Professional Documents
Culture Documents
JANUARY 2012
See page 2.
State Employee
EARLY ALERT: 2 scholarship applications -- page 6 Nominate Shop Steward of Year -- page 7
The official newspaper of the WASHINGTON FEDERATION OF STATE EMPLOYEES/AFSCME Council 28AFL-CIO
WASHINGTON
Part of what Labor and Industries does is that we administer the Crime Victims programs. We have to stop victimizing these women who have been victimized already and focusing on a revenue package versus cutting services that will make sure that they get the treatment they need, mentally, physically, emotionally so that they are on the path to healing. Imelda Ang, Local 443, Labor and Industries, Tumwater It is only righteous that we take care of those who need the most help. The cut of the budget would affect disproportionately those that need the most help. Hiram Gray, Local 491, Rainier School, Buckley
Jan. 9 first-day member lobbyists (from left): Devon Ellis, Local 793; Rick Hertzog, Local 793; Brittany Barber, Local 491; Steven Yates, Local 491; Marcella Kurtz, Local 948; and Randy Kurtz, Local 948.
Theyve already cut so many human services and its a barebones budget as it is right now. They (developmentally disabled clients) wouldnt get the care out in the community and the services they need because theyre really profoundly (disabled) and it wouldnt work in a group home. Jack Ishitani, Local 573, Lakeland Village, Medical Lake
In Higher Ed, we need the money to support our students in the best possible manner. Russ Pounds, Local 931, Eastern Washington University, Cheney
Because of all the changes that have happened (already), its actually made our streets more dangerous today than it was say five, 10 years ago. All the different cuts that have been made have actually jeopardized peoples lives. Just the whole safety of the entire state. Cheryl McKinney, Local 308, Community Corrections, Reynolds Work Release, Seattle
Jim Wavada, Local 1221, Ecology, Spokane Because effective government is more important than less expensive government.
The people I work with are seniors and disabled and some mentally ill and they need the services that we provide and those are being cut by the proposed cuts. They cant afford that. Its going to put the mental health of the people that I work with probably on the street. Some of the seniors that I work with will not have someone checking in with them, being able to meet their basic needs of checking their medication once a week even. Its going to truly impact a large population of our citizenship here in the state of Washington. Pat Coulter, Local 313, DSHS Home and Community Services, Vancouver Public workers provide an essential service to everyone in Washington state. I dont think theres anyone who lives here that their life is not touched in some way by what a public servant does. We help everyone. We do everything. And if everything is cut, then theres not going to be anyone left to do what needs to be done and were going to lose society totally. June Sanderson, Local 1326, DSHS Sunnyside CSO
This is a fantastic state. And we have quality standards. If we dont have revenue, we will become almost like a third-class country in the state. (We need) to maintain the programs we have because if we dont, programs get cut and its been historically known that for every dollar that we lose, it will cost us $2 or $3 down the road. And that has to do with quality, but safety also. TJ Larrick, DSHS Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Local 1060, Bellingham Our Legislature needs to step up to the plate to find that revenue because the cuts have now gone past meat and bone. Were losing large sections of our education.....And when we start losing programs and start losing our students, our education system is going to start to go down and the state is going to suffer. Lance Walker, Local 931, Eastern Washington University, Cheney
Jeff Paulsen, Local 443, Consolidated Technology Services, Olympia Revenue would allow us to continue the programs that are protecting those that are the most vulnerable, keep our communities livable, and keep Washington the way it has been, a great state to live in and a state where people look out for each other.
Sola Raynor, Local 1221, DSHS, Spokane So that vital services to vulnerable adults are not eliminated.
UNION NEWS
directs the agencies to look at collocation opportunities. Tim Young, a Local 443 member with the Department of Fish and Wildlife in Olympia, recommended some tweaking of the bill to tighten up definitions and the role of the governors budget office in resolving disagreements. Any final bill must also respect the collective bargaining rights of employees, he said. Young said the bill is in line with WFSE/AFSCME put in the law. It says that if there is a final (all appeals taken exhausted) decision by a court that the repeal of gainsharing was illegal, then the benefits (ERFs) given by the Legislature allegedly to replace the loss of gainsharing, would
natural resource members responses on the unions 2010 survey that stressed the importance of streamlining basic practices in each agency and emphasized a more collaborative approach to managing the agencies rather than focusing on merger all of these in order to improve services to the public. This effort needs to go hand-in-hand with further efforts to look at overhead expenses, especially when it themselves be repealed. The union contends this is illegal. It argued that the ERFs should remain for all three plan members. There likely will be a memorandum ruling issued
comes to WMS and EMS positions, Young added. The committee passed the bill out Jan. 18. COMMUNITY COLLEGE LABOR TRUSTEE BILL BOOSTED. HB 2368 would require community colleges to have a labor representative on boards of trustees. It creates a much broader dialogue, Jeff Johnson, president of the Washington State Labor Council, testified Jan. 18. sometime this month. The parties will then have to draft an order based on the ruling and present it to the judge. Its difficult to say when that order would be final. An appeal is possible.
