August 10, 2010

WSU Bargaining Update

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

Mediation cyclic employees having priority for off-

schedule:
MEDIATION UNDERWAY
season work before students, and reduced
Mon., August 9 As reported in our last bargaining update,
rates for parking - to name a few. 
Tue., August 31 bargaining reached impasse on June 4.
Mediation continues with management on
TBD Impasse brings an end to the bargaining
August 31, with a third date still yet to be
phase of contract negotiations and moves
WSU Bargaining determined.
us to the next phase, mediation.
Team: HEALTH CARE COALITION
In mediation, PERC, the Public Employ-
Curt Bod BARGAINING UPDATE
ment Relations Commissions, provides
Brett Clubbe
the assistance of an impartial third party to The WFSE/AFSCME-led coalition of all
Roger Eberhardt
mediate negotiations. state employee unions began bargaining
Yvonne Kibbee
PERC assigned mediator Guy Coss to on the health care benefits funding article
Eric Needham
facilitate discussions with both sides and to Aug. 10. But there was no good news.
Lance Mitchell
Gerry Stamper try to help find ways to reach an agreement The union initiated a proposal that centers on
Robert Stilson on the outstanding issues (see June 3-4 the unions’ interest of keeping health costs
update for details on issues). low in the face of recent and huge increases
Lead Negotiator: in out-of-pocket costs and premiums.
Mediation began on August 9. After a
Phedra Quincey joint session with the mediator to discuss Management did not offer a counterpro-
phedraq@wfse.org ground rules and the basis for mediation, posal. They hinted strongly their interest in
the parties were separated.  raising your share of premium costs from
Contact the
team: Mr. Coss met with our team first to get an the current 12 percent and decreasing your
info@wfse.org explanation of our last proposals to man- level of benefits.
Please put “Message agement for Articles 1 (Scope of Agree- Both sides agreed to meet again Aug. 24.
for the WSU Bargaining ment), 5 (Hours of Work), 6 (Job Process- Brett Clubbe, our team’s representative to
Team” in the subject line. es), 8 (Benefits), 9 (Compensation) and 11 the health care coalition team was present.
(Grievance Procedure). 
Online at: Also: Aug. 24 is the date the state must re-
www.wfse.org > Mr. Coss then met with management to get spond to the union’s health care grievance
Bargaining Center > their explanation of their last proposals and over the diversion of $216 million surplus
WSU Bargaining determine if they were willing to move on funds in your health insurance program.
Team Info & News any articles.  The hearing before the state Labor Rela-
After some discussion, a tentative agree- tions Office was Aug. 3.
Email alerts: ment (TA) was reached on Article 11
Sign-up to receive The union in part alleges that when the
(Grievance Procedure). Unfortunately, surplus arose, it should have been returned
email and/or text neither party was willing to move much on
message alerts from in proportion to the employer’s obligation
the remaining articles. to pay 88 percent of the premium costs and
the team.
Go to WFSE.org, register Our team is committed to bargaining the employees’ 12 percent share.
as a user and join the WSU best contract we can for our WSU mem- “In this case, the employer took all the
Bargaining Team email
group. Provide cell num- bers. Priorities were set prior to bargaining benefit for itself,” AFSCME Director of
ber and carrier to start by member input, contract proposals and Collective Bargaining Steve Kreisberg said
receiving text alerts. a survey of the membership. Priorities in the grievance hearing.
include 4-10 holiday schedules and leave,
WSU Bargaining Update
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Washington Federation of State Employees
WFSE/AFSCME Council 28 • AFL-CIO