt

merica is suffering from a student debt crisis.

The cost of college increased tenfold since the

1970s.
Having college debt could
mean having to put off saving
for your own childs college
because youre still paying for
your own college debt.
Or maybe you are having
trouble paying your monthly
bills because of a high monthly student loan payment.
Its time to ask what is
wrong with higher education
funding and tuition financing
in this nation.
Thats why the Washington
Federation of State Employees
has joined with our national
union, AFSCME, and other
unions to offer a number of
resources online and in the
workplace.
The WFSE/AFSCME Internal Organizing Committee is
sponsoring a Debt Free Education Workshop for all locals, 9
a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, Sept.
26, in the unions Seattle Field
Office and Spokane Field Office.

FACT: In Washington state alone,

813,000 students and former students owe $20.8 billion in college
loans.

Request a Debt-Free Education

Lunch n Learn at your worksite. For more information,
contact Mark Hamilton at
800-562-6002 or markh@wfse.
org. More on the Student Debt
Free Lunch n Learn program:
http://wfse.org/debt-free-edu/

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education

::

Online resources
We have some resources
that can help you decrease
the burden of student debt by

http://wfse.org/get-involved/student-debt-resources/
We need to hear from
you on student debt.
How has student debt
affected your life? Are you able
to afford your payments? If so,
how do they affect your lifestyle? How long will it take for
you to be debt free? Are you
struggling with Parent Loans?
Let us know. Go to our
Student Debt Resource page:
http://wfse.org/get-involved/
student-debt-resources/
giving you the information
you need to find debt-relief
and flexible repayment options.
Forgive My Student Debt
If you work in the public service, this little-known
government program called
Public Service Loan Forgiveness could allow you to clear
your student debt years sooner and at significant discount
to other borrowers. http://
forgivemystudentdebt.org
Student Loan Borrower Assistance
A comprehensive resource for borrowers, their
families, and advocates representing student loan borrowers. http://www.studentloanborrowerassistance.org/
Student Loan Questions: Get
Answers
A FAQ about the different

types of student loans, terms

and conditions, repayment
options, default and delinquency, cancellations, and
bankruptcy. http://www.studentloanborrowerassistance.org/starthere/get-answers/
Union scholarships
The 2016 scholarship season has started with the opening of the AFSCME Family
Scholarship. Visit the Federations Scholarship page: http://
wfse.org/scholarship-info/
Tuition waivers
Tuition exemptions are
another resource for WFSE/
AFSCME members thanks
to the 25-year-old tuition
waiver law initiated and won
by WFSE/AFSCME.
Its a terrific benefit for
current state employees, and a
way to avoid racking up student debt. The University of
Washington has a great online
guide: http://www.washington.
edu/students/reg/tuition_exempt.
html#eligible
Veterans
State community colleges,
colleges and universities may
waive all or a portion of
tuition and fees for eligible
veterans or National Guard
members.
The state Department of
Veterans Affairs has more information online: http://www.
dva.wa.gov/benefits/educationand-training

Student debt in the news (ABC World News Tonight, 8/23/15)

Recent college grads

struggling under crippling
debt are defaulting on their
loans in record numbers
and in some cases, its
affecting their parents
finances as well.

ABC News, 8/23/15

Page 4

SOURCE: http://abc.go.com/shows/world-news-tonight-weekend/listing/2015-08/23-wn-082315-hundreds-answer-the-call-for-volunteer-firefighters

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

September 2015

SCHOLARSHIPS -- A UNION PRIORITY

FACES OF OUR FUTURE: 2015 ALTHEA LUTE SCHOLAR

The $5,000 union scholarship

difference for Cheyenne Castanon
Cheyenne graduated in June from
Rainier High School and
is pursuing a degree in
veterinary science at
Washington State University in Pullman.
Cheyenne said
when she got the letter
from the union informing her of the award, I
screamed!
Her mom did the
yay! she said.
She was really
happy her union was
able to help further her
daughters education,
Cheyenne said.
All of my financial
responsibility relies
solely on me, she said.
This scholarship will

MORE ONLINE

Check upcoming scholarships for 2016:

http://wfse.org/scholarship-info/
ALERT: Applications for the AFSCME Family
Scholarship due Dec. 31. More online: http://
www.afscme.org/members/scholarships/
afscme-family-scholarship

