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 WPEA was just informed that the Freedom Foundation has withdrawn their request for information on anyone in a WPEA represented position.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!
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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.