tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52824398790503956332011-10-01T08:22:22.603-07:00Ecology Bargaining UnitWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.comBlogger501100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-8340080097549829192011-10-01T08:21:00.001-07:002011-10-01T08:22:22.645-07:00An engineer grapples with TSR – what do you expect? It’s about math and numbers…- By Paul Pickett
TSR Leave and Annual Leave: One of the quirks in the contract involves TSR Leave, Sick Leave, and Annual Leave. Everyone now agrees that if your TSRL has been approved for future use, it’s no longer “available” - so you can schedule SL as needed. However, if you have TSRL approved for future use and then want to take additional AL, you have to cancel your future TSRL and use it WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-35652290351944223862011-10-01T08:17:00.000-07:002011-10-01T08:17:25.410-07:00Exchange time goes to a statewide summit with management- By Scott MalleryA month or so back, I attended the first meeting between state-wide management and several Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) members from a few other state agencies. This meeting was to discuss overtime-exempt employees’ use of exchange time, part of our current contract that was effective July 1, 2011. It was also to discuss Memorandum of Understanding #8 (WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-62384169318523517612011-10-01T08:14:00.000-07:002011-10-01T08:14:20.421-07:00Evaulation season is here!- Recommendations from Stewards and StaffStewards keep running into problems with employee evaluations because employees don’t understand the process or know their rights. Here are a few basic tips that should help:1. Evaluations are just your supervisor’s opinion. They are supposed to be constructive, based on objective findings, not disciplinary, and you don’t have to agree with what they WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-54335191243235901192011-07-28T11:00:00.000-07:002011-07-28T11:00:49.762-07:00Bargaining Unit Bulletin - July 2011Making the Most of TSR Leave
– by Paul Pickett
Employees are now under the new contract as of July 1. “Temporary Salary Reduction Leave” or TSR leave is on everyone’s minds. The new frequently asked questions (FAQs) posted on the intranet are helpful and you are encouraged to look them over. Here are few additional observations to help you make the most of TSR leave.
The Basis for TSR Leave
WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-46776922883633424092011-05-17T11:49:00.000-07:002011-05-17T11:49:52.767-07:00Tips on overtime designationby Paul Pickett, Ecology Steward
By the time you read this, you will have received a letter from Ecology’s Human Resources Office. The letter says your position was reviewed and a determination made whether you are Eligible or Exempt from receiving paid Overtime.
Your letter will tell you that nothing has changed. However almost one-third have received notice that their status has changed from WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-26006624047008934032011-05-17T11:38:00.000-07:002011-05-17T11:39:24.415-07:00Monosyllabic Day, June 1
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mso-font-pitch:WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-1864155896589274102011-05-16T08:47:00.001-07:002011-05-16T08:47:55.874-07:00Summit with Ted - Stewards and UMCC representatives meet with the director- by Kerry GraberThe sometimes difficult relationship with management seemed to turn a corner when stewards and elected representatives from across the agency met with Ted Sturdevant, Polly Zehm, Chris Parsons, and Amy Heller. The purpose of the meeting was to find common ground and move from conflict towards a more productive relationship.To prepare for the summit members and stewards held a WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-16906391530026371102011-03-22T10:26:00.001-07:002011-03-22T10:26:30.735-07:00Parking lot for contract ideas!What are your ideas for the next contract (2013-2015)?
As we look at and work with our new contract, let's capture the ideas and questions that arise right here.
This article is a "parking lot" for our ideas for the next round of bargaining.
So, how does this work? Simply leave your ideas as a comment and we'll let the list grow until it's time to convey our ideas to the new bargaining team.
WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-14845489581251428912011-03-10T15:11:00.000-08:002011-03-10T15:12:44.641-08:00UMCC Meeting Notes, 2-11-11UMCC Meeting – 1 to 3 p.m.
