Members in action.

See page 8.

State Employee

VOL. 43 NO. 10

www.discoverpass.wa.gov

DECEMBER 2015

The official newspaper of the

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

WASHINGTON

Now good on either

of two vehicles!

INSIDE:

Tools for you for

Legislature 2016

The legislative session

starts Jan. 11.
Budget overview - 2

For our families, our co-workers, our communities....

On the scene in

Telling our stories - 3

Pullout with all your
legislators and contact info
- 4-5
T YOUR

CONTAC

ICE TO

UR VO

USE YO

ICE TO

VO
E YOUR

US

tives
representa 2016
and two the 60-day
senator
ts for
distric Jan. 11.
s of the
d
the name legislative
here are states 49 lature that starte
Listed
of this the Legis
from each
on of
one
r sessi
50-48.
regula
However, s in
House,
crats.
ol the
Republican
24 Demo
crats contr
s and with the 25
Demo
blican
25 Repu on, caucuses
e has
Sheld
ly.
s.
The Senat Sen. tim
direct
ion Caucu
crat,
ators
Demo
legisl
rity Coalit
your
e-mail
the Majo
call or
ory to
direct
Use this

SL
UR LEGI

T YO

CONTAC

Rep. DerekD-1,
rd,
Stanfo
928)
(786-7
rd
.stanfo
(derek
a.gov)
@leg.w

ary
Sen. RosemD-1,
iffe,
McAul
600)
(786-7
ary.
(rosem
g.
ffe@le
mcauli )
wa.gov
iCt 8
DiStR

Sen. Brian
l
Danse
612)
R-7, (786-7 @
dansel
(brian.
.gov)
leg.wa
iCt 14
DiStR

Rep. NormR-14,
on
Johns
810)
(786-7
n
johnso
(norm.
a.gov)
@leg.w

n
Sen. Sharo
, R-8,
Brown
614)
(786-7
n
n.brow
(sharo
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Gina R-14,

e,
McCab
856)
(786-7
ccabe
(gina.m
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. BradR-8,
rt,
Klippe
882)
(786-7
lippert
(brad.k
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Luis D-1,

so,
Mosco
900) (luis
(786-7
so
.mosco
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Larry
R-8,
Haler,
986)
(786-7
aler
(larry.h
a.gov)
@leg.w

m
Rep. Graha(786R-2,
Hunt,
7824)
t@
m.hun
(graha
.gov)
leg.wa

Sen. Randi
r, R-2,
Becke
602)
(786-7
becker
(randi.
a.gov)
@leg.w

t.
Rep. J. R-2,
,
Wilcox
912)
(786-7
ox
(jt.wilc
a.gov)
@leg.w

Dye,
Rep. Mary
R-9,
Sen. Mark R-9,
942)
sler,
(786-7
Schoe
ye
620)
(mary.d
(786-7
a.gov)
ler
@leg.w
schoes
(mark.
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 16
DiStR

Rep. David
, R-15,
taylor
874)
(786-7
taylor
(david.
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. BruceR-15,
ler,
Chand
Sen. Jim R-15,
960)
ford,
(786-7
ler
Honey
.chand
(bruce
684)
(786-7
a.gov)
d
neyfor
@leg.w
(jim.ho
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 22
DiStR

Sen. Mike
, R-16,
Hewitt
630)
(786-7
ewitt
(mike.h
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 23
DiStR

terry
Rep.
en
, R-16,
Nealey
Rep. Maure
828)
, R-16,
(786-7
Walsh
ealey
836)
(terry.n
(786-7
sh
a.gov)
en.wal
@leg.w
(maure
a.gov)
@leg.w

iCt 21

Rep. ChrisD-22,
al,
Reykd
940)
(786-7
eykdal
(chris.r
a.gov)
@leg.w

Hunt,
Rep. Sam
D-22,
992)
(786-7
unt
(sam.h
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. SherryD-23,
ton,
ine
Apple
Sen. Christ
934)
, D-23,
(786-7
on
Rolfes
.applet
(sherry
644)
(786-7
a.gov)
es
@leg.w
ne.rolf
(christi
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 30
DiStR

Rep. DrewD-23,
n,
Hanse
842)
(786-7
ansen
(drew.h
a.gov)
@leg.w

iCt 29

DiStR

Rep. David
r, D-29,
Sawye
Sen. SteveD-29,
906)
y,
(786-7
r
Conwa
sawye
(david.
656)
(786-7
a.gov)
y
conwa
@leg.w
(steve.
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 36
DiStR

Rep. Gael D-36,

n,
tarleto
860)
(786-7
arleton
(gael.t
a.gov)
@leg.w

APPt
Rep. NO
YEt, D-36,
814)
(786-7
)
wa.gov
(@leg.

Sen. Mark R-30,

ia,
Milosc
658)
(786-7
ia
milosc
(mark.
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 37
DiStR

Rep. Steve
D-29,
Kirby,
996)
(786-7
kirby
(steve.
a.gov)
@leg.w

la
Sen. PramiD-37,
al,
Jayap
688)
(786-7
pal
la.jaya
(prami
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Linda R-30,

ar,
Kochm
898)
(786-7
r
ochma
(linda.k
a.gov)
@leg.w

n
s,
Rep. Sharo
o Santo
tomik
944)
(786-7
D-37,
s
n.santo
(sharo
a.gov)
@leg.w

,
Hickel
Rep. teri
R-30,
830)
(786-7
ckel
(teri.hi
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Eric D-37,

rew,
Pettig
838)
(786-7
w
ettigre
(eric.p
a.gov)
@leg.w

Sen. Jim D-24,

ve,
Hargro
646)
(786-7
rgrove
(jim.ha
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 31
DiStR

Page

Rep. Paul
, R-17,
Harris
976)
(786-7
arris
(paul.h
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 25
DiStR

Rep. Lynda
, R-17,
Wilson
994)
(786-7
wilson
(lynda.
a.gov)
@leg.w

Sen. Kirk R-39,

n,
Pearso
676)
(786-7
arson
(kirk.pe
a.gov)
@leg.w

Mike
Rep.
D-38,
Sells,
840)
(786-7
ells
(mike.s
a.gov)
@leg.w

Sen. Andy
Hill, R-45,
Rep. Mark
672)
worth
(786-7
Harms
ill
892)
(andy.h
(786-7
R-44,
a.gov)
orth
armsw
@leg.w
(mark.h
a.gov
@leg.w

Rep. Roger D-45,

an,
Goodm
878)
(786-7
an
goodm
(roger.
a.gov)
@leg.w

hington

E Was

SCM

WFSE/AF

Rep. Larry
er,
Spring
822)
(786-7
D-45,
r
pringe
(larry.s
a.gov)
@leg.w

State

Rep. Dan
nsen,
Kristia
967)
(786-7
R-39,
en
ristians
(dan.k
a.gov)
@leg.w

Sen. Dean
, D-19,
takko
636)
(786-7
takko
(dean.
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 26
DiStR

Rep. Liz
Pike, R-18,
812)
(786-7
e
(liz.pik
a.gov)
@leg.w

Angel
Sen. Jan
R-26
650)
(786-7
gel
(jan.an
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Gerry
Pollet,
886)
(786-7
D-46,
pollet
(gerry.
a.gov)
@leg.w

n
Rep. Jessy
l, D-46,
Farrel
818)
(786-7
.farrell
(jessyn
a.gov)
@leg.w

Sen. Joe
Fain, R-47,
692)
(786-7
in
(joe.fa
a.gov)
@leg.w

er
Decemb

2015

Rep. Brad R-12,

ns,
Hawki
832)
(786-7
awkins
(brad.h
a.gov)
@leg.w

Warnic
Sen. Judy 624)
R-13, (786-7
arnick
(judy.w
a.gov)
@leg.w

Dent,
Rep. tom

R-13,
932)
(786-7
nt
tom.de
a.gov)
@leg.w

iCt 14

DiStR

Rep. J.D. D-19,

tti,
Rosse
806)
(786-7
leg.
setti@
(jd.ros
)
wa.gov

Rep. Jesse
Young
964)
R-26 (786-7
young
(jesse.
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Brian
D-19,
Blake,
870)
(786-7
blake
(brian.
a.gov)
@leg.w

lle
Rep. Miche
r, R-26,
Caldie
802)
(786-7
ier
lle.cald
(miche
a.gov)
@leg.w

Sen. Karen
, D-33,
Keiser
664)
(786-7
.keiser
(karen
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 40
DiStR

