VOL. 45 NO. 1 POSTER INSIDE (pages 4-5): The official newspaper of the JANUARY 2017 FEDERATION OF STATE 2017 LEGISLATORS & CONTACT INFO EMPLOYEES/AFSCME Council 28•AFL-CIO

WASHINGTON

Now good on either www.discoverpass.wa.gov of two vehicles! State Employee Pay raise? or Pay cut? Members use Lobby Days to tell the com- pelling story: Competitive pay needed to keep good workers. We must get our con- tracts funded by the Legislature -- or no raises. If that happens, it’s the same as an- other pay cut as the pay gap grows. Sign up for a 2017 Lobby Day: Special section on pages 2-6. http://wfse.org/lobby-days/ They need to hear us Local 304 member urges end to postage ‘poll tax’ Current mail ballot postage requirement hinders voting; convention delegates advocated for change

Seattle Local 304 member and general elections. The to all elections. Brooks Salazar took our state would reimburse SB 5019 would head efforts to protect voting rights counties for the cost. off challenges if the current from the convention floor to The current voter- postage requirement were the state Capitol Jan. 11. paid postage requirement construed as a poll tax. Delegates to the “essentially is a poll tax,” The 24th Amendment to the Federation’s last state said Sen. Kirk Pearson of the US Constitution in 1964 convention adopted a 39th Dist. Pearson sits on the prohibited poll taxes in measure (R. 17) calling on the committee. federal elections. In 1966, the state to provide postage-paid Salazar agreed. US Supreme Court outlawed return envelopes now that “Voting is the most poll taxes in state elections in state elections are by mail-in important duty that every the Harper v Virginia Board ballot only. Unless you can American and Washingtonian of Elections case. find a drop box. should take part in...,” Salazar Salazar spoke on behalf said. RELATED INSIDE 8 of all our members by saying “We need to remove any Brooks Salazar that the requirement that and all barriers that hinder • Preserving voting rights voters pay for postage is a our citizens from voting.” spotlighted at this year’s barrier to voting. Sen. Bob Hasegawa of Martin Luther King Jr. Salazar testified before 5019. It calls on counties to the 11th Dist. sponsored the Day celebrations. See 8. the Senate State Government include prepaid postage on bill. He said he may offer an • Make a difference Committee on Senate Bill return envelopes for primary amendment to apply the bill during Legislative Session 2017. See 2-6. PAY RAISE -- OR PAY CUT?

Julian Romans, 3, son of Local 948 member Monique Romans, “points” to the top of the state Capitol where dozens of WFSE/AFSCME members on MLK Day Lobby Day Jan. 16 (like every Lobby Day) took their stories directly to legislators -- and the media. Members say: Lobby Days are easy way to help fund our contracts

Funding the contracts is Our voice matters. about solving problems. “In numbers, we are more “We can’t put a Band-Aid powerful. We are family.” on some of these situa- Why funding our contracts is tions. important: “It’s really important for us “I’m a social worker. This to stand up for what we 2% raise (6% total over believe in and to show that two years) is not a lot, but we deserve the respect as it makes a big difference. state employees for the Without it we may be look- work that we do and the ing for jobs in other fields. services that we provide. It’s really hard to stay “If I was doing this job when you’re struggling to make ends meet.” for the money, I wouldn’t -- Monique Romans, be doing this job right Local 948, Everett It’s about keeping good workers. now.” “They need to start retaining good qualified indi- -- Marci Douglas-Bumgarner, Local 1060, Mount Vernon viduals. When you’re losing your experienced workers, you’re losing more than just a worker. Lobby Days are easy and effec- It’s about protect- Everything they know goes with them.” Why coming to Lobby Days is important: tive. ing vulnerable “If anybody wants to stay at least within range of the “This is my third year doing this. people we serve. cost of living, they’re going to have to fight for the It is very easy to do this. You sign “Funding our con- raises. Everybody’s going to have to fight.” up online tracts helps with -- Kevin Hamel, Local 341 (left) “It’s an easy process and probably recruitment and with other Fircrest School collegues/member lobbyists the best way we have access to retention. Most social Norma Castro and Ada Rimbakusumo. our representatives and senators.” workers now have -- Eddie Holbrook, Local 1253, Tri-Cities a master’s degree -- and they’re leav- ing (soon) because they’re getting better Our job didn’t end when we rati- Public Service paying jobs out in the fied our contracts. Matters. private sector with half the worries that come “The contract us money. They (manage- “Just to give the work- with being a social worker. ment) have agreed to it, but it actually has ers a decent level Yet, many stay. to be in the budget to actually get it.” of pay would help in “For some reason, I think I can make the sys- It’s about showing up. retaining workers.... tem work.” “You have to show up. Showing up is “Without the quality -- Tracy Wilson, Local 1060, Bellingham huge. Show up, say your peace, tell them workers, we can’t pro- why it’s important to you, why this raise vide quality services to will impact your life.” the state.” -- Cindy English, Local 53, Tacoma -- John Randolph, Local 948, Everett

