VOL. 41 NO.

JUNE 2013*
www.discoverpass.wa.gov

*Because of late-breaking events, you may get this in July.

Now good on either of two vehicles!

At press time: Legislative budget leaders say good revenue news should end budget stalemate, shutdown

State Employee
Laurie Merta Shop Steward of Year honors - 8 AFSCME President Lee Saunders visits - 7

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

WASHINGTON

t press time June 18, legislative budget leaders said a budget agreement was close and there should be no shutdown of state government on July 1. Thats because the states latest revenue forecast shows an uptick of $231 million. I do think that its going to allow us to get a budget agreement relatively soon...I think its time

to wrap it up, Sen. Jim Hargrove of the 24th Dist. said June 18. I think its unlikely well have a state shutdown in July, the governors budget Director David Schumacher said. I think this is good news, said Sen. Andy Hill of the 45th Dist., chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. I think we should be able to wrap

things up fairly quickly and not shut down the government. Ive always said I didnt think that was an eventuality. But the wheels could still come off the cart after this newspaper went to press. For updates on any contingency planning, go to wfse.org or call 1-800-562-6102.

Strike wins 1st contract for Evergreen group

Student Support Services Staff Union ratifies pact with fair pay, just cause
In the end, solidarity ruled. After 17 months of negotiations and a one-day strike, members of the Student Support Services Staff Union at The Evergreen State College on June 12 ratified their contract on a vote of 52-2. This first-ever collective

After the June 12 ratification vote. More on pages 4 & 5. bargaining agreement takes effect July 1 and runs through June 30, 2015. It includes a fair compensation package (4 percent in across-the-board raises over two years and first-ever step increases of 1 percent) and just cause due process rights for disciplines. It includes other important rights, including a unionmanagement committee and a three-step grievance process that includes binding arbitration through a neutral third party, the American Arbitration Association. This after the state employee counselors, advisors, resident directors and others voted 90 percent on May 15 to

Strikers literally kept up a constant drumbeat during the one-day strike at Evergreen May 28. Local 443s Imelda Ang leads chants. stage WFSE/AFSCMEs first strike since the statewide rolling strike of 2001. This is a really beautiful sea of support, said Bargaining Team member

See STRIKE, page 5

Feds step in against KTSS management

National labor board asks judge to act on 70 violations turned up in unions organizing, contract campaign

Away from the bargaining table, WFSE/AFSCME members even rallied in November outside KTSS CEO Mike Clossers Bainbridge Island bluff-top home.

WFSE/AFSCMEs long fight at Kitsap Tenant Support Services for a first contract and basic dignity and respect for the supported living workers took a dramatic turn June 13 when the federal government stepped in to undo damage done by KTSS

management. The National Labor Relations Board asked the U.S. District Court in Tacoma to issue an injunction to stop KTSS unfair labor practices while the underlying cases make their way

through the federal board. These temporary injunctions are needed to protect the process of collective bargaining and employee rights under the National Labor Relations Act, and to ensure that any NLRB decision in the

case will be meaningful. At press time, a hearing was pending. If the judge grants the temporary injunction formally known as 10(j) injunctive relief it would turn back the clock to undo the conditions that led to some 70 violations of federal law in the NLRB complaint issued in May. That complaint stemmed from a series of unfair labor practice complaints filed by the Federation since last year. That would mean rehiring fired workers, reversing demotions and other disciplines. The charges include

See KTSS, page 7

Gainsharing started in 2007 to encourage state employees to join the then-new PERS 3 system. Under it, PERS 3 retirees would share extraordinary investment gains based

Unions gainsharing, PERS 1 uniform COLA cases go to state Supreme Court Oct. 24
WFSE/AFSCME and co-plaintiffs will go before the state Supreme Court Oct. 24 to argue its case in two important pension-related lawsuits. Both the gainsharing and PERS 1 uniform cost-ofliving-adjustment cases will go before the high court one right after the other. To recap the cases:

See COURT, page 2

and in other dangerous situations. DOT routinely modifies its vehicles to suit the unique needs of the state. WFSE/AFSCME Executive Director Greg Devereux had urged the veto in a May 15 letter to Inslee. DOT members at a recent Thurston County lunch n learn also got a briefing on how to urge the veto.

Inslee listens, vetoes motor pool proviso

In a move supported by the Federation and Transportation members, Gov. Jay Inslee on May 20 vetoed Section 602 of the Transportation Budget that would have transitioned the Department of Transportation from owning a fleet of passenger vehicles in Gov. Jay Inslee at May 20 proTransportation rally, shortly before vetoing the motor pool language. Thurston County to using the State Motor Pool. One of the problems with that language would have been to hamper DOT use of pickups and passenger vehicles needed for specialized use, especially in inclement weather, at construction sites

REMINDER! AWARDS NOMINATIONS DUE AUG. 5!

