Middle Class Heroes For a Fair Contract

ILCA CONTEST 2012 MULTIMEDIA CAMPAIGN

2012 Contract Campaign for General Government and Higher Education Members 11x17 Call to Action and Campaign Story Posters Promoting Middle Class Heroes for Bulletin Boards, Work Spaces Buttons Rally Signs for Job Actions and Work Spaces Flickr.com Slideshow of Statewide Job Actions Facebook Page Sharing Job Actions, Calls to Action, News Feeds Washington State Employee (WSE) - official newspaper - articles covering contract campaign.

Washington Federation of State Employees AFSCME Council 28 AFL-CIO www.wfse.org

Middle Class Heroes For a Fair Contract

Heroes like: Kathy Hatcher Patrick McDonough Maria Blackburn

Working to keep our highways safe -all just inches from speeding drivers.

Severely injured by a mental patient while trying to keep others safe.

Mother of the Year for caring for at-risk children during the day while caring for son Derryck (center) offshift and putting two children through college, including Bryan.

Working hard for strong families, a secure middle class and a better world for our children. Now its time to invest in fair contracts that preserve vital services and bring economic growth.

Washington Federation of State Employees AFSCME Council 28 WFSE.org

Middle Class Heroes...

SAFEGUARDING DIGNITY FOR VULNERABLE CITIZENS t
Brad Samples is a state worker who keeps disabled citizens safe, sound and productive members of society. I didnt get into this work to get rich. I got into it to make a difference. But I get angry when the selfish and privileged few attack honest, hard-working middle class state workers. We provide vital services. Yet the state protects big oil companies like BP with generous tax giveaways.1 Ive made tremendous sacrifices economically. Yet in recent years, the state could still afford to give away more than $3 billion when they created more than 150 new tax loopholes.2

PROTECTING PUBLIC SAFETY t

Judy Kuschel is a state worker who protects the public from domestic violence offenders and other dangerous offenders released from our prisons. Were the first line of defense keeping our communities safe for hard-working middle class families. Middle class state workers didnt cause the states economic crisis. Yet state workers like me have given up more than 10 percent of our pay to save the state.5 We need to pull together, not tear down middle class workers.

STANDING UP FOR ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN t

Joyce Murphy is a state worker who protects vulnerable children from abuse and neglect. She sees things most of us could never imagine. Weve sacrificed our fair share and taken on additional workload when the state cut 10,000 positions.3 I want to leave behind a better world for the at-risk children Ive dedicated my life to. But cuts to vital services and attacks on state workers have harmed the entire states middle class and cost the loss of 45,000 jobs in our economy.4

HELPING STUDENTS SUCCEED t

Kelly Grayson is a state worker who helps college students get the services they need to succeed in school. Our pay has taken many hits over the last four years. A lot of people dont know that. Our health insurance costs and pensions costs have gone up while our pay has gone down.5 We provide vital services every day. Those vital services fuel economic growth.6 The public needs to know we make a difference. Lets stop the attacks on middle class state workers.

Middle Class Heroes for a Fair Contract

SACRIFICING FOR OUR FUTURE t
Wendy Irish is a state worker providing services at one of our quality state colleges. Tuition for students our kids is going up 12 percent. State workers have taken a 3 percent cut in pay alone. Yet at our college, the president is getting a 12 percent pay hike and other administrators and managers are getting $3,000 in raises.7 The rest of us are falling behind. Eightytwo percent of state workers make less than market rate. So were not getting rich.8 Weve saved the state with our sacrifices. Its time to invest in our contracts. Its an investment in our states future.

Now its time to invest in fair contracts.

(E-mail: http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/default.asp)

Call Gov. Gregoire at 1-800-562-6000 or (360) 902-4111.

