Tonight's steward training has been cancelled, due to lack of attendance. If you would like to attend the next training, make sure to check out your email for the invite. 

It’s about time! The Freedom Foundation is finally taking the hint! WPEA was just informed that the Freedom Foundation has withdrawn their request for information on anyone in a WPEA represented position. None of your information will be released now. We know they may come back and ask again but that won’t change anything for us. They still can’t get your personal information no matter how many times they ask!
​
When the Freedom Foundation asks for your name and union affiliation, what do we tell them?

WPEA is hiring for a Staff Representative - Member Representation Specialist.

Washington Public Employees Association, UFCW Local 365
Staff Representative (Member Representation Specialist)
 
The Washington Public Employees Association is a public-sector labor union with approximately 4300 bargaining unit positions statewide.  We represent classified employees in state government agencies, community colleges, and public library systems.
 
Staff Representatives are assigned a territory that includes bargaining units represented by WPEA across the state.  This territory is subject to change.  This position has a duty station in Olympia, Washington.  The right applicant may be able to work remotely or at an alternative location approved by the WPEA President.
 
WPEA Staff Representatives are primarily responsible for member representation, member communication, and contract enforcement.  Frequent travel is required, as well as long and irregular hours.  Applicants should have experience as a union representative or human resources professional, preferably in the public sector.  Applicants should possess strong computer skills and be comfortable using the Microsoft Office Suite applications such as Word, Excel and Outlook.
 
Typical activities include:

• Advising individual members on workplace issues
• Acting as union representative in disciplinary meetings
• Acting as union spokesperson in labor-management meetings and mid-term negotiations
• Conducting grievance investigations and processing grievances through arbitration
• Facilitating member meetings of up to fifty members
• Organizing member action around contract campaigns and special projects
• Coordinating member participation in legislative and political affairs

• Identifying, recruiting and training shop stewards and member leaders
• Educating and motivating members toward collective action

 
The successful candidate will be able to:

• Communicate effectively with individuals and groups
• Write effectively in a variety of forms, including emails, letters, grievances, settlement agreements, contract proposals, flyers, petitions and newsletter stories
• Interpret and administer complex legal and contract language
• Exercise sound judgment in resolving difficult situations
• Practice diplomacy in managing interpersonal conflicts
• Handle multiple cases with frequent deadlines
• Work well under pressure

 
Please include a cover letter, resume and references when applying for this position.  Your cover letter should include a brief explanation of how your skills and experience make you a strong candidate for the position.  The salary range is $56,197 - $92,085 and placement depends on experience.  Excellent benefits include health insurance, retirement account, and paid time off (holidays, exchange/flex time, vacation and sick leave).  This position will remain open until filled.
 
Please email application materials to:
Amanda Hacker
Contract Administration Director
Amanda@WPEA.org

Well, it looks like the Freedom Foundation is at it again. Many of you may have recently received notice from your employer that your union status and the day of the month you were born, were being released through a public records act request. It has happened before and will happen again. Just know this, when those requests come through, that is all they can get. They don't get your full date of birth. Not the month, and not the year. That information is protected. How?
Because the WPEA has your back on this! The amazing activist members of the WPEA worked with our law firm and our legislative staff to make WPEA a primary player in the legal action and subsequent legislation that ensured that your full date of birth wasn't subject to public records disclosure to agencies, like the Freedom Foundation. We've had your back on this for years.
The Freedom Foundation, and other union-busting agencies like them, will keep doing this same thing. However, that is all they are ever going to get. They can keep asking this same tired question, and they will get the same answer, but they aren't getting your personal information! No email, no physical address, no phone, and NO full date of birth.
Although the information given out is so limited, many of us want to see change and protect ALL of a member's information. If you want to see the change happen, email Seamus@wpea.org to participate and help create even more protection for the members of the WPEA.

All DOR Auditors who reside outside of Washington State and those that reside in non-contiguous states will see an increase to their facilities stipend. This increase is the first since 2015 and a welcome change that we are glad to see come into effect for our members!
 
Tier        Cost Area        Current Rate        Increased Rate
Tier 1     High Cost         $1,200                   $1,500
Tier 2     Medium Cost   $900                      $1,100
Tier 3     Low Cost         $700                      $900

​If you have specific questions about this stipend and how to claim it, please contact your employer. As always, please reach out to your Staff Rep, Stacie Leanos, or anyone on staff at the WPEA if you have additional questions or need representation.

Every year from May 1 through September, employers in Washington State are required to take steps to protect employees working outdoors from heat illness.

Physically demanding work, heavy clothing, and dehydration can put even the healthiest workers at higher risk for serious heat illness like debilitating heat exhaustion and life-threatening heat stroke.  Heat exhaustion can make workers more susceptible to falls, equipment-related injuries, and other on-the-job safety hazards.

Prevention is the best approach to protect workers. Follow safety requirements in applicable rules and use the resources on this page to plan, prepare, and train for prevention.

In addition to requirements in the permanent rule, as of June 15, 2022, additional temporary requirements go into effect for cool water, shade, cool-down rest periods, and observing and communicating with workers about signs and symptoms of heat illness.

For all of L&I Outdoor Heat Exposure Emergency Rules Click Here

If your employer has not established a plan for heat exposure or you are experiences issues, please let us know. 
​Visit our contact page for your representative or main office information. 

We have been made aware that we have two colleges under this MOU that did not process the lump sum payments in this July 25th paycheck as we had anticipated. We have 15 colleges in the WPEA family and at present we know that Olympic College and Edmonds College did not process these timely. We are working with these two organizations but can tell you this, both have informed us that they will have these paid out in the August 10th paychecks. (Direct communication from your employer should have been sent out today as well.)
 
As ‘coding’ was listed as the problem for both organizations that did not process today, we are also currently verifying that these lump sums are all being taxed properly and will report those findings to all once we verify.
 
If we have any Higher Education WPEA bargaining unit employees, that were hired on or before July 1st, that work at any other college besides Olympic or Edmonds but did not receive this payment, please contact us at WPEACommunications@wpea.org and let us know.