|
BAT Update
August 21,
2007
|
|
|
“It's not the size of the dog in the fight,
but the size of the fight in the dog.”
Bulldogs Honored with
Appreciation Banquet
On the eve of WPEA’s
2007 Annual Membership Meeting, over sixty Bulldogs
joined in celebrating the
Union’s many achievements over the past year.
With the hard work and dedication of these
activists, WPEA has been successful in collective
bargaining, electing pro-labor candidates, and
standing strong against pension erosion during the
legislative session.
WPEA presented those members who have been active on many levels with a
Bulldog Appreciation Award. These members, along
with so many others, are truly the backbone of this
union and are the main reason why WPEA continues
forward in a positive direction.
We were honored to
have Representative Maralyn Chase
(D-Legislative District 32) who trekked all the way
from Seattle to speak at the banquet. Representative
Chase was a major advocate for WPEA members in
championing alternatives to the
repeal of gain-sharing, and told banquet
attendees about the many battles within the
legislative process in regard to our pensions.
Though Representative
Chase thought her night was over with the speech,
WPEA’s Assistant Director of Governmental Relations, Luis
Moscoso surprised the Representative by honoring
her with WPEA’s 2007 Legislator of the Year
award. Surprised, the
Representative thanked members saying, “This means
so much. It truly means a lot to be appreciated.”
Members Speak Out at Annual
Meeting
WPEA’s Annual Membership Meeting is the best
opportunity for members to come together and help
decide the direction of their union. Members in good
standing can voice concerns directly to the WPEA
Executive Board and their fellow union members. This
year saw a positive dialogue on issues to improve
communications regarding UFCW and the changes that
have come about due to WPEA’s partnership with them.
To learn more, go to
www.WPEA.org/History_Affiliation.htm
or read the upcoming August-September issue of the
WPEA Today for more information regarding the
historical choice members made to affiliate with
UFCW in 2003.
Union Activists Honored…
During the Awards Luncheon, the following
member leaders were honored for their outstanding
union activism:
|
Outstanding Job Representative:
Laurie Cox, Department of Natural Resources
Lydia Bracco, Highline Community
College
Outstanding Recruiter:
Judy Koch-Smith, Washington School for the Blind
Elman McClain, Bellevue Community
College
Outstanding Lobbyist:
Nadine Jardine, Department of Revenue
Roger Montanez, Wenatchee Valley
College
Outstanding Member Leader:
Sharon Brown, Walla Walla Community College
Mary Davis, Pierce College
Tess Millar, Liquor Control Board
Lisa Rice, Yakima Valley College
Linda Shaw, Department of Natural
Resources
Tammy Yeakey, Department of Natural
Resources |
WPEA Bulldog of the Year:
Kent Stanford, Department of Natural Resources
Patti Pollardo, Edmonds Community
College
President’s Award to Department
of Revenue
Team:
Mark Baca
Grant Boyer
Jim Carroll
Bob Fawbush
Mark Pree
Tom Southas
Ron Vetter |
|
 |
Also during lunch, WPEA’s 2007 Scholarship
winners, Marcia Wilson Howard from Bellevue
Community College and Cara Beth Stevenson from Grays
Harbor College, shared their
experience at the 2007 TESC Summer School for Women and Community Activists.
Both told of how fun it was to meet women from all
over the Pacific NW with varying degrees of union
activism. They learned through speakers, activities
and actions just how important it is for women to be
a strong force in the labor movement.
|
Resolutions…
The afternoon was spent reviewing, debating
and making decisions on over 30 member-submitted
Resolutions. The following Resolutions specifically
direct legislative priorities for 2008:
-
Rule of 85 – Allows for members in PERS 2 and 3 to
retire at age 55 without reduction in benefits.
-
Military Service Credit
– Allows for members in PERS 2 and 3 to receive
service credit for time served prior to state
employment. (PERS 1 members already has this benefit)
-
Head Start Funding – Work
with stakeholders both national and statewide to
increase funding to Head Start programs.
-
Bullying Bill
– Provide for protections against bullying
behavior in the workplace.
-
Expanded Health Coverage
– Directs WPEA’s legislative department to work with
other stakeholders to expand health coverage to all
in Washington.
These priorities will not only be part of
WPEA’s 2008 legislative agenda, but will also be
used during the endorsement process following the
session. Bulldog Action Team members should begin preparing now to talk with
lawmakers on these issues. If you are interested in
helping with any of these legislative priorities,
please contact
Luis Moscoso,
WPEA Government Relations Director, at
1-800-544-WPEA, x119.
Volunteer Fire Fighter Bill
Goes Into
Effect
Just
in Time for Fire Season!
With 41 fires and nearly 1.1 million acres
burning across the Pacific Northwest, it is safe to
say fire fighters are busy. What better time to have
in full effect the
Volunteer Fire Fighter Bill
which allows state workers who are volunteer fire fighters
the ability to respond to duty!
WPEA member leader and volunteer fire
fighter Nadine Jardine championed this
legislation last session, and because of her efforts
has become a “rock star” among fellow state workers
who know how many lives in Washington will be
protected because they can respond!
New Union Promo Items
Available
Members who attended the 2007 Annual Meeting
were given each of the following new union promo
items: T-shirt, magnet, cup, and license plate
frame. There are still some available, but supplies
are limited, so attend your next workplace union
meeting to see what is still available!
Get Your Free Tickets to the
2007 Solidarity Day!
Join your fellow union members on Sunday,
August 26, 2007, for a fun day of baseball at the
newly renovated Cheney Stadium in Tacoma. Cheer on the Tacoma Rainiers – Seattle
Mariners’ up and coming prospects – as they take on
the Portland Beavers! There will also be lots of fun
family activities before and during the game.
Request your tickets by calling 1-800-544-WPEA, ext.
121, or contact your Staff Rep.
Know Anyone Who Hasn’t
Received Their New Contract?
WPEA mailed out the new 2007-09 Collective
Bargaining Agreements in late-June, with most
members receiving them. However, several were
returned with bad addresses. If you know of anyone
who has not received their contract, please have
them contact
WPEA Membership Coordinator,Fawn Hacker,
at 1-800-544-9732 x100.
Got Questions? Contact …
Luis Moscoso,
Government Relations Director
WPEA/UFCW Local 365
140 Percival Street NW
Olympia, WA 98502
Work (360) 943-1121 ext 119
Cell (360) 250-9330