Dont be late! Nominate!

ALERT FOR LOCALS AND MEMBERS: Nominations for four Federation Convention awards due Aug. 5
Nominations have been open for three months for four important awards given out at the Federation Convention. A few nominations have come in. But more are needed. The nomination deadline for the four awards is Aug. 5. All nomination forms are available online at: http://www.wfse.org/ convention/awards/ You can also submit your nominations online.

For those who picked up nomination forms at the March 16 or June 8 WFSE/AFSCME Policy Committees, please dont delay getting them back. The four awards are: Medal of Valor Award (nomination form reprinted below). Online: http://www.wfse.org/medal-of-valor-award-2013/ Howard Jorgenson Organizing Award (nomination form first appeared in April Washington State Employee newspaper). Online: http://www.wfse.org/howard-jorgenson-organizing-award/ Rosella Charvet Leadership Award (nomination form first appeared in April Washington State Employee newspaper). Online: http://www.wfse.org/rosella-charvet-leadership-award/ Job Action of the Year Award (nomination form first appeared in April Washington State Employee newspaper). Online: http://www.wfse.org/job-action-of-the-year-award/

MEDAL OF VALOR AWARD 2013

Nominations are now being accepted for the Medal of Valor Awards to recognize WFSE/AFSCME members who have demonstrated bravery and valor. The Medal of Valor Award may be conferred every two years at the unions biennial state convention. This years awards will be handed out at the WFSE/AFSCME Convention Oct. 4-6 in Seatac. The deadline to submit nominations is Aug. 5, 2013. For more, see the details below and in the nomination form at right. ELIGIBILITY: Locals, individual members and staff may nominate union members. Two Medal of Valor Awards may be conferred. One award is earmarked for a Public Safety Officer member of Council 28 and one is open for a non-Public Safety Officer member of Council 28. Nominees must have demonstrated bravery and valor in a specific situation or situations between Aug. 5, 2011 and Aug. 5, 2013. NOMINATION: Submit written nomination (you may use the printed nomination form at right) with the information listed on the nomination form printed at right. Send completed nomination forms to: The Medal of Valor Award Committee, 1212 Jefferson Street S.E., Suite 300, Olympia, WA 98501. Nominations must be received by Aug. 5, 2013 (The award will be presented at the WFSE/AFSCME Convention Oct. 4-6 in Seatac). All written nominations must include a statement of the required facts listed on the nomination form at right. REVIEW: The Medal of Valor Award Committee, made up of public safety members appointed by the WFSE/AFSCME president, will review the nominations and select the recipient of the Medal of Valor Award. If this form is not completed in its entirety, the nomination may not be considered. AWARD: The award will be presented at the WFSE/ AFSCME Convention Oct. 4-6 in Seatac.

WFSE/AFSCME Medal of Valor Award Nomination Form

STATEMENT OF FACTS

I, , nominate
Person submitting nomination Name of nominee

for the Medal of Valor Award. Nominees address: Work phone: ( ) Number of local: Agency: Current job class: INDICATE WHICH AWARD YOURE SUBMITTING NOMINEE FOR: Public Safety Officer Home phone: ( ) How long a member:

Non-Public Safety Officer

Description of why nominee should be considered for the award. Include specific example(s) of bravery and valor between Aug. 5, 2011 and Aug. 5, 2013 (attach additional sheets if needed):

If this form is not completed in its entirety, the nomination may not be considered.

Date:

Nominators name:

Person submitting nomination

Nominators best contact information: PHONE

E-MAIL

Send completed nomination forms to: WFSE/AFSCME Medal of Valor Award Committee, 1212 Jefferson Street S.E., Suite 300, Olympia, WA 98501. opeiu8 Nominations must be received by Aug. 5, 2013.
retain the earlier age 62 retirement for PERS 2. A King County judge ruled for the union to restore gainsharing but against it on the earlier retirement. PERS 1 Uniform Cost-ofLiving Adjustment. The state sought the direct review of the PERS 1 case, often referred to as the UCOLA case. A Thurston County judge in November agreed with the union that the Legislatures 2011 repeal of the uniform PERS 1 COLA amounted to an illegal impairment of contract. He dismissed the class of employees who retired before 1995. The Federation filed the lawsuit in October 2011 to stop the states repeal of the uniform cost-of-living adjustment promised to those in the PERS 1 retirement system. The PERS 1 Uniform COLA is an automatic, annual COLA for PERS 1 retirees. It is paid in the first calendar year in which the recipient turns age 66 and has been retired for one year. The amount of the payment is a fixed dollar amount multiplied by the members total years of service. PERS 1 covers state employees hired before October 1977.

