Welcome to the new board
On January 10, the 2015-2017 WPEA board was installed. This includes new WPEA President Kent Stanford (DNR) and Secretary-Treasurer Mark Baca (DOR).
There are many familiar faces on the 2015-2017 Executive Board, including WPEA Recorder Fawn Hacker, and vice presidents Carl Sofie (1), Raoul Perez (2), Frank Akerley (3), Larry Pasco (4), Roger Montanez (5), and Becky Turnbull (9). And past vice president Patti Pollardo has returned to represent District 7 and Mary Davis also joined the board, representing District 11.
The vice president positions for Districts 6, 8, and 10 remain open and will be appointed by the 2015-2017 executive board.
A message from President Kent Stanford
As I start my term as union president, I am committed to my promise of a member-driven union. I look forward to meeting with members around the state, to stay connected to the issues we face as public employees. Feel free to email me anytime: kent@wpea.org
2015 Legislature will look at COLAs
In the next 100 days, the legislature will decide whether to fund the 2015-17 state employee contracts. Contact your legislator to let them know how important this issue is to you, their constituent. It's important to continue to fight for the first cost-of-living increases since 2008.
The increases passed the first hurdle when the Office of Financial Management certified that were financially feasible. Read more about the OFM finding in The Olympian.Also, Governor Inslee included funding for the 2015-2017 state employee contracts. Read the budget highlights.
As the session progresses, we’ll work to fund these contracts, give public employees a voice in policy changes, save pensions, and stop attacks on your right to bargain. To join the fun this legislative session, contact Seamus Petrie at Seamus@wpea.org or (800) 544-9732 x116.
In memoriam
On January 12, WPEA member Kathy Garner passed away. A WPEA member since 1989, she worked for Fort Vancouver Regional Library in Goldendale.
"Kathy was known for her strong belief in the FVRL mission and will be remembered as someone who loved coming to work and contributing to her community," said FVRL HR Director Lee Strehlow. "Outside of the library her passion was gardening and she could be counted on to share the bounty with her coworkers, family and friends."
WPEA extends our condolences to the family, friends, and coworkers of Kathy Garner.
Members approve contracts for 2015-17
The contracts include two across-the-board increases: a 3% raise in July 2015 and approximately 1.8% in 2016.
- View the tentative agreement for General Government and
the summary of changes - View the tentative agreement for Higher Education and
the summary of changes
The new health benefits agreement maintains the 85/15 premium split and limits out-of-pocket cost increases in the UMP Classic plan.
Thank you to the bargaining team members!
The General Government team included Frank Ackerly (DOR), Paul Baldwin (WSSB), Jeff Freshley (WSDA), Joe Hubbard (DOL), Tim Lynch (WSLCB), Frank Marshall (DOR), Larry Pasco (WSP), and Kent Stanford (DNR).
The Higher Education team included Candace Alvarez (OC), Jaleel Brown (TCC), Rafe Carroll (WVCC), Billie Garner (CC), Linda Gulbransen (PC), Randy Karnath (GHC), Mindy Neissl (WWCC), Jan Ng (BC), Patti Pollardo (EdCC), and Alex Swidergal (CCC).
The Highline College team included Dana Rollins, George Babcock, and Gary McCune.
The Yakima Valley Community College team included Jeff Morrow, Lisa Rice, Marie Kennedy, and Pam Moon.