found that the removal of gainsharing was illegal, the statute required that the poison pill element apply. The poison pill was what the Legislature
Financial Wellness
www.discoverpass.wa.gov
available 24 hours
Required on Washington state recreation lands
your Discover Pass today S nearly 7 million nd enjoytate Employee acres Washington State Employee (USPS 981of Washington 200) is published monthly, except February recreation lands.the Washingand July, for $5.08 per year by ton Federation of State Employees/AFSCME Council 28 AFL-CIO, 1212 Jefferson St. The 300, Olympia, WA 98501. Affiliated S.E. Suite Discover Pass allows with the American State, County access Federation of(AFSCME) and the to state parks, and Municipal Employees Washington State wildlife Labor Council, trails, areas, AFL-CIO. Periodicals postage paid at Olympia, WA natural areas and and at additional offices. Circulation: 42,000. water-access sites.
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TIP: If you buy the Discover Pass at a state park or agency headquarters in Tumwater, you wont have to pay the extra transaction fee.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Washington State Employee, 1212 Jefferson St SE Suite 300 Olympia WA 98501-7501 Carol Dotlich, President
wsecu.org | 800.562.0999
Smartphone barcode scan for website link
www.discoverpass.wa.gov
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.
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January 2012
Rep. Marko Liias, 21st Dist., critiques member lobbyists at WFSE/AFSCMEs Lobbying Training Jan. 7 in Seattle. Some 100 member lobbyists attended. The 2012 regular legislative session is in progress. Its set for 60 days. The task is to find revenue to avoid the devastating all-cuts budget. Its a good time to stress that this session will be exceptionally important to us, our families, our union and all of Washington state, said WFSE/AFSCME President Carol Dotlich. We need to lobby our individual legislators heavily and maintain a sustained presence at the Capitol to stop further erosion of critical services. And every day of the session is lobby day. You can come on your At Jan. 11 hearing on HB 2143. Standing, from left, DeEtte Wood, Hazel Cromwell and Rebecca Withrow, all Department of Corrections; and Julianne Moore, Local 1326. Sitting, from left: Don Feist, DOC, Tacoma, Local 53; Billy Smith, DOC, Tacoma, Local 53; and Dave Thomson, DOC, Olympia, Local 443.
When is enough is enough when it comes to the safety of our communities? Smith asked. Dave Thomson, a Community Corrections officer in Olympia and a member of Local 443, declared, this legislation is packed with potential tragedy. WFSE/AFSCME Lobbyist Matt Zuvich said the Community Corrections workforce has been cut in half in the past four years as supervision of dangerous offenders has spiraled down because of budget cuts. Only the most bad actors are under supervision now, he said. The rest are not at all. I would also ask you to consider that the savings that this bill proposes to book dont necessarily stay in the public safety system. At Jan. 17 House hearing on bad Child Welfare bill, from left: Tracy Fosty, Local 1060, Bellingham; Tony Gorini, Local 313, Vancouver; and Jeanine Livingston, WFSE/AFSCMEs contract compliance manager.
ABOVE: Parks Local 1466 members descended on the Capitol Dec. 14 to push lawmakers to save Parks. RIGHT: Parks member lobbyists continue to meet with legislators. At Jan. 16 reception, from left, Tom Poplawski, Don Hall, Rep. Bill Hinkle (13th Dist.) and Jose Velazquez. At press time Jan. 18, Discover Pass legislation had taken a big step in the Legislature. And demand-to-bargain negotiations over the shortfallcaused layoffs and conversion of some park rangers to seasonal continued. The Senate Ways and Means Committee Jan. 17 quickly heard and passed out the bill that would add value to the Discover Pass and increase sales to fund state parks now dependent on user fees. SSB 5977 would allow a Discover Pass to be transferred to another vehicle, doubling its value. The bill came as Discover Pass sales lagged, causing an $11 million shortfall and job cuts. State Parks is currently undergoing a massive layoff and reorganization, testified Brian Yearout, president of WFSE/AFSCME Statewide Parks Local 1466. Almost half of our park rangers will be laid off or have their positions reduced to seasonal in this plan. While the legislation is a big step in the right direction, the core of the problem is cutting Parks off from all state General Fund monies, which Yearout said is like pushing us off a cliff. Several other Discover Pass-related bills have been introduced in both the Senate and House.