Present for employees:Kerry Graber, Charles San Juan, Kathy Conaway, Sally Lawrence, Debbie Brookman (WFSE Staff)
Present for management:Ted Sturdevant, Polly Zehm, Chris Parsons, Pat McLain, Erik Fairchild, Carol Fleskes, Corrina McElfish, Amy Heller
Agenda: Union Management Relationship
Management Perspective – Ted
Union Perspective
Discussion
How can WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-58800086044045788332011-03-10T10:43:00.000-08:002011-03-10T10:43:07.616-08:00Grievance settlement wins gains for Ecology employees- by Paul PickettThanks to an innovative settlement between union members and Ecology management, employees have now gained a significant new benefit. As Ecology Human Resources staff in 2011 review all of the agency’s positions for their overtime designation, employees will have an improved process that provides transparency and an opportunity for input.The story begins over a year ago, when WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-25263522150442855802011-03-10T10:38:00.000-08:002011-03-10T10:38:00.520-08:00Ted says "Let's talk" to UMCC representatives- By Kerry GraberThe UMCC met with managers on February 11, 2011 to talk about how to make the union/ management relationship work better. Ted Sturdevant, Chris Parsons, and Polly Zehm shared a number of concerns about the deterioration of the relationship, and expressed a desire to make it more productive. We were asked to stop asking for flexibility in the contract that they believe is not WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-30365394982260774662011-03-10T10:36:00.000-08:002011-03-10T10:36:08.406-08:00Seniority rights strike unpleasant chord for some
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By Kerry GraberA recent open meeting at Ecology prior to the vote on the 2011-13 contract drew a group of interested employees with questions about new provisions based on seniority. Among the attendees were WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-45078208301825382052011-03-10T10:30:00.000-08:002011-03-10T10:31:34.233-08:00Scuttle state contracts, Zarelli/Tom legislation says
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- from the Federation Hotline
Senate Republicans have now targeted the just-ratified Federation’s General Government contract and the eight higher education contracts still being negotiated. Sen.Joe WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-29930010446240065842010-12-13T10:03:00.000-08:002010-12-13T10:03:59.145-08:00Ecology UMCC Meeting, 11/8/2010from Debbie’s notesPresent: Kerry Graber, Alisa Huckaby, Kasey Ignac, Sandra Lange, Roger Johnson, Marcie Mangold, Rebekah Padgett, Susanna Fenner (WFSE), Debbie Brookman (WFSE), Ted Sturdevant (last 25 minutes only), Polly Zehm, Amy Heller, Corrina McElfish, Chris Parsons, Pat McLain, Carol Fleskes, Maia Bellon
(We got a late start due to VC technical issues)
Agenda and Discussion:
Energy WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-32775094302307564012010-10-05T15:12:00.000-07:002010-10-05T15:12:36.638-07:00Making lemonade from furlough lemons –By The Editors
We asked some of our members to send us stories about how people are coping with the furlough. Trying to make the best of a bad situation can help and it doesn’t hurt to keep your sense of humor, either. The following were sent in by members across the agency.
Let them eat cake!
Kaia Petersen from the Hazardous Waste Toxics Reduction Unit at Southwest makes “Furlough Cakes”WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-21465463836757813272010-10-05T14:52:00.000-07:002010-10-05T14:52:28.115-07:00An Update on Furlough GrievancesBy Rebekah Padgett
As we wrap up our third month of furloughs/temporary layoffs, we're learning more about how employees are being impacted. In July and August, staff working innovative work schedules (such as 9/80 or 4/10) are getting an extra 1-2 hour "ding" above the 8 hours that other full-time staff are receiving. Whether we chose innovative work schedules to minimize traffic under WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-2244347003794298962010-10-05T14:49:00.000-07:002010-10-05T14:53:51.395-07:00Thoughts on the “Q&A” All Staff Meeting –By Kerry Graber
I was asked by others to write a response to the all staff meeting held recently by video conferencing. I’ve been asked to do some tough things lately, but this is one of the toughest.
