Local 1488 Newsletter

Washington Federation of State Employees AFSCME Council 28 AFL-CIO

University of Washington / Harborview Medical Center

May-June 2011

OUR CONTRACT RATIFIED, 466-33!

Whats in our new contract?

Improved language in 16 articles No pay cut No furloughs Improved grievance procedure Improved corrective action No takeaways Better employee rights Better inclement weather rights

Whats the term of the agreement?

It takes effect July 1, 2011 and runs until June 30, 2013.

UW Elections Committee counts the ballots for the ratification vote on our contract. From left (all Local 1488 members); Kim Shaw (back to camera), Chiara Agawin and Sandra Thayil. At far right with her back to camera is Gena Anderson of the WFSE/AFSCME Negotiations Department.

What did the Legislature do on our contract? The union and UW signed a memorandum of understanding May 20 that, with final budget language adopted by the Legislature May 25, cleared the way for funding of our ratified agreement.

Our new contract has been ratified by a 93% margin!

The ballots were counted May 24 at state WFSE/AFSCME union headquarters in Olympia. The vote was 466 to accept and 33 to reject. There were 27 void ballots. The contract covers about 2,422 workers. The ratification result came on the same day we got the good news that the Legislature included

language in the budget funding our contracts. There had been concern they might determine it was not financially feasible and send it back to negotiations. Members were interested in what our new contract says. About 400 members turned out to about 20 different information meetings and asked good questions as they considered how to vote. The separate UW Police Management contract was ratified in April on a vote of 9-0. Both contracts go into effect July 1, 2011.

Where can I see the full contract?

Text of our 2011-2013 can be found online at www.wfse.org under Bargaining and UW/ HMC.

budget crisis to shelter the corporations that Local breaks. We shouldnt reward ons in tax1488 Newsletter e state contracts that privatize your jobs.

at exempt agencies or functions from the ntracting statute.

etain the current law on your contracting re not afraid to compete. We can do the n injury to one is an injury to etter and more economically.our all. And the treatment of

UW found guilty of unfair labor practice at Harborview PAC call center unit

playing field on contracting out. call center members has been an

outrageous injury.

whistle on contracting out! But it shows how banding together as a union contracting amples of fouled-up we can win jusors - tice when otherwise wed have no and us - about that, too. voice.

Patient Access Center (PAC)

Thats what happened May 25 when we as the union won a major deration of State Employees | AFSCME Council 28 | AFL-CIO victory for our PAC unit members at Harborview Medical 800-562-6002 Center in Seattle. www.wfse.org they were forcibly stripped As you know, of their bargaining rights in a call center consolidation and threatened with losing their jobs if they didnt go along. A hearing examiner for the Public Employment Relations Commission found the University of Washington guilty of an unfair labor practice. The union had filed the complaint and compiled evidence to back it up. The UW illegally refused to bargain the effects of the consolidation, including the removal of the Local 1488 unionrepresented patient services specialists work from the PAC unit to non-union positions at a new call center location in downtown Seattle, according to the decision. There were about 25 patient services specialists in the bargaining unit at Harborview. Because of the egregious nature of the UWs violation, the hearing examiner ordered the extraordinary remedy of interest arbitration within 60 days if the UW and union dont reach agreement in bargaining over the effects of the consolidation. The university has 20 days to appeal the unfair labor practice ruling. The UW moved the workers from the PAC unit at Harborview to the new Virtual Front Desk call center in downtown Seattle. All were moved by Nov. 15, 2010; the UW told the employees Oct. 1 they were no longer union members and no longer enjoyed any of the rights and benefits contained in the parties collective bargaining agreement. The employer could have consolidated its call center operations without removing the bargaining unit from the union, the decision said. It is evident that the employer unlawfully skimmed bargaining unit work. The removal of the bargaining unit work was presented as a fait accompli a unilateral, irreversible decision, the PERC ruling said. While the employer did not offer new benefits to bargaining unit members, it did indirectly threaten them with job loss, according to the decision.

The examiner determined that the employees transferred to the new call center took on additional duties but they continued to perform the bargaining unit work that was removed from Harborviews Patient Access Center. The PERC decision concluded the employees were not given the opportunity to engage in meaningful bargaining to ensure their continuing rights to seniority, wages and other terms and conditions of employment. The employer also erroneously informed the bargaining unit members that it was negotiating with the union, the decision said. This undermined the unions representational status, and constituted unlawful interference. Under the PERC order: The UW must return the patient services specialists, their positions and their work to the bargaining unit.

The ULP finding against the UW brings a measure of justice to the affected call center workers. Since the move, several have quit or been fired in an increasingly hostile work environment. Nine have filed civil rights complaints. The UWs refusal to recognize their union rights meant the affected call center workers couldnt have unionmanagement meetings to address and resolve important patient and staff needs.

The UW must bargain the effects that its consolidation decision had on the terms and conditions of employment for the patient services specialists. While the physical relocation of the consolidated call center requires that the (patient services specialists) continue to work at the new call center location, the employer must bargain the effects of its decision. If no agreement is reached within 60 days, the dispute goes to an arbitrator, with the UW picking up all fees and costs charged by the arbitrator.

The university must reinstate all wages, hours and working conditions that existed for the patient services specialists in the bargaining unit before the UWs unlawful unilateral transfer. The UW must cover all dues or fees for the improperly transferred employees. The PERC order must be read at a meeting of the UW Board of Regents and included in the boards minutes.