State Employee
WASHINGTON

COURT, from page 1

on a set period of time and exceeding a certain percentage. But the Legislature repealed gainsharing in 2007 and created earlier retirement benefits for PERS 2 members so they could retire at age 62 with 30 years of service with no benefit reduction. The union went to court to restore gainsharing and

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.
7
20 22
OTHER OTHER

21

OTHER

OTHER

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

June 2013

IN MEMORIAM

Marty Harris, 1957-2013

arty Harris, described as the nicest guy in the world, died in a Vancouver, Wash., hospital June 13 from severe head injuries suffered in a traffic accident seven days earlier when the motor scooter he was driving couldnt avoid a car turning into a driveway. The Local 313 activist and shop steward was 55. Harris was a social services specialist 2 (social worker) at the Columbia River Community Services Office of the Department of Social and Health Services. He was a major force in Local 313s political and member mobilization activities.
Harris worked on behalf of all Federation members as a member of the unions Members Only Benefits Committee. He was a regular presence at the committee-sponsored annual Howard Ocobock Memorial Family Campouts. And he tirelessly sold union Selling union coffee to coffee at Federation benefit disaster relief and events to benefit the hardship funds (with fellow natural disaster relief Members Only Benefits fund and hardship Committee member Karen fund. Mork). Policy Committee delegates on June 8 were asked to send their best wishes and prayers. They, along with AFSCME President Lee Saunders, signed a get-well card. Co-workers in several Southwest Washington DSHS offices wore AFSCME Green shirts on June 17 to honor Harris. Co-worker and Local 313 member Patricia Loving wrote in an e-mail to Martys former colleagues: For those of you that knew him or even just met him, you know that one of his many loves was our UNION. He proudly decorated his cubicle, wore green shirts and pins and jackets around the office all the time. He loved being a shop steward and was our chief shop steward for this office for more years than I can count. He was a great union brother and was a good friend. I can barely write this because Im fighting back the tears. I will miss his help, advice, mentorship, friendship, support ..and smiling face. A celebration of his life was planned for June 29. Chehalis CSO colleagues honor Harris June 17.

ON SOCIAL MEDIA...

Janet Hatfield Marty was the best. No doubt about it. Steve McGillis Im a better person for having known, worked with & loved Marty. He was a wonderful person who truly cared. A model for all. Today brings new evidence of the truth in the old saying only the good die young. Joan Gallagher Marty was one of the nicest people I have ever known. He loved his union and was willing to talk about it to anyone who would listen. He also was always first in line to do the hard work to walk the talk by

volunteering to help on any project from doorbelling for candidates to running the BBQ at Local events to serving on committees, to UMCC and new employee orientations. He was the gold standard for union activism and was a good friend. Pam Carl We were both Member Educators for the AFSCME Shop Steward Training. Council 28 will not be the same without you Marty! April Sims The last time Marty came to Olympia to lobby we talked about whitewater rafting, his love of the outdoors, and his excitement about having a granddaughter.

Sen. Mike Carrell

Tim Keck
IN MEMORIAM: Services were held May 25 in Spokane for Tim Keck, a financial services specialist 3 at the DSHS Spokane Valley Community Services Office and a member of Local 1221. Keck, 56, died suddenly May 22. He had worked for DSHS for 25 years, first in Toppenish, then Aberdeen, Olympia and Spokane. In an e-mail to co-workers, DSHS said: Tim had a deep compassion for others and loved that his work helped

people get needed services so they could remain living in their communities with dignity and an improved quality of life. Consistently, Tim was extremely patient with all of his customers and gave them the best service that we offer even when they were argumentative or demeaning.

Bill Haubert
IN MEMORIAM: Bill Haubert, an automotive mechanic supervisor for DSHS Consolidated Support Services in Medical Lake and a member of Local 573, died May 22. He was 56.

ABOVE: Carrell at Aug. 13, 2009, Local 793 rally at Western State Hospital. RIGHT: Flipping burgers at Local 793 event, Sept. 2, 2009. IN MEMORIAM: Sen. Mike Carrell, a Republican from the 28th Dist., who was a strong supporter of Western State Hospital and Corrections, died May 29 at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle of complications from medical treatment. He had been ill and missed most of this legislative session. He was 69. Carrell, in a white AFSCME apron, once flipped burgers at a Local 793 rally at Western State Hospital and regularly attended Workers Memorial Day ceremonies there.

