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.

Help Wanted

Matt Zuvich, our lobbyist, wanted you to receive the following information.

Greetings to all!

If folks can take a minute, some e-mails and hot line calls would really do a lot of good over the next couple of days. If you see a legislator that is your home district on the list below please communicate with them and thank them for their vote on revenue. All the legislators named took this difficult vote despite what may be their natural inclinations. We need to get as many constituent communications as we can muster by Sunday, thanking them for their yes vote on revenue in the house. You know big business is telling them not to vote for revenue, so we need to make sure that they hear the other side. A vote on revenue is one of the ways legislators are able to say NO to the closure of RHCs and other vital institutions like Maple Lane School and state mental health hospitals.

Here are the names:
Appleton
Blake
Dunshee
Finn
Flannigan
Goodman
Haigh
Linville
Maxwell
Morris
O'Brien
Orwall
Rolfes (The speaker made a point to note that this was a HARD vote for Christine! Double Kudos)
Springer
Sullivan
Takko
Wallace

Sample Message: "Thank you for your courageous vote for revenue. We recognize that by making that vote you are protecting many who can't protect themselves."

Hotline calls (800.562.6002) or e mails will work. Emphasis is on communication from within the district, so it is important that if you know someone not on this mailing who lives in the above named districts, please ask them to take the time to send some communication.

Six Days And Counting - ACT NOW

Two days of sign waving at the Capitol and member actions across the state - good job! Let's keep it rolling. The sign wavers received a lot of positive feedback from drivers. There was one no tax increase decorated car and a few thumbs down. KIRO news interviewed me at sign waving yesterday. They took pictures and film but if it was on the news, I missed it.

Tomorrow's event at the Capitol is important. All the legislators have been invited to talk with members about how important the healthcare issue is and why. Members will be able to discuss all the other issues that concern them as well. Legislators will come as they are able depending on meetings and other business so we need members to come as often as possible and stay as long as they can. We will set up a MASH tent area featuring healthcare so it will be easy to spot. Please come - you can't afford the future if we can't turn it around in these last days.

If you cannot come now - please make the calls to 1-800-562-6002. Let your voice be heard!