Federation Executive Director Greg Devereux. Somehow, it feels to our members that this legislation is less and less about child welfare reform and more and more about promises made to whom they are not sure but certainly not to those individuals whose welfare they are entrusted with, he added. The start-up costs under HB 2264 would be $50 million, Devereux said. Our members right now in this great recession dont need more service coordination with network administrators who will make their jobs harder, he said. They dont need people potentially making mistakes for which they are liable.
January 2012
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DISTRICT 14
Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-10, (786-7618) (marymargaret. haugen@leg. wa.gov) DISTRICT 17
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January 2012
DISTRICT 21
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
January 2012
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4. School choice:
5. SUBMIT OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF HIGH SCHOOL, VOCATIONAL SCHOOL OR COLLEGE RECORD. Your application will not be considered unless your transcripts are submitted. 6. Are you now the recipient of a scholarship or other financial award? 7. Are you working now? 8. Do you plan to work part-time? 9. Give pertinent information concerning your earnings or other financial assets and obligations that would be helpful in assessing your financial need. (Attach any additional data.) Hours per week:
10. Attach a written statement of Educational and Career Goals. 11. Do you have credits earned toward degree requirements? 12. Work History:
13. Member name: Occupation: Monthly income: Number of Dependents: Ages: Spouse Occupation:
Application deadline: April 30, 2012. For more information, call 1-800-562-6002 or (360) 352-7603. Online: www.wfse.org, click on the Scholarships link. Return this application to: WFSE/AFSCME Womens/Equal Partners Committee, 1212 Jefferson St. S.E., Suite 300, Olympia, WA 98501. Or FAX to (360) 352-7608.
Local Number: Date of Affiliation: In applying for the scholarship described in this application form, I certify that all of the facts contained herein are correct. Date: Signature of Applicant:
(Street)
(City)
(State)
(Zip)
4. School choice:
5. SUBMIT OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF HIGH SCHOOL, VOCATIONAL SCHOOL OR COLLEGE RECORD. Your application will not be considered unless your transcripts are submitted. 6. Are you now the recipient of a scholarship or other financial award? If yes, list amount of other award(s)? 7. Are you working now? 8. Do you plan to work part-time? 9. Give pertinent information concerning your earnings or other financial assets and obligations that would be helpful in assessing your financial need. (Attach any additional data.) Hours per week:
10. Attach a written statement of Educational and Career Goals. 11. Do you have credits earned toward degree requirements? 12. Work History and/or Community Service:
Net monthly income (combine members and spouses incomes, if appropriate): Number of Dependents: Ages: In applying for the scholarship described in this form, I certify that all of the facts contained herein are correct.
Application deadline: April 30, 2012. For more information, call 1-800-562-6002 or (360) 352-7603. Online: www.wfse.org, click on the Scholarships link. Return this application to: WFSE Womens/Equal Partners Committee, 1212 Jefferson St. S.E., Suite 300, Olympia, WA 98501. FAX:(360) 3527608.
Date:
Signature of Applicant:
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January 2012
, nominate
Name of nominee
for Shop Steward of the Year Award. Nominees address: Work phone: ( ) Local union number: How long a Shop Steward: Agency: Current job class: Union offices held: Home phone: ( ) How long a member:
Description of why nominee should be considered for the award, such as keeping the members informed about the union; organizing and recruiting activities; representing members; enforcing the contract; member spokesperson to management (speaking up for members); defending workers rights; developing and encouraging membership participation; etc. (attach additional sheets if needed):
If this form is not completed in its entirety, the nomination may not be considered. Date: Signature:
Person submitting nomination
Send completed nomination forms to: WFSE/AFSCME Award Committee, 1212 Jefferson Street S.E., Suite 300, Olympia, WA 98501. Nominations must be received by May 4, 2012.