Trooper Sean OConnell

IN MEMORIAM: The Federation family joins in the mourning of another fallen public hero, Washington State Trooper Sean OConnell, who died May 31 when his motorcycle collided with a box truck near Mount Vernon. He was 38. OConnell was a member of the Washington State Patrol Troopers Association. He had been working traffic control related to the detour around the Then-WSLC President Larry Kenney at 1991 WFSE/AFSCME rally.

collapsed Skagit River Bridge. Donations in memory of OConnell can be sent to the Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 7544, Olympia, WA 98507. Any checks should be made to the memorial foundation and should include a note that the money is in memory of OConnell. on fights for health care and collective bargaining and to save civil service rights. Parry, blacklisted in the 1950s, rose in the pulp and paper union. Later, he taught in the Shoreline College Labor Studies Program. His wife, Louise Parry, a member of UW Local 1488, preceded him in death.

Two Labor giants: Kenney, Parry

IN MEMORIAM (from the WSLC The Stand): On May 14, the labor movement in Washington state lost two prominent and influential leaders with the passings of Larry Kenney, 82, former president of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and Will Parry, 93, president emeritus of the Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action. Both died after lengthy illnesses. Kenney was WSLC president from 1986 to 1993. He often stood side-by-side with WFSE/AFSCME members

Will Parry

June 2013

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

Page 3

The May 28 strike shut down the campus at The Evergreen State College in Olympia. Strikers set up at a dozen key entrances shortly after 5 a.m. and stayed for 14 hours. Classrooms were nearly empty as hundreds of students and faculty joined to support the Student Support Services Staff Union -- and WFSE/AFSCME members from across the state.

The Evergreen State College strike

Strike, ratification of first contract demonstrated power of solidarity
FIRST PERSON VIEW
Had we only been fighting for ourselves, the 57 employees in our union, we would not have received such support. It was clear that we were fighting for something much bigger, the fundamental values of Evergreen itself, as well as the rights of exempt workers throughout the state who would be impacted by the outcome of our precedentsetting contract. The success of the strike and the eventual ratification of our first contract demonstrated the power of solidarity. But none of this happened by itself. It took months of organizing, with sacrificed evenings, weekends, and nights of sleep. But in the end, it was worth it, not only for the value of the contract itself, but for the deepened connections among so many people struggling together for something we believed in. We got what we stood up for.

8
By Reaz Mahmood
Member, Student Support Services Staff Union Bargaining Team he Student Support Services Staff Union at The Evergreen State College in Olympia did not want to go on strike. Even after 16 months of negotiating, our bargaining team felt the burden of such a decision and offered gutwrenching compromises to try to avert a strike. Sure, some of our workers hadnt received a raise in over 10 years. Sure, some of our workers were the lowest paid for their positions among four-year colleges in the whole state. And, yes, we at-will workers could be fired for any or no reason at all, with no due process. But we wanted to exhaust all other options before calling

Students, faculty, other WFSE/AFSCME unions and other unions joined for the successful one-day strike May 28 at The Evergreen State College. for a strike. When all of our attempts to reach out were met with responses that showed little regard for our sacrifices, intentions, and value to the Evergreen community, we went forward. We had the overwhelming support of students, faculty, and staff. We had support from organizations throughout the state. On May 28, 2013, we shut the campus down. It was beautiful, one of the most powerful moments of collective action, dignity, and love many of us had ever experienced.

Page 4

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

June 2013

MEMBERS IN ACTION
Fishers join union in fight to save Samish Hatchery
Sport and commercial fishers at June 6 rally.

Dozens of sports and commercial fishers, community supporters, Jobs With Justice and WFSE/AFSCME Local 2964 members rallied June 6 across from the Samish Hatchery in Burlington, Skagit County, as lawmakers in Olympia entered the final days of a budget debate that could close the historic and successful Chinook hatchery. Angered that the Senate budget administrative reductions could close the Samish Hatchery, the supporters sent a huge message to lawmakers back in Olympia: an oversized Save Samish canvas petition that the ralliers lined up to sign in big and bold multi-

colored ink. The signers included Solemon Young, who signed as a 6 1/2 year old sport fisher. Federation Lobbyist Matt Zuvich drove the huge petition back to Olympia. Sen. Kevin Ranker of the 40th Dist. accepted on behalf of legislators. Zuvich spoke at the rally in a park across a creek from the hatchery. Hatcheries Local 2964 President Jed Varney and Mark Lowry, president of the Whatcom-Skagit Central Labor Council, joined him. Tell folks how much this hatchery and the fish that it produces means to this community here and ... for Washington state, Zuvich said.