I want to be careful about what I say, because I’ve been a proponent in the Union Management Communications Committee (UMCC) of these direct meetings between management and staff. I and others WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-84108443617583768792010-06-08T14:25:00.000-07:002010-06-08T15:03:45.784-07:00Furloughs - Governor to Employees: “Drop Dead!”By Rebekah Padgett and Paul Pickett
Your union and your member leaders have been fighting hard to stop or mitigate employee furloughs (“temporary layoffs”). First WFSE staff and members fought to block SSB 6503 (the furlough bill) which was finally passed by the legislature signed by the Governor into law in April. Then member leaders - stewards and the UMCC – listened to employees and raised WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-19776298683031580432010-06-08T14:19:00.001-07:002010-06-08T14:19:17.894-07:00UMCC Continues to Push for a More Transparent Budget, ProcessBy Kerry Graber
For a full text of Union Management Communications Committee (UMCC) notes and agendas for April, May, and future meetings check the blog address above.
Since Ecology management declined to continue talks with the UMCC Budget Ad-hoc committee, the regular UMCC committee meetings have been largely taken up with discussions about implementing Ecology’s Book 2 budget. Committee WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-5395252049423196762010-06-08T14:18:00.001-07:002010-06-08T14:18:35.641-07:00Ted's Regional VisitsBy Rebekah Padgett
In an unprecedented effort by an agency director, Ted Sturdevant is heading to all of Ecology’s offices to spend time getting to know the regions and the work that we do. May 10-13 was NWRO’s turn. Ted kicked off the visit by meeting with the Regional Management Team and then held an All Staff Meeting. There was a lot of emotion in the room as applause broke out in support WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-5639984503686908912010-06-08T14:17:00.000-07:002010-06-08T14:17:43.368-07:00Ecology Bargaining Unit Begins Strategic Plan UpdateDid you know we have a strategic plan? It is out of date. Member-leaders are getting together on June 12 to review where we’ve been and where we need to go as a bargaining unit.
If you would like to be in the loop attend the next bargaining unit meeting. Meetings are held monthly on the second Tuesday of the month at noon. Check for meeting room assignments at HQ/SWRO or with the stewards inWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-86920257707712944052010-06-08T13:56:00.000-07:002010-06-08T13:57:12.097-07:00Furlough fight heats upDSHS IN A DITHER OVER INITIALS IN UNION’S FURLOUGH BUTTONS
From the WFSE.org Hotline 6/1/10
Management representatives in the Department of Social and Health Services have raised objections to the Federation’s “No Furloughs!” buttons.
They apparently are aghast at the art design where the first two letters of the word “furloughs” are made to stand out. They allege that this stands for a WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-65139213070619310992010-05-19T14:57:00.000-07:002010-05-19T14:57:50.544-07:00Agenda for UMCC, May 26, 2010Overtime Eligibility Audit update – status report
Is the IT audit already completed? Results? Who is next?
Budget
Follow-up with Pat – budget corrections have been made with OFM?
Vacant funded positions – Amy provided two different numbers, which one is correct? Why isn’t the funding source for each funded vacancy readily available?
Lay-off – rumors at NWRO of administrative lay-off; confirmWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-23887361257753242762010-05-12T10:09:00.000-07:002010-05-12T10:09:24.611-07:00Ecology UMCC meeting notes, 4-30-10Present:
WFSE: Kerry Graber - chair, Charles San Juan, Paul Pickett, Roger Johnson, Scott Mallery, Rebekah Padgett, Kasey Ignac (7 attendees)
Management: Carol Fleskes, Polly Zehm, Pat McLain, Chris Parsons, Amy Heller, Corinna McElfish, Ted Sturdevant (7 attendees)
Budget Update –
Kerry offered a couple of thoughts. The last leg session was tough though Ecology did pretty well. But, state WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-62818504688182332282010-04-30T13:15:00.000-07:002010-04-30T13:26:00.260-07:00Governor signed the furlough bill; confusion reignsExcerpted from the WFSE 4/27/10 HOTLINE:
Gov. Chris Gregoire this afternoon (April 27) signed the furlough bill (ESSB 6503) into law. Expect bargaining on this issue.
