VOL. 40 NO.

AUGUST 2012

www.discoverpass.wa.gov

PRIMARY ELECTION 2012 Inslee: Its not a time to go backwards.

State Employee
UNION CAMPOUT INFO. & SIGN-UP
See page 7

The official newspaper of the WASHINGTON FEDERATION OF STATE EMPLOYEES/AFSCME Council 28AFL-CIO

WASHINGTON

Candidate for governor Jay Inslee with WFSE/AFSCME, Council 2 and AFSCME retirees in Tacoma July 11. From left (standing): Celeste Soliid Burris, Council 2; Rick Hertzog, Local 793, Western State Hospital; Wayne Withrow, Council 2; Sue Welch, Local 53, Agriculture; Inslee; Charlene Middlekauf, Local 491, Rainier School; David Middlekauf, Local 491; Mark Russell, Local 491; Ken Blair, Local 53, DSHS; Kaleb Murphy, Local 491; Amy Murphy, WFSE/AFSCME council rep; and Local 793 retiree Rita Harris. Kneeling (from left): Barbara Mingo, Local 793; and Billy Smith, Local 53, Corrections.

He has embraced middle class workers values. Not a heavy lift given his years as a construction worker and his familys state employee service. At a recent appearance before a WFSE/AFSCME-dominated audience at the IBEW Hall in Tacoma, Inslee celebrated all workers and all public employees. Inslee, a former Congressman whos represented both sides of the state, eagerly displayed the WE ARE ONE green t-shirt See INSLEE, page 3

ay Inslee is walking the walk, not just talking the talk, in his campaign for governor. The first major step is the Aug. 7 Primary Election. He must finish in the top two to go onto the Nov. 6 General Election.

There is a big hole in our hearts. Thats how WFSE/AFSCME Executive Director Greg Devereux summed up the loss of Laurie Merta to everyone who knew her, the union and Labor Movement. Merta, the Federations director of field services, died peacefully in her sleep

of a heart attack June 23 in Los Angeles where she had been attending the AFSCME International Convention. A member of Rainier School Local 491, she was attending the convention as a delegate. She was 56. A celebration of her life took place July 21 in Olympia. Laurie touched the lives of thousands. The sadness is balanced by her lasting legacy: her smile, her wisecracks, her encouragement, her indefatigable spirit, her endless empathy for our members. A lyric from one of her favorite rally songs said it best: I got a will to win and a Cheshire grin. That was Laurie Merta.

As delegate to Junes AFSCME Convention in Los Angeles, just days before her passing.

Leading contract rally, April 1, 2004, Olympia.

Started as CCO
After 12 years as a Community Corrections officer, she came to work for WFSE/ AFSCME in 1990 as an area representative and, in 2005, field services director. But early on, she took on

See LAURIE, page 8

At control panel of WFSE/AFSCMEs 2011 Convention in Spokane, 10/8/11.

She helped establish member-driven grassroots job actions as the main tool in the unions arsenal when thenCCO Merta emceed Vigil for Victims action, February 1988, Tacoma.

Photo courtesy Bill Copland, Local 1253

A will to win and a Cheshire grin

REMEMBERING LAURIE MERTA 1956-2012

Holding the line on health care!

At press time July 20, health benefits were taking center stage at the bargaining table, in a grievance and at the Public Employees Benefits Board: The WFSE/AFSCMEled Health Care Coalition of all state employee unions wrapped up its first two days of negotiations on health care premium amounts July 18. This is the article that would go in all 2013-2015 contracts. The teams goal LOUD AND CLEAR: Hold the line on health care! Negotiations will continue, but no date has been set. All of WFSE/AFSCMEs bargaining teams are churning along on 2013-2015 contracts with revenues up in June and health care negotiations on the table. Its expected that compensation will occupy most of each teams time the next two months. Heres a quick roundup (as of July 20): The General Government Bargaining Team negotiated July 10 and 11 and have now wrapped up 32 of the 54 articles -- an amazing accomplishment at this early stage of negotiations. The team returns to the table Aug. 14. Teams that began negotiations since the last newspaper: Central Washington University; Kitsap Tenant Support Services; The Evergreen State College Classified Staff; Eastern Washington University; and the Community College Coalition. Teams continuing to make progress: Western Washington University; University of Washington; Washington State University; American Behavioral Health Systems (details, page 5); and Medical Interpreters (related stories, page 5 and 6). The bargaining team for WFSE/AFSCMEs new Kitsap Tenant Support Services (KTSS) Bargaining Unit kicked off negotiations on a first-ever contract July 13 in Bremerton. From left: Al Quattrocchi, Ashley Klocke, Chief Negotiator Sarah Clifthorne, Lisa Hennings, Gary Martell, WFSE/AFSCME Journey Organizer Tim Tharp and Johnnie Driskell. Related story, page 5. The Evergreen State College Non-Management Exempt Staff handed out hundreds of stickers on the day of graduation ceremonies June 15. The stickers read Student for L&I employees in Tumwater flock to union hotdog lunch n learn event July 11. Student Affairs Exempt Staff Union and sent a clear message to graduation attendees that exempt support staff play a critical role in helping students succeed. Three of the members of the WFSE/AFSCME Health Care Coalition team (from left): Nicole Kennedy, UW, Local 1488; Brett Clubbe, WSU, Local 53; Jeff Paulsen, CTS, Local 443; and (standing) Chief Negotiator Steve Kreisberg, AFSCME. Also representing WFSE/AFSCME on the coalition are: Gabe Hall, Green Hill School, Local 862; Craig Gibelyou, Local 793, Western State Hospital; Kirk Talmadge, TESC, Local 443; Josef Bailey, WWU Police, Local 1381; Todd Henderson, Green River CC, Local 304; David Sundstrom, EWU, Local 931; and WFSE/AFSCME's officers President Carol Dotlich, Vice President Sue Henricksen, Secretary Judy Kuschel and Treasurer Rosemary Sterling. Stand by for any calls to action that may be needed. WFSE/AFSCME on July 19 filed a group grievance on behalf of all its coalition part-