Rep. Mia D-33

rson
Grege
868)
(786-7
on
regers
(mia.g
a.gov)
@leg.w

Sen. John
R-20,
Braun
638)
(786-7
raun
(john.b
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 27
DiStR

d
Rep. Richar
t, R-20,
DeBol
896)
(786-7
lt
d.debo
(richar
a.gov)
@leg.w

Orcutt
Rep. Ed
R-20,
990)
(786-7
utt
(ed.orc
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Jake
Fey, D-27,
974)
(786-7
y
(jake.fe
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Laurie
s, D-27,
ie
Jinkin
Sen. JeannD-27,
930)
(786-7
ille,
Darne
.jinkins
(laurie
652)
(786-7
a.gov)
eille
@leg.w
ie.darn
(jeann
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 34
DiStR

Rep. Jeff
, D-40,
Morris
970)
(786-7
rris
(jeff.mo
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Mark R-47,

ve,
Hargro
918)
(786-7
ve
hargro
(mark.
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Pat D-47,

n,
Sulliva
858)
(786-7
llivan
(pat.su
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Eileen
D-34,
n
Cody,
Sen. Sharo
978)
, D-34,
(786-7
Nelson
.cody
667)
(eileen
(786-7
a.gov)
n
@leg.w
n.nelso
(sharo
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 41
DiStR

Sen. Steve
, R-41,
Litzow
641)
(786-7
litzow
(steve.
a.gov
@leg.w

Senn
Rep. tana 894)
(786-7
D-41,
enn
(tana.s
a.gov)
@leg.w

iCt 21

DiStR

iCt 20

Rep. Joe
bon,
Fitzgib
952)
(786-7
D-34,
gibbon
(joe.fitz
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Judy D-41,

rn,
Clibbo
926)
(786-7
libborn
(judy.c
a.gov)
@leg.w

Sen. tim D-35,

n,
Sheldo
668)
(786-7
on
y.sheld
(timoth
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 42
DiStR

Sen. Doug
en,
Ericks
682)
(786-7
R-42,
n
erickse
(doug.
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 49
DiStR

Rep. StromD-21,
on,
Liias,
Peters
Sen. Mark
950)
(786-7
on
D-21,
.peters
640)
(strom
(786-7
a.gov)
@leg.w
liias
(mark.
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 28
DiStR

Sen. Steve
R-28,
OBan
654)
(786-7
oban
(steve.
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 35
DiStR

iCt 33

Rep. tina
l, D-33,
Orwal
834)
(786-7
rwall
(tina.o
a.gov)
@leg.w

Sen. Curtis
R-14,
King,
626)
(786-7
king
(curtis.
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Matt R-13,

ller,
Manwe
808)
(786-7
er
anwell
(matt.m
a.gov)
@leg.w

DiStR

DiStR

e
Rep. Kristin
, D-40,
Lytton
Sen. Kevin
800)
(786-7
r, D-40,
Ranke
e.lytton
(kristin
678)
a.gov)
(786-7
@leg.w
ranker
(kevin.
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 47
DiStR

eth
Rep. Elizab
R-39,
Scott,
816)
(786-7
tt
eth.sco
(elizab
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 47
DiStR

Rep. Jeff
Holy, R-6,
962)
(786-7
ly
(jeff.ho
a.gov)
@leg.w

DiStR

Sen. David
, D-46,
Frockt
690)
(786-7
frockt
(david.
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Jay R-5,

,
Rodne
852)
(786-7
ne
(jay.rod
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Cary
Evans Condotta, R-12,
Sen. LindaR-12,
954)
(786-7
te,
a
Parlet
ondott
(cary.c
622)
(786-7
a.gov)
arlette
@leg.w
(linda.p
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 19
DiStR

iCt 46

iCt 44

Rep. Hans D-44,

ee,
Dunsh
804)
(786-7
e
dunshe
(hans.
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Ruth
D-32,
Kagi,
910)
(786-7
agi
(ruth.k
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Steve D-11,

uist,
Bergq
862)
(786-7
ist
bergqu
(steve.
a.gov)
@leg.w

iCt 6

DiStR

k,

Rep. Hans
, R-25,
ie
Rep. Melan R-25, Zeiger 968)
augh,
(786-7
Stamb
948) (mela- (hans.zeiger
(786-7
a.gov)
h
mbaug
@leg.w
nie.sta
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 32
DiStR

Sen. Bruce R-25,

eier,
Damm
648)
Rep. Steve D-24,
(786-7
eier
ger,
Van
.damm
tharin
(bruce
Rep. KevinD-24,
904)
a.gov)
(786-7
er
@leg.w
De Wege,
tharing
916)
(steve.
ege
(786-7
a.gov)
vandew
@leg.w
(kevin.
iCt 32
a.gov)
DiStR
@leg.w

DiStR

iCt 43

Sen. Steve
, D-44,
Hobbs
686)
(786-7
hobbs
(steve.
a.gov)
@leg.w

on
Rep. Brand
Vick, R-18,
Sen. Ann
850)
, R-18,
(786-7
Rivers
on.vick
(brand
634)
(786-7
a.gov)
@leg.w
vers
(ann.ri
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 25
DiStR

Rep. Cindy
n
Ryu, D-32,
Sen. Maraly
880)
(786-7
opher Chase, D-32,
ryu
Rep. Christ
(cindy.
662)
D-31,
(786-7
a.gov)
se
Hurst,
@leg.w
yn.cha
Rep. Drew
866)
(maral
bary,
(786-7
a.gov)
urst
pher.h
Stokes
@leg.w
846)
Sen. Pam
(christo
(786-7
, R-31,
a.gov)
R-31,
ary
iCt 39
Roach
tokesb
@leg.w
DiStR
660)
(drew.s
(786-7
a.gov)
oach
@leg.w
(pam.r
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 38
DiStR

Rep. June D-38,

son,
McRobin
Sen. John
864)
(786-7
n
Coy, D-38,
obinso
(june.r
674)
(786-7
a.gov)
ccoy
@leg.w
(john.m
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 45
DiStR

DiStR

Rep. Frank
, D-43,
Chopp
920)
(786-7
chopp
(frank.
a.gov)
@leg.w

Sen. DonR-17,
n,
Bento
632)
(786-7
enton
(don.b
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 24
DiStR

Sen. Mark
, D-5,
Mullet
608)
(786-7
mullet
(mark.
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 12
DiStR

DiStR

Rep. Zack D-11,

ns,
Hudgi
Sen. Bob D-11,
956)
(786-7
awa,
Haseg
udgins
(zack.h
616)
(786-7
a.gov)
a
@leg.w
asegaw
(bob.h
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 18
DiStR

Rep. Dave
, R-10,
Hayes
914)
(786-7
hayes
(dave.
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Norma
, R-10,
Smith
884)
(786-7
.smith
(norma
a.gov)
@leg.w

ATORS

Rep. Kevin
, R-6,
el
Parker 922)
Sen. Micha r,
(786-7 parker
gartne
Baum
610)
(kevin. a.gov)
Rep. Chad R-5,
R-6, (786-7
danz,
@leg.w
el.
Magen
(micha artner
876)
nz
(786-7
baumg a.gov)
agenda
(chad.m
@leg.w
a.gov)
iCt 13
@leg.w
DiStR

iCt 11

iCt 10

ra
Sen. Barba
, R-10,
Bailey
618)
(786-7
y
ra.baile
(barba
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 17
DiStR

Rep. Joe R-9,

ck,
Schmi
844)
(786-7
hmick
(joe.sc
a.gov)
@leg.w

Sen. MikeR-4,
n,
Padde
606)
(786-7
adden
(mike.p
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Matt
R-4,
Shea,
984)
(786-7
(matt shea
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Bob R-4,

lin,
McCas
820)
(786-7
@
ccaslin
(bob.m
.gov)
leg.wa

DiStR

iCt 9

iCt 15

Sen. Karen
, D-22,
Fraser
642)
(786-7
.fraser
(karen
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. timmD-3,
y,
s
Ormsb
Rep. Marcu
946)
li, D-3,
(786-7
y
Riccel
ormsb
888)
(timm.
(786-7
a.gov)
i
s.ricell
@leg.w
(marcu
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 10
DiStR