Tell the governor its time to invest in the states future with contracts for Middle Class Heroes -- her state workers -- that hold the line on health care costs and provide a fair compensation package. Hard-working Middle Class state workers and fair contracts preserve vital services and bring economic growth.
SOURCES: 1. Revenues to Rebuild Washingtons Economy: A Jobs and Economic Recovery Plan for Washington, Economic Opportunity Institute, October 2011; 2. Washington State Department of Revenue; 3. Shared Sacrifices of State Employees, Office of the Governor, November 2011; 4. Washington News Service, Nov. 21, 2011; 5. Shared Sacrifice: Overall Compensation for Average State Employee is Falling, OFM, March 2011; 6. Three years into recovery, just how much has state and local austerity hurt job growth? Economic Policy Institute, July 6, 2012, http://www.epi.org/blog/years-recovery-state-local-austerity-hurt/; 7. College pay always low for select few, Spokane Spokesman-Review, July 20, 2012; 8. 2010 Salary Survey Summary, Washington State Department of Personnel (now Washington State Human Resources), June 4, 2010, http://www.dop.wa.gov/CompClass/Compensation/Pages/ TotalCompensationSurvey.aspx

Middle Class Heroes for a Fair Contract

SAFEGUARDING DIGNITY FOR VULNERABLE CITIZENS

Brad Samples is a state worker who keeps disabled citizens safe, sound and productive members of society. I didnt get into this work to get rich. I got into it to make a difference. But I get angry when the selfish and privileged few attack honest, hardworking middle class state workers. We provide vital services. Yet the state protects big oil companies like BP with generous tax giveaways.1 Ive made tremendous sacrifices economically. Yet in recent years, the state could still afford to give away more than $3 billion when they created more than 150 new tax loopholes.2

SOURCES: 1. Revenues to Rebuild Washingtons Economy: A Jobs and Economic Recovery Plan for Washington, Economic Opportunity Institute, October 2011; 2. Washington State Department of Revenue

Middle Class Heroes for a Fair Contract

STANDING UP FOR AT-RISK CHILDREN

Joyce Murphy is a state worker who protects vulnerable children from abuse and neglect. She sees things most of us could never imagine. Weve sacrificed our fair share and taken on additional workload when the state cut 10,000 positions.1 I want to leave behind a better world for the at-risk children Ive dedicated my life to. But cuts to vital services and attacks on state workers have harmed the entire states middle class and cost the loss of 45,000 jobs in our economy.2

SOURCES: 1. Shared Sacrifices of State Employees, Office of the Governor, November 2011; 2. Washington News Service, Nov. 21, 2011

Middle Class Heroes for a Fair Contract

PROTECTING PUBLIC SAFETY

Judy Kuschel is a state worker who protects the public from domestic violence offenders and other dangerous offenders released from our prisons. Were the first line of defense keeping our communities safe for hard-working middle class families. Middle class state workers didnt cause the states economic crisis. Yet state workers like me have given up more than 10 percent of our pay to save the state.1 We need to pull together, not tear down middle class workers.

SOURCE: 1. Shared Sacrifice: Overall Compensation for Average State Employee is Falling, OFM, March 2011

Middle Class Heroes for a Fair Contract

HELPING STUDENTS SUCCEED

Kelly Grayson is a state worker who helps college students get the services they need to succeed in school. Our pay has taken a hit over the last four years ago. A lot of people dont know that. Our health insurance costs and pensions costs have gone up while our pay has gone down.1 We provide vital services every day. Those vital services fuel economic growth.2 The public needs to know we make a difference. Lets stop the attacks on middle class state workers.

SOURCES: 1. Shared Sacrifice: Overall Compensation for Average State Employee is Falling, OFM, March 2011; 2. Three years into recovery, just how much has state and local austerity hurt job growth? Economic Policy Institute, July 6, 2012, http://www.epi.org/ blog/years-recovery-state-local-austerity-hurt/

Middle Class Heroes for a Fair Contract

SACRIFICING FOR OUR FUTURE

Wendy Irish is a state worker providing services at one of our quality state colleges. Tuition for students our kids is going up 12 percent. State workers have taken a 3 percent cut in pay alone. Yet at our college, the president is getting a 12 percent pay hike and other administrators and managers are getting $3,000 in raises.1 The rest of us are falling behind. Eighty-two percent of state workers make less than market rate. So were not getting rich.2 Weve saved the state with our sacrifices. Its time to invest in our contracts. Its an investment in our states future.