The bill directs agencies to cut a total of $45 million in compensation costs, with $10 million coming from Washington Management Service and management-type jobs. Agencies can draw up their own plans using a number of options.WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-92030966133630605442010-04-30T13:04:00.000-07:002010-04-30T13:04:50.471-07:00Should Ecology have it own local? Part 4: Creating an agency-based local - How is it done?By Paul Pickett, Assistant Chief Steward
Some employee members of WFSE have been discussing whether Ecology should have its own agency-based Local. Over the last few months we havel explored this issue in a series of articles.
This is the fourth in a series of articles exploring an agency-based Local for Ecology. Previous articles discussed what a Local is and does, some of the trade-offs WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-22511897224204122622010-04-13T11:04:00.000-07:002010-04-13T11:04:40.084-07:00March Union Management Communications Committee Report– By Kerry Graber and Debbie Brookman
The Union Management Communications Committee (UMCC) met on March 22 in the first of on a new schedule of monthly meetings. Meeting monthly was a suggestion from Ecology management to take up the coming budget issues and to allow more timely discussion of issues.
Four topics of discussion were taken up at this meeting: Communication Issues, Hiring whileWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-65513625416066964612010-04-13T11:01:00.000-07:002010-04-13T11:01:14.785-07:00Running an Agency-based local: How Parks and F&W do it.By Paul Pickett, Assistant Chief Steward
Some employee members of WFSE have been discussing whether Ecology should have its own agency-based Local. We continue to explore this issue in a series of articles.
The previous two articles on this subject explored what a Local is and does, and some of the trade-offs between a geographic and agency-based local. To find out more about how an WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-40666521394388853722010-02-02T10:26:00.000-08:002010-02-02T10:26:54.924-08:00The plusses and minuses of an agency-based localBy Paul Pickett, Assistant Chief Steward
Some employee members of WFSE have been discussing whether Ecology should have its own agency-based Local. Over the next few months we will explore this issue in a series of articles.
Last month I shared information about Locals: what they are and what they do. Listed below are many of the issues and how an agency-based Local compares to a geographic WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-49290904456332020972010-02-02T10:24:00.000-08:002010-02-02T10:27:44.052-08:00Democracy is not a spectator sportThe legislature is in session, and never before has your involvement been so important. Many bills may affect you personally or impact your fellow employees.
We could see mandated furloughs (i.e. less pay!) or jobs contracted out. On the other hand we could see increased “pay to play” fees to replace General Funds and preserve employee jobs. How can you be a player?
Write your legislators WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-63069196047567702792010-02-02T10:21:00.000-08:002010-02-02T10:21:05.189-08:00Union Management Communications Committee Notes – By Kerry Graber and Debbie Brookman
The Union Management Communications Committee (UMCC) convened in January with five primary agenda items to discuss, and two items added at the beginning of the meeting. The following were present:
Ecology Management: Polly Zehm, Corinna McElfish, Amy Heller, Chris Parsons, Pat McLain; Ted Sturdevant attended the last half hour.
Ecology Representatives WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-69113292509549318902010-01-26T06:49:00.000-08:002010-01-26T06:49:07.565-08:00Ecology push for stricter WMS limitsEcology 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 WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-36350371244603885602010-01-22T10:00:00.001-08:002010-01-22T10:00:22.468-08:00Get 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 WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-46836645855942311242009-11-12T14:10:00.000-08:002009-11-12T14:10:14.578-08:00Newly Elected Union Management Communications Committee MeetsThe Union Management Communications Committee (UMCC) convened with representatives of the management team after seating several newly elected members. Tied headquarters representatives Charles San Juan and Kurt Unger graciously attended together with the understanding that the run-off election will be conducted to decide the tie.