Neville B. Crippen Grant-in-Aid Awards

Winter/Spring/Summer 2015 recipients:

Ten WFSE/AFSCME members

have been awarded Neville B. Crippen
Grant-in-Aid Awards for Winter, Spring
and Summer quarters 2015.
The Crippen Grants are quarterly
awards to help members advance their
education or improve their skills.
The latest awards ranged from

$100 to $300.
For an application, go to: http://
wfse.org/neville-b-crippen-grant-in-aidaward/.
Applications are due at least 30
days before a course begins.
The grants are named after Neville
B. Crippen, the unions first president

::

medical bills.
Cheyenne and her
family took part in a 5K
walk last year for the
Childrens Tumor Foundation to benefit research into the disease.

help me not to have to

take out so many student loans.
You see Cheyennes
thoughts are never far
from her youngest sister, 2-year-old Cataleya.
Cataleya has a
genetic disorder called
Neurofibromatosis (NF)
that disturbs cell growth
in your nervous system,
causing tumors to form
on nerve tissue that can
be deadly..., Cheyenne
wrote in her essay to
the WFSE/AFSCME
scholarship committee.
When I began applying
to colleges, my parents
informed me that they
would not be able to

Photo courtesy Castanon family

heyenne Castanon, daughter of Christa Castanon, an information technology specialist at the Employment Security Department in Olympia,
is this years recipient of the $5,000 Althea Lute Memorial Scholarship.

Local 443 member Christa

Castanon (left) with daughter Cheyenne, recipient
of WFSE/AFSCMEs 2015
Althea Lute Memorial Scholarship.
help pay for college
because of the amount
of debt we were in with

who had led the fight to create WFSE/

AFSCME.
The grant is overseen by a subcommittee of the WFSE/AFSCME
Womens/Equal Partners Committee.
Here are the Crippen Grant recipients for 2015 (some may have won for
more than one quarter):
Valarie Beecher, Local 782, Eastern
State Hospital, Medical Lake; Becky
Floreck, Local 862, Centralia College;
Jessica Hausman, Local 872, Ecol-

And a community fundraiser was held Aug.

20 at a salon in Roy. And
Cataleyas devoted big
sister, 2015 Althea Lute
Memorial Scholarship
winner Cheyenne Castanon, is grateful for the
union help for her and
her family. Im a firstgeneration college student and I want to say,
Thank you, Cheyenne
said.

ogy, Lacey; Stacy Lang, Local 782,

Eastern State Hospital, Medical Lake;
Brian Peace, Local 443, Labor and
Industries, Tumwater;
Melissa Randles, Local 53, DSHS,
Tacoma; Nicole Rice, Local 948,
DSHS, Smokey Point; Jami Rider,
Local 443, DSHS, Olympia; Alicia
Sigala, Local 793, Child Study and
Treatment Center, Lakewood; and
Rebecca Swingle, Local 443, South
Puget Sound Community College,
Olympia.

UNION NEWS

More wildfire notes

Lakeland Village members rush to help in possible

evacuation. Because of fires in the Medical Lake area
Aug. 20, Lakeland Village was ordered evacuated
as a precaution. Lakeland Village is home to some
of this states most profoundly developmentally
disabled citizens under the expert care of Local 573
members.
Residents were evacuated to the facilitys gym,

but returned to their cottages once the evacuation

was cancelled. Calls went out across the state to
other RHCs in case Lakeland residents had to be
moved. And the call went out to off-duty Lakeland
employees to help out.
Unreal how many off-duty employees are out
there helping, Local 573 President Lee Malinda
said.
Another example of dedicated state

employees, said Julianne Moore, a Local 1326

member at Yakima Valley School in Selah, one of the
RHCs that was preparing to take Lakeland residents
if the evacuation had lasted.
Under threat of wildfires, Yakima Local 1326 canceled
its summer picnic set for Aug. 29. The local instead
donated the money for the event to the Foundation
for Working Families. See related story on page 1.

