HOTLINE 3/1/18

This is the Federation Hotline updated March 1.


ANOTHER PRIORITY BILL PASSES SENATE

The Senate Wednesday night (Feb. 28) passed the priority bill (HB 2669) to leave no doubt and add part-time state employees to civil service. HB 2669 passed the Senate on a vote of 27-21. It now goes to the governor for signature into law.

"Not only does exempting these employees from civil service law exclude them from the rights of just cause, the harm to the state comes at a financial burden to state resources," AFSCME Council 28 (WFSE) Secretary Tracy Stanley testified in the Senate earlier this session.

"Hiring multiple part-time employees as opposed to fewer full-time employees creates a situation where the state of Washington's agencies and institutions become a training ground for other employers."

Stanley is a Local 1400 member at Lower Columbia College in Longview.


CONTINUE CALLS TO LEGISLATORS

These bills have a lot of corporate opposition. They need to pass by tomorrow, Friday, March 2.

2SHB 1851: Bringing accountability and transparency in state outsourcing (the Taxpayer Protection Act) is now on the Senate's Second Reading Calendar.

  • CALL TO ACTION on outsourcing transparency bill. Dial 1-206-516-2072: Ask your Senator to PASS 2SHB 1851, the Taxpayer Protection Act!

2SSB 6245: Interpreter services bill is now on the House's Second Reading Calendar.

  • CALL TO ACTION on interpreter services bill.  Dial 1-800-562-6000: Urge your House members to SUPPORT 2SSB 6245 to spread the successful interpreter program demonstrated by WFSE/AFSCME Interpreters United Local 1671 members to other agencies.

A FALSE CHOICE IS NO CHOICE AT ALL

Tell your legislators to close wasteful tax breaks and invest in communities!

Last week, the state House and Senate released their budgets and there's a lot to love in both. But by pitting the two budgets against each other, Washington is faced with a false choice. We shouldn't have to sacrifice the benefits in one budget to pay for the investments in the other. If we end wasteful tax breaks that cost our communities millions every year, we won't have to choose. For this to happen, lawmakers need to hear your voice.

Will you tell your legislators to clean up the tax code so every community can thrive?

This year, we have the opportunity to support our public school teachers, ensure that every kid has a great counselor, and advance other public amenities that benefit all of us. We shouldn't have to choose between any of these important priorities so that the wealthiest in Washington can keep their tax break. By closing the tax break on capital gains, profits from the sale of high-end assets, we can start to pay for all of these key investments. Now is the time--legislators are debating the state's supplemental budget this week, and they need to hear from you. Contact your legislators today to tell them we don't have to choose!

This is our chance. We can end the tax break on capital gains and take the first step to clean up our state's upside-down tax code so that it works for everyone, not just the wealthiest 1%.

SHARED LEAVE REQUEST

IN NEED OF SHARED LEAVE: Charlie Johnson, a financial services specialist 4 with DSHS at the Lakewood Community Service Office (CSO) and a member of Local 53, has been approved for shared leave because of a family member's serious medical condition. To help with a donation of eligible unused annual leave or sick leave or all or part of your personal holiday, contact your human resource office.

That's it for now.

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