Sen. Andy
D-3,
Billig,
604)
(786-7
illig
(andy.b
a.gov)
@leg.w

DiStR

DiStR

DiStR

Rep. LillianD-21,
elf,
Ortiz-S
972)
(786-7
lf
ortiz-se
(lillian.
a.gov)
@leg.w

iCt 2

DiStR

iCt 1

iCt 7

Rep. Joel
R-7,
Kretz,
988)
(786-7
etz.
(joel.kr
a.gov)
@leg.w

DiStR
iCt 3

DiStR

DiStR

DiStR

Rep. Shelly
R-7,
Short,
908)
(786-7
.short
(shelly
a.gov)
@leg.w

iCt 3

ATORS

LEGISL

iCt 5

DiStR

iCt 4

DiStR

Muri,
Rep. Dick
R-28
890)
(786-7
g.
uri@le
(dick.m
)
wa.gov

Rep. DanR-35,
,
Griffey
966) (dan.
(786-7
griffey
a.gov)
@leg.w

e
Rep. Luann, R-42,
Van Werven (lu980)
(786-7
en
anwerv
anne.v
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Joan D-48,

de,
McBri
848)
(786-7
cbride
(joan.m
a.gov)
@leg.w

Rep. Sharo
D-49,
te
Wylie,
Sen. Annet D-49,
924)
and,
(786-7
Clevel
n.wylie
(sharo
696)
(786-7
a.gov)
eland
@leg.w
te.clev
(annet
a.gov)
@leg.w

hington

E Was

SCM

WFSE/AF

State

Rep. Brady
shaw,
Walkin
826)
Sen. Jamie D-43,
D43, (786-7 sen,
Peder
walkin
628)
(brady.
.gov
(786-7
leg.wa
en
peders
shaw@
(jamie.
N:
a.gov)
MAtiO
@leg.w
Ct iNFOR
e:
CONtA
ge Hotlin
MORE
ative Messa 00
Legisl
562-60
1-800By mail:
LD#)
(insert
Box 404-04 (insert LD#)
: P.O.
Senateia, WA 98504
Olymp
Box 40600
-0600
: P.O.
:
House ia, WA 98504
Office
ors
Olymp
nors
Gover (For relay operat
d,
11
g impaire
hearin
(360) 902-41
Brad
deaf or
for the dial 7-1-1) overnor.wa.
Lt. Gov.
D,
please form: www.g sp
Owen,
700)
E-mail ntact/default.a
(786-7
gov/co
leg.
Box 40002-0002
(ltgov@
98504
5
Mail: P.O.
)
ia, WA
Page
wa.gov
Olymp

E
SENAt
DENt
PRESi

iCt 48

Rep. PattyD-48,
er,
Kuder
936)
(786-7
uderer
(patty.k
a.gov)
@leg.w

n
Sen. Reuve
e, D-36,
Rep. Drew R-35, Carlyl 670)
en,
(786-7
le
MacEw
n.carly
902)
(reuve
n
(786-7
a.gov)
acewe
@leg.w
(drew.m
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 43
DiStR

t
Rep. Vincen
R-42,
Buys,
854)
(786-7
t.buys
(vincen
a.gov)
@leg.w

DiStR

Sen. Cyrus
, D-48,
Habib
694)
(786-7
habib
(cyrus.
a.gov)
@leg.w

ine
Rep. Christ
f, D-28,
Kilduf
958)
(786-7
uff
ne.kild
(christi
a.gov)
@leg.w
iCt 36
DiStR

Rep. Jim D-49,

r,
Moelle
872)
(786-7
eller
(jim.mo
a.gov)
@leg.w

Employe

er 2015

Decemb

Employe

The lessons learned

from their action
I think the big message
by us doing that action I
think theres a feeling that
were powerless in this
society. And to see people
using the union -- with the
help of the union -- getting
together and actually
getting something done,
were taking the power
back. We are empowering
people by seeing this
action happen and getting
results.

2016

Were hoping with these

raises well be able to fill positions...and psychologists can
go back to doing what they
do best, said Dr. Kathleen
Gallagher, a psychologist 4 at
Western since 2013.
It shows people if we actually work together as a team
and the union is a team we
can get things done, said
Kathy Seiffert, a psychiatric
social worker 3 at Western
since 2012.
Part of being a union is
being involved, Simons said.
The union is not a hired gun.
The members are the power.
Simons, Gallagher and
Seiffert are members of Local
793 at Western State Hospital.

Were taking
the power back

Anneliese Simons
Psychiatric social worker 3
Western State Hospital, Local 793

Part of the solution to a crisis

From left: WFSE/AFSCME General Government Strategic Coordinator Sean Dannen and Local 793 members Dr. Kathleen Gallagher, Anneliese Simons and Kathy Seiffert.

How a group of Eastern and Western

State Hospital members used their power to come together, speak up and help
solve one part of a troubling recruitment
and retention problem

nneliese Simons is one of the dedicated

psychiatric social worker 3s who has seen
co-workers leave in the past year as Western
and Eastern State Hospitals face a crisis recruiting and
keeping good workers.
We have lost so many
in the past year because they
can make much more money
elsewhere -- $10,000 - $20,000

more a year, said Simons,

whos worked at Western for
eight years with a social work
degree from the University of

Washington-Tacoma.
But she and co-workers
stepped up with a solution,
using the voice they have,
coming together as a union.
They initiated a grassroots, member-driven effort
to raise awareness, support
and action. They gathered
more than 400 letters at Eastern, Western and from other
WFSE/AFSCME members
making the governor and
state budget office aware of
the crisis.
They got attention.
On Dec. 1 psychiatric social worker 3s and psychologist 4s began receiving 15
percent assignment pay.

The members involved

in the grassroots awareness
effort brought a measure of
calm to the crisis.
And it is a crisis.
The Tacoma News Tribune reported Nov. 27 that
the challenge of keeping
positions filled at Western
was one reason for an overall safety problem with high
rates of assaults and injuries.
The recruitment and retention
crisis was cited as one reason
Western had its federal funding pulled and has not been
able to obey the court order
mandating examination of
criminal defendants within a
week.

See POWER, page 8

EVERY VOICE COUNTS: LEGISLATURE 2016

Budget, budget, budget

WFSE/AFSCME members gear up to make presence known as
state faces old and new budget challenges; it all starts Jan. 11.

These Local 793 members at Western State Hospital took part with members at some 190 worksites on the Dec. 3 Day
of Action to make sure the supplemental budget for 2016-17 funds vital services and protects public employees.

s one longtime observer recently said,

the short 60-day 2016
legislative session will be
about three things: Budget.
Budget. Budget.

Legislators will work on

a supplemental budget -- a
smaller even-number-year
spending plan to tweak the
main biennial budget passed
in 2015.

WFSE/AFSCME members have already scheduled

Lobby Days on more than
half of those days to press for
more funding for such vital
public services as Childrens,

mental health, programs for

the developmentally disabled,
natural resources and our infrastructure.
Members are using the
voice they have under the
right they have to come together, advocate for public
services and the people who
depend on our services.
But there are many budget challenges:
The courts are sorting
out the constitutionality of
the latest Tim Eyman initiative that passed with less than
super-majority support in
November. If upheld, I-1366
would cut $8 billion in badly
needed state revenue through
2021 at the same time the state
must come up with $5 billion
to fund the Supreme Court
mandate on school funding,
according to state budget officials.
Now comes word that
our budget and revenue situation could get even worse.
The state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council on Nov.
18 predicted a $474 million
shortfall in the next, full twoyear budget for 2017-2019.
And that came the same
day Eyman filed another costly initiative that would limit

Budget overview 2016

The following is an overview of the major challenges
facing state employees as the
Legislature prepares for the
2016 legislative session.
THE STRUCTURAL BUDGET DEFECIT
Although Washington
state tax collections are growing (slowly), total per capita
revenue remains far below
pre-recession levels.
Personal income in Washington state is higher than
the national average, and expected to grow even more in
the future.
However, state revenue
has been declining as a share
of personal income for more
than 20 years.
In 1995, state and local revenue collections were
equal to 6.6 percent of total
personal income. By 2014
that rate had dropped to 4.9
percent -- and this downward
trend is expected to continue