Health surcharges: Arbitrators decision expected this fall

An arbitrator is expected to rule this fall on the
grievance filed by WFSE/
AFSCME and its Health
Care Coalition union partners challenging the spousal
and tobacco insurance surcharges enacted in 2014.
The arbitration hearing took place July 20. Both
sides are now working on

Health
care
matters

briefs to
present to
the arbitrator. The
briefs are
due by
mid-September. Its
expected
the arbitrator will

Bargaining team ballots out

The nominations are in
and ballots went in the mail
Aug. 20 for positions on the

September 2015

WFSE/AFSCME bargaining
teams that will start negotiating in 2016 for the next con-

rule four to five weeks after

briefs come in.
The WFSE/AFSCME
grievance filed in April
2014 challenges the validity of the surcharges a
tobacco-use surcharge of
$25 per account and $50
for the spouse/domestic
partner coverage premium
surcharge.

Those who fail to attest

to questions related to the
surcharges even if they
wouldnt otherwise be affected default to paying
the monthly surcharges.
The surcharges took effect
July 1, 2014.
(A state Senate proposal this year to increase
those surcharges failed after

tracts that would take effect

on July 1, 2017.
Elections are taking place
where there were more nominees than positions available.
Ballot went out for the

following teams where there

are more candidates than
positions (and therefore need
an election): General Government (all Policy Groups); Interpreters (Language Access

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

WFSE/AFSCME members
pushed back at a series of
Unity events to fund our
contracts.)
WFSE/AFSCME and
the other unions are asking
the arbitrator to rule that
no bargaining unit member (those covered by the
Health Care Agreement)
should be subjected to the
attestation or payment of
either surcharge.
RELATED: Premiums, other
changes for 2016. See 6-7.
Providers) all groups; and in
the Community College Coalition, positions for the Community Colleges of Spokane,
Seattle Community College
and Shoreline CC.

Page 5

YOUR HEALTH CARE MATTERS

Health
care
matters

Your contract brings health premium

stability in 2016 -- bucking national trends

our new Health Care

Agreement just took
effect in July. But
your two-year efforts to get
it negotiated, ratified and
then funded by the Legislature will pay off in a big
way come Jan. 1, 2016.

Health insurance premium rates, effective 1/1/2016

Thats because the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Aug. 6

voted to keep 2016 health insurance
premium rates level for the most part.
And they could do that because
your new Health Care Agreement kept
the share of premium costs you pay at
15 percent.
WFSE/AFSCME members costleveling accomplishment gained public acclaim.
This premium stability appears to
buck national trends, The Olympian
editorialized Aug. 10.
WFSE/AFSCME member actions
in summer 2014 stopped management
proposals to make you pay a higher
percentage premium rate. And actions
in the long 2015 legislative session
stopped a Senate leadership plan to
impose additional health insurance
surcharges, including forcing 20,000
state employee spouses off health care.
The PEBB also lowered supplemental life insurance premiums and
made other benefit changes for 2016.

Premium costs remain fairly level

The approved health care premium rates for calendar year 2016
are based on the employee-employer
share (15 percent by the employee and
85 percent by the state) negotiated in
our contracts.
While employees continue to pay
15 percent of the cost of premiums,
the total cost may go up, down or stay
even depending on the overall cost of
premiums.
Monthly premium rates for three
plans would go up, three would go
down, the Uniform Medical Plan Classic wouldnt change and two new
plans would be offered.
Premium rates for supplemental
life insurance will decrease but premium rates for long-term disability will
increase in 2016.
Health insurance rates are set for
::

SOURCE: Health Care Authority

the calendar year (January to December), unlike our contracts that run on
the fiscal year (July to June).
The 2016 rates for Group Health
Value and Classic plans and Kaiser
Classic would increase; CDHP plans
(Group Health, Kaiser and UMP)
would decrease; Uniform Medical Plan
(UMP) Classic remains unchanged;
and two new plans Group Health
SoundChoice and UMP Accountable
Care Program are added.
See premium rate chart above
Four of the five resolutions the
PEBB voted on Aug. 6 for the 2016 premium rates and new plans passed on
identical unanimous 6-0 votes of the
board. But the resolution that would
boost the dollar premium cost for

All PEBB plans would now

cover:
-- End-of-life counseling
-- Short Term Brief Intervention
Referral and Treatment (SBIRT) for alcohol and substance abuse
-- Tobacco cessation quit medications and aids
-- Eight new no-cost preventative
services.

continue unchanged (WFSE/AFSCME

continues its challenge of these surcharges; see related story, page 5).
Youll be getting more information from the Health Care Authority
this fall. Open enrollment when you
can change plans if you want will be in
November.

