Post Janus IS Union Time

POST JANUS IS UNION TIME – A Message from Local 1054 President Kristina Johnson-Short

Unions have been under attack for decades and the attacks continue.  Organizations like the Freedom Foundation are attempting to get members to opt out of the union as you can get the same benefits and not have to pay the union dues.  Because of the Janus case ruling, there is some truth to this. As a result of the Janus ruling, the Nation is a Right to Work nation.  What this means is that agencies can no longer require employees to pay union dues in any fashion.  It is now a decision an employe has to make.

Prior to Janus if an employee was opposed to being a union member, they could choose to be rep-fee payers.  These individuals paid less dues each month.  The fees they paid were to cover the fees of representation but didn’t cover other union costs.  The day after Janus these members automatically became non-union members. 

In anticipation of the ruling, WFSE Council 28 chose to be proactive. The launch of the 100% Union campaign was designed to ask members to commit to being in the union for at least a year.  The action has benefited us State Employees during negotiations.  Currently we have the ability to collective bargain our contracts. Every two years elected members of the Union and Union staff negotiate with State management on the terms of our contract. Negotiations started this year right before the Janus decision was announced.  At the first meeting of negotiations management asked why they should negotiate out contract as with Janus the union would be no more.  WE were able to show management that we had members already committing to OUR union though the 100% Union Campaign.  By showing management that we are STILL A STRONG UNION we were able to negotiate a strong contract.

Where members now have the choice to pay or not pay, to be a member or not be a member, the benefits are clear.  Those who choose to not pay may benefit from the benefits of the union and the negotiated contract, but if too many members drop, or if union membership lowers, our ability to negotiate with management also weaken.  We are stronger together. Aren’t our gains and strength as a Union worth the cost of our dues?  Isn’t investing in the future of State Employees worth being in a union?  If you are considering not being a union member, or if you have chosen to no longer be a union member, PLEASE look at other states that have weak unions.  You will find that there are some states that their contracts have no protections for their employees and the pay is less.  If it is not in our contract, we can’t grieve a situation as they occur in our work place.  No union agency is going to be perfect. I will be the first to admit that I don’t agree with everything that the Union does, but the benefits of being a member and keeping the Union strong is far more valuable to me as a State Worker than areas that I don’t agree with.  The grievance process is not quick or perfect, but at least we have this option to protect us from the was management treats us.  I for one am sticking with OUR Union. Below is an article that the Federation posted regarding some of the tentative agreement that was reached between members and management.  The work is not over.  We need to keep pressure on legislation to pass our contract.  This can be done by phone calls, emails, and lobbying your representatives. Unity together = Strength!

 

Tentative Agreement Reached!

By

Laura Reisdorph on Wednesday, September 12 2018 - 4:48pm

A tentative agreement was reached September 11 on a new General Government contract for state employees that includes:

·         across-the-board raises of 6 percent over two years

·         holds the line on employees’ share of health insurance premiums

·         UMP out-of-pocket costs, and creates a new flexible spending account benefit for workers making $50,000.00/year or less

·         targeted pay adjustments for over 10,200 members

·         regional compensation of 5% for members who work in King County!

The agreement will go a long way to bringing real raises to some 32,000 state agency workers represented by the AFSCME Council 28 (WFSE).

“The groundbreaking gains we made in this contract would not have been possible without members’ persistent job actions, phone calls, strategic planning and, most of all, their solidarity. I’m so proud of the collective action of our members at the bargaining table and on the ground. Together we have made a real difference in the lives of all of our members,” said WFSE President Sue Henricksen.

Thank you for taking action across the state to close the gap on compensation. This contract helps struggling state employee families and protects taxpayers by taking steps to address the revolving door in state hiring so dedicated state employees can afford to answer the call of service.

General Government Union members now must vote to accept or reject that tentative agreement. More details on the tentative agreement and ratification will be posted soon.

The new two-year General Government Collective Bargaining Agreement would take effect July 1, 2019, and expire June 30, 2021. The ratification vote must take place by Oct. 1 and information about the vote will be coming soon. It then goes to the governor’s budget office for inclusion in his budget request. The 2019 Legislature will vote up or down on funding. If they reject the funding, the contract will go back for renegotiation.

To ensure legislative ratification of our contract, is it important for all members to vote in the upcoming General Election in November. We are Stronger Together!