AFSCME Spirit - Howard answered the call.

Many years ago, Howard Ocobock answered the call of the labor movement. Active at the local and statewide level, as a proud member of Local 1326, he held office, represented members at Policy meetings, conventions and conferences.

In 2004, Howard was elected Vice President of AFSCME/WFSE Council 28. He also served as a Vice President to the Washington State Labor Council. In his role as Vice President, he worked hard to model all that is best in the labor movement. He said the members deserve the best and he tried to give it to them.

He supported the PEOPLE program of the union in a way no one in the nation who came before him ever had. He challenged the statewide membership to achieve a goal to reach 10% MVP status statewide. When the number of PEOPLE members increased dramatically, he decided to get the tattoo. Howard and I worked with an artist named Boris the Russian to design the tattoo and Tim Welch created a little comic book sketch of the event. Howard was delighted with his unique tattoo and loved showing it off. He is an AFSCME union man through and through and now he sports proof of that. He was delighted when AFSCME magazine displayed his photograph and story about his commitment to the PEOPLE program.

Howard believed in the Next Wave program. He believed that the future of the labor movement was critically important and a responsibility we all bear. In years past, unions held family events; picnics, parties, etc. and the children of union members still hold dear these happy memories. Howard pursued recreating that love of the labor movement by helping to host union camp outs last year.

Howard was a trusted friend to many. The stories of how he made a difference in the lives of our members are endless. The gift of his presence in our lives will be timeless. Those of us whose lives he touched will carry his generous and loving spirit in our hearts and minds as we move forward on our own journeys. We are the richer for having known him.

Howard knew and appreciated that during his illness, AFSCME International leaders asked about his health and wished him well. He treasured the moments he spent with the members and was happy to receive their cards and well wishes.

Howard’s services were held June 15, 2009. Displayed prominently was a flowered green cross and a green ribbon with AFSCME emblazoned across it.

On behalf of Council 28, and from me personally, heartfelt thanks to each of you who supported Howard and those he loved for your many acts of selfless kindness during this difficult time.

In remembrance of Howard Ocobock.

THE STATE BUDGET & YOU: The budget's done. Now the real hard work begins.

The actions of Washington state's governor, legislators, Office of Financial Management, and Labor Relations subsequent to the conclusion of bargaining and re-bargaining this year certainly put the truth to Woody Guthrie's words,

"Some men rob you with a six-gun, others rob you with a fountain pen."

Have Federation members ever experienced such a legislative session? We faced attacks on all sides and from almost every angle. And through it all, state employees continued to serve the citizens of this state, providing the services they need and expect.

The state budget is completed and now we face an even more difficult task - that of bargaining the impacts of these draconian cuts.

It will take the creative and insightful thoughts of all of our members to navigate these waters. We must engage every member in this process. Fewer workers means management may try to balance the workload on the backs of those who remain in state service.

A single worker cannot be expected to shoulder the load of two or more workers. The workload issues must be addressed at every agency.

Opportunities for job share, educational leave, and voluntary retirement can be explored but it will take direct conversations between the workers and their stewards and representatives. These discussions must be handled with care. We want to know that the dollar savings save jobs and programs.

Seniority of individual members must be checked for accuracy. If members have special needs under the law or are being reasonably accommodated - that should be factored into the equation.

The really hard work lies ahead. We are prepared for these challenges and we will bargain the impacts one by one 'til we're done.

Standing Up for State Employees

WFSE/AFSCME President Carol Dotlich at the Mainstream Republic Conference in the Tri-Cities speaking on the experience of being characterized as "greedy state employees" by the press during the recent legislative session.

AFL-CIO President Sweeney speaks about the AFSCME members of Washington and their ability to deal with the state's economic situation. This interview was during the meeting of the G20 in London.

Activivists Make WFSE Happen! Thank you WFSE warriors, activists and staff

Thank you to all who have come to Olympia to lobby legislators; to those who have written letters and sent emails; and to those who have made phone opposing the all-cuts budget.

You have made a difference. You saved programs for the citizens and you saved jobs for members.

As I participated in and witnessed the remarkable efforts of our activists and staff in turning back the attempts to close Naselle, Yakima Valley School and Green Hill, I marveled at how much our members care for those they serve and how committed they are to saving the continuum of care in the social service network.

The efforts of our CCOs to protect the public, the efforts to preserve funding for higher education, the work to save our parks - there are simply too many to name. Our union and our state had much to lose but thanks to your efforts, the losses are far less because you stood up and brought the stick to the fight.

Thank you one and all.