The 40-plus fishers signed a huge petition later presented (left) by Zuvich to Sen. Kevin Ranker. INSET: WFSE/AFSCME Council Rep. Phyllis Naiad holds huge petition as 6-year-old Solemon Young signs.

ONLINE VIDEO

On YouTube: http:// www.youtube.com/ watch?v=v7kx9E-679I

Riverside State Park setting for save parks message AFSCME Green joins labor, business coalition backing Transportation funding
Federation and AFSCME Council 2 members joined with hundreds of other union members at the May 20 Capitol rally to support a Transportation funding package. Do your job so we can do ours! said one of dozens of signs and one cited by Gov. Jay Inslee in his speech to some 600 ralliers.

Supporters of Riverside State Park in Spokane and other parks that could close or go seasonal under the all-cuts Senate budget rallied June 7. They signed a huge petition that made its way among other supporters before being delivered to legislators in Olympia. Gov. Jay Inslee had said without a higher appropriation at least $24 million 60 parks would be shut down or become parttime. The Senate proposed much less, about $16 million.

STRIKE,
from page 1
Jean Eberhardt May 28 as she looked out over the strike rally crowd of 300 co-workers, faculty members of United Faculty at Evergreen, classified staff, Federation members from Olympia Local 443, UW Local 1488, Tacoma Local 53, Everett CC Local 1020, Seattle CC Local 304, Fircrest School Local 341, Seattle ES Local 435, retirees, students, Students Against Sweat Shops,

the Washington Public Employees Association/UFCW, the United Auto Workers, Jobs With Justice, just to name a few. We could not do this without you. Were a small bargaining unit of 55 people. We may be frontline to students. And we may provide an indispensable role on this campus, but we could not do this without you. Local 443 contributed up to $50,000 for the strike, with Local 1488s $20,000 and Local

53s $5,000. The United Faculty of Evergreen pledged its entire Solidarity Fund. Word of the day is, Solidarity, said Laurie Meeker of the United Faculty of Evergreen (UFE), whose Kellygreen Solidarity signs complemented the Federations red ON STRIKE! signs. When you stand up for your rights, you stand up for the rights of everyone, said Jeff Johnson, president of the Washington State Labor Council.

MORE ONLINE

http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=yxPd1ZnkLYQ On Federation Hotline: http://www.wfse.org/ strike-300-picketersshut-down-evergreen/ On wfse.org: Bargaining Teams video A Year of Bargaining http://www.wfse. org/a-year-of-bargainingevergreen-team-chroniclescontract-fight-at-criticalstage/

8
On flickr: http://www. wfse.org/tesc-strikephoto-feed-on-flickrcomphotoswfse/ On YouTube: http:// www.youtube.com/ watch?v=XJKIzUWejq4 and June 2013 WFSE/ AFSCME Our View:

June 2013

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

Page 5

REMINDER! CAMPOUT FORMS DUE AUG. 30!

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 1-800-562-6002. The following could use a donation of eligible unused annual leave or sick leave or all or part of your personal holiday:
Amy Lagerquist, a management analyst 4 with the Employment Security Department in Lacey and a member of Local 443, has been approved for shared leave because of a pregnancy disability. Contact Kathleen Young, (360) 725-9416, or your human resource office.

FAMILY CAMPOUT
Sept. 13-15, 2013
Cornet Bay Environmental Learning/Retreat Center