BARGAINING UPDATES Online: wfse.org>Bargaining

July 25 on premium costs and other benefit plans for calendar year 2013. Itd be good news for those in the Uniform Plan premiums would go down at all levels and thered be no increases in co-pays. But for those in Group Health, premiums would go up for all levels in all three Group Health plans. Copays for emergency visits would go up for both GHCClassic and Value. Premiums for Kaiser Classic would go up, but theyd go down for Kaiser CDHP. Kaiser Classic would also have increases in outof-pocket maximums and deductibles.

ners to recoup funds diverted by the Legislature equal to employees 15 percent share of premiums. The grievance asks for that $17.7 million, plus interest, diverted when

the Legislature earlier this year cut its share of premium costs from $850 a month to $800 a month. The PEBB was set to vote

NEWS BRIEFS
DEMAND TO BARGAIN FILED IN AGRICULTURE. WFSE/ AFSCME on July 2 filed a demand to bargain over the Department of Agricultures proposed elimination of Grain Division job classes in favor of the program specialist series. The agency proposes the elimination to the August meeting of the state personnel director. The jobs proposed for elimination are: Grain Storage Examiner 1-3; Grain Protein Specialist; Grain Sampler; Grain Sampler/Weigher; and Grain Inspectors A-C. The union wants to bargain over issues tied to the proposed changes, including impacts of allocating to a more generic classification and compensation. UW FOUND GUILTY OF ANOTHER UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE. The fight to win the simple, basic rights of call center employees formerly attached to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle saw another victory July 11. In the unions latest unfair labor practice fight, a state hearing examiner found the UW guilty for refusing to bargain when it refused to meet with the union and provide relevant collective bargaining information to the union. The examiner said the UW unlawfully interfered with employee rights when it refused to acknowledge the employees bargaining unit and representation rights. The UW had until July 31 to appeal.

The EWU Bargaining Team June 19 in Cheney. From left: Craig Walker, Chief Negotiator Banks Evans, Lance Walker, Quincy Burns, Robert Schmitter, Eric Rux, Ken Reidt, Nita Holbert, Pat Terrell and David Sundstrom.

State Employee
WASHINGTON

Away from the table, the Community College Coalition continued its campaign against the 3 percent pay cut that took effect July 1 the only group of higher education workers facing such a cut. Other campuses absorbed the cut in other ways. The continuing campaign included a June 14 appeal to the Seattle Community Colleges Board of Trustees (above, members leave meeting).

Washington State Employee (USPS 981200) is published monthly, except February and July, for $5.08 per year by the Washington Federation of State Employees/AFSCME Council 28 AFL-CIO, 1212 Jefferson St. S.E. Suite 300, Olympia, WA 98501. Affiliated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. Periodicals postage paid at Olympia, WA and at additional offices. Circulation: 42,000. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Washington State Employee, 1212 Jefferson St SE Suite 300 Olympia WA 98501-7501 Carol Dotlich, President Greg Devereux, Executive Director
Editor Tim Welch e-mail: tim@wfse.org Internet: www.wfse.org Member, ILCA

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OPTION. If youd like to save paper and postage, you can receive this newspaper electronically. Go to www.wfse.org and hover over NEWS & INFO, located in the top menu bar. Select from the drop-down list: WASHINGTON STATE EMPLOYEE - Newspaper. Use the form on this page to register for the electronic version. Or e-mail us at info@wfse.org, or write: WFSE/AFSCME, 1212 Jefferson St. S.E., Suite 300, Olympia, WA 98501. If youre a represented non-member fee payer and you dont wish to receive this publication in any format, e-mail us at contactus@wfse.org, or write: WFSE/AFSCME, 1212 Jefferson St. S.E., Suite 300, Olympia, WA 98501.