State Employee
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

in the future. In fact, Washington state has fallen to 35th in

the nation in terms of tax collections as a share of personal
income.
Washingtons tax system what we tax and what
we dont tax simply isnt
capable of meeting the states
needs any more.
Washington is a wealthy
state, but we dont tax wealth.
Instead, we rely on the sales
tax as our biggest source of
revenue. However, the sales
tax only applies to goods, not
services, and the purchase of
goods is a declining share of
todays service-based economy.
Over-reliance on a sales
tax limited only to the purchase of goods is a major reason why studies have shown
that Washington has the most
regressive tax system in the
nation.
There are other significant
structural problems with our
states tax system.
Over the past 100 years
the state has enacted well
over 600 tax loopholes worth
billions of dollars.
As a result, small and
marginal businesses pay far
more in business taxes than
do large, profitable corporations.
Further, hundreds of millions in sales tax revenue is
lost to online shopping, and
the Legislature enacted an

Gearing up for
action. Member
lobbyists at WFSE/
AFSCME Lobby
Training Dec. 12 in
Olympia.
The legislative session starts Jan. 11.

arbitrary 1 percent cap on

property tax growth that fails
to keep up with inflation.
At the same time state tax
collections as a percent of the
overall economy are declining, costs for vital public services are growing.
Further, those costs will
grow exponentially as demographic shifts toward an aging
population will result in even
greater demands for health
care and public services in the
future.
The result is the state of
Washington has a structural
budget deficit that will only
be resolved by increasing
revenue and/or permanently
reducing state spending.
We will remain in a state
of perpetual austerity, with
budget battles in the Legislature every year, until our
structural budget deficit is
resolved.
THE IMPACT OF THE McCLEARY
DECISION
The McCleary case refers
to a lawsuit originally filed
in 2007, by the Network of
Excellence in Washington
Schools on behalf of the Mc-

Cleary and Venema families,

arguing the state was failing
in its constitutional duty to
fully fund K-12 education. A
trial was held in King County
Superior Court in 2009.
In response, the Legislature adopted HB 2261 in 2009
that redefined basic education and set a deadline of full
implementation by 2018.
Despite passage of this
legislation, the Superior Court
ruled against the state in 2009,
the state appealed, and in
2012 the state Supreme Court
ruled in favor of the plaintiffs
and ordered the Legislature
to comply with HB 2261 and
meet its constitutional duty
by 2018.
While the Legislature has
significantly increased K-12
education spending in recent
sessions, they have been unable to agree on a plan to fully
fund all of the requirements
of the law.
As a result, the Supreme
Court found the Legislature
in contempt and issued fines
to the state of $100,000 a day
until compliance is achieved.
The fine itself isnt a problem
for the state financially, but

Keep in touch and

get the message out
at the Capitol and
back home:
Lobby Days:
http://wfse.org/getinvolved/lobby-days/
Hotline updates:
Audio 1-800-5626102
E-mail sign up at
wfse.org/news/
Text updates: Text
NEWS to 237263
Action alerts: Text
wfsec28 to 237263

the duration of tax increases

to one year if not approved by
either a supermajority of the
Legislature, or by voters.
The background information
you asked for is below.

the cost of fully implementing

HB 2261 could be as much as
$5 billion.
Currently there is no
consensus in the Legislature
on how to come up with the
funding necessary to comply
with the court order. The challenge in front of the Legislature is complex and controversial and very expensive.
THE THREAT OF INITIATIVE 1366
I-1366 was the latest ballot measure from professional
initiative-promoter Tim Eyman.
This initiative will decrease the state sales tax by
one cent (from 6.5% down to
5.5%) unless the Legislature
votes to put a constitutional
amendment on the ballot
that would permanently and
forever require a two-thirds
vote of the Legislature to raise
taxes or close loopholes.
This Eyman initiative is
meant to end-run the 2013
state Supreme Court ruling
that declared the two-thirds
requirement to be unconstitutional.
I-1366 proposes to work
around that problem by forcing the Legislature to either
forward Eymans preferred
constitutional amendment to
the ballot or face a massive
reduction in state revenue.
I-1366 was adopted this
past November with 51.5
percent of the vote. The state
would lose $8 billion over six
years if the sales tax decrease
contained in I-1366 were to go
into effect.

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

December 2015

EVERY VOICE COUNTS: LEGISLATURE 2016

Coming together, speaking up for public

services, helping families get ahead
S
ome 65 members representing WFSE/AFSCME locals and a variety of
job and bargaining unit categories gathered in Olympia Dec. 12 for Lobby
Training for 2016.
More than half are first-time member lobbyists.
They got an important briefing on the issues (see some of that background on
page 2).
But more importantly they learned how important it is to tell legislators and the

December 2015

public their stories -- because the public may distrust the government, but what
they want from the government is what you do every day, WFSE/AFSCME Legislative and Political Action Director Dennis Eagle told the member lobbyists.
You guys are our secret weapon, Eagle said.
On this page are some the goals and stories of just 10 of those member lobbyists. One message is clear: Public Services Matter and are worth speaking up
for.

MAKING A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL OF US TO LIVE

HELPING TROUBLED YOUTH BACK INTO FAMILIES

This is our country, our government. Its our job

to make things better. If we dont let our voices be
heard, if we dont take whatever means we can take
to make things better in our lives, in our community,
then weve really given up, we arent playing a part of
the game. We cant complain about the game if were
not willing to contribute.
Lesli Younger, an information technology worker
at Eastern Washington University in Cheney (Local 931), whos committed to the Higher Education
mission of helping students become productive
citizens.

Im a mental health coordinator and I serve over

70 percent mental health population while theyre in
our facility and while they transition back into their
community....I think helping them can help reduce the
recidivism rate so they dont come back to our facility
or transition to the Department of Corrections.
Nichelle Shelley, juvenile rehabilitation counselor
at Green Hill School in Chehalis (Local 862), whos
proud of being on a team that brings families of the
troubled youth together to develop a plan to transition back into the community. Ultimately, families are
the experts of themselves, Shelley says.

GETTING ANSWERS TO THOSE WHO NEED THEM

A VOICE FOR INJURED WORKERS

Im asking support from the public and others to support us in helping us keep full-time employees who
work in government service. Because they provide
valuable services that are needed by the public.
Abdullatif Qaasim, a customer services specialist
with the Department of Licensing in Olympia (Local
443), whose greatest joy is helping callers who just
dont know their way around the system. Having a
professional there who is trained and motivated and
really enjoys what theyre doing helps stakeholders
get the answers they need.

Its very important that we pull together and we get a

message that means something out to legislators....
As a risk manager, I work with employers to try to
help them put in safety programs to put together elements to protect their employees from injury.
Connie Lewis, Department of Labor & Industries in
Everett (Local 1020)

STANDING UP FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS

MY WHOLE FOCUS IS THE KIDS

We serve the most vulnerable populations. (When

we talk to legislators) were talking about budget cuts
that have happened and (now what) we need additionally to get this job done and serving babies and
children.
Mahogany Villars, a social services specialist (social worker) with DSHS Childrens in Kent (Local 843)

The bigger message for the people I serve (in the

DSHS Child Care Division) is to help us keep the
funding that we need so we can have the resources
to take care of these children....Thats my whole
focus is the kids.
Jim Crouse, a financial services specialist with
DSHS in Ellensburg (Local 1301)

PRESERVING THE BRIDGE OF COMMUNICATION

WE MAKE AN AMAZING DIFFERENCE

(Medical interpreters) provide a very important

service because we are a bridge of communication.
It is through us that people can communicate and
patients can receive care or help when they need it.
Its a more productive way of working.
Aida Sanchez-Vela, a medical interpreter in Federal
Way (statewide Interpreters United Local 1671).

Its amazing the difference you see in someones

face when they come in. Theyve got nothing and...
even if were able to give them food assistance, that
person is able to go home that night and make sure
their children have food on the table because we
were able to help them.
June Sanderson, a financial services specialist in
Oak Harbor (Local 1060) who plans to tell legislators
about the need to restore funding to the safety net to
help our neighbors who hit hard times.

KEEPING INSURANCE COMPANIES HONEST

ITS ABOUT QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICES

We are very important to make sure that the insurance companies are there, theyre solvent and
theyre doing what theyre supposed to do....Its really
good for the people of the state of Washington to
know that real professionals are supporting them.
Yasen Angelov, a financial analyst with the Office of
the Insurance Commissioner in Olympia (Local 443).