The PEBB benefits affect state agency

and higher education state employees; they
dont apply to our Public Service Sector
members, like medical interpreters.

Tobacco and Spouse surcharges

Benefit changes for all non-Medicare Group Health, Kaiser Permanente, and UMP plans:

Expand coverage for end-of-life counseling.

Provide coverage for short-term alcohol and substance abuse treatment in various settings, by various provider types.
Expand coverage for preventive services based
on U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations to include:
-- Tobacco cessation quit medications and aids
Coverage for all medications and nicotine replacement therapy with a prescription.
-- Coverage for eight new preventive services with
no member cost-sharing:
1. Sexually transmitted infectionsProvide inten-

Page 6

Kaiser Classic by 15.2 percent overall

saw a vote of 4-2; WFSE/AFSCME
Executive Director Greg Devereux
and Retired Public Employees Council
of Washington/AFSCME President
Gwen Rench cast the two No votes
on the Kaiser resolution.

sive behavioral counseling for sexually active adolescents and adults at increased risk.
2. Chlamydia and gonorrheaScreen sexually active women 24 or younger, and older women
based on risk.
3. Hepatitis BScreen non-pregnant adolescents and adults at high risk.
4. Cardiovascular diseaseOffer or refer adults
at risk to intensive behavioral counseling.
5. Dental caries (cavities)Prescribe fluoride at
age 6 months when water supply is fluoride-deficient;
also provide fluoride varnish at primary tooth eruption.
6. Abdominal aortic aneurysmScreen men
ages 65-75 via ultrasonography if they have ever
smoked.
7. Gestational diabetes mellitusScreen preg-

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

nant women with no symptoms after 24 weeks of

pregnancy.
8. PreeclampsiaUse low-dose aspirin after 12
weeks of pregnancy for women at high risk for preeclampsia.
Waiving enrollment in PEBB medical when an
employee is enrolled in TRICARE as a retiree.
-- Effective January 1, 2016, an employee may
waive enrollment in PEBB medical if he or she is
eligible and enrolled in TRICARE as a retiree or a
dependent of a retiree.
-- An employee may continue to waive enrollment in PEBB medical when the employee is eligible
and enrolled in TRICARE as an employee or the dependent of an employee.

September 2015

YOUR HEALTH CARE MATTERS

::

New medical plan options for 2016:

Next year, the PEBB Program will

offer three new medical plan options
for employees:

Uniform Medical Plan

Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) will
offer two new medical plans that will
provide better coordinated care, more

service options, and lower costs when

members self-refer to the plans network providers. These new plans will
offer members a wide choice of providers and health systems participating
with the Puget Sound High Value
Network and UW Medicine Accountable Care Network. The new UMP
plans will be available in select counties in the Puget Sound region.

::

Group Health
Group Health will also have a new
medical plan optionSoundChoice
with the same high-quality, coordinated services and same benefits and
exclusions as Group Healths Classic and Value plans, but at an even
lower monthly premium. Group Health
SoundChoice will be available in King,

Pierce, Snohomish, and Thurston

counties.
The PEBB says these new plans
are a key part of paying for value, a
core strategy of Healthier Washington.
The goal is to achieve better health
and better care at lower costs, the
board says

Changes to medical plan benefits in 2016:

Group Health will:

Kaiser Permanente 2016 changes to drug tiers & costs

Cover cardiac rehabilitation under the physical,

occupational, and speech therapy benefit with a combined limit of 60 inpatient days and 60 outpatient visits per year. (All Group Health non-Medicare plans)
Offer a broader Access PPO network. (Group
Health Consumer-Directed Health Plan [CDHP] only)
Increase the per-visit copay for the physical,
occupational, and speech therapy benefit from $15 to
$30. (Group Health Original Medicare only)
Implement new medical plan options for 2016
and other benefit changes listed here.