Page 2

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

August 2012

INSLEE,
from page 1
given to him by the WFSE/ AFSCME and AFSCME Council 2 members in attendance. Weve got some work to do, he said. Weve got to protect collective bargaining rights. Weve got to beat Rob McKenna, whos trying to take away health care for working people. Weve got some good folks from Rainier School (here), he said in his July 11 appearance at the Pierce County Central Labor Council annual barbecue. My grandmother worked there, doing hard work in the early 1960s. My daughter-in-law is a forensic scientist, a member of the state employees at the State Crime Lab. Inslee has been endorsed by the Washington Federation of State Employees/AFSCME and most other working people all across the political spectrum. Said Dan Petruso, chair of the unions Conservative Caucus: We have been asked to take a 3 percent pay cut and have health premiums increased by 25 percent and have done so to help the economy. Most politicians have

PRIMARY ELECTION 2012

PRIMARY FOCUS
Supreme Court
THE CANDIDATE AND THE AGRICULTURE MEMBER. Department of Agriculture member Sue Welch (in photo at right) had never taken part in a union activity until the evening she was leaving her office on the second floor of the IBEW Hall in Tacoma. Invited to the labor rally, the Local 53 member chatted briefly with Jay Inslee -- and was surprised when the candidate for governor singled her out in his speech (above). She represents to me what we can do if we work together for working people...., Inslee said. She is one of those hard-working people who my opponent says we should just let them all go, not replace them when they retire. He doesnt understand the critical (role) of state employees. Im overwhelmed, Welch said. Its a thrill to all of a sudden to be involved in something greater than me. And I feel so welcomed. By the end of the evening, Welch was signing on as an Inslee volunteer. employee will support Jay Inslee for governor. Back at the labor audience, Inslee said middle class workers deserve a governor who is going to respect all work. I believe we ought to elect a governor who believes in working people, who is going to get up every single morning, dedicated to the dignity of every single worker in the state of Washington. And with your help, Im going to be that governor in the next election. Because of election rules for Supreme Court races, the election for Position 8 will be decided in the Aug. 7 Primary. WFSE/AFSCMEs endorsed candidate is:

Position 8 Justice Steven Gonzalez

Washington Supreme Court

The races for Positions 2 & 9 could also be decided if one of the candidates gets more than 50% of the vote. WFSE/AFSCMEs endorsed candidates are:

LEFT: Inslee chats with Local 793 members Abe Adams and Barbara Mingo. not done the same. Now the elected Republicans and some candidates say our pensions are too high so want to cut the last benefit we have as public employees. For all these reasons I as a conservative and a public

Position 2 Justice Susan Owens

Washington Supreme Court

Position 9 John Ladenburg

Washington Supreme Court

Vote!
U.S. SENATE Maria Cantwell, D* U.S. CONGRESS CD 2 Rick Larsen, D* CD 5 Rich Cowan, D CD 6 Derek Kilmer, D (Note: Current state senator, 26th District) CD 7 Jim McDermott, D* CD 9 Adam Smith, D* CD 10 Denny Heck, D STATEWIDE RACES GOVERNOR Jay Inslee, D LT. GOVERNOR Brad Owen, D* SECRETARY OF STATE Kathleen Drew, D TREASURER Jim McIntire, D* ATTORNEY GENERAL Bob Ferguson, D

Ballots were mailed out July 20 for Aug. 7 Primary We need to vote for leaders who share our values. Mail that ballot!

WFSE/AFSCMES PRIMARY ELECTION PICKS

Dist. 23 Christine Rolfes, D* Dist. 27 Jeannie Darneille, D# Dist. 40 Kevin Ranker, D* Dist. 41 -- Maureen Judge, D Dist. 46 David Frockt, D* Dist. 49 - Annette Cleveland, D STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Dist. 1 (Pos. 1) Derek Stanford, D* Dist. 1 (Pos. 2) Luis Moscoso, D* Dist. 3 (Pos. 1) -- Marcus Riccelli, D Dist. 3 (Pos. 2) Timm Ormsby, D* Dist. 6 (Pos. 2) -- Denny Dellwo, D Dist. 10 (Pos. 2) -- Tom Riggs, D & Dave Hayes, R (dual endorsement) Dist. 11 (Pos. 1) Zack Hudgins, D* Dist. 11 (Pos. 2) -- Bobby Virk, D Dist. 17 (Pos. 1 ) - Monica Stonier, D Dist. 19 (Pos. 2) Brian Blake, D* Dist. 21 (Pos. 2) Marko Liias, D* Dist. 22 (Pos. 1) Chris Reykdal, D* Dist. 22 (Pos. 2) Sam Hunt, D* Dist. 23 (Pos. 1) Sherry Appelton, D* Dist. 23 (Pos. 2) -- Drew Hansen, D* Dist. 24 (Pos. 2) Steve Tharinger, D* Dist. 25 (Pos. 1) -- Dawn Morrell, D Dist. 26 (Pos. 2) Larry Seaquist, D* Dist. 27 (Pos. 1) Laurie Jinkins, D* Dist. 28 (Pos. 1) Eric Choiniere, D Dist. 29 (Pos. 1) Dual Endorsement: Ben Lawver, D; and David Sawyer, D Dist. 28 (Pos. 2) Tami Green, D* Dist. 29 (Pos. 2) Steve Kirby, D* Dist. 30 (Pos. 1) -- Roger Flygare, D Dist. 32 (Pos. 1) Cindy Ryu, D* Dist. 33 (Pos. 1) Tina Orwall, D* Dist. 33 (Pos. 2) Dave Upthegrove, D* Dist. 34 (Pos. 1) Eileen Cody, D* Dist. 34 (Pos. 2) Joe Fitzgibbon, D* Dist. 35 (Pos. 1) Kathy Haigh, D* Dist. 35 (Pos. 2) -- Jeff Davis, D Dist. 36 (Pos. 2) -- Brett Phillips, D Dist. 37 (Pos. 1) Sharon Tomiko Santos, D* Dist. 38 (Pos. 1) John McCoy, D* Dist. 38 (Pos. 2) Mike Sells, D* Dist. 40 (Pos. 1) Kris Lytton, D* Dist. 40 (Pos. 2) Jeff Morris, D* Dist. 43 (Pos. 2) -- Frank Chopp, D* Dist. 44 (Pos. 1) Hans Dunshee, D* Dist. 44 (Pos. 2) -- Mary McNaughton, D Dist. 45 (Pos. 1) Roger Goodman, D* Dist. 46 (Pos. 1) -- Gerry Pollet, D* Dist. 46 (Pos. 2) -- Jessyn Farrell, D Dist. 47 (Pos. 1) -- Bud Sizemore, D Dist. 47 (Dist. 2) - Pat Sullivan, D* FYI: STATEWIDE BALLOT MEASURES ON NOVEMBER BALLOT: Initiative 1185 Tim Eymans 2/3 majority scheme: OPPOSE Initiative 1240 -- Charter Schools: OPPOSE Referendum 74 Uphold Marriage Equality Law: SUPPORT