Im advocating for the public, the people who I

serve...helping people get to someone to resolve
problems with their specific claims in order to get the
benefits that theyre eligible for....(We must advocate
for adequate funding for services because) if we
do nothing, then the system stays the same or gets
worse.
Douglas Perry, an unemployment insurance specialist with the Employment Security Department in
Spokane (Local 1221)

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

Page 3

USE YOUR VOICE TO CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS

Listed here are the names of the senator and two representatives
from each of this states 49 legislative districts for the 60-day 2016
regular session of the Legislature that starts Jan. 11.

DISTRICT 1

DISTRICT 3

DISTRICT 2

Democrats control the House, 50-48.

The Senate has 25 Republicans and 24 Democrats. However, one
Democrat, Sen. Tim Sheldon, caucuses with the 25 Republicans in
the Majority Coalition Caucus.
Use this directory to call or e-mail your legislators directly.

DISTRICT 7

Sen. Brian
Dansel
R-7, (786-7612)
(brian.dansel@
leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Shelly
Short, R-7,
(786-7908)
(shelly.short
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Gina
McCabe, R-14,
(786-7856)
(gina.mccabe
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 21

Rep. Lillian
Ortiz-Self, D-21,
(786-7972)
(lillian.ortiz-self
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Joel
Kretz, R-7,
(786-7988)
(joel.kretz.
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Sharon
Brown, R-8,
(786-7614)
(sharon.brown
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. David
Sawyer, D-29,
(786-7906)
(david.sawyer
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Jim
Honeyford, R-15,
(786-7684)
(jim.honeyford
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Chris
Reykdal, D-22,
(786-7940)
(chris.reykdal
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Gael
Tarleton, D-36,
(786-7860)
(gael.tarleton
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 43

Rep. Frank
Chopp, D-43,
(786-7920)
(frank.chopp
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Bruce
Chandler, R-15,
(786-7960)
(bruce.chandler
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Steve
Kirby, D-29,
(786-7996)
(steve.kirby
@leg.wa.gov)

Page 4

Rep. David
Taylor, R-15,
(786-7874)
(david.taylor
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Mike
Hewitt, R-16,
(786-7630)
(mike.hewitt
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Mark
Schoesler, R-9,
(786-7620)
(mark.schoesler
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Hans
Dunshee, D-44,
(786-7804)
(hans.dunshee
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Mary Dye,

R-9,
(786-7942)
(mary.dye
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Sam Hunt,

D-22,
(786-7992)
(sam.hunt
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Mark
Miloscia, R-30,
(786-7658)
(mark.miloscia
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Sharon
Tomiko Santos,
D-37, (786-7944)
(sharon.santos
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Maureen
Walsh, R-16,
(786-7836)
(maureen.walsh
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Terry
Nealey, R-16,
(786-7828)
(terry.nealey
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Christine
Rolfes, D-23,
(786-7644)
(christine.rolfes
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Sherry
Appleton, D-23,
(786-7934)
(sherry.appleton
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Linda
Kochmar, R-30,
(786-7898)
(linda.kochmar
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Drew
Hansen, D-23,
(786-7842)
(drew.hansen
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Pam
Roach, R-31,
(786-7660)
(pam.roach
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Joe
Schmick, R-9,
(786-7844)
(joe.schmick
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Don
Benton, R-17,
(786-7632)
(don.benton
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Jim
Hargrove, D-24,
(786-7646)
(jim.hargrove
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Kevin Van

De Wege, D-24,
(786-7916)
(kevin.vandewege
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. John McCoy, D-38,

(786-7674)
(john.mccoy
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Andy
Hill, R-45,
(786-7672)
(andy.hill
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Roger
Goodman, D-45,
(786-7878)
(roger.goodman
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Barbara
Bailey, R-10,
(786-7618)
(barbara.bailey
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. June
Robinson, D-38,
(786-7864)
(june.robinson
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Lynda
Wilson, R-17,
(786-7994)
(lynda.wilson
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Drew
Stokesbary,
R-31, (786-7846)
(drew.stokesbary
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Paul
Harris, R-17,
(786-7976)
(paul.harris
@leg.wa.gov)
DISTRICT 25

Rep. Steve
Tharinger, D-24,
(786-7904)
(steve.tharinger
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Christopher
Hurst, D-31,
(786-7866)
(christopher.hurst
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Maralyn
Chase, D-32,
(786-7662)
(maralyn.chase
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Bruce
Dammeier, R-25,
(786-7648)
(bruce.dammeier
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Cindy
Ryu, D-32,
(786-7880)
(cindy.ryu
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 39

Rep. Mike
Sells, D-38,
(786-7840)
(mike.sells
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Kirk
Pearson, R-39,
(786-7676)
(kirk.pearson
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Dan
Kristiansen,
R-39, (786-7967)
(dan.kristiansen
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 46

Rep. Larry
Springer,
D-45, (786-7822)
(larry.springer
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Norma
Smith, R-10,
(786-7884)
(norma.smith
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 32

DISTRICT 38

Rep. Eric
Pettigrew, D-37,
(786-7838)
(eric.pettigrew
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Andy
Billig, D-3,
(786-7604)
(andy.billig
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 10

DISTRICT 31

Rep. Teri Hickel,

R-30,
(786-7830)
(teri.hickel
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. J. T.
Wilcox, R-2,
(786-7912)
(jt.wilcox
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 24

DISTRICT 45

Rep. Mark
Harmsworth
R-44, (786-7892)
(mark.harmsworth
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Graham
Hunt, R-2, (7867824)
(graham.hunt@
leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 17

DISTRICT 23

DISTRICT 37

Sen. Pramila
Jayapal, D-37,
(786-7688)
(pramila.jayapal
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Randi
Becker, R-2,
(786-7602)
(randi.becker
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 16

DISTRICT 44

Sen. Steve
Hobbs, D-44,
(786-7686)
(steve.hobbs
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Larry
Haler, R-8,
(786-7986)
(larry.haler
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 30

DISTRICT 36

Rep. NO APPT
YET, D-36,
(786-7814)
(@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Luis
Moscoso, D-1,
(786-7900) (luis
.moscoso
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 9

DISTRICT 15

DISTRICT 29

Sen. Steve
Conway, D-29,
(786-7656)
(steve.conway
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Brad
Klippert, R-8,
(786-7882)
(brad.klippert
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 22

Sen. Karen
Fraser, D-22,
(786-7642)
(karen.fraser
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Derek
Stanford, D-1,
(786-7928)
(derek.stanford
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 8

DISTRICT 14

Rep. Norm
Johnson R-14,
(786-7810)
(norm.johnson
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Rosemary
McAuliffe, D-1,
(786-7600)
(rosemary.
mcauliffe@leg.
wa.gov)

Sen. David
Frockt, D-46,
(786-7690)
(david.frockt
@leg.wa.gov)

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

Rep. Gerry
Pollet,
D-46, (786-7886)
(gerry.pollet
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Elizabeth
Scott, R-39,
(786-7816)
(elizabeth.scott
@leg.wa.gov)
DISTRICT 47

Rep. Jessyn
Farrell, D-46,
(786-7818)
(jessyn.farrell
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Joe
Fain, R-47,
(786-7692)
(joe.fain
@leg.wa.gov)

December 2015

USE YOUR VOICE TO CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS

DISTRICT 3

Rep. Marcus
Riccelli, D-3,
(786-7888)
(marcus.ricelli
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Timm
Ormsby, D-3,
(786-7946)
(timm.ormsby
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 10

Rep. Dave
Hayes, R-10,
(786-7914)
(dave.hayes
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Mike
Padden, R-4,
(786-7606)
(mike.padden
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Bob
McCaslin, R-4,
(786-7820)
(bob.mccaslin@
leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Bob
Hasegawa, D-11,
(786-7616)
(bob.hasegawa
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Zack
Hudgins, D-11,
(786-7956)
(zack.hudgins
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Brandon
Vick, R-18,
(786-7850)
(brandon.vick
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Hans
Zeiger, R-25,
(786-7968)
(hans.zeiger
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Ruth
Kagi, D-32,
(786-7910)
(ruth.kagi
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Karen
Keiser, D-33,
(786-7664)
(karen.keiser
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Steve
Bergquist, D-11,
(786-7862)
(steve.bergquist
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Liz
Pike, R-18,
(786-7812)
(liz.pike
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Dean
Takko, D-19,
(786-7636)
(dean.takko
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Jan Angel