Kaiser Permanente will:

Increase its annual deductible from $250 in

2015 to $300 in 2016. (Kaiser Permanente Classic)
Increase copays for office visits (Kaiser Permanente Classic):
Primary care: From $20 in 2015 to $25 in 2016
Specialty care: From $30 in 2015 to $35 in
2016
Urgent care: From $40 in 2015 to $45 in 2016
Change in emergency room cost sharing: From
$75 copay in 2015 to 15% coinsurance in 2016 (an::

in 2015 to $5,100 per subscriber/$10,200 per family

in 2016. (Kaiser Permanente CDHP)
Change its prescription drug tiers and costs
(Kaiser Permanente Classic and CDHP) -- see chart.
Implement new medical plan options for 2016
and other benefit changes listed here.

Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) will:

Implement new medical plan options for 2016

and other benefit changes listed here.

Changes to medical out-of-pocket limit for families enrolled in CDHPs:

The Group Health, Kaiser Permanente, and UMP Consumer-Directed

Health Plans (CDHPs) will change
how they administer the medical outof-pocket limit for families (two or
more enrolled family members) when
one family member reaches a certain
medical out-of-pocket limit. (There are
no changes to the actual medical outof-pocket limits for Group Health and
UMP CDHPs; see change to Kaiser
Permanentes CDHP under Changes
to medical plan benefits in 2016.)
See chart.
In 2015: The CDHPs require that
a family must meet the family medical
::

nual deductible still applies). (Kaiser Permanente

Classic)
New cost sharing for medications administered
during an inpatient or outpatient (including office) visit: 15% coinsurance (annual deductible still applies).
Applies to medication only; separate copay for type
of visit still applies. (Kaiser Permanente Classic and
Consumer-Directed Health Plan [CDHP])
Increase the annual medical out-of-pocket maximum from $4,200 per subscriber/$8,400 per family

out-of-pocket limit before the plan pays

100% for any enrolled family members covered benefits.

::

Changes to employee life insurance premiums:

Premiums for supplemental life insurance will decrease for 2016. The premiums will be available on the PEBB Programs website starting in mid-October.
::

For 2016: If an enrolled family

member meets a certain out-of-pocket
limit, the CDHPs will pay 100% for

covered benefits for that family membereven if the family out-of-pocket

limit has not been reached.

Changes to employee long-term disability (LTD) premiums

Premiums for optional LTD insurance will increase for 2016. The premiums
(based on a percentage of the employees income) will be available on the PEBB
Programs website starting in mid-October.

SmartHealth changes:
in PEBB medical with an effective date in July or August,
the deadline is 120 days from
the subscribers PEBB medical effective date.

The PEBB adopted the

following changes to the SmartHealth wellness incentive
deadlines:
Effective January 1, 2016,
eligible subscribers must
complete the SmartHealth
wellness incentive program
requirements by the following
deadlines to receive a PEBB

MORE
ONLINE

wellness incentive in the following year:

For subscribers continu-

ing enrollment in PEBB medical and subscribers enrolling

in PEBB medical with an
effective date in January, Feb-

ruary, March, April, May, or

June, the deadline is Sept. 30.
For subscribers enrolling

For subscribers enrolling in PEBB medical with an

effective date in September,
October, November, or December, the deadline is December 31.

8 http://hca.wa.gov/pebb/Documents/announce_pebboard_changes_2016.pdf

September 2015

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

Page 7

OUR VALUES MATTER

Hospital assistants stand up for
family-friendly shifts at Harborview

ments rationale say the

change wont improve patient
care, will disrupt family life
and cut their pay by at least
10 percent.
Its the latest illustration how
the University of Washington,
which runs Harborview under a management contract
with the owners (the people
of King County), disregards
core community values when
it targets employees like this.
Its one reason the King
County Council for the first
time ever is heavily scrutinizing their contract with the
UW to run Harborview. That
scrutiny came because of the
commitment of the union and
Local 1488 to hold the UW accountable at Harborview.

Hospital assistants present petition challenging the proposed shift change on their unit at UW-run Harborview Aug. 19.

proposed shift change doesnt sit well with

a group of hospital assistants in a unit at this
regions premier trauma center, Harborview
Medical Center in Seattle.

