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Table of Contents
Vision, Mission, Core Values..................................2
Welcome Letter.......................................................3
Unions Build a Strong Middle Class .....................4
Income Inequality...................................................5
Workers Rights and Union Representation............6
Building a Strong Union.........................................8
Union Membership Matters....................................9
Collective Bargaining...........................................10
Members are Our Strength - Get Involved........... 11
Union Membership Difference.............................14
Community Involvement......................................16
Member Benefits...................................................18
WFSE/AFSCME Locals.......................................20
Office Locations....................................................21
Vision
Mission
Core Values
Strategic Goals
Improve state employee and community image.
Increase member participation.
Build a new contract campaign.
Organize and engage private-sector public service employees to fight privatization
and continue a Volunteer Member Organizer (VMO) program.
Page 2 AFSCME Council 28 Public Service Makes Washington Better
WELCOME
If you are new to state government or the public service sector, congratulations
on your new job. If youre considering joining or if youre getting reacquainted
with your union, welcome to the Washington Federation of State Employees,
AFSCME Council 28, the most powerful and democratic union in Washington
State.
We represent state employees who work in General Government, Higher Education
and public service groups like Independent Provider Interpreters, American
Behavioral Health Systems and American Friends Service Committee.
As you learn more about the union, I am certain you will have numerous questions.
This booklet will provide some initial information to get you started.
Sue Henricksen
WFSE/AFSCME President
Local 53
DSHS DD Field Services
Find me on Facebook:
http://facebook.com/
sue.henricksen
Stay informed. Connect with
Council 28. Learn how at
www.wfse.org or on the inside
front cover page.
To join and become a member, complete the enclosed membership card. There
is a big difference between choosing to be a full member and the non-member
fee payer. If you support fair wages and strong benefits, we encourage you to
become a full member. Being a member entitles you to voting rights during all
union elections, the right to participate in union activities, surveys, functions and
to members-only union benefits.
WFSE/AFSCME members wrote the Vision, Mission and Core Values statement on the opposite page. Everything we do and all actions we take are directly
related to them. Together we make a difference.
We are the union and together we strengthen our voice.
I am honored to serve you as your president. I hope this booklet helps you begin
your journey as a member of WFSE/AFSCME.
Sincerely,
Sue Henricksen
President, AFSCME Council 28
WASHINGTON FEDERATION OF STATE EMPLOYEES (WFSE) www.wfse.org Page 3
About Unions
INCOME
INEQUALITY
Workers Rights
Workers have the right to organize a union to negotiate wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of
employment.
Union members have the right to bargain collectively through representatives of employees own
choosing for a contract that covers wages, benefits,
hours, and other working conditions.
Union members have the right to go public (demonstrate, rally, sign-wave, wear issue-related buttons,
shirts). There are some locational restrictions. Check
with your Shop Steward.
Union members have the right to receive all the
benefits achieved by the union in negotiating employment benefits with your employer.
Representation
With WFSE/AFSCME, youre empowered with
the most effective representation available for state
employees and workers in the public service.
With the heads of individual agencies, institutions of higher education and private owners;
Before the state Legislature;
The union helps members with day-to-day problems, as well as reallocation requests, classification
and pay issues, and monitoring attempts to outsource
public services.
REPRESENTATION
Weingarten Rights
If you are called into a meeting with a management representative
and you have reason to believe that disciplinary action against you
may result, you have the right to have a union representative present
during this meeting. Read the statement below to the management
representative, and contact your steward immediately:
If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or
terminated, or affect my personal working conditions, I request that
my union representative, officer, or steward be present at the meeting. Without representation, I choose not to answer any questions.
The following guidelines apply:
The employee must make a clear request for union representation
before or during the interview.
The employer must grant the request and delay questioning until
the union representative arrives and has a chance to consult privately with the employee; deny the request and end the interview
immediately; or give the employee a choice of having the interview without representation or ending the interview.
If the employer denies the request for union representation and
continues to ask questions, it commits an unfair labor practice
and the employee has the right to refuse to answer. The employer
may not discipline the employee for such a refusal.
Weingarten Rights do not apply to coaching meetings, giving instructions or handing out discipline. Check with your shop steward or staff
representative if you need more information.
