Saturday, April 3, 2010
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!
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13 comments:
It's great that the union is out seeking more "brother and sister." I think the union should first be able to take care of its "family" that it is already collecting (forced) funds from. The union is directly responsible for the homelessness of a single mother and her children who was a long time exceptional state employee. Because of the union's misuse and no acountability of funds, they caused this and other workers their jobs. They continue to prolong this family's suffering, knowing that a woman and her two children are living from tent site to tent site. They should be ashamed of how they treat their "brothers and sister!" I say they don't go out collecting more brothers and sisters until they can take care of the ones they already have. Its all about the "green" as Carol indicated, but for the union green represents money for the unions pocket.
Perhaps it's time to consider allowing union members to individually decide if they want to pay money to the union and receive its benefits or not. Those who don't pay any money to the WFSE would not receive ANY benefits of the union, including pay raises and unions protections; they would be under Merit System Rules like other non-represented employees.
Isn't the WFSE fair enough and caring enough to let this happen? Ms. Dotlich, please remove the "union security clause" from any future union contracts.
To Anonymous:
The comments you have made are offensive and I have received no information from any union member that validates the tale you've told. Without facts, no one can address problems within the union. In any event, butter belongs on hot biscuits and corn. Tall tales are for entertainment purposes and do nothing to strengthen the union and make it work well for the membership. Thank you for participating.
If a labor union isn't growing it's dying. Sadly, there are too many unions out there who take your Anonymous reader's attitude. That's why labor density is declining across this country. Too many unions focus solely on their existing membership and then are surprised to find their membership declining and their influence waning. I'm pleased and proud the leadership of WFSE is taking the far-sighted approach.
I have been an proud WFSE member for many years and consider myself lucky to be part of a UNION that does address the needs of all workers. Too many companies are taking advantage of non-union employees. Look at what is happening in the coal mines, offshore drills,Walmart and others. WFSE has fought hard to keep health care, workers rights, safety,and working conditions at the forefront of their agenda. Those member activists who march for WFSE workers know what it means to belong to a Union and why it's so important to keep Unions growing. Unions need to become stronger and larger, if not the middle class is lost. If there is a sister out there in need she must reach out to her Union brothers and sisters for help. I'm sure it will be there.
The Union spent a tremendous amount of money last year and this year to ensure politicians voted correctly on Union issues. It seems there was a mass betrayal of the Union agenda. Since these politicians accepted out money, they needed to do exactly what the Union told them to do. How will these politicians be punished for their betrayal?
Sugesstion for General Govt 2011 - 2013 contract: the current seniority list is useless it includes time for a member's military service. Modify the seniority list requirement that the list be adjusted with each member's military service if applicable.
Well lets be honest here. Technocholy interpeters do not work for the state of washington.
However the places these intepeters do work for pay them alot less then they deserve. Some of familys to support...while others live the life i have chosen to live...the life of a middleaged bachelor. Either way bills need to be paid. When you are getting what seems to be a penny a year. This isn't right or fair.
I am actually glad this went through for the Intepeters. They need to be paid descently like the rest of us.
The Intepeters make a special contribution to our jobs. They make understanding people alot people as well as communication skills better.
The union took millions in forced union dues, did not hire any new union reps, and disciminates against who they will represent appropriatly by those who were pro union prior to forced representation.
Remember that the union suits pay depends on how much they get in pay raises for state workers.
Its self serving.
The union president, who is supposed to be an advocate for state workers, actually gets her paycheck from the state, so how much of an advocate can she really be and who does she actually work for?
The union is not caring and not fair.
Its a money making, political entity, nothing more.
There is a woman currently fighting the union to hold them accountable for their discriminatory and neglectful practices and to expose the reality behind the union.
They are fighting her aggressively.
And shame on you Ms. Dotlich for denying the fact that there is a woman with her children homeless because of admitted fault on the union's part. You were deposed under oath and well aware of the womans situation, yes you denounce the truth in a public forum to cover up the reality of the union.
Greg Devereaux is uncaring and unfair as well.
The furum is too discuss the issues and the truth, not sort through a lot of cya.
Did you know that the Union agreed that State Workers give up their right to file with the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) as well as the Human Rights Commission as part of the union membership contract.
The union cannot rule on Discrimination and so the State is allowed to discriminate, and behave in ways that violate our basic Human Rights, and there is no recourse for this as a union member. The union Arbitratoris not allowed to rule on these issues.
This is very frightning people. So state workers can be discriminated against based on sex, race, etc and the only thing that can happen is that the agency can be ruled on to be made "whole" with back pay but never held accountable for discrimination. To we really want to take ten steps back (at least)?
How did this happen? I am just learning how the entire process works in creating the collective bargaining agreement but why would any agency want to take away eeoc and human rights reporting from our workers.
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