Cindy Turner, a financial services specialist 3 with the DSHS Statewide CSC in Chehalis and a member of Local 862, has been approved for shared leave. Contact: your human resource office. Peter Barabasz, a financial services specialist 3 with DSHS at the Sky Valley CSO and a member of Local 948, is still in need of shared leave in his long battle with cancer. He has no leave. He needs leave so he may attend weekly chemotherapy treatments and be at home to recuperate from his treatments. Contact: your human resource office. Mari Wyatt, an office assistant lead with the Department of Corrections in Seattle and a member of Local 308, is having total knee replacement surgery in February and will need three to four weeks to recover. Contact: your human resource office. Almaz Bekele, a patient care technician with the University of Washington and a member of Local 1488, is off work because of a severe and extraordinary condition. Contact: your human resource office. Jami Cordero, a medical assistance specialist 3 with the Health Care Authority in Olympia and a member of Local 443, has been approved for shared leave through Jan. 15. Contact: your human resource office. Tom Pierce, a financial services specialist 3 at the DSHS Lakewood CSO and a member of Local 53, has been approved for shared leave because of a serious medical condition. Contact: your human resource office. Elsa Tapia, an office assistant 3 with the DSHS Statewide HIU Team and a member of Local 1181, is in need of shared leave because of a serious medical condition and surgery that has caused her leave balances to drop to zero. Contact: your human resource office. Amber Shealy, a mental health technician 2 at Western State Hospital in Lakewood and a member of Local 793, is caring for her husband, who is on Comfort Care. Contact: Western State Hospitals Human Resources Office at (253) 7562503 or your human resource office. Sue Clemenson, a social worker 2 at the DSHS Belltown CSO in Seattle and a member of Local 843, has exhausted all leave while caring for her husband, Nick, also a DSHS employee, who is battling a life-threatening illness. Contact: your human resource office. Barbara A. Lensch, a secretary lead with the Department of Ecology in Lacey and a member of Local 443, has been off work four weeks because of a serious knee injury. Its not clear when the surgeon will clear her to return to work. Contact: your human resource office. Amada Wells, a financial services specialist 2 at the DSHS North Smokey Point CSO and a member of Local 948, has been approved for shared leave. Contact: your human resource office. Jeani Kenward, a financial services specialist 3 at the DSHS Lakewood CSO and a member of Local 53, has been approved for shared leave because of a serious medical condition. She will soon exhaust all her leave balances. Contact: your human resource office. Linda Jessee, a financial services specialist 3 with the DSHS Call Center in Vancouver and a member of Local 313, has been approved for shared leave during her extended recovery from medical complications. Contact: Janet Crader at (360) 725-4808 or your human resource office. Lisa Gullekson, a cost reimbursement analyst 3 with the state Health Care Authority in Olympia, has been approved for shared leave through Feb. 15, 2012. Contact: Kerri Kallay, (360) 725-3712 or your human resource office.
Daniela McDonald, a medical assistance specialist 3 in the Health Care Authority Division of Healthcare Services, has been approved for shared leave. Contact: Kerri Kallay, (360) 7253712 or your human resource office Teresita TJ Ibanez, a social worker 3 with DSHS in Lynnwood and a member of Local 948, has been approved for shared leave during a lengthy medical recovery. Contact: Teresa Alseth, (425) 339-1754 or your human resource office. Anita Long, a financial services specialist 3 with DSHS in Tacoma and a member of Local 53, is in need of shared leave because of surgery. Contact: your human resource office. Debbie Joseph, an office assistant 3 at the DSHS Arlington Statewide HIU and a member of Local 948, has been approved for shared leave to care for her husband who is having a lung transplant. She has exhausted all leave. Contact: your human resource office. Tera King-Gillespie, a claims specialist with DSHS Enterprise Risk Management in Olympia and a member of Local 443, has been approved for shared leave because of surgery and recovery time. Contact: Merrie Thornton, (360) 725-5822 or merrie.thornton@dshs.wa.gov.
RETIRED: Sandie Reynolds, a 21-year member of Kitsap County Local 1181 and a social worker 3 with DSHS, retired in December. Some 100 friends and co-workers celebrated her work at a Dec. 20 retirement party at the Bremerton Childrens Administration office.