Here is the list of WFSE/AFSCMEs recommendations for candidates in the Aug. 7 Primary Election. They came at the unions Endorsements Conference, by the Statewide Executive Board and at local legislative interviews. An asterisk (*) indicates an incumbent. A pound sign (#) indicates an incumbent House member running for state Senate. List current as of July 19. INSURANCE COMMISSIONER Mike Kreidler, D* COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC LANDS Peter Goldmark, D* SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Randy Dorn, NP* STATE SUPREME COURT Pos. 2 Susan Owens, NP* Pos. 8 Steven Gonzalez, NP* Pos. 9 John Ladenburg, NP STATE LEGISLATURE: STATE SENATE Dist. 1 Rosemary McAuliffe, D* Dist. 2 -- Bruce Lachney, D Dist. 3 Andy Billig, D# Dist. 10 -- Mary Margaret Haugen, D* Dist. 11 Bob Hasegawa, D# Dist. 17 - Tim Probst, D# Dist. 22 Karen Fraser, D*

August 2012

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

Page 3

An injury to one is an injury to all!

With cast and cane, injured member urges legislative action on high-risk job classes

atrick McDonough limped his way to a hearing room in Olympia June 27 to urge lawmakers to allow workers like him in high-risk job classes many of whom have already been severely injured -- to retire early. McDonough, with his right leg and foot in a cast, needed a cane to walk the few painful steps to deliver his testimony to the Select Committee on Pension Policy. Hes a psychiatric security attendant at Western State Hospital in Lakewood and a member of Local 793.
stomped on the bridge of his right foot. He now has the cast, the cane and six screws in his foot. Eventually, these injuries are going to take a toll on my body and my ability to do my job, McDonough told the committee. I see this happen to my co-workers and I know it will happen to me as well. I like my job and I feel I am doing something important, but make no mistake, its dangerous work. It isnt right that with the modest salary I take home that I should be forced to work until I am 65 years old because I cant afford to retire. WFSE/AFSCME Lobbyist Matt Zuvich said there should be the same concern about workers in high-risk job

The Legislature directed the committee to study whether more highrisk job classes should be included in the Public Safety Employees Retirement System (PSERS). PSERS allows earlier retirement and fewer penalties, but its restricted to law-enforcement job classes in such agencies as Corrections, Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources. McDonough told the committee hes been injured severely enough five times in his six years at the hospital to require L&I claims. Two of the injuries required major surgery and hospital stays. His latest injury came when a patient bit and clawed him and then Listening to testimony from McDonough and Zuvich are (from left) SCPP members: Randy Davis (representing active TRS employees); WFSE/AFSCMEs Bob Keller (PERS actives); Steve Hill, state retirement director; and AFSCME Council 2s J. Pat Thompson (PERS actives).

McDonough (left) and Zuvich after testimony on high-risk job classes.

classes in institutions, juvenile rehabilitation and transportation. There is a higher business cost in these public safety job classes to keeping somebody into age 65 than it would be to consider early retirement, Zuvich told the committee. I have seen workers in their 60s next to me separating patients who have attacked someone, grimacing in pain while trying to protect themselves and their co-workers, McDonough said. Being attacked by a 20-year-old patient in excellent health who is agitated and intending to hurt anyone in their proximity is not un-

common. The exclusion of other dangerous job classes wasnt fair when PSERS was created in 2004, he said. We hope you see the need to fix it now, McDonough said. The select committee includes legislators and representatives from affected pension system enrollees. WFSE/AFSCMEs Bob Keller and AFSCME Council 2s J. Pat Thompson sit on the committee. The panel will study the high-risk job classes through the summer and fall. Any recommendations would come in November, followed by any recommended legislation.