WFSE/AFSCME Howard Ocobock Memorial

Everett and a member of Local 1020, is in need of shared leave as he recovers from surgery. Contact: your human resource office. Jennifer A. Phillips, a financial services specialist 2 with the DSHS Everett Community Services Office and a member of Local 948, is in need of shared leave because of a serious health condition that limits her ability to work. She has exhausted all leave. Contact: your human resource office. Athena Gregory, a Corrections/ custody officer 2 with the Department of Corrections King County Work Crew and a member of Local 308, has exhausted all leave while receiving treatment for a rare eye disease, VKH, which caused the loss of sight on one eye. She is in need of shared leave. Contact: your human resource office. Melissa Hinzpeter, an office assistant 3 with the Health Care Authority in Olympia and a member of Local 443, has been approved for shared leave from June 25 through Aug. 4. Contact: Kerri Kallay, (360) 725-3712. Jennifer King, a medical assistance specialist 3 with the state Health Care Authority in Olympia and a member of Local 443, has been approved for shared leave from May 20 through June 28. Contact: your human resource office. Cheryl Drake, an administrative assistant 3 with the Department of Transportation Toll Division in Seattle is still in need of shared leave for a serious ongoing medical condition and complications from it. Contact: Jennifer Wagner, (360) 705-7056, or jennifer.wagner@ wsdot.wa.gov, or your human resource office. Shaza Munsell, a medical assistance specialist 3 with the Health Care Authority in Olympia and a member of Local 443, has been approved for shared leave through July 2. Contact: Kerri Kallay at (360) 725-3712. Daran Kravanh, a social service specialist 2 at the DSHS Pierce South Community Service Office and a member of Local 53, has been approved for shared leave because of a serious medical condition. He will be out for several months. He will soon exhaust all leave. Contact: your human resource office. Lisa Punteney, a financial services specialist 5 with the DSHS Customer Service Contact Center, Child Care Subsidy Program, is in need of shared leave because of surgery to remove a 6-pound tumor, with weekly hospital visits to repair the wound and ongoing cancer treatments. Contact: your human resource office.

at Deception Pass State 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. Cornet Bay has 14 cabins that sleep 10, one that sleeps four, one that sleeps nine, the duplex that sleeps 28. Lodge and recreation hall with fully equipped kitchen 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. What is not provided: sleeping bags or bedding materials; kitchen linens and dishwashing supplies; firewood; first aid equipment; recreational equipment. Activities: fishing on lakes; kayaking and canoeing; hiking; horseshoes; golf course and rifle range nearby; interpretive center; lighthouse and gun batteries at Fort Casey State Park located 15 miles away; sail the San Juans on a Washington State Ferry from nearby Anacortes. No pets are permitted. Boat ramps: The park provides five saltwater and two freshwater boat ramps, plus 710 feet of saltwater dock and 450 feet of freshwater dock. All motors are prohibited on Pass Lake, and only electric motors allowed on Cranberry Lake. Watercraft launching permits for $7 and a trailer dumping permit for $5 may be purchased at the park.

Daniel Lowe, a grounds and nursery services supervisor 3 at Rainier School and a member of Local 491, was recently diagnosed with cancer and is in need of shared leave. He has been maintaining treatment and a lengthy recovery. He has exhausted all leave. Contact: Casey Brand, (360) 664-6067, or your human resource office. Kim Schooley, a WorkSource specialist 3 for the Employment Security Department in Seattle and a member of Local 435, is unable to work while she undergoes intense treatment for colon cancer. She is preparing for a complicated surgery. She is close to exhausting all leave. Contact: your human resource office. Patricia Eaton, a rehabilitation teacher 3 with the Department of Services for the Blind and a member of Local 304, has been approved for shared leave. She is scheduled for a second surgery on her ankle. Because of her special medical conditions, she will need a lengthy recovery. Contact: Ellen Drumsheller, (360) 725-3836, or your human resource office. Danae Rouse, a financial services specialist 3 at the DSHS North King Community Service Office in Seattle and a member of Local 843, has been approved for shared leave because of a recent family emergency. Contact: your human resource office. Jill Hamilton, a financial services specialist 3 with the DSHS Statewide CSC Medical Team in Yakima and a member of Local 1326, has been approved for shared leave because of a serious medical condition. She has exhausted all leave. Contact: your human resource office. Ann Monette, a financial services specialist 3 with the Statewide Customer Service Center

QUESTIONS? Contact Tavie Smith at 1-800-562-6002 tavies@wfse.org Register online at WFSE.org > Member Resources > Family Campouts

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

Deadline to register: Aug. 30, 2013

NAME Street ( ) ( ) Cell Phone City State

LOCAL#: Zip

Home phone

Home e-mail address How many family members or guests will you be bringing? ____________ I just wish to attend the BBQ Saturday night, Sept. 14 ______________ How many?______

What activities are you interested in? Hiking Fishing on lakes Horseshoes Birdwatching Interpretive Center Kayaking and canoeing