WASHINGTON State Employee

Washington State Employee (USPS 981- 200) is published monthly, except February and July, for $5.08 per year by the Washing- ton Federation of State Employees/AFSCME Invest in a 2017 Lobby Day! 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.

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Sue Henricksen, President ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OPTION. If you’d like to save paper and postage, you can receive this newspaper electronically. Go to www.wfse.org and hover Greg Devereux, Executive Director over NEWS & INFO, located in the top menu bar. Select from the drop-down list: WASHINGTON STATE EMPLOYEE - Newspaper. Use the form Editor Tim Welch on this page to register for the electronic version. Or e-mail us at [email protected], or write: WFSE/AFSCME, 1212 Jefferson St. S.E., Suite 300, e-mail: [email protected] • Internet: www.wfse.org Member, ILCA Olympia, WA 98501. If you’re a represented non-member fee payer and you don’t wish to receive this publication in any format, e-mail us at con- [email protected], or write: WFSE/AFSCME, 1212 Jefferson St. S.E., Suite 300, Olympia, WA 98501.

Page 2 WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee January 2017 PAY RAISE -- OR PAY CUT? Funding our contracts: It’s about catching up

Analysis: The consequences of our state’s low pay

y its own admis- the people who make state sion, the biggest government work. “We hope you understand employer in that a consequence of ignor- BWashington state pays ing the rising price of doing workers less than what business in state government they’d earn at 99 percent (is) we are facing recruitment of its competitor compa- and retention problems at unprecedented levels in many nies—99 percent! Justifi- vital areas of state service,” ably concerned about Brooks Salazar, an 8-year keeping and attracting employee at the Board of In- quality employees, the dustrial Insurance Appeals CEO (our governor) in , told the Senate Ways and Means Committee. agreed to 6 percent cost- Salazar is a member of Seattle of-living raises spread Local 304. over the next two years. The state’s own salary The idea is, after years of survey found that 99 percent asking employees to take pay of state job classifications are cuts or forego raises during an below market rates. Some 66 economic downturn, it’s time percent of state jobs are more to start catching up so they than 25 percent behind, and can remain competitive. 23 percent are more than 50 But this is a publicly percent behind market rates. owned company, and some “Never before in the members of its Board of Di- state’s history has our sal- rectors (the Legislature) don’t ary schedule been so out of seem to like the idea. whack compared to the actual The economy may have market,” said WFSE/AFSC- improved, but some suggest ME’s Dennis Eagle at a House that they have other more im- Appropriations Committee portant priorities than raises. hearing. Eagle is the union’s That’s basically the situ- director of legislative and po- ation with the State of Wash- litical action. ington, its more than 110,000 employees (FTEs), Gov. Jay Gov. Jay Inslee’s budget Inslee and the state Legisla- proposal funds the collective ture. bargaining agreements nego- And ironically, it’s the tiated last fall. legislators who suggest gov- That means modest, but ernment “should be run more important cost-of-living in- like a business” who appear creases for the people who most reluctant to pay their keep our communities safe, employees market wages. care for the elderly and dis- At hearings in the first abled, protect our children, essential services. these critical services to be DSHS member of Local 443 in week of the 2017 legislative maintain our roads and trans- This is important because efficient and effective. Olympia, testified at the Sen- session, state employees portation system, serve stu- we need to retain experienced “We can’t retain people ate hearing. urged lawmakers not to ig- dents at state universities and state employees and recruit because we don’t pay (WSLC The Stand and WFSE/AFSCME nore their responsibilities to colleges, and provide other quality new ones if we want enough,” Steve Segall, a Hotline contributed to this report)

