Ecology push for stricter WMS limits

Ecology members who have studied the growth of the Washington Management Service in depth used a hearing Monday on a bill limiting special pay for WMS employees to push for further reforms.
Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-26th Dist., called the special pay freeze for WMS and exempt employees a "common sense temporary pause."

Local 443 Ecology member and Federation Executive Board member Kerry Graber applauded the bill, but said more could be done.

She presented charts showing that pay for WMS in Ecology is out of whack with national averages for executive pay. She also presented data about how the state could save tens of millions of dollars by trimming the size of WMS, including just not replacing WMS employees who leave state service.

"We're seeing an inequity and we'd like to see more reform in this area," Graber told the House Ways and Means Committee.

Stan Leja, an Ecology hydrogeologist and member of Local 443, said the current fiscal crisis presents an opportunity for action.

"It think it's (HB 2998) something that's needed but doesn't go far enough," Leja said. "I think it needs to be permanent."

Seaquist said further legislation getting at the WMS problem is coming.

Get on the bus and come to Olympia for the Presidents' Day Rally and Lobby Day

Rally February 15, 2010

Join thousands of other public employees at noon on Monday, February 15, on the Capitol steps in Olympia to rally the legislature for revenue to protect our future.

Cuts to safety net programs are unjust. Safety net programs have already been cut to the bone. We're urging legislators to support raising new revenue and closing some of the $14.8 billion tax loopholes to help save our safety net.

We must show legislators how much is at stake if huge proposed cuts go through. Anti-state employee forces will also be rallying that day, so we must be there to counter their wrong-headed message.

RSVP here - REGISTER today:

Send us the letter below to tell us your plans for the day. When you RSVP, we'll arrange for your lunch and make appointments for you to meet with your legislators.

Here's what you can do:

• Attend the rally at noon on Monday, February 15 - President's Day holiday.

• Schedule to meet with your legislators while you're at the Capitol. 

• Can't attend the rally? Call the legislative hotline at 800-562-6000 on February 15th and leave them a message urging them to support revenue options that include closing tax loopholes.

Staging begins at 9:00 AM at the DNR building (across from WFSE HQ Office) with a group briefing. Background information, messaging and resources will be distributed at the briefing.

But if you can't make the briefing, you can join us at the rally.

Green it up! Wear your green AFSCME t-shirt. Don't have one? Pick one up at the AM briefing.
Schedule:

• 9 AM - Briefing at the Natural Resources Building Cafeteria.
• 9:30 to Noon - Opportunity for appointments with your legislators.
• Noon Rally - Capitol steps.
• 1:30 - Opportunity for afternoon appointments with legislators.
  

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• RSVP here!

• Download flyers to share.