Union memberships connects you to the historical and growing movement of working people standing up for their right to negotiate for fair
wages and working conditions.
In 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. died while defending AFSCME sanitation workers in
Memphis who were fighting for their dignity and the right to collectively bargain.
JOIN
Union membership helps us build a strong and united voice for public
service and the services we provide.
Joining is easy. Complete and sign a membership card and return it to a shop steward or HR representative at your workplace or simply fold, seal and drop in the mail.
Are you concerned about what has happened to state and public employees over the past few years?
Coordinated attacks on unions and workers rights across the country could soon impact us right here in
Washington. We are at a crossroads. Either we unite and use our voice - and rights - like never before to
strengthen our union or we may lose all weve gained:
Living wages
Basic union rights
Affordable health care
Real pensions
We cannot take our rights and benefits for granted any longer. The most important way you can help
grow this movement of working people is by becoming a union member today.
Find a membership card between pages XX and XX. Reach us at 800-562-6002 or contactus@wfse.org.
WASHINGTON FEDERATION OF STATE EMPLOYEES (WFSE) www.wfse.org Page 9
Collective Bargaining
Refer to
to RCW
RCW 41.80
41.80 (State
(State Collective
Collective Bargaining)
Bargaining)
Refer
Negotiations
During negotiations, the input and
support of members is key to winning strong contracts.
www.wfse.org/contracts
GET INVOLVED
WA S H I N G TO N F E D E R AT I O N O F S TAT E E M P L O Y E E S ( W F S E ) A F S C M E C O U N C I L 2 8 A F L - C I O
Council 28
Council 28 Convention
Our policy committees are: Corrections, Employment Security, Human Services, Institutions, Higher
Education, Labor and Industries,
Miscellaneous, Natural Resources,
Public Service and Transportation.
The highest governing body of AFSCME International is the convention of the membership. This convention is held in even-numbered
years. Locals elect delegates and
alternates and convene with other
AFSCME members from across the
country to conduct business.
www.wfse.org/leaders
Member Activities
Council 28
Green Caucus
Public Safety Caucus
Conservative Caucus
Skilled Labor & Trades
LGBTQI
www.wfse.org/get-involved/
GET INVOLVED
Find details on www.wfse.org/get-involved/
Lunch-n-Learns
Take Action
Political Activists
Member Lobbying
http://www.wfse.org/take-action/
www.wfse.org/come-to-olympia/
Union-Management
Member Organizers
Membership difference
UW Custodian Wins
PROUD HISTORY
CIVIL RIGHTS
Did you know that long before the Civil Rights Act
of 1964 and the Memphis Strike, WFSE/AFSCME
already had a CIVIL RIGHTS committee. Today,
were on the front lines against discrimination, workplace bullying and pay inequity.
CIVIL SERVICE
COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING
PAY EQUITY
Before collective bargaining, state employees had
to beg politicians for pay raises. This system of
begging not bargaining ended in 2002 with the
passage of the WFSE/AFSCME-initiated full-scope
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING law that allows state
employees to negotiate pay and benefits.
Nearly 40,000 WFSE represented workers are now
covered by strong contract protections.
ww.wfse.
org/cont
ract-sol
idarity-ro
und-up/
Childre
ns Adm
in
postcar
d camp istration work
aign to
protect ers start
at-risk c
hildren
Community Involvement
IN SOLIDARITY
Seth Cr
aw
Contract ford, an electricia
Solidarity
n
event on at Western Was
hington
the Bellin
Un
gham ca
mpus. M iversity, at Aug.
13
ore, page
4.
PEBB
Public service doesnt stop at the end of the workday for this
unions members. Were there for our neighbors, communities
and good causes. enda 2008
A delega
tio
Governo n of Childrens Ad
rs
m
postcard Office Aug. 4 sh inistration mem
bers met
ortly befo
campaig
n
wi
re
oads, an
d underfu to address crushi kicking off a stat th the
ng worklo
nding fo
ewide
From le
r childre
ft: Joyc
ad
and case
ns service
eM
Local 12
ls.
21, Spok urphy, Local 31
3, Vancou
ane; An
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na Bake
ver; Terr
cal 843,
r, Lo
i Jo
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VOL. 35 NO
DECEMBER
Action Ag
2007
See 2,3,6,7.