SOURCES: 1. College pay always low for select few, Spokane Spokesman-Review, July 20, 2012; 2. 2010 Salary Survey Summary, Washington State Department of Personnel (now Washington State Human Resources), June 4, 2010, http://www.dop.wa.gov/CompClass/Compensation/Pages/ TotalCompensationSurvey.aspx

S t a t e Wo r k e r s
F a i r C o n t r a c t N o w

W F S E / A F S C M E

= V i t a l S e r v i c e s + E c o n o mi c G r o w t h

Wa s h i n g t o nF e d e r a t i o no f S t a t eE mp l o y e e s | A F S C ME C o u n c i l 2 8| WF S E . o r g

I A M

Mi d d l e C l a s s

WF S E / A F S C ME S t a t eWo r k e r s

k e r s F a i r C o n t r a c t N o w!

A f f o r d a b l e h e a l t h c a r ef o r t h emi d d l ec l a s s
WF S E / A F S C ME

WF S E / A F S C ME

I n v e s t i nt h e Mi d d l e C l a s s
Wa s h i n g t o nF e d e r a t i o no f S t a t eE mp l o y e e s | A F S C ME C o u n c i l 2 8| A F L C I O

www. wf s e . o r g

MEMBERS IN ACTION
SAFETY, from page 1
LEFT: Eastern State Hospital members rallied May 11. They dont want the same kind of recent tragedies at Western State Hospital to repeat at Eastern State Hospital. INSET: Local 782 President Trevor Travers (at right in photo) told reporters workers need safe staffing levels before someone dies.

RTC ratifies new contract

Members at Renton Technical College May 1 ratified their new threeyear collective bargaining agreement on a vote of 23-1. The new contract, covering 42 RTC members, goes into effect July 1 and runs through June 30, 2015. The new contract brings improved vacation scheduling, no takeaways, improved schedule flexibility, ability to cash out personal convenience leave and improved longevity stipend. Balloting took place on the RTC campus. TESC joins UW, WSU, WWU & EWU to absorb temporary pay cut The Evergreen State College is the latest state higher education institution to absorb rather than impose the temporary 3 percent pay cut. The temporary salary reduction would have taken effect when the 1-year TESC Classified Staff takes effect July 1. WFSE/AFSCME and TESC signed a memorandum of understanding May 7. It follows the lead of the UW, WSU, WWU and EWU.

NEAR RIGHT: WFSE/AFSCME President Carol Dotlich leads solemn pocession past the 335 placards on the lawn in front of Western State Hospital April 27. Safety has to be part of the culture of this hospital, part of the culture at every worksite, she said. FAR RIGHT: Local 782 members added an exclamation point at their May 11 ESH rally by displaying binders with evidence of short-staffing hazards. The rallies came in the wake of recent tragedies at Western State Hospital near Tacoma, including a murder, a patient suicide and a May 2 patient attack that sent three staffers to the emergency room.

First-ever contact ratified at ABHS

A first-ever collective bargaining agreement covering some 240 workers at American Behavioral Health Systems won member ratification March 30. In voting at ABHS sites in Spokane and Chehalis, employees OKd their first contract on a vote of 89-29. There were two challenged ballots. The contract took effect April 1. It will go through March 31, 2014. However, elections took place May 18 for a new bargaining team to negotiate a wage re-opener in June. ABHS is one of the Federations newest public service sector bargaining units. They negotiate under the umbrella of the National Labor Relations Act.

After the March 30 vote count in Chehalis (from left): Amy Achilles (WFSE chief negotiator); Karen Seavey (election committee); Katie Enge (bargaining team member);Inti Tapia (WFSE/AFSCME council representative); and James Shogreen (election committee).

Bargaining on 2013-2015 contracts kicks off

The General Government Bargaining Team began negotiations with the governors office May 2 at the Thurston County Fairgrounds in Lacey. The team presented most of its initial contract proposal. They met again with management May 15 and 16. The Community College Coalition Bargaining Team during a break in their April 20 pre-negotiations meeting. They meet again June 1 and negotiate with management starting June 26. Their bargaining surveys are due June 8. Watch for news and photos from all teams online at wfse. org > Bargaining. Other bargaining teams: Western Washington University began negotiations May 7. Eastern Washington University held its first pre-negotiations meeting May 16. Bargaining team elections for the new Kitsap Tenant Support Services unit took place May 10 and 11. Washington State University met for the first time May 3 and begins negotiations May 29. Community College Coalition team members review contract proposals April 20. University of Washington negotiations began May 23 after several productive team meetings. The UW Bargaining Team was doing an online bargaining priorities survey. The Medical Interpreters Bargaining Team holds its first team meeting May 31.

