Elections were held for new employee members of the Union-Management Committee. The HQ Rep vote was a tie and will be re-voted. Reps are still needed for SWRO, CRO, and ERO. If you want to help your workplace, please consider volunteering. Vacant seats will be filled by the new UMCC once its members are confirmed.
The new UMCC will start out with a transition meeting where the departing UMCC can provide a briefing on issues it’s been tracking. The following article summarizes those issues. - the Editors
Ecology Statewide UMCC
Outstanding Issues as of 3/23/09
Inclement Weather – (2/18/09):
The UMCC sent information to Carol Fleskes for consideration during the “hot wash” review of this winter’s situation. We are waiting for a response in the form of more discussion and/or a policy update proposal.
Environmental Specialist/Planner 4 designations – (2/18/09):
Polly Zehm agreed to review any situations we bring to her attention where we feel employees are working out of class. She indicated a preference for removing duties rather than an upward reallocation.
Environmental Specialist pay – (2/18/09):
Chris Parons previously indicated that an agency-sponsored package was being developed for submission to DOP for the next round of contract negotiations. This has been put on hold due to DOP’s current refusal to consider any such packages until the budget crisis is past. In the meantime, we may engage in on-going discussion about the ES pay issues in the hopes that collaboration can occur in the future.
High Cost-Of-Living Area pay – (12/1/08):
Chris Parsons related that Jay Manning is interested in addressing this through a package to DOP. At this time, this is on hold due to budget issues.
Time Accounting System – (12/1/08):
Amy committed to pass along any ideas we provide to her to OFM for improving the system. She also promised to let us know what kind of response our ideas receive. (Suggestions about this topic through government form appears to have gained traction.)
Spills Program Budget – (12/1/08):
Dale Jensen promised to check-in with the stewards in Spills more regularly regarding concerns and anxiety around the budget. He also said he would “think about” our offer to collaboratively work with the program to address budget issues.
Workplace Behavior – (10/20/08):
We call it “bullying,” they call it “uncivil workplace behavior”
We have a tentative agreement to jointly provide training on the new CBA provisions – Article X Workplace Behavior. Before that can happen training will likely be developed for Ecology managers. We may need to develop the curriculum ourselves. Our goal is to provide this training jointly and on work time.
Jay Manning in the field – (7/18/08)
On Jay’s behalf, Polly stated that Jay is willing to spend more time in the field and accompanying employees while they do their work to get a better understanding of the non-enforcement side of field work.
More UMCC Ad Hoc’s to address regional issues – (7/18/08)
Polly and Amy confirmed willingness to form ad hoc UMCC’s to address region specific issues such as bike lockers at NWRO.
Budget 101 – (7/18/08)
Polly agreed to talk to Pat McLain about developing education for all employees on how the agency budget works. In the same meeting, it was acknowledged that the Water Quality budget needs to be explained to employees.
Exchange Time – (2/14/08)
Chris Parsons said he would provide specific citations in the law that justifies the Agency’s position on denying one-for-one exchange time.
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