WFSE Celebrates The Legislative Win Of Collective Bargaining Rights For Interpreters

Thursday, April 1st will long be remembered as the day Governor Gregoire signed the bill granting collective bargaining rights to Interpreters. These workers provide invaluable assistance to citizens at medical appointments and have been passionately pursuing bargaining rights in the hope of joining our union family. Congratulations to them and to the organizing and legislative staff on their success. It was such a joy to accomapny them to the Governor's office where their children were given a keepsake card picture of the Governor and her dog and the parents received commemorative pens to mark the occasion. To hear them speak of what the union means to them and how very important it is to have voice at work, reinforced all the hard work we do everyday to keep our union moving forward. This is a first in the nation. They are already getting calls from interpreters in other states to find out how they did it. Brothers and Sisters, they did it with the Green Machine! We have every reason to be proud of them and proud of our union. Congratulations one and all!

Corrections Lay Off Grievance Approved

The Department of Corrections implemented a lay off of several members. In reviewing the actions taken by the department, errors in the process were discovered. WFSE staff and the members filed a grievance. Some of the errors were corrected - others were not. The grievance was today approved by the statewide grievance committee and the union will press forward in efforts to insure that the rights of our corrections members are upheld.

Breaking News Rainier School

Brothers and Sisters,

By now you have probably heard on the news that two of our members at Rainier School are facing drug charges. According to a management source, they were found in possession of marijuana and drug paraphenalia on agency premises last night. It appears two others may also face charges. The investigation findings will likely be news as the process continues.

This could not have happened at a worse time. State employees are fighting to save state services and prevent facility closure. The parents, guardians and advocates who support Rainier School have fought long and hard to preserve the RHCs. Calls from concerned members are coming in. This news deeply affects everyone.

We must hold fast to our values. Our mission statement includes these words: "To ensure the union is a positive force in worker's lives, families and communities." We must live those words now.

These workers face serious allegations and we cannot know the whole story at this point. If the allegations are true, they will face serious consequences. True or not, the damage to them personally will take a sure and certain toll on them and their families. As state workers, it takes a toll on each one of us as well.

To the staff, clients, parents and guardians - please know that our WFSE family shares in your concern for the well being of all at Rainier School. We are dedicated to the clients we serve, the jobs we do, and the welfare of the community at large. We have done great work together to provide safe and secure residential communities for our family members and clients. The Need Remains. The Work Goes On.

Last Days To Make A Difference in Your Paycheck

Thanks to Dean Nelson of Local 793. His cartoon sums up what we have seen some legislators try to do to balance the state budget on our backs. The reconciliation phase is going on now. Senators and Representatives are determining the final budget. Your hotlince calls at 1-800-562-6000 are needed now to prevent your healthcare costs from eating up your purchasing power. Feel like you've called until your ear looks like a cauliflower? Well, do it again! It's working. The volume of calls and visits to the capitol are the reason they haven't reached final agreement. We have legislators holding out to assure adequate funding for your healthcare benefits. They are not the majority and they need the support that the hotline calls provide. We have made so much noise that other legislators are openly complaining about our success. Please don't let it get quiet now. We are in the closing days. We must be even louder if we are to succeed. MAKE THE CALL - 1-800-562-6000 and tell them to fund state employee healthcare. We need 65 million dollars or we face serious healthcare cost increases. Go Green Machine!

Department of Transportation Bargaining Team Change

Brothers and Sisters,

Sadly, Brother Don Morby is unable to serve on the collective bargaining team for Department of Transportation. Therefore, Larry Flue will serve in that role. The two main table bargaining team members will be Sue Dineen and Larry Flue. The top four vote getters in the election for bargaining team will serve on the supplemental team. They are: Sue Dineen, Larry Flue, Stacie Leanos, and Kate Rogers.

Although the Governor and LRO are verbalizing that they are not inclined to do supplemental bargaining, we will keep the pressure on and continue to insist that supplemental bargaining will occur.

My best wishes to Brother Don Morby and my deep appreciatiom to him for his service to the membership. We all look forward to future activities with our DOT brother.

Furlough Fridays in California

Day 5 and Counting - The Fight For Healthcare

Today, our members focussed on the campaign to fund our healthcare benefits. State employees and staff raised a MASH style field hospital to demonstrate the need to fund our healthcare plans. They filled one side of the House gallery with green shirts to let legislators know that this is a priority issue for us. Members took flyers and candy to legislators encouraging them to raise revenue. It was a fun and productive day. Thanks to the members, some of whom travelled from Seattle, Yakima, and Tacoma to be here for this important day.