R-26
(786-7650)
(jan.angel
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Tina
Orwall, D-33,
(786-7834)
(tina.orwall
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Kristine
Lytton, D-40,
(786-7800)
(kristine.lytton
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Jeff
Morris, D-40,
(786-7970)
(jeff.morris
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Pat
Sullivan, D-47,
(786-7858)
(pat.sullivan
@leg.wa.gov)

December 2015

Rep. Cary
Condotta, R-12,
(786-7954)
(cary.condotta
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. J.D.
Rossetti, D-19,
(786-7806)
(jd.rossetti@leg.
wa.gov)

Rep. Jesse
Young
R-26 (786-7964)
(jesse.young
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Brad
Hawkins, R-12,
(786-7832)
(brad.hawkins
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Judy Warnick,

R-13, (786-7624)
(judy.warnick
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Brian
Blake, D-19,
(786-7870)
(brian.blake
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. John
Braun R-20,
(786-7638)
(john.braun
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Richard
DeBolt, R-20,
(786-7896)
(richard.debolt
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Steve
Litzow, R-41,
(786-7641)
(steve.litzow
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Patty
Kuderer, D-48,
(786-7936)
(patty.kuderer
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Tom Dent,

R-13,
(786-7932)
tom.dent
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Michelle
Caldier, R-26,
(786-7802)
(michelle.caldier
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Jeannie
Darneille, D-27,
(786-7652)
(jeannie.darneille
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Sharon
Nelson, D-34,
(786-7667)
(sharon.nelson
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Eileen
Cody, D-34,
(786-7978)
(eileen.cody
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Tana Senn

D-41, (786-7894)
(tana.senn
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Ed Orcutt,
R-20,
(786-7990)
(ed.orcutt
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Laurie
Jinkins, D-27,
(786-7930)
(laurie.jinkins
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Jake
Fey, D-27,
(786-7974)
(jake.fey
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Tim
Sheldon, D-35,
(786-7668)
(timothy.sheldon
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Doug
Ericksen,
R-42, (786-7682)
(doug.ericksen
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Luanne
Van Werven, R-42,
(786-7980) (luanne.vanwerven
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 49

Rep. Joan
McBride, D-48,
(786-7848)
(joan.mcbride
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Annette
Cleveland, D-49,
(786-7696)
(annette.cleveland
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 14

Rep. Matt
Manweller, R-13,
(786-7808)
(matt.manweller
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Mark Liias,

D-21,
(786-7640)
(mark.liias
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Steve
OBan R-28,
(786-7654)
(steve.oban
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Dick Muri,

R-28
(786-7890)
(dick.muri@leg.
wa.gov)

DISTRICT 35

Rep. Joe
Fitzgibbon,
D-34, (786-7952)
(joe.fitzgibbon
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Sharon
Wylie, D-49,
(786-7924)
(sharon.wylie
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Jeff
Holy, R-6,
(786-7962)
(jeff.holy
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Curtis
King, R-14,
(786-7626)
(curtis.king
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Strom
Peterson, D-21,
(786-7950)
(strom.peterson
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 28

Rep. Dan
Griffey, R-35,
(786-7966) (dan.
griffey
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 42

Rep. Judy
Clibborn, D-41,
(786-7926)
(judy.clibborn
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Kevin
Parker, R-6,
(786-7922)
(kevin.parker
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 21

DISTRICT 27

DISTRICT 34

Rep. Mia
Gregerson D-33
(786-7868)
(mia.gregerson
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Michael
Baumgartner,
R-6, (786-7610)
(michael.
baumgartner
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 20

DISTRICT 48

Sen. Cyrus
Habib, D-48,
(786-7694)
(cyrus.habib
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Chad
Magendanz, R-5,
(786-7876)
(chad.magendanz
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 13

DISTRICT 41

DISTRICT 47

Rep. Mark
Hargrove, R-47,
(786-7918)
(mark.hargrove
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Linda Evans

Parlette, R-12,
(786-7622)
(linda.parlette
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 26

DISTRICT 40

Sen. Kevin
Ranker, D-40,
(786-7678)
(kevin.ranker
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Jay
Rodne, R-5,
(786-7852)
(jay.rodne
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 6

DISTRICT 12

DISTRICT 33

DISTRICT 32

Sen. Mark
Mullet, D-5,
(786-7608)
(mark.mullet
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 19

DISTRICT 25

Rep. Melanie
Stambaugh, R-25,
(786-7948) (melanie.stambaugh
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Matt
Shea, R-4,
(786-7984)
(matt shea
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 11

DISTRICT 18

Sen. Ann
Rivers, R-18,
(786-7634)
(ann.rivers
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 5

DISTRICT 4

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

DISTRICT 36

Rep. Drew
MacEwen, R-35,
(786-7902)
(drew.macewen
@leg.wa.gov)

Sen. Reuven
Carlyle, D-36,
(786-7670)
(reuven.carlyle
@leg.wa.gov)

DISTRICT 43

Rep. Vincent
Buys, R-42,
(786-7854)
(vincent.buys
@leg.wa.gov)
SENATE
PRESIDENT

Rep. Jim
Moeller, D-49,
(786-7872)
(jim.moeller
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Christine
Kilduff, D-28,
(786-7958)
(christine.kilduff
@leg.wa.gov)

Lt. Gov. Brad

Owen, D,
(786-7700)
(ltgov@leg.
wa.gov)

Sen. Jamie
Pedersen, D-43,
(786-7628)
(jamie.pedersen
@leg.wa.gov)

Rep. Brady
Walkinshaw,
D43, (786-7826)

(brady.walkinshaw@leg.wa.gov)

MORE CONTACT INFORMATION:

Legislative Message Hotline:
1-800-562-6000
By mail:
Senate: P.O. Box 404 (insert LD#)
Olympia, WA 98504-04 (insert LD#)
House: P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
Governors Office:
(360) 902-4111 (For relay operators
for the deaf or hearing impaired,
please dial 7-1-1)
E-mail form: www.governor.wa.
gov/contact/default.asp
Mail: P.O. Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002

Page 5

UNION NEWS
Bipartisan opposition builds to
Supreme Court case aimed at us
Three prominent Republican Washington state
senators, including the No. 2
presiding officer in the Senate
and the former chair of the
state Republican party, have
sided with public workers
against a case pending before
the U.S. Supreme Court that
would make it even harder
for public workers like us to
come together, speak up and
get ahead.
And, they say, the case
violates conservative principles separating federal and
state responsibilities for good
government and labor relations.
Signing one of dozens
friend-of-the court amicus
briefs in the so-called Friedrichs case were:
Sen. Pam Roach of
the 31st Legislative District,
president pro-tem of the Senate and chair of the Senate
Government Operations and

More online:
There are many online
sources exposing the
real goals of the Friedrichs case and groups
using it to dismantle
our voice.
A good one is AmericaWorksTogether:
http://americaworkstogether.us/

Security Committee;
Sen. Don Benton of the
17th Legislative District, former head of the Washington
State Republican Party and
chair of the Senate Financial
Institutions and Insurance
Committee; and
Sen. Mark Miloscia of

Roach

the 30th Legislative District,

a noted government watchdog and chair of the Senate
Accountability and Reform
Committee.
Roach, Benton and Miloscia joined dozens of other current and former Republican
members of state legislatures
and Congress from across
the country in voicing their
objections to the Friedrichs
case, which harms the ability
of public employees to band
together with others to win

Benton

Miloscia

better wages and benefits that

sustain their families and win
improvements on the job, like
health and safety.
These Republicans who
support public workers said
the Friedrichs case interferes
with how each of the states
chooses to handle its labor
relations with its employees,
violating long-held conservative values separating powers
between the federal government and each of the 50 states.
Further, they and the other prominent Republicans say,

the court case interferes with

their responsibility to provide
effective and efficient state
government services through
the work of public employees.
Also: Washingtons
Attorney General Bob Ferguson was one of the 22 AGs
who signed the friend-ofthe-court brief supporting
public workers on the same
case pending before the high
court.