Other dangerous jobs in the study Transportation: Inches away from speeding drivers Juvenile Rehabilitation: Violence spikes at Green Hill
uvenile Rehabilitation is another area of dangerous work that WFSE/AFSCME wants studied for possible inclusion in PSERS. The recent spike in violence against staff at Green Hill School in Chehalis is just one example of the crying need for help for the workers watching over youthful offenders. In June alone there were 17 assaults on staff, ranging from urine and feces hurled at workers to counselors being shanked and headbutted. By the end of April, there were as many assaults on staff as for all of last year, said Green Hill School Local 862 member Gabe Hall. The state, media and union point to the closure of Maple Lane School

athy Hatcher has one of the dangerous Department of Transportation jobs now being studied for possible inclusion in the Public Safety Employees Retirement System (PSERS). Shes a maintenance lead technician working out of the Alder near Mount Rainier. The Local 53 member

has 31 years with DOT. Routine tasks this time of year include cleaning up from winter storms, clearing the ditches, patching the pavement, cleaning the drainage systems and repairing guardrails, she said. Many times traffic has to be stopped for short times while some of this work is being done and that is when some drivers let their emotions get out of hand.... Under the best of circumstances, we often work within a few feet of moving vehicles, and we need all the help we can get to stay safe.

and the mixing of those mental health youth with the generally older and more sophisticated population at Green Hill. Its a much tougher population to deal Hall with, Green Hill School Associate Superintendent Lori Nesmith told the Centralia Chronicle July 6. The union and management have formed a joint work group to find solutions to the growing violence.

Page 4

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

August 2012

An injury to one is an injury to all!

Public Service Sector members:

An injury to one is an injury to all are not just words. As newer groups of employees choose WFSE/AFSCME and the union, we have to pull together to defend their rights because if our adversaries get to rig the system there, theyll rig it everywhere. These are Public Service Sector members

Their fight is our fight!

Labor Relations Board. I think our fight is just a small example of the fight that is going on around the country, said Spanish interpreter Victor Hidalgo, a Local 1671 member from Everett and a member of the Medical Interpreters Bargaining Team. Here are their stories:

like Medical Interpreters who are state employees for the purposes of collective bargaining. Or those in American Behavioral Health Systems (ABHS) and Kitsap Tenant Support Services (KTSS) who provide services with companies receiving state and federal funds but fall under the jurisdiction of the National

KTSS members fight retaliation as they fight for first contract

td be a nightmare if WFSE/AFSCME members had a week of vacation cut, only two paid holidays a year, no sick days and starting pay a little above the state minimum wage. Yet caregivers like Johnnie Driskell and Gary Martell live that nightmare every day.
The 100 or so workers organized a union and in March became WFSE/AFSCMEs newest Public Service sector bargaining unit. KTSS workers voted 44-14 March 16 for a voice at work with WFSE/ AFSCME. The thing of it is were in the business to teach and train vulnerable individuals how to be productive citizens in the community, Driskell said. But yet were still working for a company thats downgrading us. It doesnt make any sense. She and Martell are part of the KTSS workers first bargaining team. They began negotiations July 13 on their

first contract -- to win a fair helping of decency. But the millionaires who run the company apparently felt threatened by workers who earn as little as $10.09 an hour and lose a day of pay if theyre sick. They gave Driskell a written warning after she properly attended a June 4 union contract training session. KTSS put Martell on indefinite administrative leave without pay for paperwork the millionaires said wasnt filled out correctly. Up to this point, my paperwork had been fine..., said Martell, who covers homes in Bremerton and Silverdale. All of a sudden, once the negotiations started, I got called on the carpet for my paperwork. The union filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board for the retaliation one of many filed in the past few months over KTSS retali-

They work for Kitsap Tenant Support Services, a company that gets state and federal money to care for about 65 developmentally disabled citizens in their own homes in the Bremerton and Silverdale area, Port Townsend and Port Angeles. They have a $10,000 deductible health plan that no one can afford, said WFSE/ AFSCME Journey Organizer Tim Tharp. We call it the Hitby-the-Bus Plan. The owners have become millionaires. The workers suffered. Finally, they got so angry they mobilized.

Tharp (back) with retaliated KTSS members Martell (left) and Driskell. ation against its employees. Its just basically arbitrary and unfair enforcement of particular rules that theyre selectively deciding to enforce on these people that theyre not on others, said Tharp, the lead organizer on the successful KTSS campaign. Forming a union was long overdue, said Driskell, who provides intensive tenant services for clients in need of 24-hour care. Shes based in Bremerton. Number 1, when we first started out doing this, we didnt have a voice, nobody to speak up for us, she said. Were sticking our neck on the line. We are putting our job on the line for other people also.