The Evergreen State College Classified Bargaining Team for the 2013-2015 contract. Sitting (from left): Lana Brewster and Laura Carpenter. Standing (from left): Lin Crowley; Chief Negotiator Amy Achilles; Doug Shanafelt; Rachel Burke; Steve Johnson; Kirk Talmadge; and WFSE/AFSCME VP Sue Henricksen. Not available for photo: Mike Kinley. They meet again May 31 in Olympia to continue preparations for bargaining; theyll review bargaining priorities survey responses from members.

The 2013-2015 Central Washington University Bargaining Team (with WFSE/ AFSCME Council Rep. Phedra Quincey and Chief Negotiator Amy Achilles). From left: Phedra Quincey; Pat Devlin; Chris Stebbins; Laury Berner; Skip Jensen; and Amy Achilles. They met again May 17 in Ellensburg to review their bargaining priorities surveys and to continue preparations for negotiations with management.

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WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

May 2012

Local 53 member named Mother of Year

Maria Blackburns two Washington State University children nominate her -- for all shes done for them while caring for their little brother
very mother has a tough job and Tacoma Local 53 member Maria Blackburn is no different. But what makes Blackburn a true Mother of the Year is a 24/7/365 commitment to caring that her three children fully recognize. In doing so, shes helping her children inherit a better world. You see, unlike most moms, Blackburn is a DSHS Childrens Services social worker. She cares for abused and neglected children during a full day at work, before coming home to care for her youngest son, Derryck, 19. Derryck has muscular dystrophy and autism and requires constant care. Clockwise in this family photo: Maria Blackburn and children Derryck, Krystal and Bryan.
Photo courtesy Blackburn family.

UNION NEWS

On an early June evening, Derryck Blackburn gets loving attention from his Mother of the Year Maria Blackburn (right) and brother Bryan Blackburn. Blackburn has help from a dedicated team of caregivers in her Puyallup home. But clearly, for Derryck, his mom is the center of his life. When she arrived home from work on one recent evening, Derryck sped through his living room in his electric wheelchair to greet Maria as she came through the door. She greeted him with a flurry of kisses. As a Childrens Services social worker, We try to make sure they (children) are safe and that they have what they need, she says. Social workers have some pretty tough days at work. They see things most of us cant even imagine. But Maria Blackburn has

to leave that all behind when she heads home. When I leave work, I leave work, she says. When I step my foot in that door, I have to brush off everything. And I look at my son, he looks at me when I walk in and he says, Mommy, hug? It might sound like a clich that his hug and that smile just wipe away everything, literally. Maria wont admit it, but shes sacrificed much to care for Derryck. And also for her daughter, Krystal Blackburn Funk, 23, and older son, Bryan, 22. Theyve made their way through Washington State University. Bryan just graduated from WSU with a degree in

organizational communications; this fall, hell head to graduate school at DePaul University in Chicago. Krystal has one more semester to finish her bachelors of science degree in nursing. And because of her love and dedication for her children, Maria Blackburn has been voted Mother of the Year by WSU. I just couldnt believe it when they told me that I was picked, Maria says. Krystal and Brian nominated her with a moving essay. We talked about how my mom has given up a lot for us, Bryan said. And she always tells me and my sister, Dont feel any regret going off and getting your degrees and accomplishing things for your life. And she always makes us feel safe in our decisions to be in school and not to be home. And shes doing a really great job with my brother and taking really good care of him, doing a lot more than any mom should.