Arbitrator rules against union on health surcharges

On the front lines for Green River members

An arbitrator Nov. 11 ruled

against WFSE/AFSCME and upheld
the tobacco and spouse/partner surcharges enacted in 2014.
The union had filed a grievance
in April 2014 challenging the surcharges on the grounds they violated
the contract agreement limiting the
share of the employees health insurance premium costs to 15 percent.
The arbitrator disagreed, saying the surcharges did not violate
the Health Benefits Agreement negotiated between the state and the
Federation-led Coalition of State Em-

The union earlier this month laid

out the hypocrisy, lack of oversight
and humanity at Green River College
in a presentation to the State Board for
Community and Technical Colleges.
WFSE/AFSCME Higher Education Strategic Coordinator Mark Hamilton told the state board that allowing
Green River to spend $4.1 million on
the renovation of their Student Affairs
and Success Building -- given their
poor treatment of staff (earning votes
of no confidence) -- was tantamount
to giving Green River College a lot of
money as a reward for bad behavior.

ployee Unions.
Those surcharges are a charge
or fee that is not related to the cost
of providing health care benefits, but
rather is based on behavior (tobacco)
or status (availability of comparable
insurance for spouse/partner),
the arbitrator said. The states
adoption of the surcharges was not
contrary to the parties agreement
that employees would only have to
pay 15 percent of the total weighted
average of the projected health care
premium.

This comes in the wake of the

recent layoff of three maintenance mechanics from the facilities department.
Hamilton told the board Dec. 3:
All dealt with a constant backlog
of work orders in a constant state of
inadequate staffing, which jeopardizes
the maintenance of state facilities and
employee safety.
Green River College claims that
shortfalls in the capital projects budget
necessitated these layoffs. It is our
opinion that the budget is being used
as an excuse to cover up retaliatory
behavior and anti union animus.

The San Bernardino massacre really was a union tragedy

n the wake of the Dec. 2 massacre

in San Bernardino it turned out
that 12 of the 14 victims were
union members.
The Huffington Post reports
that 10 were members of SEIU
Local 721, which represents county
environmental health specialists like
those gunned down at the holiday
party at the Inland Regional Center.
These members regularly worked at
the state facility that serves people
with developmental disabilities,
offering work programs and social
services.
Two other victims were members
of Teamsters Local 1932, which also
represents public sector workers in
San Bernardino.
All 14 members were dedicated
workers and beloved family members.
For more on who they were, heres
a good link from the Los Angeles
Times: http://www.latimes.com/
local/lanow/la-me-ln-san-bernardinoshooting-victims-htmlstory.html
AFSCME President Lee Saunders
spoke for all AFSCME members when
he said Dec. 3:
Our hearts are heavy with the
senseless loss of life suffered in San
Bernardino yesterday. We pray for the
families and colleagues of those killed.
It is unconscionable that some of our

Page 6

most vulnerable citizens and public

service workers dedicated to the health
and well being of their communities
would be targeted this way. Every day,
our nations public service workers
-- including health care providers,
social workers, law enforcement and
first responders -- head out into their
communities to aid those in need and
keep America running. They deserve
nothing less than safety and respect.
We will not forget the contributions
of those who died, and through our
work, we will honor them.
AFSCME has set up a special online
center where you can leave condolences.
We have a link on our website:
http://wfse.org/san-bernardino/

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

December 2015

THE CORNER PAGE

MEMBERS ONLY BENEFITS CORNER

PSERS, from page 8

after recent media reports about high assault rates at Western State Hospital,
Henricksen said.
She said similar patterns exist at other DSHS institutions, juvenile parole
and community facilities and Veterans Affairs homes.
HB 1718 would bring these high-risk positions into line with current
pension policy that recognizes the high-risk jobs of police, firefighters, park
rangers, Community Corrections officers and other Department of Corrections personnel, county juvenile detention workers and others.
SHB 1718 passed the House 95-3 in 2015 but did not get a hearing in the
Senate. It remains alive in the 2016 legislative session that starts Jan. 11.

NEW FOR 2016!

IT
MEMBER BENEF

Interest-Free

SHOPPING

Take advantage of your member shopping program to buy what you want and need, then make
low, convenient payments over 12 months.

Pay no interest
Low, convenient automatic electronic payments
Pay no fees
No credit checks

12 payments of

7500

For more information and to place an order:

Call: 866-441-9160, Monday through Friday

from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT

12 payments of

3333

Shop thousands of name-brand products today!

www.mypaycheckdirect.com/afscme

See details on your installment agreement generated during the checkout process.

*The price per payment shown is based on 12 payments and doesnt include shipping and taxes. Your payment may vary based on the number of payments you make a year.
To see your payment amount, visit the website or see details on your installment agreement. PayCheck Direct is operated by Bluestem Enterprises, Inc.

SHARED LEAVE
REQUESTS
STILL IN NEED OF SHARED LEAVE:
Sarah Sumers, a custodian 1 with the
Department of Enterprise Services in
Olympia and a member of Local 443,
has been off work since March 30 and is
in need of shared leave to cover the time
she will miss during her extended recovery from spinal surgery. Contact: Megan
Melton at (360) 407-8426, or your human resource office.
Rene Whittington, an office assistant
2 with the Employment Security Department in Olympia and a member of Local 443, has been approved for shared
leave because of a serious health condi-

63074

tion. Contact: Felicia Wright. (360) 9029532.

More shared leave requests:
Karen Lewis, a tax specialist 3 with
the Employment Security Department
in Olympia and a member of Local 443,
has been approved for shared leave.
She is running low on leave, so any help
would be appreciated. Contact: your
human resource office.
Leslie Daisley, a financial services
specialist 3 at the DSHS Federal Way
Community Service Office and a member of Local 843, has been approved
for shared leave. Contact: your human
resource office.
Regina Garner, a food service worker
with Western State Hospital in Lakewood
and a member of Local 793, is in need

IN
MEMORIAM

War, McNatt came home wounded. He

earned a Purple Heart. Back home,
he began his career at Eastern State
Hospital.

Lee McNatt, the retired former

Local 782
president
at Eastern State
Hospital
in Medical
Lake, died
Nov. 18.
The longtime licensed practical nurse was 69.

McNatt stood up for his members

as Local 782 president, WFSE/AFSCME Executive Board member, Institutions Policy Committee delegate and
many more leadership positions.

Services were Dec. 3, in Spokane.

As a U.S. Marine in the Vietnam

December 2015

Oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership

RPEC will oppose the TPP as long
as it includes provisions that increase
the cost of drugs for Medicare recipients or robs the Medicare Trust Funds.

The Retired Public Employees

Council of Washington had their Convention Sept. 23 and 24 in Pasco. One
of the major discussions that took place
was which priorities RPEC needed to
focus on for the coming year to set the
agenda. The 2016 Federal Priorities
include:

Email: customer.service@mypaycheckdirect.com
Powered by

Online: rpecwa.org

Retirees are flexing our ever-growing political muscle by meeting with

every member of Congress in the state
to ensure they are aware of how federal legislation impacts our members,
says Dan Petruso, a member of RPECs
Legislative and Political Action Committees. Our Congressional representatives need to understand how important and fragile retirement security is
and that they will be held accountable
for their votes.

Youre eligible when you:

our members of Congress to be cosponsors and secure its passage.

2016 federal priorities

Program advantages:

Are 18 years or older

Earn at least $18,000 per year
Are a current, active Member of AFSCME,
whether currently employed or retired
Have been a member of AFSCME
for at least 3 months

RPEC CORNER

Notable fights under his leadership included the $10 million back pay
settlement for psychiatric security attendants in 1987, efforts to add staff at
Eastern and the effort to save Interlake
School the residential habilitation
center ultimately closed in 1993 but six
years after then-Gov. Booth Gardner
wanted to shut it down.

Strengthen Social Security

RPEC will support the Strengthening Social Security Act, S 731 and urge
of shared leave to cover the extended
time she will need while in Texas caring
for her terminally ill son. Contact: Robin
Calhoun, (253) 761-7566, or your own
human resource office.
Anthony Aguimatang, a financial services specialist 3 with the DSHS South
Sound Phone Team in Pierce County
and a member of Local 53, has been
approved for shared leave. Contact: your
human resource office.
Robert Uitto, a custodian 3 at Western
State hospital and a member of Local
793, is in need of shared leave to cover
the extended time he will need for his
recovery. He will be out about three
months. Contact: Robin Calhoun, (253)
761-7566, or your human resource office.