Other unfilled positions were occupied by volunteers who were WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-40808109919578626152009-11-12T14:04:00.000-08:002009-11-12T14:06:10.089-08:00Budget Team’s Impact On Lay-off Subtle but Tangible– By Kerry Graber
A team of five member volunteers have been meeting informally with members of the management team to exchange information and explore options to lay-offs. A smaller subgroup of three then negotiated with the Governor’s labor relations team to mitigate impacts. Their work is nearly done now that this lay-off cycle is complete.
Members of the budget team include Scott Mallery, WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-15912021919338984412009-11-12T13:45:00.000-08:002009-11-12T13:45:45.213-08:00Negotiations Over Internal Policies Yield Results – By Alisa Huckaby
Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Article 38 (Mandatory Subjects), WFSE requested negotiations (“demand to bargain”) for proposed new policies and revision of existing policies. The negotiations occurred on September 18.
Attending the negotiations representing Ecology CBA members were: Debbie Brookman (Washington Federation of State Employees), Pete Kmet WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-41532992071707965672009-09-18T09:05:00.000-07:002009-09-18T09:05:46.265-07:00Federation Natural Resources Task Force Needs Your Feedback on State's Reform Ideas – WFSE Hotline
The Legislature ordered the governor to convene a work group of natural resource agencies to "identify consolidation opportunities to improve service delivery and reduce costs.
"That subcabinet group released a set of ideas on Sept.14, and is now seeking public comment. The Federation's internal Natural Resources Task Force also needs to hear from you so we can present your WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-24575506827357732602009-09-18T09:00:00.000-07:002009-09-18T09:01:25.169-07:00Bargaining Update-Volunteers have been bargaining over lay-offs and policies that affect working conditions. Here’s an update on those efforts.
The Budget Team continues to push for common sense solutions and compassionate options to prepare for the next round of cuts.
Bargaining Team volunteers met with manager representatives before, during, and after formal negotiations to first gain a clear understanding ofWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-51838357784737067272009-09-18T08:51:00.000-07:002009-09-18T08:57:19.588-07:00UMCC Report: Issues of the past year– by Debbie Brookman
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 whereWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-88048148614345321372009-09-18T08:44:00.000-07:002009-09-18T08:44:57.005-07:00Making Your Evaluation Work For You – by Pete Kmet
Evaluations are a critical part of every employee’s work life. Stewards find that many employees are confused by their role in the process. Sometimes employees find out for the first time during an evaluation that their supervisor is having problems with their performance.
This is such a critical issue needing employee education that we are rerunning this article from last yearWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-43312759756345126802009-07-21T12:15:00.000-07:002009-07-21T12:20:27.884-07:00Have the Proposed Budget Cuts Really Impacted Agency Managers (WMS)?- By Charles San Juan, HydrogeologistBy now, all of you have heard the “bad news” about the budget. As of this month (July), six Ecology staff received “verbal” reduction in force (RIF) notices. In other words, their jobs are being cut. Also, we just learned of another mandatory 2% cut, which translates to 11 Full Time Equivalent (FTE).So what does this mean? For staff, things are obviously WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-92021424693359318442009-07-21T12:12:00.000-07:002009-07-21T12:14:36.425-07:00Union-Management Government Reform Ad hoc Committee Breaks New Ground– By Guy Hoyle-Dodson, Government Reform Ad Hoc Committee Chair Several months ago, Ecology’s Director, Jay Manning came to our membership and asked for help. The problem: the Governor was asking agency directors, particularly those from Natural Resource Agencies, to provide her with ideas for reforming state government, creating a more efficient and effective public sector, to deliver better WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-20356100657398662932009-07-21T12:06:00.000-07:002009-07-21T12:12:03.266-07:00UMCC holds final meeting in June- By Paul