KIDS,

from page 1
Local 1060 member Tracy Fosty, a social worker 3 in Bellingham. Some 256 attended this years event. Its awesome, Fosty said. This is a day that we all look forward

to every year. Our office staff looks forward to it, the foster parents look forward to it. Its a time that we can get together and not talk shop and work together for a happy time. We get to visit with the kids that we have in foster care and see them when theyre happy and playing and not on a health and safety visit when

theres a problem. Fosty and her co-workers hold fundraising events all year long to put on the annual appreciation celebration. They put together gift baskets for drawings, staff the games and concessions and some, like Bobbi Beckham, a secretary senior, don a happy clown outfit. Joining them to put on the event

are Fostering Together, Foster Adopt Parent Association of Whatcom County and Brigid Collins Family Support Center. Similar events take place in other counties. But anyone interested in helping contribute to future Whatcom County events can contact Shala Crow of Fostering Together, P.O. Box 566, Custer, WA 98240 because the commercials listed their state job titles under their names. The ethics commission said the state owns its employees job titles. That conduct infringes on First Amendment rights.

ETHICS?
from page 1
Court. The TV spots, filmed on private property and on the members off-work hours, encouraged members of the public to have their (legislators) stop blaming public servants for the states budget woes. The two member plaintiffs are: Brad Samples, Local

The offending ads featuring Samples (left) and Richardson. 53, Tacoma, and Ginger Richardson, Local 308, Seattle. They volunteered for the spots and were not paid. The ads carried a clear identification that the union had paid for the spots and making it clear the two members were clearly serving in representative capacities for the WFSE and the thousands of employees of the State of Washington it represents and speaking on a matter on be-

half of the organization and its members, the Federation lawsuit says. But the ethics watchdogs cited and are determining fines for the two members for alleged illegal use of state resources for personal gain

State Employee
WASHINGTON

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

State appeals gainsharing

The state June 1 formally asked the state Supreme Court to overturn a King County Superior Court judges decision in favor of the Federation that reinstated gainsharing. That came the same day King County Superior Court Judge Richard Eadie signed the order of judgment in the Federations ongoing gainsharing lawsuit. No appeals could be filed until Eadie signed the order. The Federation and others

NEW EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS ELECTED. Three WFSE/AFSCME Policy Committees on June 9 held elections to fill vacancies on the unions Statewide Executive Board: Employment Security--Rosanna Lugo, Local 396, Walla Walla; Higher Education--Lana Brewster, Local 443, The Evergreen State College, Olympia, and Nicole Kennedy, Local 1488, University of Washington, Seattle; Transportation--Roberto Guerrero, Local 1299, Othello. But it included a poison pill to take away the early retirement if gainsharing were ever restored. While these appeals are pending, the early retirement remains available for PERS 2 members. The Federation won the first part of the suit to reinstate the gainsharing benefit, but the judge later ruled for the state on repealing the early retirement factors full retirement at age 62 for PERS 2 members. Those who have already retired are not affected. What if youre in PERS 2 and will soon be eligible to retire at age 62? Its unclear how long the appeals will take. It could be many months. But the union advises those in PERS 2 close to 62 to call the state Department of Retirement Systems to discuss options. DRS staff will run benefits estimates with and without the early retirement factors.

on the lawsuit will appeal the second part of the lawsuit -Eadies decision taking away the early retirement benefits for PERS 2 members if gainsharing is restored. Gainsharing is the sharing of extraordinary investment gains based on a set period of time and exceeding a certain percentage. The Legislature repealed it for PERS 3 and PERS 1 members in 2007, justifying it by adding the age 62 early retirement for eligible PERS 2 members.

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WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