Segall

Rehabilitation institutions have gone Victoria Local 2263 members spring into through drastic negative consequences Nanney, after the closure of Maple Lane School Local 2263 in 2011. action to save Naselle Youth Camp “Incidents of violence have been spiking at unprecedented levels, and One of the shocking and treatment to the kids we serve and do staff turnover is unbelievably high in disappointing parts of the governor’s great harm to the small community all of our facilities,” Nanney said. otherwise commendable budget that has been home to the employees plan released in December was the of NYC for more than 50 years,” Meanwhile, Local 2263 members have proposed closure of the Naselle Youth Nanney said. “Neither our juvenile wasted no time. Camp in Pacific County. justice system nor our community will Right before Christmas, they Naselle member Victoria Nanney benefit from this closure.” began emailing and calling their voiced the concerns of the Local 2263 three 19th District legislators to stop The governor would move the 76 members. She urged the House budget the closure and fund keeping it open writers to reject the closure. youthful offenders to Echo Glen when the Senate and House issue their “Taking away Naselle Youth Children’s Center in Snoqualmie and budget plans starting in late February Camp will only place more harm on Green Hill School in Chehalis. or early March. our ability to provide meaningful Nanney said Juvenile

January 2017 WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee Page 3 USEUSE YOURYOUR VOICEVOICE TOTO CONTACTCONTACT YOURYOUR LEGISLATORSLEGISLATORS

Listed here are the names of the senator and two representatives DISTRICT 1 DISTRICT 2 DISTRICT 3 from each of this state’s 49 legislative districts for the 105-day 2017 regular session of the Legislature that started Jan. 9.

• Democrats control the House, 50-48.

• The Senate has 24 Republicans and 25 Democrats. However, one Democrat, Sen. , caucuses with the 24 Republicans in the “Majority Coalition Caucus” giving the Republicans a one-vote Sen. Guy Rep. Derek Rep. Shelley Sen. Randi Rep. Andrew Rep. JT Sen. Andy (D) majority and control of the Senate. Palumbo (D) Stanford (D) Kloba Becker (R) Barkis (R) Wilcox (R) Billig (D) 786-7600 786-7928 786-7900 786-7602 786-7824 786-7912 786-7604 guy.palumbo@ derek.stanford@ shelley.kloba@ randi.becker@ andrew.barkis@ jt.wilcox@leg. andy.billig@leg. Use this directory to call or e-mail your legislators directly. leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov wa.gov wa.gov

DISTRICT 7 DISTRICT 8 DISTRICT 9 DISTRICT 10

Sen. Brian Rep. Shelly Rep. Joel Sen. Sharon Rep. Brad Rep. Larry Sen. Mark Rep. Mary Rep. Joe Sen. Barbara Rep. Norma Dansel (R) Short (R) Kretz (R) Brown (R) Klippert (R) Haler (R) Schoesler (R) Dye (R) Schmick (R) Bailey (R) Smith (R) 786-7612 786-7908 786-7988 786-7614 786-7882 786-7986 786-7620 786-7942 786-7844 786-7618 786-7884 brian.dansel@ shelly.short@ joel.kretz@ sharon.brown@ brad.klippert@ larry.haler@ mark.schoesler@ mary.dye@ joe.schmick@ barbara.bailey@ norma.smith@ leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov

DISTRICT 14 DISTRICT 15 DISTRICT 16 DISTRICT 17

Rep. Norm Rep. Gina Sen. Jim Rep. Bruce Rep. David Sen. Maureen Rep. Bill Sen. Lynda Rep. Vicki Rep. Paul (R) (R) (R) Rep. Terry Johnson (R) McCabe (R) Honeyford Chandler Taylor Walsh (R) Jenkin (R) Nealey (R) Wilson (R) Kraft (R) Harris (R) 786-7810 786-7856 786-7684 786-7960 786-7874 786-7630 786-7836 786-7828 786-7632 786-7994 786-7976 norm.johnson@ gina.mccabe@ jim.honeyford@ bruce.chandler@ david.taylor@ maureen.walsh@ bill.jenkin@ terry.nealey@ lynda.wilson@ vicki.kraft@ paul.harris@ leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov

DISTRICT 21 DISTRICT 22 DISTRICT 23 DISTRICT 24 DISTRICT 25

Rep. Lillian Sen. Sam Rep. Laurie Rep. Beth Sen. Christine Rep. Sherry Rep. Drew Sen. Kevin Van Rep. Mike Rep. Steve Sen. Hans Ortiz-Self (D) Hunt (D) Dolan (D) Doglio (D) Rolfes (D) Appleton (D) Hansen (D) De Wege (D) Chapman (D) Tharinger (D) Zeiger (R) 786-7972 786-7642 786-7940 786-7992 786-7644 786-7934 786-7842 786-7646 786-7916 786-7904 786-7648 lillian.ortiz-self@ sam.hunt@ laurie.dolan@ beth.doglio@ christine.rolfes@ sherry.appleton@ drew. kevin.Vandewege@ mike.chapman steve.tharinger@ bruce.dammeier leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov hansen@leg. leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov wa.gov DISTRICT 29 DISTRICT 30 DISTRICT 31 DISTRICT 32

Sen. Steve Rep. David Rep. Steve Sen. Mark Rep. Mike Rep. Kristine Sen. Phil Rep. Drew Rep. Morgan Sen. Maralyn Rep. Cindy Conway (D) Sawyer (D) Kirby (D) Miloscia (R) Pellicciotti (D) Reeves (D) Fortunato (R) Stokesbary (R) Irwin (R) Chase (D) Ryu (D) 786-7656 786-7906 786-7996 786-7658 786-7898 786-7830 786-7660 786-7846 786-7866 786-7662 786-7880 steve.conway@ david.sawyer@ steve.kirby@ mark.milocia@ mike.pellicciotti kristine.reeves@ phil.fortunato@ drew.stokesbary morgan.irwin@ maralyn.chase cindy.ryu@ leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov

DISTRICT 36 DISTRICT 37 DISTRICT 38 DISTRICT 39

Rep. Noel Christina Rep. Gael Sen. Rebecca Rep. Sharon Rep. Eric Sen. John Rep. June Rep. Mike Sen. Kirk Rep. Dan Rep. John Frame (D) Tarleton (D) Saldaña (D) Tomiko Santos (D) Pettigrew (D) McCoy (D) Robinson (D) Sells (D) Pearson (R) Kristiansen (R) Koster (R) 786-7814 786-7860 786-7688 786-7944 786-7838 786-7674 786-7864 786-7840 786-7676 786-7967 786-7816 noel.frame@ gael.tarleton@ rebecca.saldana santos.sharon eric.pettigrew@ john.mccoy@ june.robinson@ mike.sells@ kirk.pearson@ dan.kristiansen john.koster@ leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov @ leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov

DISTRICT 43 DISTRICT 44 DISTRICT 45 DISTRICT 46 DISTRICT 47

Rep. Frank Sen. Steve Rep. John Rep. Mark Sen. Dino Rep. Roger Rep. Larry Sen. David Rep. Gerry Rep. Jessyn Sen. Joe Chopp (D) Hobbs (D) Lovick (D) Harmsworth (R) Rossi (R) Goodman (D) Springer (D) Frockt (D) Pollet (D) Farrell (D) Fain (R) 786-7920 786-7686 786-7804 786-7892 786-7672 786-7878 786-7822 786-7690 786-7886 786-7818 786-7692 frank.chopp@ steve.hobbs@ john.lovick@ mark.harmsworth dino.rossi@ roger.goodman larry.springer david.frockt@ gerry.pollet@ jessyn.farrell@ joe.fain@ leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov

PagePage 4 4 WFSE/AFSCMEWFSE/AFSCME Washington Washington State State Employee Employee JanuaryJanuary 2017 2017 USE YOUR VOICE TO CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS

DISTRICT 3 DISTRICT 4 DISTRICT 5 DISTRICT 6

Rep. Marcus Rep. Timm Sen. Mike Rep. Matthew Rep. Bob Sen. Mark Rep. Jay Rep. Paul Sen. Michael Rep. Mike Rep. Jeff Riccelli (D) Ormsby (D) Padden (R) Shea (R) McCaslin (R) Mullet (D) Rodne (R) Graves (R) Baumgartner (R) Volz (R) Holy (R) 786-7888 786-7946 786-7606 786-7984 786-7820 786-7608 786-7852 786-7876 786-7610 786-7922 786-7962 marcus.riccelli timm.ormsby@ mike.padden@ matthew.shea@ bob.mccaslin@ mark.mullet@ jay.rodne@ paul.graves@ michael.baumgartner mike.volz@ jeff.holy@ @leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov

DISTRICT 10 DISTRICT 11 DISTRICT 12 DISTRICT 13 DISTRICT 14

Rep. Dave Sen. Bob Rep. Zack Rep. Steve Sen. Brad Rep. Cary Rep. Mike Sen. Judy Rep. Tom Rep. Matt Sen. Curtis Hayes (R) Hasegawa (D) Hudgins (D) Bergquist (D) Hawkins (R) Condotta (R) Steele (R) Warnick (R) Dent (R) Manweller (R) King (R) 786-7914 786-7616 786-7956 786-7862 786-7622 786-7954 786-7832 786-7624 786-7932 786-7808 786-7626 curtis.king@ dave.hays@ bob.hasegawa zack.hudgins@ steve.bergquist brad.hawkins@ cary.condotta@ mike.steele@ judy.warnick@@ tim.dent@ matt.manweller leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov

DISTRICT 18 DISTRICT 19 DISTRICT 20 DISTRICT 21

Sen. Ann Rep. Brandon Rep. Liz Sen. Dean Rep. Jim Rep. Brian Sen. John Rep. Richard Rep. Ed Sen. Marko Rep. Strom Rivers (R) Vick (R) Pike (R) Takko (D) Walsh (R) Blake (D) Braun (R) DeBolt (R) Orcutt (R) Liias (D) Peterson (D) 786-7634 786-7850 786-7812 786-7636 786-7806 786-7870 786-7638 786-7896 786-7990 786-7640 786-7950 ann.rivers@ brandon.vick@ liz.pike@ dean.takko@ jim.walsh@ brian.blake@ john.braun@ richard.debolt@ ed.orcutt@ marko.liias@ strom.peterson@ leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov

DISTRICT 25 DISTRICT 26 DISTRICT 27 DISTRICT 28

Rep. Melanie Rep. Joyce Sen. Jan Rep. Jesse Rep. Michelle Sen. Jeannie Rep. Laurie Rep. Jake Sen. Steve Rep. Dick Rep. Christine Stambaugh (R) McDonald (R) Angel (R) Young (R) Caldier (R) Darneille (D) Jinkins (D) Fey (D) O’Ban (R) Muri (R) Kilduff (D) 786-7948 786-7968 786-7650 786-7964 786-7802 786-7652 786-7930 786-7974 786-7654 786-7890 786-7958 melanie.stambaugh joyce.mcdonald jan.angel@ jesse.young@ larry.seaquist@ jeannie.darneille laurie.jinkins@ jake.fey @ steve.oban@ dick.muri@ christine.kilduff @leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov

DISTRICT 32 DISTRICT 33 DISTRICT 34 DISTRICT 35 DISTRICT 36

Rep. Ruth Sen. Karen Rep. Tina Rep. Mia Sen. Sharon Rep.Sen. Eileen Sharon Rep. Joe Sen. Tim Sheldon Rep. Dan Rep. Drew Sen. Reuven Kagi (D) Keiser (D) Orwall (D) Gregerson (D) K. Nelson (D) Cody,K. Nelson D-34, (D) Fitzgibbon (D) (MCC) (D) Griffey (R) MacEwen (R) Carlyle (D) 786-7910 786-7664 786-7834 786-7868 786-7667 (786-7978)786-7667 786-7952 786-7668 786-7966 786-7902 786-7670 drew.macewen@ ruth.kagi@ karen.keiser@ tina.orwall@ mia.gregerson@ sharon.nelson@ ([email protected] joe.fitzgibbon@ timothy.sheldon@ dan.griffey@ reuven.carlyle@ leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov)leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov DISTRICT 40 DISTRICT 41 DISTRICT 42 DISTRICT 43

Sen. Kevin Rep. Kristine Rep. Jeff Sen. Lisa Rep. Tana Rep. Judy Sen. Doug Rep. Luanne Rep. Vincent Sen. Jamie Rep. Nicole Ranker (D) Lytton (D) Morris (D) Wellman (D) Senn (D) Clibborn (D) Ericksen (R) Van Werven (R) Buys (R) Pedersen (D) Macri (D) 786-7678 786-7800 786-7970 786-7641 786-7894 786-7926 786-7682 786-7980 786-7854 786-7628 786-7826 kevin.ranker@ kristine.lytton@ jeff.morris@ lisa.wellman@ tana.senn@ judy.clibborn@ doug.ericksen luanne.vanwerven vincent.buys jamie.pedersen@ nicole.macri@ leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov

DISTRICT 47 DISTRICT 48 DISTRICT 49 SENATE MORE CONTACT INFORMATION: PRESIDENT Legislative Message Hotline: 1-800-562-6000 By mail: • Senate: P.O. Box 404 (insert LD#) Olympia, WA 98504-04 (insert LD#) • House: P.O. Box 40600 Olympia, WA 98504-0600 Governor’s Office: Rep. Mark Rep. Pat Sen. Patty Rep. Vandana Rep. Joan Sen. Annette Rep. Sharon Rep. Monica Cyrus Habib (360) 902-4111 (For relay operators Hargrove (R) Sullivan (D) Kuderer (D) Slatter (D) McBride (D) Cleveland (D) Wylie (D) Jurado Lieutenant for the deaf or hearing impaired, 786-7918 786-7858 786-7936 786-7848 786-7924 Stonier (D) 786-7694 786-7696 Governor please dial 7-1-1) mark.hargrove pat.sullivan@ patty.kuderer@ valdana.slatter@ joan.mcbride annette.cleveland@ sharon.wylie@ 786-7872 E-mail form: www.governor.wa. @leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov @leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov leg.wa.gov monica.stonier@ 786-7700 gov/contact/default.asp leg.wa.gov Mail: P.O. Box 40002 Olympia, WA 98504-0002 JanuaryJanuary 20172017 WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee PagePage 5 5 ON THE SCENE IN 2017 RPEC: Medicare attack targets current workers he second item on U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan’s RPEC agenda, after repealing the CORNER TAffordable Care Act, is to “overhaul Medicare.” Online: He has been attempting to quiet rpecwa.org the current Medicare beneficiaries, by promising that they would not be im- The plan would replace Medicare pacted immediately. Instead he plans with vouchers or coupons for future on targeting those not yet eligible, Medicare beneficiaries to use to buy with disastrous consequences. insurance on the private market and While Medicare has provided raise the eligibility age from 65 to 67. multiple generations of seniors with The amount of the voucher would protection from financial ruin due to depend on the region where the ben- the unavoidable increases is health- eficiary lives. care costs as they age, the costs of the Beneficiaries who choose a more program have been high especially as expensive plan would generally pay the federal government has been pay- higher premiums, while those who ing out massive sums to private insur- choose plans costing less than the ance companies. vouchers are worth, would receive re- tional Medicare, and Medicare costs their members of Congress to not en- The overall goal is no longer to bates or extra benefits. would eventually be unsustainable, act these harmful changes. support this successful program, The traditional fee-for-service as most so-called “premium support” Leaders from all 10 congressional which has proven itself over the past Medicare program would compete plans tie the value of the coupon to an districts are scheduling meetings with 50 years to be cornerstone for retire- directly with plans offered by private index that has in the past grown much their representatives around the up- ment security. Instead, it is to push insurers. more slowly than the cost of health coming February recess and they need future Medicare beneficiaries into the This would seriously undermine care. to hear from us. private market. the retirement security of both current The RPEC Council Office will be Ryan’s plan includes eliminating and future retirees. Why this matters to current WFSE/ providing regular updates on the sta- Medicare’s guaranteed health benefits Out-of-pocket costs in the form of tus the effort to undermine Medicare. in favor of a system of vouchers, or as AFSCME-represented state employ- deductibles and co-pays would sky- he refers to them “premium supports” ees rocket. For more information please visit our as outlined in his “A Better Way,” a Vouchers will leave seniors with website rpecwa.org or our Facebook page document that promises cuts to Social pay higher out-of-pocket costs than Public sector-workers and retirees facebook.com/rpecwa. Security, Medicare and Medicaid. they would have paid under tradi- need to continue to put pressure on

More scenes from the front lines as 2017 legislative session starts -- and WFSE/AFSCME members tell lawmakers why funding the contracts matters

At WFSE/AFSCME Lobby Training Jan. 7 in Seattle, Legislative and Political Action Director Dennis Eagle (right) with three guest legislators (from left): Sen. , 33rd Dist.; Rep. Zack Hudgins, 11th Dist.; and Rep. Roger Goodman, 45th Dist.