PickettThe Union Management Communications Committee held its last meeting under the current Bargaining Agreement on June 17th. All employee representatives were present, as well as the chairs of the Budget and Government Reform UMCC subcommittees. Director Jay Manning attended the entire meeting, along with the usual management team. Budget issues dominated the meeting, but time was WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-67598956837828929752009-07-21T12:05:00.000-07:002009-07-21T12:06:06.675-07:00Subcommittee on Bullying Formed to Explore Problems– By Helen PressleyA subcommittee of the stewards group is taking on the topic of bullying in the workplace in order to determine the depth and scope of the problem and to better support assertions that bullying is a problem within Ecology. Stewards who volunteered for this committee with me are Charles San Juan, Kim Pearson, and Tryg Hoff. We are looking for additional examples of workplace WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-3546024991587513532009-06-08T12:15:00.000-07:002009-06-08T12:17:23.185-07:00CONTRACT RATIFICATION GEARING UPFrom May 12, 2009 WFSE Hotline Now that the health care article has been wrapped up, the ratification process for the Federation’s completed contracts can go forward. The ratification packets that will go out to 30,000 General Government members are being printed this week to go in the mail next week.Full summaries and the re-negotiated articles are now online at www.wfse.org > Contract WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-80651915430400512372009-06-08T12:14:00.000-07:002009-06-08T12:15:19.833-07:00Election Time Approaching for Union Management Communications Committee Representatives –By Kerry Graber As ratification approaches for the new tentative agreement so does election time for representatives on the state-wide union management communications committee (UMCC). Under the contract the bargaining unit is entitled to elect seven representatives to meet with management to tackle workplace issues. The election will take place shortly after July 1, the date the new WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-25689902489986731072009-06-08T12:11:00.000-07:002009-06-08T12:13:41.628-07:00The Times They are A’Changin, But We Can Choose How It MaturesBy Guy Hoyle-Dodson Washington State’s Governor, Christine Gregoire has decided that its time for a new direction in how we administer state government. She is looking for efficiencies and savings in all agencies at all levels and has formed a Business and Labor Advisory Group on State Government Reform. Her vision for transforming state government includes:• Focus on prioritizing core WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-32761305189161392062009-06-08T11:52:00.000-07:002009-06-08T12:14:11.949-07:00Summary of April's UMCC Meeting: Progress At Last On Certain IssuesBy Paul Pickett The Union-Management Communications Committee met on April 21, 2009. Attending for management were Jay Manning, Polly Zehm, Chris Parsons, Pat McLain, Amy Heller, Corrina McElfish, and Pam Durham. Employees were represented by Paul Pickett (Chair, HQ), Roger Johnson (CRO), Rebekah Padgett (NWRO), Alisa Huckaby (RO), Shara Trantrum (ERO), Kerry Graber (SWRO), and Barry Wenger (BFOWFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-33964179002033213122009-06-08T11:51:00.001-07:002009-06-08T11:51:54.648-07:00Seniority List Lacks Veteran TimePlease take note that employees who have spent time in the service do not have this accounted for in their seniority listing. Time served as a veteran must be added when there is a RIF. Human Resources will add this time to a person’s seniority if the individual identified for RIF has spent time in the service. Chris Parsons, HR director, explained that not listing Veteran’s status is a WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5282439879050395633.post-81843881459206807862009-06-08T11:50:00.000-07:002009-06-08T12:10:43.033-07:00Here is the current status of past issues discussed by the UMCCThe following list of issues are still on the table and under discussion for the statewide Union Management Communications Committee (UMCC). Meetings with Chris Parsons, Amy Heller, Polly Zehm, and sometimes Jay Manning have been held over nearly two years. Please contact your UMCC representative with proposals of new issues about communications with Ecology management.Environmental Specialist/WFSEc28http://www.blogger.com/profile/15286404548494355562noreply@blogger.com0