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FALL 2005
WPEA Files Grievance on Release Time
WPEA has filed several group and
individual grievances regarding the refusal of release
time. Agencies are acting on bad advice from
the Labor Relations Office (LRO) and interpreting
incorrectly and/or creating interpretation not supported
by the contract language, regarding release time for
union representation. Representation includes the
workplace Job Representative representation duty,
employee representation on all matters adversely
affecting them, and union staff representation of
workers in the work place.
The Department of Revenue (DOR), in
meetings and in writing, has stated that the Executive
Management Team has decided their new policy on release
time is one hour. Washington State Patrol (WSP) has
stated in writing that their policy on release time is
that thirty minutes is reasonable. The Department of
Fish & Wildlife (DFW) has also stated that the Labor
Relations Office informed them that reasonable time
should be interpreted at one hour, the same goes for the
Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
WPEA/UFCW 365 has filed grievances at all
of the above mentioned agencies. If you are told that
you can only have a limited amount of time to meet with
your Job Rep, or as a Job Rep, you can only meet with an
employee for a limited amount of time, please let us
know. The contract says that “reasonable time” will be
allowed for representation. Each circumstance will be
different and representation should not be arbitrarily
interfered with by any management.
Another issue regarding release time is
being released on work time for getting representation
and giving representation, if you are a Job
Representative. All employees who seek union
representation must be allowed that representation on
work time, without suffering a loss of pay – this
includes leave accruals. We will be filing a grievance
at DFW because the labor relations specialist has stated
employees can meet with the union on their own time or
they must take leave during work hours to get
representation. This is a clear violation of our
contract. Employees are entitled to representation on
work time and must not suffer a loss of pay or leave.
Again the union must hear from you if any
of the violations stated are happening in your work
place. We must enforce the contract. We do that by
filing grievances after attempting an informal
settlement.
Check this web site for updates on this
grievance.
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