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

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

in Vancouver and a member of Local 313, has been approved for shared leave. She has exhausted all leave. Contact: your human resource office. Cindy Lang, a financial services specialist 4 at the DSHS Federal Way Community Service Office and a member of Local 843, is in need of shared leave for her most recent absence from work because of surgery and recovery. Contact: your human resource office. Misty Miacolo, a financial services specialist 3 with the DSHS Customer Service Contact Center, Triage Team C in Spokane and a member of Local 1221, has been approved for shared leave for a serious health condition. Contact: your human resource office. Deann Reid, a mental health technician 1 at Eastern State Hospital

in Medical Lake and a member of Local 782, has been off work since January with a serious condition that is preventing her return to work. Contact: Janie ODowd, (509) 565-4461. Laurie Lombardo, a financial services specialist 3 at the DSHS Sky Valley CSO in Arlington and a member of Local 948, has been approved for shared leave because of a serious health condition. She has exhausted all leave. Contact: your human resource office. Carrie Rios, an office assistant 3 with the Department of Ecologys Southwest Regional Office, has been approved for shared leave. Contact: your human resource office. Dennis Mike Ruddig, a maintenance lead technician for the Department of Transportation in

Page 6

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

June 2013

UNION NEWS
Saunders joins WFSE/AFSCME crusade
Lee Saunders, national president of AFSCME, applauded the Federation and joined its crusade against the kind of budget antics shown by our state Senate Majority Coalition. Its part of the national movement against such attacks on the middle class, Saunders told 300 delegates to the Federations Policy Committees June 8 in Seatac. The fight is about what is right and what is wrong and brothers and sisters, make no mistake, we are right and they are wrong, Saunders told cheering delegates. Saunders is finishing his first year as president of AFSCME. Saunders noted the passing of the late state Sen. Mike Carrell, a conservative Republican who championed Federation members at Western State Hospital and Corrections. Saunders said weve got friends like that across the political spectrum, but whether its a Republican or its a Democrat, if they take us on, I dont care who they are, weve got to take them on. Saunders called for a twoway street with partner coalitions where we support their causes when they support our

Locals in action
LOCAL 341

New elected leaders at Fircrest-SOLA-Echo Glen Local 341 take the oath of office June 13 from WFSE/AFSCME Vice President Pres. Sue Henricksen. From left: Janet Rogers, Monica Verrall, Dave Greenman (president), Wayne Beresford, Norma Castro and Donna Domina.

LOCAL 443

AFSCME President Lee Saunders roused Policy Committee delegates June 8. causes. Weve got to rebuild the American dream..., he said. Weve got to take the lead because that is what AFSCME is. The alternative is too bleak to imagine, he said. Theres something wrong with this picture when there is a rush to the bottom in this country, Saunders said.

Saunders accepts special gift from WFSE/AFSCME President Carol Dotlich: A Washington Parks 100th birthday poster.

Members at the Department of Enterprise Services Motor Pool held a hotdog lunch n learn event June 5 in Olympia.

New board members elected from Higher Ed, DOT

Two new members were elected June 8 to fill vacancies on the Federations Statewide Executive Board. The Higher Education Policy Committee elected Kathleen Warren of Eastern Washington University Local 931 in Cheney. The Transportation Policy Committee elected Georgina Willner of Local 443 in Olympia. Warren and Willner will serve until regular elections for the full board are held in November. strict rules in their employee manual; 34 for unfairly strict enforcement of rules after employees voted to form a union; and seven bad-faith bargaining charges. The hearings on these ULPs started in May. Kitsap Tenant Support Services is the Bremertonbased for-profit company that provides supported living services for developmentally disabled citizens living in their own homes. The 100 or so workers formed a union with the Federation in March 2012. Bargaining on their first contract started in June 2012. But the negotiations have moved in fits and starts while management misbehavior against employees continued.

LOCAL 1326

Kathleen Warren

Georgina Willner

KTSS,
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the firing or demotion of three bargaining team members. And those are just part of the 18 charges of retaliation. The board action also covers: three violations for coercive statements made by KTSS management; eight violations for overly broad and

Members from three Department of Corrections offices in Yakima gathered at the Yakima West office May 23 to enjoy barbecue and get updates from WFSE/AFSCME staff.

LOCAL 843
Seattle Human Services Local 843 member Kevin Allen sent this photo of the peaceful May 1 labor immigration march in Seattle -- with Washington State Labor Council President Jeff Johnson prominent in his WFSE/AFSCME Green t-shirt.

Shop Steward honorees

Alice Rogers, Laurie Merta Shop Steward of the Year, in center, with Lauries sister, Leslie Merta, to her right, and other nominees at May 18 ceremony in Seatac. From left: Nominees Ken Blair (Local 53), Cleeesther Thomas (Local 1488), Merta, Rogers, Bill Copland (Local 1253), Linda Erickson (Local 443) and Claude Burfect (Local 341). More details and photos on page 8.