Managers say the move

to 12-hour shifts in the Neuro

Acute Unit will align with

nurses hours and bring con-

tinuity care.
These hospital assistants
carefully monitor their patients for seizure activity.
But the hospital assistants
joined by the very nurses who
actually dont share manage-

On Aug. 19, a dozen or so

hospital assistant members
of Local 1488 presented their
manager with a letter and
petition contesting the forced
shift change on the Neuro
Acute Unit to 12-hour shifts.
The letter and petition
-- jointly signed by Local 1488
members and registered nurse
members of SEIU Healthcare
1199NW -- was presented to
their manager, Magda Hanna.
The change in hours

Infant at Work Policy a hit at Department of Health

policy allowing Department of Health parents

to bring their newborns
to work a policy WFSE/AFSCME members helped craft has
become a hit.
We as a union need to advocate
strongly for family-friendly policies,
said Mike Weisman, a WFSE/AFSCME shop steward and Local 443
member at DOH in
Tumwater.
The policy allows parents to
bring infants from
age 6 weeks to 6 months to work. That
helps baby-parent bonding and makes
it easier for working moms to breastfeed their babies.
Its in line with Federation mem-

At Aug. 18 Health Bargaining Unit meeting in Tumwater (from left): DOH Local 443 Shop Steward
Ingrid Hansen; WFSE/AFSCME Organizers Rosemary Sterling and Sarah Buel; WFSE/AFSCME
Organizing Supervisor Elizabeth Turnbow; WFSE/AFSCME Council Representative Cristal Java;
and DOH Local 443 Shop Steward Mike Weisman.
bers family-friendly values and new
protections against discriminating
against employees on the basis of status as a breastfeeding mother. WFSE/
AFSCME members won that at the
bargaining table in the just-enacted

2015-2017 contract.
Weisman was a part of the General
Government Bargaining Team that
won that new contract protection.
He was also involved in the im-

would mean many would

go to the equivalent of a 0.9
full-time equivalent employee
meaning a loss of at least 10
percent in pay, said WFSE/
AFSCME Council Representative Sarah Bright.
Bright said many of the
affected hospital assistants
have worked in the Neuro
Acute Unit for years and
dont want to move to another
floor to maintain their current
shifts.
Many of the hospital assistants have shifts of two
12-hour shifts and two 8-hour
shifts in a workweek.
The move to longer shifts
increases the chance of sleepiness, she said, and overall just
isnt right.
This change would add
to fatigue and disrupt workers family lives, Bright said.
We dont think thats any
way to improve patient care.
A formal demand-tobargain request has been filed
with a hearing scheduled for
the eleventh of this month.
But the workers hope
their action Aug. 19 will persuade management to resolve
the issue quickly without
having to go a hearing, Bright
said.

provement of the draft infant-at-work

policy proposed by the agency.
One of those improvements that
came from the demand-to-bargain process: the policy covers part-time workers, too, he said.
Ingrid Hansen, another union shop
steward at DOH in Tumwater, asked
members if they wanted to comment
on the draft policy. The response was
overwhelming, she said.
I was so surprised and pleased
to see how many people valued this,
Hansen said.
Hansen told a bargaining unit
meeting in Tumwater Aug. 18 members there committed to listen to colleagues to make it a better policy. It
includes important protections against
invasion of privacy and workplace disruptions.
Making life better for young families in the workplace is part of our core
values, Hansen said.
Other agencies have shown interest and may follow suit.

Remembering the Charleston 9

Local 843s Kevin Allen said members from at least six WFSE/AFSCME locals
and retirees attended the event. It was a good event and we had WFSE
presence, Allen said.

Page 8

WFSE/AFSCME
members joined with the
Coalition of Black Trade
Unionists and other
community allies Aug. 22 to
dedicate a memorial to the
nine innocents gunned down
in a Charleston, S.C. church
in June.
Joined by Seattle Mayor
Ed Murray and other elected
officials, they broke ground
for the centerpiece tree that
will be surrounded by nine
plants each one representing
one of the victims slain in
the mass shooting during a
Bible study class June 17 at
Emanuel African Methodist

Breaking ground for monument.

Episcopal Church in
Charleston, S.C.
A cornerstone was placed
at the site as a reminder that

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

racial hatred is unacceptable.

The tree in the middle
represents the community
coming together to say Hate
Wont Win.
Fircrest School/SOLA/
Echo Glen Local 341 and
University of Washington/
Harborview Medical Center
Local 1488 made financial
contributions to the event.

September 2015