January 2012
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UNION MEMBERSHIP PAYS How a skateboard and strong union stewards helped Local 1488s Troy Jones win justice
ts not often that justice balances on a skateboard and the solid notes of a veteran shop steward. But thats what happened in the case of Troy Jones, 47, a veteran window washer at the University of Washington and member of Local 1488. For more than two years, Jones sat in a sort of limbo while a final counseling dangled over his head. It was based on allegations stemming from what others said he did to a skateboarder near the UW campus in October 2009. UW management alleged Jones and a co-worker were driving their university van near the Burke Gilman trail on the west side of campus. Jones came upon the skateboarder in the middle of Brooklyn Avenue. Management alleges Jones honked and yelled at the skateboarder. When the boarder flipped him off, Jones allegedly ran him off the road. Joness nightmare came when an investigation took place, management provided conflicting or uncorroborated accounts and Jones got the final counseling. It was like Jones was a character in all those old Hitchcock movies who ends up being the wronged man based on false accusations. But with full union representation from stewards Paula Lukaszek and
on the handwritten notes taken at an investigative interview by veteran Local 1488 Shop Steward Lukaszek. Her notes debunked managements accounts and corroborated Joness accounts. And with a lot of hard work and divine intervention, Jones said the union located the skateboarder, a UW pre-med student. He showed a lot of guts and agreed to testify at Joness arbitration hearing. He could have easily just faded away, Kendo said. The student skateboarder backed up Joness account. He said Jones had honked at him as a warning to get out of the middle of the street. Agitated, he flipped off Jones before he even knew who was behind him. The van never came close to him and didnt run him Evans off the road, he said. Nothing Jones did was threatening or improper in any other way, the skateboarder said. Based on that eyewitness account from the skateboarder himself, the arbitrator on Dec. 31 ruled in Joness favor. He said the UW did not show just cause to issue the final counseling. The final counseling and all references to it were to come out of Joness file. I feel very vindicated, Jones said during a recent interview. When they told me Id won, I was in line at a bank and I wanted to shout out, Hallelujah very loud.
Troy Jones (right) with WFSE/AFSCME Council Rep Joe Kendo (left) at Seattle Field Office (with an appropriate wall poster in the background). grievance went all the way to arbitration by an independent arbitrator. Evans argued his case. They continued to fight for me every inch of the way, Jones said. He faced serious consequences. As the arbitrator noted, a final counseling is not merely a warning, but is akin to a significant suspension, which normally is the final step in a progressive discipline system. The arbitrator, trying to sort out second- and third-hand accounts from managements investigation, relied
Lukaszek
Vazquez
Ed Vazquez, WFSE/AFSCME Council Representative Joe Kendo and WFSE/ AFSCME Labor Advocate Banks Evans, Jones got his day in court. His
MEMBERS IN ACTION
Everett CSO-Edmonds CC partnership innovates for those in need
Dedicated WFSE/AFSCME safety net workers make a difference every day. But a team of Local 948 members at the Everett Community Service Office (CSO) has joined with Edmonds Community College on a number of innovative programs for low-income individuals and families in need. Its resulted in seamless service to clients we both serve, said Chryss James, a social worker at the Everett CSO and Bridging the Gap team member. In the past 10 years alone, theyve secured $8.6 million in grants and in-kind services for WorkFirst families. Bridging the Gap team, from left: Jan Strand, Edmonds CC; Local 948 memThe team includes: two TANF social bers Chryss James and Nataliya Bologova, Everett CSO; and Merritt Hicks, workers, Local 948 members Chryss James Edmonds CC. and Nataliya Bologova; an Edmonds CC adult education specialist, Merritt Hicks; to help participants become self-supporting. and Jan Strand, Edmonds CC WorkFirst diThe programs have included everything from rector. the Phoenix Rising Domestic Violence Project to (TANF is Temporary Assistance for Needy Famiresettlement seminars to life skills classes. lies. It provides temporary cash and medical help for families in need. Many families participate in the Another goal is to break down barriers for those WorkFirst Program, which helps participants find whove earned a GED high school equivalency but and keep jobs.) need more to make it. In this economy, a GED alone is not going to get This frontline innovation came in response to DSHSs you anywhere, Strand said. challenge of leveraging funds, streamlining and colThe team is eager to share their story of their laborating with community partners. Bridging the Gap collaboration in case others want So far, 2,899 TANF and low-income families have to replicate it. been served by the Bridging the Gap collaboration. We recognize everybody is doing their best with By securing grants and in-kind services, the prowhat theyve got, Hicks said. gram has meant no additional costs for DSHS. The Everett CSO-Edmonds CC team has fostered For more information on the Bridging the Gap an intensive, comprehensive and multi-disciplinary programs, contact Randy Kurtz, Local 948 president, at approach to: meet and assess clients where they are; randallokurtz@gmail.com or Jan Strand, Edmonds CC, support clients in identifying and overcoming barri(425) 640-1008. ers to success; and develop a realistic plan of action
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January 2012