June 2013

WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee

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SHOP STEWARD CORNER

Local 1253s Alice Rogers honored with Laurie Merta Shop Steward of Year Award
Alice Rogers, a Tri-Cities Local 1253 shop steward and member from the Department of Corrections, received the Laurie Merta Shop Steward of the Year Award May 18 at WFSE/AFSCMEs annual Shop Steward Conference in Seatac. The award was renamed this year in honor of Laurie Merta, the Federations director of field services who died in June 2012. Lauries sister, Leslie Merta, presented the award to Rogers as other nominees looked on. She loved you people, she loved her workmates, I think it was her calling, and hopefully shes organizing people upstairs, Leslie Merta said before presenting the award to Rogers. Its a great honor to be recognized by your peers, Rogers told the awards banquet audience. Some 250 shop stewards gathered for the two-day conference of workshops and networking. Other award highlights: Mark Nolan of Local 53, who works for the DSHS Division of Developmental Disabilities in Tacoma, won the Shop Steward Leslie Merta (left) presents Alice Rogers with the Shop Steward of the Year Award named in honor of her late sister, Laurie Merta (above), WFSE/AFSCMEs field services director who died in June 2012. Another photo, page 7

Mark Nolan Essay Contest.

Nolan wrote in his winning essay: It means I dont expect to know everything or do everything by myself. As a steward, I must involve others by getting to know members and coworkers. It means really listening, asking clarify-

ing questions and standing with members so that no one is ever alone in the pursuit of what is right and just. The two runners up were: Teresa Escobar, a member of Local 976 at the Department of Labor and Industries in Seattle, and Anne Hinojosa of

Local 53,who works for DSHS Childrens Administration in Lakewood. Entrants submitted essays of no more than 250 words on What Being a Shop Steward Means to Me. Wenatchee-North Central Washington Local 1299 won the first Shop Steward Digital Short Award dubbed the Stewie.

Agriculture: Layoff letters withdrawn in Kalama, Longview, Vancouver

Grain inspectors in Southwest Washington won a big victory in May when the Department of Agriculture withdrew layoff letters for Kalama, Longview and Vancouver. This after some eight grievances, their pressure and perhaps a federal audit of agency records. We are still negotiating on other remedies and still have several of the grievances in play, said WFSE/AFSCME Council Representative Joan Gallagher. Gallagher and Council Rep Becky Stephens filed the eight grievances. Things started heating up April 8 when the union got word that a manager had removed all alternate work schedules and arbitrarily moved all employees to work schedules that of grain were headed to Kalama grain elevators. The union filed a grievance disputing the need for a layoff. The union and members also noted that Agriculture had only formally assigned one worker to the Longview office, making all other employees compete for seniority in Kalama even though some were actually assigned to Longview, Gallagher said. Meanwhile, federal watchdogs, apparently sensing something awry, began an audit of records in Olympia. Subsequent to the May 7 grievance hearing, the agency agreed to withdraw the layoff letters and to implement 2013-2015 contract language early to make Longview and Kalama one layoff unit.

THIS UNION WORKS FOR ME!

The WFSE/AFSCME grievance team that won (from left): WFSE/AFSCME Council Representative Becky Stephens, Bob Adams, Tom Kirk, Lindsey Kennish, Ron Arnhold, Tom Baxter and Mark Ostergren. worked Wednesday through Sunday. Also, members were working huge amounts of overtime. Then management expaned the Seattle and Tacoma layoffs to Kalama, Longview and Vancouver -- even as 11 ships full

Medical Interpreters: First arbitration win enforces minimum appointment pay

WFSE/AFSCME medical interpreter members have won their first-ever arbitration over failure to pay an interpreter who showed up only to find a doctor had already seen the patient. This happened to Gabriela Negrete five times between February and April 2012. She showed up for her interpreting appointment only to find out the patients had arrived early and had already been seen. The state paid Negrete 30 minutes of her normal hourly rate. But the Medical Interpreters contract requires a minimum of one hour of pay in such cases. The independent arbitrator agreed and on May 30 ordered the state to pay Negrete the remaining half hour of pay for each of the five appointments. Its nice to know that we finally won, because I think all interpreters deserved it, said Negrete, now retired and back in Ecuador. WFSE/AFSCME counsel represented Negrete during the arbitration hearing.

Althea Lute Scholarship applications due July 31

REMINDER! This $5,000 scholarship allows eligible members or members of their families to pursue studies in a degree program at a public college or university in Washington state. APPLICATIONS DUE 7/31/13. Application form appeared in April Washington State Employee. You can also download at: http://www.wfse.org/memberresources/scholarship-info/

Gabriela Negrete

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June 2013