Bargaining Team Stands Up for Fairness
IP Bargaining Update #2 (June 7, 2010)
We sent a strong message to State officials at our second bargaining session last week: Be prepared to talk about the real issues facing home care workers at our next bargaining session. Not only did the State’s negotiators propose several takeaways compared to our last contract (meaning they propose to “take away” something we already have), but they also ignored most of our initial proposals.
Our Next Negotiating Session is July 6
Over the next several weeks as we prepare for our next negotiating session on July 6 our bargaining team will work to educate home care workers about the State’s proposed takeaways and continue the campaign for I-1098, the high earners’ income tax. While we help fight for revenue to deal with the state’s financial crisis state officials are offering takeaways and the status quo.
Opening Proposal Includes Takeaways
The State’s opening position in their proposals on issues other than wages, benefits and training included takeaways affecting member communications (Article 2) and the production of our contract (Article 7) also known as our collective bargaining agreement. Their proposal would make it harder for home care workers to learn about our contract, our
rights and how we can improve our profession. Our Bargaining Team responded strongly and quickly to the proposals. In these tough economic times, it is vital for home care workers to be able to communicate with their union and know what’s in our contract.
“It is an insult to take away things we've already bargained for. We use this contract right to reach more than 33,000 members every month on issues relevant to the contract. That's how we keep everyone informed about what's going on,” said Earlene Webster, a member of our Bargaining Team from Des Moines. “This is disrespectful. Business as usual for bureaucrats, I guess."
In fact, the paycheck insert for the month of June (which you should receive shortly, if you haven’t already) includes the names of everyone on our bargaining team and instructions on how to get these updates by email. Negotiators also did not respond to our initial proposals to increase training opportunities, define a retirement benefit, holidays and other leaves.
Waiting Game
State officials are going to wait to make a proposal on wages. They want to wait until after the next revenue forecast comes out June 17. They are also waiting for a report from a joint subcommittee (consisting of union representatives and DSHS representatives) before making any proposals on healthcare or training contributions.
We’re Working Hard
Our Bargaining Team will be working hard to get state officials to take this process seriously. In addition to keeping members informed about what is going on at the Bargaining Table, we are continuing to collect signatures for I-1098. Imposing a small income tax on people who make more than $200,000 a year (and couples that make more than $400,000 a year) will create a stable funding source for healthcare and education, offer tax relief for the middle class and reduce property taxes.
We are hitting farmers’ markets, sporting events, shopping centers, festivals and grocery stores to get signatures. Once we get it on the ballot, we’ll have to work hard to make sure it passes. Help us collect signatures by calling our Member Resource Center toll-free at 1 (866) 371-3200.
Next Bargaining Session: July 6
Our IP Bargaining Team:
Tanika Aden (Sea-Tac); Mary Cabrera (Tacoma); Bonnie Epps (Walla Walla) ; Denese Garcia (Granite Falls) ; Suzie Dea Granstrom (Bremerton) ; Sadije Haliti (Tacoma) ; Chris Hardin (Port Orchard) ; Evelyn Hetrick (Port Orchard) ; Susan Jaggers (Goldendale) ; Linda Lee (Vancouver) ; Chong Lee (Tacoma) ; David Lindberg (Everett) ; Ella Ana Martinez (Moses Lake) ; Debbie Moore (Tumwater) ; Richmond Nguyen (Seattle) ; Larry O’Connor (Vancouver) ; Judith Powell (Kennewick); Sue Rogers (Kent) ; Marion (Mike) Roth (Seattle) ; Flash Scaff, Jr. (Mountlake Terrace) ; Gisela Silva-Badoo (Mukilteo) ; Margaret Singh (Lynwood) ; Kevin Smith (Vancouver) ; Dorothy Smith (Olympia) ; Lonnie Stoddard (Longview) ; Pita Medina Tongu (Seattle) ; Eloise Travess (Spanaway) ; Karen Washington (Spokane) ; Earlene Webster (Des Moines)