|
August 11, 2007 - Yakima
WPEA members came together in solidarity to
decide the future direction of their Union through
governance, legislative/political action, and negotiations. The Executive Board met the day before to
approve the collective bargaining structure and the
bargaining team nominations process. They also took action
and made recommendations on the proposed resolutions that were then presented to the membership at
the Annual Meeting. A Banquet in Honor of WPEA's Bulldog
Action Team members followed on Friday evening.
Saturday morning began with an opening photo
presentation of "Members in Action,"
followed by a report on the Union's issues, actions and accomplishments over the
past year. She talked of the many grievances the union
filed; the arbitration process; and the importance of
member's policing their contract.
WPEA President Greg Parker then discussed the
recent International Union Per Capita Fees and open the
floor for questions and discussion. There was a positive
dialogue on how improve communications regarding UFCW and
the changes that have come about due to WPEA’s partnership
with them. Members were referred to the web site (www.WPEA.org/History_ Affiliation.htm)
to get more information regarding the historical choice
members made to affiliate with UFCW in 2003.
WPEA's Government Relations Director, Luis
Moscoso, then gave an overview of our 2007
Legislative Successes, as well as issues the Union will
continue working on in 2008. He gave a brief explanation of
what WPEA did to try to stop the repeal of gain-sharing and
our deep disappointment with the legislature's choice to
take away this major benefit to our members.
WPEA’s Executive Director then talked about
upcoming Collective Bargaining for the 2009-11
contracts that will begin in 2008. She explained how to
Propose Contract Language changes and/or additions that
must be submitted to the Union by October 31, 2007. Finally,
an overview of the process for creating the Union's
bargaining teams was given, and the floor was opened for
Bargaining Team Nominations. WPEA will continue to take
nominations until September 30, 2007, with a mail-in
ballot vote in October to determine who will represent WPEA
on the bargaining teams.
The morning session ended with an Overview
of the New 2007-09 General Government and Higher Education
Contracts. Members took advantage of meeting breaks to network with each other
and WPEA
staff, and check out the Legislative/Political Action
information table.
During lunch, WPEA Honored Member
Activists who have gone above and beyond for their union
and their co-workers. WPEA President Parker presented a
special award to a team of Department of Revenue members who
worked hard and were determined to provide lawmakers with
information regarding the negative impacts of repealing
gain-sharing on PERS 3 members.
Also
during lunch, WPEA’s 2007 Scholarship winners, Marcia
Wilson Howard from Bellevue Community College and Cara Beth
Stevenson from Grays Harbor College, got up and shared
their experience at the 2007 TESC Summer School for Women and Community Activists.
Both told of meeting women from all over the
Pacific NW with varying degrees of union activism. They
participated in activities and actions that reinforced the
importance of women being a strong force in the labor
movement.
The Annual Meeting attendees spent the
afternoon reviewing, discussing, and voting on
Resolutions regarding contract proposals and goals to be
achieved on behalf of the general membership. These involved
salaries and benefits, health care, working conditions, and
pension improvements through legislative programs and
political action.
We would like to thank our member leaders who took time
away from their busy schedule to participate in the
governance of their union! |
Resolutions