Help wi
th scho
TON
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WASHIN
LP
YOU CAN HE
After
the
flood
WFSE/
Give to the d
oo
Fl
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M
C
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Relief Fund
t memto assis
ll be used s trying to
Funds wi
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their fam
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disaster.
from the
recover
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d memb
Locals an sending contribu
by
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the fund
SCME m
other de
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to:
le
lp WFSE/
ch in to he
ted by
Members pit
ilies devasta
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flo
s
this month
We wan
lies in w
The Fe
stepping deration is
up to he
of this
lp victim
su
s
wildfir mmer s deva
es
stating
Washing in Central
ton.
The W
FSE/A
Women
FSCME
s
Comm /Equal Partne
itte
rs
effort to e has started
an
help sc
burned
hools in
-out ar
th
e
ea with
supplie
school
s.
Membe
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send ch
d locals
ecks to
can
:
make do
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WFSE
membe
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rs who to help
Schoo
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fir
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sions in st homes or
c/o 1212 upplies Fund e
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Send ca
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sh dona e wildfires.
Suite 30 fferson St. S.
tions to
0
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:
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98501
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IN TIMES OF TRAGEDY
Seattle CC
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Local 304
co-worke
Longtime
team with
custodians to higher job class
ost
to win bo
been
rrison has
David Mo
Comat Seattle
a custodian es Central
lleg
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munity Co
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Cap
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campus.
todian on s been a custodian
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tim
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Yet Morris ed as the
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That didnt longtime cusother
Morrison,
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todian 1s.
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This tim
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per class
lead custod
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24
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us attentio
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months,
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page 6
Day to foc
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SCME
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Smith, the
p steward.
WFSE/AF
They don
pushed the
for
Im a sho
Smith, and entative Gary
Equal Pay
Its why
adminisres
demanding
ement.
Field Rep
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tration to
with manag
Equal Wo that we deserve
Hill, met
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bump the
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Locals tak ily providers win
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Adult fam
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Shared lea
dont
you
and
er
, ea fee pay
If youre
publication te:
eive this
wri
wish to rec e@wfse.org, or
St.
wfs
2 Jefferson
mail us at
SCME, 121 ia, WA 98501
WFSE/AF
mp
Oly
,
300
S.E., Suite
The Pu
blic Em
Benefit
ployee
s Board
s
Ju
proved
change ly 31 aps
mium
rate an to 2015 pred other
change
bene
s,
genera including wha fit
lly
t
gender referred to as are
benefit
transs.
(These
af
fe
ct state
and high
agency
employ er education
state
ees; they
to our
dont ap
Public
ply
Service
membe
Sect
rs, like
medical or
inter-
Health
care
matters
See PEB
ildfire a
B, page
rea
Wildfire
bears
down on
Alta Lake
State Pa
rk
(Photo
courtesy
Don Hall)
WFSE/
AFS
forwar
d those CME will
checks
Founda
to
ti
Families on for Working the
,
and ha the natural di
rdship
sa
50
fund ad
1(c)(3) ster
m
Washing inistered by
the
ton Stat
Counc
e
Labor
il.
IN TIMES OF NEED
INSIDE:
preters.
)
Starting Jan.
1,
premiu
m
will go s
down fo
r
the larg
est Gro
up
Health
plan bu
t
will inall othe
crease
r pl
slight in ans, includin for
cr
g
form M eases in the
Uniedical
WFSE/ Plan.
AFSCM
tive Dir
E
Execuec
and Ret tor Greg Dev
er
ir
ees Cou ed Public Em eux
ployncil Pres
Rench
id
en
t Gwen
were th
e only
board
al work!
for equ
t equal pay
jo
Stat
de Labogates to the Washi ined
ME Floo
ng
July when r Council Conven ton
WFSE/AFSC
tion in
they
nd
Fu
ra
f
ise
lie
d $1
Re
, ,900 fopassed the hat and
E.
S.
.
St
r
on
wildfire re
rs
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98501
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Benefits
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om
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IN SOLIDARITY
WFSE/AFSCME works with advocates on efforts for living wage, fair treatment, worker rights,
non-discrimination and collective bargaining for all. Working together, we make change happen.
