The document provides an update on bargaining between WSU and union representatives from WFSE. Mediation has begun to resolve outstanding issues after negotiations reached impasse. On the first day of mediation, the parties agreed on a new grievance procedure but did not make progress on other issues. Health care coalition bargaining also began, but management did not offer a counterproposal and hinted at increasing employee premium costs and decreasing benefits. Both sides will meet again on August 24th, which is also the date the state must respond to a union grievance over diverting $216 million in health insurance surplus funds.
The document provides an update on bargaining between WSU and union representatives from WFSE. Mediation has begun to resolve outstanding issues after negotiations reached impasse. On the first day of mediation, the parties agreed on a new grievance procedure but did not make progress on other issues. Health care coalition bargaining also began, but management did not offer a counterproposal and hinted at increasing employee premium costs and decreasing benefits. Both sides will meet again on August 24th, which is also the date the state must respond to a union grievance over diverting $216 million in health insurance surplus funds.
The document provides an update on bargaining between WSU and union representatives from WFSE. Mediation has begun to resolve outstanding issues after negotiations reached impasse. On the first day of mediation, the parties agreed on a new grievance procedure but did not make progress on other issues. Health care coalition bargaining also began, but management did not offer a counterproposal and hinted at increasing employee premium costs and decreasing benefits. Both sides will meet again on August 24th, which is also the date the state must respond to a union grievance over diverting $216 million in health insurance surplus funds.
Washington Federation of State Employees • AFSCME Council 28 • AFL-CIO www.wfse.org
Mediation cyclic employees having priority for off-
schedule: MEDIATION UNDERWAY season work before students, and reduced Mon., August 9 As reported in our last bargaining update, rates for parking - to name a few. Tue., August 31 bargaining reached impasse on June 4. Mediation continues with management on TBD Impasse brings an end to the bargaining August 31, with a third date still yet to be phase of contract negotiations and moves WSU Bargaining determined. us to the next phase, mediation. Team: HEALTH CARE COALITION In mediation, PERC, the Public Employ- Curt Bod BARGAINING UPDATE ment Relations Commissions, provides Brett Clubbe the assistance of an impartial third party to The WFSE/AFSCME-led coalition of all Roger Eberhardt mediate negotiations. state employee unions began bargaining Yvonne Kibbee PERC assigned mediator Guy Coss to on the health care benefits funding article Eric Needham facilitate discussions with both sides and to Aug. 10. But there was no good news. Lance Mitchell Gerry Stamper try to help find ways to reach an agreement The union initiated a proposal that centers on Robert Stilson on the outstanding issues (see June 3-4 the unions’ interest of keeping health costs update for details on issues). low in the face of recent and huge increases Lead Negotiator: in out-of-pocket costs and premiums. Mediation began on August 9. After a Phedra Quincey joint session with the mediator to discuss Management did not offer a counterpro- phedraq@wfse.org ground rules and the basis for mediation, posal. They hinted strongly their interest in the parties were separated. raising your share of premium costs from Contact the team: Mr. Coss met with our team first to get an the current 12 percent and decreasing your info@wfse.org explanation of our last proposals to man- level of benefits. Please put “Message agement for Articles 1 (Scope of Agree- Both sides agreed to meet again Aug. 24. for the WSU Bargaining ment), 5 (Hours of Work), 6 (Job Process- Brett Clubbe, our team’s representative to Team” in the subject line. es), 8 (Benefits), 9 (Compensation) and 11 the health care coalition team was present. (Grievance Procedure). Online at: Also: Aug. 24 is the date the state must re- www.wfse.org > Mr. Coss then met with management to get spond to the union’s health care grievance Bargaining Center > their explanation of their last proposals and over the diversion of $216 million surplus WSU Bargaining determine if they were willing to move on funds in your health insurance program. Team Info & News any articles. The hearing before the state Labor Rela- After some discussion, a tentative agree- tions Office was Aug. 3. Email alerts: ment (TA) was reached on Article 11 Sign-up to receive The union in part alleges that when the (Grievance Procedure). Unfortunately, surplus arose, it should have been returned email and/or text neither party was willing to move much on message alerts from in proportion to the employer’s obligation the remaining articles. to pay 88 percent of the premium costs and the team. Go to WFSE.org, register Our team is committed to bargaining the employees’ 12 percent share. as a user and join the WSU best contract we can for our WSU mem- “In this case, the employer took all the Bargaining Team email group. Provide cell num- bers. Priorities were set prior to bargaining benefit for itself,” AFSCME Director of ber and carrier to start by member input, contract proposals and Collective Bargaining Steve Kreisberg said receiving text alerts. a survey of the membership. Priorities in the grievance hearing. include 4-10 holiday schedules and leave, WSU Bargaining Update Support Our Bargaining Team Washington Federation of State Employees WFSE/AFSCME Council 28 • AFL-CIO
American Flint Glass Workers Union, Afl-Cio Michael Sine Andy J. Hatfield v. Beaumont Glass Company Beaumont Company Pension Plan For Hourly Employees, 62 F.3d 574, 3rd Cir. (1995)
Intermountain Rural Electric Association v. National Labor Relations Board, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 111, Intervenor, 984 F.2d 1562, 10th Cir. (1993)