June 2012

BARGAINING UPDATES Online: wfse.org > Bargaining

Round-up
General Government wraps more than half the contract; bargaining resumes July 10 WFSE/AFSCMEs General Government Bargaining Team has reached tentative agreement on more than half of the next contract after just three days of bargaining. By doing this, the united and ready Federation bargaining team freed up more time for summer negotiations on more complicated articles, including compensation. As of May 16, the team had reached tentative agreement on 29 of 54 articles and one appendix in the 2013-2015 contract. The teams long spring of preparations has paid off with a team thats coalesced around key concepts and priorities identified in hundreds of bargaining proposals submitted by members. The 37 elected team members have voiced the interests of the members who chose them without sacrificing the interests of any other General Government group. Because of scheduling, the team now takes a break until July 10 for the start of 10 days of bargaining stretching into September. Their unprecedented early progress means they can hit the ground running when the team resumes negotiations. That will mark the start of bargaining on more intricate issues that, if past bargaining history is any indication, will take much more time and exchanges of proposals with management. That of course will include the compensation article. In the latest session May 15-16, management presented its initial proposal. The union team responded with several counterproposals. And, again, they TAd on 29 articles with management. Per Article 39.13 of the current contract on Confidentiality/ Media Communication, the team is bound to general communications such as this about the status of negotiations as they are taking place. Elsewhere: ABHS -- Negotiations on the economic re-opener took place June 5, 6, 14 and 15 in Spokane; CWU -- A team meeting was set for June 18. The university and union on 5/30/12 signed an agreement to absorb rather than impose a 3% pay cut 7/1/12; EWU -- Bargaining was to start June 19; Tacoma CC Exempt Staff -- Angela Spoja, Dena Jones and Kari Twogood were elected as the bargaining team; TESC Classified -- Another prep meeting was set for 6/19/12; TESC Non-Management Exempt Staff -- Negotiations were set to resume 6/20/12.

Wow! Quick Community College mobilization on the 3% issue sees huge turnout
Theyve banded together to look out for each other at all Community College campuses. And in just a few days, our members at 12 Community College systems mobilized members to deliver petition cards to their respective college presidents asking their support to absorb rather than impose the 3 percent pay cut due July 1. At press time, talks from the front lines at the colleges to the state Capitol continued with most college presidents now supporting the move to absorb the compensation cuts in other ways. That would bring them in line with the UW, WSU, CWU, EWU, WWU and TESC. But the state must agree. As of June 11, more than 850 petition cards, representing about 30 percent of the Community College Coalitions members, were collected and distributed to college presidents. More amazing about 10 percent of all our Community College members took part in the unity breaks that delivered the petition cards.

At Seattle Central Community College May 30, college President Paul T. Killpatrick welcomed about 50 members into his office as Bargaining Team member Kelly Grayson presented 120 signed petition cards (inset).

At Tacoma CC May 31, 30 members delivered more than 60 petition cards.

At the Community Colleges of Spokane, members delivered 140 cards at the June 6 union-management communication committee attended by the chancellor and two presidents.

At Everett CC May 30, 20 members delivered 162 petition cards.

Bargaining in full swing -- including newest unit at KTSS

The Bargaining Team at Kitsap Tenant Support Services (KTSS) begins negotiations on its firstever contract July 13 in Bremerton. Pictured: The team at training June 4. The Washington State University Bargaining Team began negotiations May 29 with proposals on nine of 12 articles and the appendices. The WSU team was to have nine bargaining sessions by the end of June.

The Medical Interpreters Bargaining Team (right) began negotiations on their 2013-2015 contract June 26 and 27.

The University of Washington Bargaining Team had negotiations May 23 and June 6. Talks resumed June 27.

In addition to fighting the 3% pay cut, the Community College Coalition Bargaining Team began negotiations June 26. They held their last prep meeting June 1 (above)

The Western Washington University Bargaining Team (right) kicked off negotiations May 8 with five sessions scheduled by the end of June. By their May 23 session, theyd reached tentative agreement on 12 articles and presented their compensation proposal.

June 2012

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

Page 3

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.

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WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

August 2012

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.

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WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

August 2012

VOL. 40 NO. 8

OCTOBER 2012
www.discoverpass.wa.gov

Now good on either of two vehicles!

From all corners of the state, you stood for FAIR CONTRACTS!
Were all in this together. The Fair Contract Campaign brought agreements with no pay cuts, some economic gains, other pluses. More photos, pages 4-6.

State Employee
VOTE!
General Election ballots going in the mail by Oct. 19

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

WASHINGTON

Local 53 members at Washington State University Extension in Puyallup send a strong message at Sept. 13 Fair Contract event.

Walla Walla Local 396 members Peggy Dennis and Kraig Horlacher, both maintenance technician 2s with the Department of Transportation, tell governor state workers and their contracts are part of the economic recovery.

AT PRESS TIME: Negotiations to HOLD THE LINE ON HEALTH CARE continue

At press time Sept. 19, most WFSE/AFSCME contracts were out for ratification by members. Meanwhile, separate talks on health care continue. Those would not affect ratification of your respective contract. Stay up to date at www.wfse.org

The Community College Coalition Bargaining Team at recent team caucus.