Local 1488 Newsletter

Minutes of May 14, 2011, Local 1488 meeting

The membership meeting was called to order followed by the flag salute. Correspondence regarding the Emerging Leaders Conference at South Seattle Community College was shared. Registration is $150 per person. M/S/C to accept the minutes of the previous meeting. Committee Reports: Contract ratification was discussed. The following members volunteered to e on the election committee: Chiara Agawin, Sandra Thayil, Kim Shaw. Finance Committee: Work on the draft budget is complete. Finance committee members shared their thinking and consideration with the members as they went through the lines of the budget. Events Committee: The picnic will be held at Lincoln Park. On June 5th the committee will sample the food from the proposed caterer at the Starbucks across from Franklin High. The information will be sent to the committee members via e-mail. Grievance Committee: Nicole Kennedy, Jesse Dailey, Tashia Hankerson-Smith, Doug Nielsen, Paula Lukasek, John Miller. There are about 45 contracting out grievances going forward. Statewide Trades Committee: This committee encompasses Higher Education and General Government Trades members. Larry Sweatt and other Local 1488 members who attended reported on discussions held about safety concerns, erosion of job skills, work out of class, and other topics. Bargaining Team: Members reported on the contract information meetings held with custodians. There is a workgroup formed to address custodial workload concerns. Food Service: A JLM is requested by members due to concern about potential lay offs. Bothell: A Demand To Bargain is filed regarding the Husky Cove renovations in order to keep maintenance and custodial work in house instead of the contractor doing it for the year following the renovation completion. There are parking fee concerns. Harborview: The problem at the STD Clinic was resolved. Social networking like Facebook cannot be done on state computers. The Husky logo cannot be posted without permission. There will be no smoking allowed on the

campus. Management intends to disallow electronic cigarettes as well. The fine is $200. Members expressed concern over accommodation of the mentally ill and the addicted because addiction is also considered a disability. The job specifications need to be looked at closely because duties are being added and changed regularly among the patient care members. The Specimen Technician issue was discussed regarding the unit clarification and a questions was asked about the Memorandum of Understanding in the contract. Unfinished Business: None raised. New Business: Finance Committee recommends sending 15 delegates and charter a bus to transport them. M/S/Recommend Local 1488 elect up to 15 delegates and use a chartered bus for transportation of delegates. Delegates will be allowed 2 bags each. M/S/Recommend that the membership elect delegates and alternates but only send delegates to the WFSE convention and that alternates move up in vote order to replace delegates that are unable to attend. M/S/Recommend that the delegates be paid IRS per diem and that the statewide Executive Board members who are part of Local 1488 also receive the per diem for the same number of days. Convention Election Committee volunteers are: John Miller and Jesse Dailey. M/S/Recommend Local 1488 send up to 4 members to the Emerging Leaders Conference. The following members request to attend: James Grady, Francesca Flores, Tashia Hankerson-Smith. M/S/Recommend Council 28 send a letter to the Board of Regents supporting the student actions regarding Sodexo. M/S/Recommend that if UW administration intends to discipline United Students Against Sweatshops that we help build support for them and fund the effort not to exceed $250. Staff gave reports. Discussions ensued about grievances and disciplines about the use of sick time, a petition in support of a custodial member who was terminated. Meetings will be set up to discuss custodial break times and the importance of taking the legally mandated breaks. A member suggested a flyer be circulated and posted. A member described what is happening as management by terror. The new method of doing housekeeping runs was discussed, over the head work safety concerns, and the dangers of being directed to spray light switches. It was reported that management had purchased long handled brushes that extend 18 feet. M/S/Recommend that Local 1488 donate $250 to the shop steward conference. Paula announced that the stewards will not meet after the membership meeting today due to the hour. M/S/C to adjourn. Respectfully submitted

Local 1488 Newsletter

Washington Federation of State Employees AFSCME Council 28 1212 Jefferson St. S.E., Suite 300 Olympia, WA 98501

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Local 1488 Calendar

IMPORTANT! Local 1488 June meeting moved to June 18! June Local 1488 Membership Meeting Saturday, June 18 9 a.m.-Noon Seattle Labor Temple, Hall 6, 2800 First Ave. Seattle At this meeting, well hold nominations and elections for delegates and alternates to the 44th Biennial WFSE State Convention in Spokane, Oct. 7-9, 2011.

Your Local 1488 Events Committee needs your help!

Our annual summer picnic is Aug. 20 at Lincoln Park in West Seattle. Our holiday party will be in December. We need volunteers to help with both the picnic and holiday party. If youre interested in helping with one or both, e-mail Shannon Milam at: shannonmilam@ aol.com.
Other upcoming events: June 10-11 - UW-only Steward Training. Call the Seattle Field Office @ (206) 525-5363 June 25 - WFSE/AFSCME Higher Education Policy Committee, SeaTac Hilton Aug. 20 - UW Summer Picnic @ Lincoln Park Sept. 9-10 - (tentative) UW-only Steward Training. Call the Seattle Field Office @ (206) 525-5363 Local 1488 Administrators organize@afscme1488.org Local 1488 website: http://www.wfsec28.org/local1488/

CONTACT US:

Seattle Field Office (206) 525-5363 1-800-924-5754