Member Benefits
When you become a full duespaying member of WFSE/AFSCME Council 28, you can save
thousands of dollars on goods
and services through the Members Only Benefits Program.
www.wfse.org/member-benefits/
WFSE/AFSCME Members Only Benefits Program
(includes links to AFSCME Advantage and UnionPlus at the national level)
www.afscme.org/members/advantage
AFSCME Advantage
www.unionplus.org
Union Plus
BENEFITS
LEGAL
LEGAL SERVICES Speak to a lawyer free about
AUTO ADVANTAGE
CAR RENTALS Save up to 25% on car rentals
with discounts from Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Dollar and Thrifty.
MOTOR CLUB Get emergency roadside assistance
and locksmith services.
AUTO BUYING SERVICE Save time and money
when you buy a new or used car or truck.
TIRES AND CAR SERVICE Save 10% off all
Goodyear tires and 5% off all sales tires. Save up
to 10% off all car service.
ALSO Auto Insurance; A Guide to Union-Made
Vehicles; more.
DENTAL HEALTH
Just for WFSE/AFSCME Council 28 members and
their families Free and discounted dental benefits
RECREATION
FAMILY CAMPOUTS Just for WFSE/AFSCME
WFSE/AFSCME Locals
Our Locals
SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON
Olympia Field Office
(360) 786-1303 | (800) 624-0256
Local 443 - Oly/Thu/Mason
Local 872 - Ecology (ThuCo)
Local 970 - GH/Pacific
Local 1463 - Pt Angeles
Local 1466 - Parks
Local 1556 - Pt Angeles DOT
Local 2753 - FishHat 1,2
Local 2964 - FishHat 3,4
Tacoma Field Office
(253) 581-4402 | (800) 924-5753
Local 53 - Tacoma
Local 482 - Retsil
Local 491 - Buckley
Local 793 - Lakewood
Local 1181 - Kitsap
Local 1466 - Parks
Vancouver Satellite Office
(360) 735-1115 | (800) 967-9356
NORTHWEST WASHINGTON
Seattle Field Office
(206) 525-5363 | (800) 924-5754
Local 304 -Seattle
Local 308 - Sea DOC
Local 341-Fircrest/EchoGlen/SOLA
Local 378 - Sea DOT
Local 843 - King HumSrv
Local 976 - King L&I
Local 1466 - Parks
Local 1488 - UW/HMC
Smokey Point Satellite Office
(360) 659-4333 | (800) 967-3816
Local 476 - SedroWoolley
Local 948 - Sno HumSrv
Local 1020 - Everett
Local 1060 - Skagit/Whatcom
Local 1381 - WWU/WCC
Local 1466 - Parks
EASTERN WASHINGTON
Spokane Field Office
(509) 326-4422 | (800) 442-8618
Local 504 - Spokane DOT
Local 573 - Lakeland Vlg
Local 782 - Medical Lake
Local 931 - Cheney
Local 1054 - Colville
Local 1066 - Pullman
Local 1208 - Davenport DOT
Local 1221 - Spokane + ABHS
Local 1299 - Wenatchee
Local 1300 - Colfax
Local 1466 - Parks
Yakima Field Office
(509) 452-9855
(800) 439-9855
Local 330 - Ellensburg
Local 396 - Walla Walla
Local 1253 - Tri-Cities
Local 1291 - Pasco DOT
Local 1301- Ellensburg
Local 1326 - Yakima
Local 1466 - Parks
www.wfse.org
(360) 659-4333
Medallion Office Suites, 16710 Smokey Point Blvd, #308, Arlington WA 98223-8435
(800) 967-3816 | (360) 657-3336 fax
WFSE/AFSCME STAFF
HEADQUARTERS
800-562-6002
Jefferson Street Offices
Executive Offices
Administration
Accounting
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FIELD OFFICES
Field Supervisors
Council Representatives
Associate Staff
STAFF ROSTER
View our staff roster online at
http://www.wfse.org/contact-us/
www.wfse.org
(800) 562-6002
Seattle Field Office
(206) 525-5363
(800) 624-0256
(800) 924-5754
(800) 924-5753
(800) 967-3816
(800) 442-8618
(509) 452-9855
(800) 439-9855
(800) 967-9356
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