See KTSS, page 6

Medical Interpreters: Two major fights centering on honor

or Medical Interpreters like Leroy Mould and Victor Hidalgo, it comes to honor as they face state actions that unfairly change the rules of the game. That includes costly new liability insurance requirements that could have driven many interpreters out of business. But in a major victory thanks to e-mails from 400 WFSE/AFSCME, the Health Care Authority on July 19 announced a change of course. HCA will NOT force our members who are independent contractor interpreters to purchase expensive general and professional liability insurance with million dollar policy limits, said Sarah Clifthorne, chief negotiator for the Interpreters Bargaining Team. But interpreters still faced a fiscal switcheroo to deny agreed-upon rate increases. They are obstructionist to make it more and more dif-

ABHS: Unique partnership with familiar challenges

Local 1671 President Leroy Mould (left) and Victor Hidalgo. ficult for us to be able to establish that we have got rights in our working place, said Mould, president of Medical Interpreters Local 1671 and a Spanish interpreter in Olympia. The interpreters voted overwhelmingly to form a union with WFSE/AFSCME in 2010. The recent one-two punch came as one Medical Interpreters bargaining team is negotiating their next, 2013-2015 contract and another is bargaining on a wage re-opener under their current contract. First, the state Health Care Authority ordered

See INTERPRETERS, page 6

ts not often that management wants their employees to form a union, but thats exactly what happened at American Behavioral Health Systems (ABHS). Its a Public Service Sector company that provides drug rehabilitation services to clients in out of prison. But when the companys service contract with the state Department of Corrections was in jeopardy in 2011, they went to the union before the workers did actually to see if they could get help lobbying for the contract, said Katie Enge, an ABHS member in Chehalis and member of the bargaining team. But however they got there, it made sense. And there had been some issues that the employees were having with management, so we hung onto the union as tight as we could and decided that it would be a good thing for us to form the union.

Enge casting ballot in March. They did and ratified their first contract (for 20122014) in March. But they had a re-opener provision to come back to the table this summer and discuss compensation. With the DOC funds still unresolved, the ABHS members and management agreed June 21 to defer those talks until

See ABHS, page 6 Page 5

August 2012

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

An injury to one is an injury to all!

KTSS, from page 5
And they can just fire us for no reason at all..., retaliation for no reason at all. And if the KTSSes of the world get away with this kind of anti-worker behavior, it will have a damaging ripple effect throughout all of WFSE/AFSCME, Tharp said. When the state sees these cheaper options like KTSS, the reason our members should care is its a direct threat on them and their wellbeing, he said. Because the state can then say, We can close institutions and just shuffle off to KTSS. In the meantime, WFSE/ AFSCMEs KTSS members will keep up the fight at the

INTERPRETERS,
from page 5
medical interpreters to buy expensive liability insurance. In some cases, the insurance would have cost more than some interpreters make in a year. The union filed an unfair labor practice complaint and sent a stern letter to the HCA. The reversal on liability insurance was welcome. Otherwise, it would have jeopardized the health of our (limited English proficient patients), who may not have access to an interpreter because basically the interpreter cannot pay to work, Mould said. Next, the state declared that a $9.5 million surplus for interpreter compensation generated largely from a 24 percent savings produced by the Local 1671 and WFSE/

KTSS members have come a long way since their winning union vote March 16. bargaining table and for quality care of their clients. And pressure for justice may come from parents and guardians, who, Driskell said, see how much hard work that we do. A lot of them cant stand KTSS. A lot of them respect us more than they do KTSS.

AFSCME push for reform in delivery of services was actually $5 million less. Thered be no raises and possibly pay cuts, the state said. That generated another unfair labor practice complaint from the union. The July 3 action charges the state with refusal to bargain under agreed-to negotiations on a compensation re-opener for medical interpreters. The union has maintained that under a June 10, 2011, memorandum of understanding, there should be a positive impact on interpreter compensation. We saved the state money and have continued to operate at every facet of our negotiation from an honorable standpoint, Mould said. And then when they go back like this and say We dont have if for you any-

more, thats a complete weaseling out and dishonorable way of negotiating. All WFSE/AFSCME members should be concerned about such dishonorable tactics, Mould said. If they will use that tactic with us, they will use the same tactic in negotiating (with)...anybody else..., he said. Thats not the way you operate a state government at all. The basis of everything has to be honor. With the support of all WFSE/ AFSCME members, interpreters fight on, said Victor Hidalgo, a Spanish interpreter in Everett. I think thats the main focus of this, he said. Its to make a statement that we are alive, that we know whats going on and were not going to let it happen.

ABHS, from page 5

September. Still, its been worth it. Now it (the union) has definitely helped us, Enge said. Weve had far less turnover since weve become a union.... There are set goals and rules that we have to follow and achieve in order to keep the business running smoothly. And ultimately, were there Federation staff and ABHS members at the Chehalis ABHS location held an early-morning job action June for the clients.... 26 during shift change to show solidarity with our ABHS This is definitely a good situation for all involved. Man- members. agement and employees are clients to become productive members working together. Theres been of society. communication, and were helping our

PERC upholds interpreters voice

Interpreters United Local 1671 have won another battle away from the bargaining table. The Public Employment Relations Commission ruled June 19 ruled that independent contractor interpreters working at DSHS hearings and related legal proceedings, as well as independent contractor interpreters providing services to Medicaid enrollees at local health jurisdictions and public hospitals, are included in the WFSE/AFSCME bargaining unit. This decision does not affect interpreters who are hospital employees or all court interpreters. The state appealed the decision in King County Superior Court. In the fall of 2010 interpreters voted 95 percent UNION YES. But the state challenged the eligibility of some interpreters to vote in the election and to be covered by their union contract. Specifically, those language access providers working in the Medicaid Administrative Match Program (MAM) and those in legal settings. But PERC sided with the union and interpreters.