Lobby Training, Jan. 7, Seattle. MLK Lobby Day, Jan. 16, Olympia.

Bing Bristol, Local 443, MLK Lobby Day, Olympia, testifies in Senate Jan. 16, Olympia. MLK Lobby Day, Jan. 16, Olympia. for funding our contracts

Page 6 WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee January 2017 THE CORNER PAGE

Huffington Post, there are 6 rea- Available for your workgroup sons why you should invest in by request SAFETY Health and Safety Training: • Active Threat Response Train- CORNER • Every workplace has an ele- ing (2 hours) ment of risk. • It increases staff productivity. Scheduled classroom training afety training teaches us • You would be complying with how to minimize risks we the law. • Community Emergency Re- can be exposed to. • You will be avoiding a poten- sponse Team (CERT) (3 Days) SKeeping our workplace safe tial compensation claim or suit. begins with each of us acquiring • You would be enhancing your • First Aid Basic (1 Day) the necessary knowledge so that image positively. we are equipped to respond to • You will be saving costs. • First Aid Plus (1/2 Day) the inherent risks in our jobs. For instance, in the General While the departments you • Managing Job Stress (1 Day) Government Collective Bargain- work in have their own unique ing Agreement, Article 20.1, the health and safety training offer- • Violence in the Workplace (1 employer, employee and union ings, take note of the classes be- Day) have a significant responsibility ing offered by the Department for workplace safety and health. of Enterprise Services (DES). As employees, we are a cru- For more information, go Safety Corner is a project of the WFSE/AFSCME cial part of the safety equation. to their website at www.des. Health and Safety Committee. According to an article in the wa.gov/training The AFSCME Free College Benefit http://freecollege.afscme.org/

Jennifer Berube, a custodian Deborah Brookshire, a Wendy Jones Pitsch, (360) Debbie Wolfe, a financial SHARED LEAVE 1 at Fircrest School in management analyst 4 with 756-5772, or your human services specialist 3 with Shoreline and a member the Employment Security resource office. DSHS in Tacoma and a REQUESTS of Local 341, is in need of Department in Olympia and member of Local 53, is shared leave to cover Feb. 1 a member of Local 443, has Terri Madison, an industrial in need of shared leave. Bobby Dean, a maintenance to May 31. She is recovering been approved for shared insurance underwriter 4 with Contact: your human resource custodian with Eastern from injuries suffered in a fall leave. Contact: Kathleen the Department of Labor and office. Washington University in that resulted in a broken ankle Young, (360) 902-9538, or Industries in Tumwater and Cheney and a member of and leg. She has exhausted your human resource office. a member of Local 443, has Judith McMahon, a Local 931, has been approved all leave. Contact: your been approved for shared WorkFirst program specialist for shared leave. He is human resource office. Nicole Miles, a WorkFirst leave. She is requesting with DSHS in Bremerton and requesting shared leave to Jina Wilson, a financial program specialist with DSHS shared leave to cover the a member of Local 1181, has cover the time he will be out services specialist 3 with in Puyallup and a member of time she will be out of office been approved for shared of office for knee replacement DSHS in Tumwater and a Local 53, has been approved for recovery from surgery leave. Contact: your human and recovery. Contact: Viralyn member of Local 443, has for shared leave. Contact: and post-surgical treatments. resource office. Conrath at (509) 359-4300 or been approved for shared your human resource office. Contact: Cattlena Nguyen, your human resource office. leave. Contact: your human (360) 902-5679 or your To place approved shared resource office. Angela Briggs, a financial human resource office. leave requests: [email protected], Jacqueline Walker, a services specialist 3 with or Tavie Smith at 1-800-562- WorkFirst specialist 4 with Mari Wyatt, an office DSHS in Seattle and a Pierre Humphrey II, a 6002, or e-mail them at tim@ the Employment Security assistant lead with the member of Local 843, is social service specialist 3 wfse.org or [email protected]. Department in Spokane and Department of Corrections in need of shared leave. with DSHS in Seattle and a • Donations of unused annual a member of Local 1221, has in Seattle and a member Contact: your human resource member of Local 843, has leave, sick leave or all or part been approved for shared of Local 308, is in need of office. been approved for shared of personal holidays can be leave through Feb. 6, 2017 shared leave to cover the time leave for up to four months to made. for a serious health condition. she will miss while recovering Crystal Wagner, a social care for his seriously ill father, • In all cases, agencies or insti- Contact: Kathleen Young from surgery. Mari expects to service specialist 3 with Pierre Humphrey Sr., a former tutions must approve requests at (360) 902-9538, or your be out until the first of June. DSHS in Bellingham and a custodian and Local 1488 to donate and receive shared human resource office. Contact: Jenny Tan (206) member of Local 1060, is in member at the University leave. 516-7739 or your own human need of shared leave to deal of Washington in Seattle. resources office. with a medical issue. Contact: Contact: your human resource office.