Christine Annette Chris

Slater, a
temporary associate for the
union in WFSE/
AFSCMEs
Spokane Field
Office who filled
in periodically
in recent years,
died Nov. 20.
She was 63.
She enjoyed the outdoors, her garden and caring for animals at a local
veterinary clinic.
She is survived by a sister and
brothers, nieces, nephews and great
nieces and great nephews. Funeral
services were held Nov. 28 in Otis Orchards.

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

Support Federal Basic Health Option

RPEC will support legislation
adopting a Federal Basic Health Option
as an affordable option for retirees with
a limited income.
Elimination of the WEP/GPO (Windfall Elimination Provision/Government Pension Offset)
Increase support of legislation
repealing this unjust denial of accumulated Social Security benefits for public
employees impacted.
Taxation of Social Security Benefits
RPEC will pursue elimination of
taxes on Social Security benefits.
If you are getting close to retirement and want to join, or you have any
questions on the information, feel free
to contact us directly: (360) 352-8262 or
toll-free: 1-800-562-6097.

Tammy Amos, a financial services specialist 3 at the DSHS Puyallup Community Service Office and a member of Local
53, has been approved for shared leave
because of a serious medical condition.
Contact: your human resource office.
Maria Olesen, a financial services specialist 4 with DSHS in Spokane, is in
need of shared leave. Contact: your human resource office.
Nancy Gomez, a financial services
specialist 3 with DSHS in Federal Way
and a member of Local 843, has been
approved for shared leave. Contact: your
human resource office.
Shaunda Holbrook, a financial services
specialist 3 with DSHS at Spokane
Maple Community Service Office and
a member of Local 1221, is in need of
shared leave because of a serious medical condition. She has used all her available leave. Any donation would be greatly appreciated. Contact: Karla Stewart at
(509) 227-2720, or your human resource
office.
Alicia Solomon, a financial services
specialist 4 with DSHS in Bellingham
and a member of Local 1060, will need
to take time off work for surgery and recovery and will not have enough leave
to cover her absences. Contact: Vickie
Rothenbuhler, (360) 714-4006, or your
human resource office.
Sarah Sumers, a custodian 1 with the
Department of Enterprise Services in
Olympia and a member of Local 443,
has been off work since March 30 and is
in need of shared leave to cover the time
she will miss during her extended recovery from spinal surgery. Contact: Megan
Melton at (360) 407-8426, or your human resource office.

Page 7

MEMBERS IN ACTION
Survey says--community
and union intertwined
Clarissa Blackmer is one
WFSE/AFSCME member
who sees the union as a vital
part of our communities.
And members community activities a vital part of
the union.
It helps people understand what it is that were
really doing in our jobs and
what were trying to achieve
for the overall well being of
the community, said Blackmer, a social services specialist 3 with DSHS Childrens
Administration in Bellevue
and a member of Local 843.
Blackmer was one of

Clarissa Blackmer, Community

Survey winner

thousands of WFSE/AFSCME members who took the

unions Community Survey.
All respondents were eligible
for a drawing and Blackmer
won the prize: a tablet computer.
And she gets to represent
all those who took the survey.
Blackmer sees the union
as tied to strong communities.
Shes involved in her
church, the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-Day Saints,
the National Alliance on Mental Health and other community groups.
Before coming to Washington, she was part of the
Utah Public Employees Association for 11 years.
I think its critical that
the union gets together and is
clear on our voice, she said.

She shared that the top

issues she listed on the Community Survey were income
inequality and pay equity,
especially any gender-based
hindrances to promotion.
Especially working in
the social services field, I
think its important that we
take into account the various
diversity that we have, she
said.
The overall Community
Survey was about building
strong community alliances to
strengthen our ability to win
at the bargaining table, in the
Legislature and in the workplace, said Brandon Anderson, a community organizer
for WFSE/ARSCME.
We know our union is
highly engaged in the community and knowing what

members care about in the

community makes for a stronger union, Anderson said.
Overall, members who
took the Community Survey
listed the top four issues or
challenges they and their
communities face as: income
inequality, affordable health
care, retirement security and
student debt.
And as Blackmer says,
were the day-to-day face
of the union that can help
address some of these challenges.
The union has a program of
workshops on health care, retirement security and student debt.
Many WFSE/AFSCME members stories in this newspaper
highlight the efforts to remedy
income inequality at all levels.

Members gather to map strategy on high-cost areas

HOLIDAY SPIRIT AT NASELLE. Jack Smith (center) of Local 2263 at Naselle

Youth Camp presents $500 check the local donated to the Combined Fund
Drive Everyone Eats Campaign Nov. 20. Receiving the check are DSHS
Secretary Kevin Quigley and Cheryl Raistakka.

Following up on the resolution passed by the 2015 WFSE/AFSCME Convention, state employee
member activists gathered in Seattle Dec. 12 to develop a strategy to help state employees in highcost areas of the state. It was an important first step to address the impact that the high cost of
living in some areas is having on our members and the services we provide. (The Resolution for
Equal Standard of Living for State Employees was adopted by convention delegates in October on
a vote of 191-116.)

PSERS: Lawmakers urged to back earlier retirement for high-risk institutions workers
WFSE/AFSCME is once
again pushing lawmakers to
allow beaten-and-battered
institutions workers to retire
earlier.
Union President Sue
Henricksen on Dec. 15 asked
the Select Committee on Pen-

sion Policy to back legislation

(SHB 1718) to add those highrisk workers to the Public
Safety Employees Retirement
System (PSERS).
Im here to tell you that
HB 1718 is just the right thing
to do, she said. Members

who work in those jobs put

their lives on the line every
time they enter their work
units. They face high amounts
of injuries because of assaults
on staff by patients, residents
or juvenile offenders.
The PSERS retirement sys-

POWER, from page 1

And the crisis was acute
for psychiatric social worker
3s and psychologist 4s.
But these workers at
Western State Hospital in
Lakewood and Eastern State
Hospital in Medical Lake
came together to work on a
solution.
They fanned out at both
campuses and other worksites
where WFSE/AFSCME members stood in solidarity with
them.
They gathered more than
400 letters to the governor
and state budget office documenting the need for action.
They said recruitment and
retention issues affect care for
patients, court requirements
and continuum of care.
And on Nov. 24, the state
Office of Financial Management announced it would
implement a 15 percent assignment pay for psychiatric

Page 8

Signing letters of support for psychologist 4s and psychiatric social worker 3s.
social worker 3s and psychologist 4 positions at Eastern
and Western. The assignment
pay took effect Dec. 1.
I think youre going to
have better morale, increased
safety and better quality of
patient care, Seiffert said.
The recruitment and retention crisis has meant workers have taken on other tasks
because of the short staffing.
It helps with safety because if the patient knows the

psychologist cares about them

and works with them, theyre
going to be less likely to act
out, Gallagher said.
Many social workers and
psychologists come into Eastern and Western with huge
student debt. Seiffert, Simons
and Gallagher say it can
cost $40,000 to earn a social
worker degree and $80,000 to
$100,000 for a psychologists
doctorate.
They cant afford to stay

tem allows its members to retire at age 60 without penalty,

a lower early retirement factor
than in the PERS system and a
more generous death benefit.
The need is more acute

See PSERS, page 7

Henricksen

here despite liking the work,

Simons said.
The assignment pay is
also fiscally responsible.
Imagine the cost savings if people actually stayed
versus the expenses of having
to keep rehiring in those positions, Gallagher said.
It also creates instability
for the patients on the wards.
You need stability for the
patients in order for them to
recover.

More still needs to be done.

We must continue to take action to get pay parity for psychologist 4s and psychiatric
social worker 3s at the Child
Study and Treatment Center in
Lakewood, the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island,
Veterans Affairs and Developmental Disabilities Administration, said Sean Dannen, WFSE/
AFSCMEs general government
strategic coordinator.

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

As part of Local 793s commitment

to be part of the solution, they joined
with the administration last month to
open an onsite Recruitment Center.
WFSE/AFSCME Vice President
Judy Kuschel (right, with Local
793s James Robinson) was on
hand for the grand opening.

December 2015