SHARED LEAVE REQUESTS

If youve been approved to receive shared leave by your agency or institution, you can place a notice here. Once youve been approved by your agency or institution, WFSE/ AFSCME can place your shared leave request here and online. Please include a contact in your agency, usually in human resources, for donors to call. E-mail the editor at tim@ wfse.org. Or call 1-800-5626002. The following could use a donation of eligible unused annual leave or sick leave or all or part of your personal holiday:
There is a WFSE/AFSCME member at Green River Community College requesting shared leave for the purposes of domestic violence leave. They wish to keep other details confidential due to the sensitive nature of their situation. If you or someone you know is able to donate (eligible unused annual leave or sick leave or all or part of your personal holiday) contact your Human Resources office and ask them to get in

touch with Lesley Hogan at (253) 833-9111, Ext. 3315 and let her know youd like to donate to shared leave case #1213-01. Marian Norberg, a vocational rehabilitation counselor 4 with DSHS in Spokane and a member of Local 1221, is recovering from surgery she had in March to remove a brain tumor. She is currently undergoing radiation and chemotherapy. She will be off the job for at least six months. Contact: your human resource office. Tammy Treat, a recreation and athletics specialist at Lakeland Village in Medical Lake and a member of Local 573, has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is off on extended medical leave recovering form surgery. Contact: your human resource office. Liz Butterfield, a financial services specialist 4 with DSHS in Spokane is in need of shared leave because of a serious incapacitating medical condition that makes it difficult for her to work a full schedule. Contact: Abby Waligora, (509) 227-2228. Sherrie Courtier, a psychiatric security attendant at Western

State Hospital in Lakewood and a member of Local 793 is in need of shared leave while she recovers from surgery. Contact: your human resource office. Patty Erhardt, a juvenile rehabilitation residential counselor at Green Hill School in Chehalis and a member of Local 862, is in need of shared leave as she battles two herniated disks in her back and stress-related conditions. Contact: your human resource office. Amy Conklin, a secretary senior with DSHS in Mount Vernon and a member of Local 1060, is in need of shared leave to care for her 2-monthold son, who was just brought home from the hospital July 1. Contact: your human resource office. Chandra Chance, a financial services specialist 3 at the DSHS Chehalis CSO and a member of Local 862, has been approved for shared leave because of a serious medical condition, which has caused her to have two major surgeries within 10 days. Contact: your human resource office, or Grace Chambers at (360) 725-6627 or chambge@dshs.wa.gov.

Gary S. Ritchie, an equipment technician 3 with the Washington State Patrol Fleet Section in Olympia and a member of Local 443, has been approved for shared leave to assist with his wifes recovery from rotator cuff surgery. Contact: your human resource office. Shannon Bauman, a financial services specialist 3 with DSHS in Everett and a member of Local 948, is in need of shared leave because of a serious accident in which she broke her leg and ankle and underwent surgery. She has exhausted all leave. Contact: your human resource office. Stacy Jenkins, a communications officer 1 at Western Washington University in Bellingham and a member of Local 1381, has been approved for shared leave donations. Contact: your human resource office. The following Department of Health bargaining unit members are in need of shared leave: Joseli Alves-Dunkerson; Nicole Avelar; Chrystal Averette; Rachel Bergman; Cheri Brooks-Johnson; Wayne Carlson; Brenda Deligeannis; Sharon Denney; Carissa Duncan; Crystal Green; Pat

Hubenthal; Andrea Keller; Jenni Kirner; Theresa Littleraven; Nancy Maxson; Penny McDermott; Jennifer McLachlan; Sybille Oatney; Laura Olexa; Robin Paradiso; Linda L. Patterson; Meghan Porter. Contact: your human resource office. Angel Vanderhoof, an unemployment insurance specialist 3 with the Employment Security Department in Olympia and a member of Local 443, has been approved for shared leave. Contact: your human resource office. Lisa R. James, a social worker 3 with DSHS Home and Community Services in Seattle and a member of Local 843, has been approved for shared leave. Contact: your human resource office. Wayna Franklin, a social worker 4 with DSHS Home and Community Services in Seattle and a member of Local 843, has been approved for shared leave. Contact: your human resource office. Kari Jones, a social worker 3 with DSHS in Bellingham and a member of Local 1060, has

See SHARED LEAVE, page 7 August 2012

Page 6

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

WFSE/AFSCME MEMBERS-ONLY BENEFITS UPDATE; NEWS

WFSE/AFSCME HOWARD OCOBOCK MEMORIAL

Family Campout at Sun Lakes

Camp Delany - Sun Lakes State Park
north of Ephrata and Soap Lake

REGISTRATION FORM
HOWARD OCOBOCK MEMORIAL WFSE/AFSCME UNION FAMILY CAMPOUT

September 21-23, 2012

Join us for fun in the sun!