Services were held “She mentored many financial “She was a devoted wife, mother, IN MEMORIAM Dec. 28, in Bancroft, services specialists and was a longtime daughter, sister, friend, grandmother Idaho. and respected shop steward,” said col- and great-grandmother. IN MEMORIAM: Kathryn Lowell, Those who knew league and Local 1253 member Scott “She loved many, and she was a retired and longtime member and her remember her for Mueggler. loved by many. activist of Tri-Cities Local 1253 when her patience, never “Kathryn was thought of very “Her home was always open to she worked for DSHS there, died Dec. Kathryn Lowell aspiring to be a lead highly by her clients for her patience, anyone in need. 17 with her family by her side in El- or supervisor but who understanding and efforts in helping “Kathryn loved to sew, play the lensburg. helped many col- those in need. piano, and she was an active member She was 73. leagues along the way to success and “A fine lady and a role model.” of The Church of Jesus Christ of Lat- She retired in April 2009. promotion. According to her official obituary: ter-Day Saints.”

January 2017 WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee Page 7 UNION NEWS Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2017

WFSE/AFSCME members join celebration of Dr. King’s economic-justice legacy

(WFSE staff, Locals 843, 304 and 1488 and Washington News Service contributed to this re- port)

cores of mem- bers from several WFSE/AFSCME Slocals celebrated the leg- acy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 16 by joining the 10,000-strong MLK Day March in Seattle. Organized and funded in large part by WFSE/AFSCME members, the march went from Garfield High School to downtown Seattle, ending at the Federal Building. A hero of the civil-rights movement, King is also re- membered for his work on the cause of economic justice. His commitment to economic rights was no less important.

Dr. King has a special place in the hearts of AFSCME WFSE/AFSCME members with U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, 7th Congressional members in this state and District (second from left). across the country. Kevin Allen, Local 843, prepares for the MLK Day event. He was assassinated in April 1968 in Memphis where said. Allen said it’s one of the he’d gone to support striking “They were all part of the biggest and longest-running sanitation workers as they rights of humans to live in MLK Day marches in the struggled with the resistant dignity, to be able to have a country. city leaders for fair treatment. living wage.” “We want to celebrate the They found a home with King frequently was in- life of Dr. King and also ex- AFSCME and an ally in Dr. volved with AFSCME strikes pound on and remind people King. After King’s death, the and rallies, including the fate- of the values of what he lived city agreed to the first con- ful events of April 1968. for and ultimately died for,” tract. he said. th His presence at labor The 35 annual Martin marches often is overshad- Luther King Jr. Day celebra- Allen also noted the impor- owed by his role in marches tion in Seattle began when tance of the rally in highlight- in Selma and Washington members of the community ing the collective action King D.C. wanted to change the name of espoused. But, Kevin Allen, a mem- Empire Way to Martin Luther He said he reminds ber of King County Human King Jr. Way. They succeeded young people that if they Services Local 843 who works and, eventually, King County want to change the world, at DSHS, said that unions was named in his honor as they can’t do it alone. gave African-Americans some well. “If there’s something of their first opportunities as Welch Kevin Allen, Anne-Marie Cavanaugh, Michael Abate, Sarah Bright, Tim Photos from: Now the annual march that you feel is unjust or un- free laborers in this country. and rally features speeches fair and you want to make King understood this and and workshops on everything change, you have to get the power of organized labor “Dr. King recognized that economic rights and workers’ from bullying to immigrant people to come together,” Al- and collective action. the work of civil rights and rights were connected,” Allen rights to human trafficking. len said. Page 8 WFSE/AFSCME Washington State Employee January 2017