Opening Day At The Legislature - Rally

Opening day of the legislature, WFSE members from all around the state rallied on the steps of the capitol to say we’ve sacrificed enough. Our collective bargaining agreement embodies the concept of preserving services for the public. We call on the legislators to approve the agreement we negotiated and to treat public servants with the respect and dignity we deserve.

Carol Dotlich and Ginger Richardson, President of Local 308, Department of Corrections local, addressed the crowd gathered on the capitol steps. They were joined by Jeff Johnson, President of the Washington State Labor Council and Lynne Dodson, Secretary-Treasurer who expressed the support of the labor community for the state workers who have sacrificed so much to maintain services to the public who both need and want these services. A crowd of community supporters joined our group of activists carrying signs decrying the cuts to services proposed in the Governor’s budget. The Governor herself has publicly declared that she hates her budget because of what it does to the citizens of the state.

Thank you to all who turned out to carry our message to the senators and representatives of Washington State.

Statewide Executive Board Approves Green Caucus

Members who are interested in participating in the "Green Caucus" should contact me at carold@wfse.org. The economy has forced the Governor and the legislature to make tough decisions about state programs and services. Many of these will have deep impacts on our members who work in Ecology, Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife, Hatcheries and Parks. Those decisions will impact everyone who enjoys living in this state with its rich tapestry of life. The "Green Caucus" will give voice to the concerns our members have related to these issues. The creative ideas our members generate will have great value for the future of our state and the services we provide to the public.

Opening Day Of The Legislature

Opening day of the legislature is January 10th and we are looking forward to a solid turnout of membership to carry our message to the new legislature. It will be an exciting day and the beginning of our intense fight to save state services to the public, save family wage jobs, stop closures, protect our pensions, and protect the contracts we have negotiated. Much will be required of the leaders and the membership this session. We need a steady presence at the capitol as well as phone and e-mail support. The Internal Organizing Committee has been working hard to mobilize the membership. Thank you to all who are participating in this effort. If you wish to join us, please confirm that you are coming by contacting the legislative department at 1-800-562-6002. We will have lunch for you and give you directions to the WSLC building in Olympia.

This legislative session we will fight to preserve state services and state jobs. We currently face closures of Francis Haddon Morgan Center, Maple Lane School, Yakima Valley School, and significant reductions in staff and programs throughout the state. Many programs face merger and some wholesale elimination. Every Higher Education campus faces significant reductions in state fund dollars. Due to the current economy, the Governor reported in the press that the state can no longer be the safety net. All of our leaders must be involved in mobilization efforts. We can only succeed if our membership is active and determined to win.

The good news, if there is good news, is that the Governor did a press conference following the conclusion of negotiations. She included WFSE represented by me and SEIU represented by Jonathan Rosenblum. That press conference can be seen on TVW website December 18th. In it she defended state employees and the work that they do. She said we had sacrificed enough financially. She said she would fight for the contract we negotiated, including our health plan. Although some of the press and certain legislators have continued their unpleasant comments, Governor Gregoire has remained steadfast in the press interviews we have seen subsequently.

Sisters and Brothers we are in it to win it. Just as our bargaining teams have had the courage and fortitude to stand in the face of the storm, our leaders and our members must do the same. We are in it to win it.

New Group Forms To Look At Tort Reform

A sub-group of the Legislative and Political Action Committee members has formed to look at tort reform. The members of the group selected thus far are: Aaron Cole, Steve Segall, Mike Weisman, Lee Novak, Yousef Fahoum.

Local 1488 Plans Rally In Support Of PAC Unit

As many of you are aware, we have a number of outstanding issues at the University of Washington with action pending.

Our members who were moved from one work location to another (the PAC unit) and then told they are no longer covered by the contract are still battling back with full union support. The following message is from Vanessa, WFSE Organizer, who is assigned to work with them:

“We are planning a candle light vigil as a united action to demonstrate our concern about the way in which the UW is dealing with its employees. At the call center (Pac) unit employees our members are being discriminated against in many forms. There seems to be age discrimination, racism, including discriminatory behavior toward employees with serious health issues. The tentative date and time is January 14th at 5:00 PM at Harborview Medical Center 9th and James Street.” Please support these workers and attend if you are able.

Local 1488 Members Meet UW President Phyllis Wise

Tuesday, January 4th, Local 1488 members Paula Lukaszek, James Bals, Ed Vazquez, and Francisca Flores met with the University of Washington President Phyllis Wise to share the challenges faced by the membership. They were warmly received by the President who allowed for a free flowing conversation without interference from others. The financial pressures they face with the increased parking fees, the increased workload due to the reductions in staff, safety concerns, the changes in work schedules and the impacts, the lack of a tentative agreement were all well stated. These members advocated for respect and dignity for the workers and offered solutions that would improve operations and the morale of the workers. They offered a partnership approach to resolving problems. The President clarified issues the University faces and posed for pictures with the group. We asked for a path forward in our relationship and are hopeful that the conversation provided valuable insights for both the President and the Union.