The General Government Bargaining Team prepares counterproposals to management in one of its final bargaining sessions in Lacey.

GENERAL ELECTION 2012

ON PAGE 3: Is McKenna for real?

Seattle Times millionaires attack Jay Inslee for vow to trim Washington Management Service, other mid-management
Meanwhile, Obama, Clinton endorse Inslee as authentic, independent leader that middle class families need
Rob McKenna Wants to eliMinate Up to 10% of the state WoRKfoRce
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM AFSCME

The millionaires who own the Seattle Times recently attacked Jay Inslee for his proposal to shrink the ranks of middle management in state government, including the Washington Management Service. Inslee is WFSE/AFSCMEs endorsed candidate for governor. The Times said Inslee had exaggerated the growth of WMS, when he fact he hadnt.

President Barack Obama (left) and former President (and AFSCME member) Bill Clinton (above) have endorsed Jay Inslee for governor. Clinton has maintained his strong ties to his former union.

It grew from 445 in 1994 to its peak of 5,300 in 2005 -- a 1,191 percent increase. The truth is, the Washington Management Service really has grown by about 1,000 percent, WFSE/AFSC-

ME said in responding to the Times attack on Inslees plans to trim WMS. The Seattle Times should put aside its bias for Rob McKenna and concede that Jay Inslee is actually right. Regardless, the Wash-

ington Management Service is too big and too wrong. Inslee is in the mainstream of the many continuing efforts to trim the size and scope of this behemoth that is a demoralizing and costly embarrassment for the state.

From all corners of the state...

Local 1291, Pasco DOT

Everett Community College, Local 1020

The Fair Contract Campaign was the largest member grassroots mobilization since the 2001 strike.
Lakeland Village Local 573, Medical Lake

Central Washington University, Local 330

Goldendale DSHS, Local 716

Oakridge Group Home (JRA), Local 793, Lakewood

Whatcom Community College, Local 1381, Bellingham

Office of the Insurance Commissioner, Local 443, Tumwater Washington State University, Local 1066, Pullman Mount Vernon DSHS, Local 1060

FROM LEFT: Local 443, Lacey; Yakima DSHS, Local 1326; Bellingham CSO (DSHS), Local 1060; Local 1020, Everett Page 4 WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee October 2012

...you stood for FAIR CONTRACTS!

Community Colleges of Spokane, Local 1221

Local 843 members John Lindsey, Kristina James and Latrice Wilson at 8/10/12 Capitol Hill CSO event.

Signing the big Fair Contract petition: LEFT: Ian Linton, Local 843, at 8/10/12 Capitol Hill CSO event, Seattle. RIGHT: Bouzekri Achak, HMC Custodian, after signing Fair Contract petition at Local 1488 picnic, 8/18/12, Seattle.

ABOVE: Western State Hospital, Local 783, Lakewood RIGHT: Mount Vernon DVR, Local 1060

Olympia, Local 443

Yakima Valley School, Local 1326, Selah

Kennewick Employment Security (left), Local 1253 Kennewick, Local 1253 (right). Enterprise Services, Local 476, Sedro Woolley Yakima Local 1326 shop stewards

Medical Interpreters, Local 1671 (contract settled and ratified!)

October 2012

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

Page 5

From all corners of the state, you stood for FAIR CONTRACTS!
Labor & Industries, Local 443, Tumwater

Columbia Basin Worksource

Bellingham DDD, Local 1060

Tacoma DSHS, Local 53

Columbia River CSO (DSHS), Local 313, Vancouver

Yakima DSHS, Local 1326

Mount Vernon DSHS, Local 1060

DSHS CIBS

At Spokane Local 1221 picnic

Mount Vernon Department of Corrections, Local 1060

Yakima Employment Security, Local 1326

Mount Vernon Childrens Administration (DSHS), Local 1060

Bellingham DCFS, Local 1060

Stevenson CSO (DSHS), Local 716

The Evergreen State College Non-Management Exempt Staff, Local 443 Toppenish DCFS, Local 1326

Western State Hospital, Local 793, Lakewood Page 6

Oak Harbor DSHS, Local 1060 WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee October 2012