Picnics Hikes Barbecues Games Solidarity
Camp Delany/Sun Lakes offers cabins and a full kitchen for group dining. RV hookups and tent camping are also available in the park. Check-in begins on Friday at 1pm. Cabins have been reserved. WFSE/AFSCME will pay the $11 per night camp fee for members; members pay for any family or guests. You may also choose to camp at a tent or RV site, if available. WFSE/AFSCME will reimburse you for the campsite fee. Kitchen facilities available for meals. Bring your own food for breakfast and lunch. Saturday night BBQ with hotdogs, hamburgers, condiments and chips provided. Each family should bring one main dish to serve eight, plus a salad or dessert. For cabins, bring sleeping bag or bedding materials. NAME Street ( )

Camp Delany, Sun Lakes State Park Deadline to register: Sep. 7, 2012
City ( ) Home e-mail address Id like more information on the tent and/or RV option Cell Phone State Local #: Zip

September 21-23, 2012

Home phone

What activities would you be interested in? Hiking (15 mi of trails) Mountain Biking Birdwatching Fishing (fresh water) Horseshoes Swimming
(fresh water)

Local tours Boating How many family members or guests will you be bringing? ____________ Please enclose $11 for each family member or guest youll be bringing. Make checks out to WFSE/AFSCME. Mail this form to: WFSE/AFSCME Campouts, 1212 Jefferson St SE #300, Olympia WA 98501.

NOTE: This campout requires a minimum number of campers. In the event the minimum isnt reached, you will be refunded your money.

When we camp at state parks, we support our members of Parks Local 1466.

QUESTIONS?
Call 1-800-562-6002 E-mail: info@wfse.org Visit www.wfse.org

Coordinated by the WFSE/AFSCME Members Only Benefits Committee

IN MEMORIAM: Longtime Vancouver Local 313 member Earl Cohee died June 28. He was a support enforcement officer for DSHS when he retired from the state in 2010. His family will memorialize him at their annual reunion this summer. A Vietnam veteran, he was be buried at Willamette National Cemetery in a private ceremony.

Dental Health

SHARED LEAVE, from page 6

been approved for shared leave. Contact: your human resource office. Michele Jelinek, a medical assistance specialist 3 with the Health Care Authority in Olympia and a member of Local 443, was approved for shared leave through at least July 15. Contact: Kate Trickle at (360) 725-1412 or trickkj@hca.wa.gov.

Tri-Cities Union Dental Office

3603 W Court St., Pasco, WA. (The corner of 36th and Court close to the Post Office.)

509-547-3000
Financial Wellness
A MEMBERS ONLY BENEFIT for WFSE/AFSCME members and their families!

August 2012

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

Page 7

REMEMBERING LAURIE MERTA

FROM LEFT: Emceeing Tacoma Vigil for Victims, that helped members like Laurie form a union shop; Area Rep Merta representing Rainier School Local 491 members, October 1991; after helping Local 1181 member Byron Flournoy overturn a demotion, June 1991.

LAURIE, from page 1

other roles and became the go-to person for stewards, Member Action Teams and coordination of WFSE/AFSCMEs biennial conventions. Thats how most members know her scurrying around the convention floor, cuing up music, fixing the inevitable snafus. Laurie is responsible for building some of the best steward, Member Action Team and field services structures in all of Labor. Behind the scenes she coordinated the successful 2001 strike with a catchme-if-you-can rolling strike strategy. That thwarted the Locke administrations littledisguised hope of finding some threat to public safety that would generate a court injunction, fines or jail time for union leaders and members. A year later, she coordinated the push-back that stopped the Building Industry Association of Washingtons attempt to put a referendum before voters to repeal the just-passed collective bargaining law. Few can say they took on the BIAW and won. Laurie Merta could. TRIBUTES FOR LAURIE The Labor Movement has lost a great spirit. Laurie reflected the heart and soul of WFSE and the fight for public employee rights. -- Katie Nelson, Local 443, DSHS God must have suddenly needed her to rally the angels. Get back, Satan! -- Kirk Hanson, WFSE/AFSCME Council Rep (retired) I have this feeling theres one more star up in the sky tonight. And even though its far away, its brightness and warmth still reach us here to make the night a little less dark. -- Randy Lorello, WFSE/ AFSCME field supervisor Your vitality, humor, passion and dedication are truly inspirational. It doesnt seem real youre not here to keep kicking ass with us. -- Sarah Clifthorne, WFSE/AFSCME Public Service Program Supervisor I know you are flying with the eagles. -- Angie Clement, WFSE/AFSCME associate More online at wfse.org.

As director of field services, Merta strengthened the unions network of shop stewards, including advanced training and annual Shop Steward Conferences. Coordinating the strike vote count, 4/13/01; conducting a strike strategy meeting that included AFSCME President Gerald McEntee, 5/24/01.

She had tremendous empathy for members whether it was (left) supporting UW shop stewards, 3/2/11, or (right) visiting workers at Mission Creek Youth Camp in Belfair 3/27/02 in the weeks before it shut down.

UW 3/2/11

With keynote speaker Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, at 2/21/11 Capitol rotunda rally for Wisconsin.

Seattle Center rally, 3/13/10. Harborview Medical Center vigil, 1/14/11

All photos by Tim Welch unless otherwise noted

Page 8

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

August 2012

Photo courtesy Phyllis Naiad