Labor/Management Meeting

 

Minutes

 

January 20, 2004

 

 

Present: Bonda Albers, Tina Corey, Jim Eccles, Sandy Prouty, Dean Stenehjem, Renee Corso, Dee Amundsen, Craig Meador and Janet Merz (recording secretary).

 

1.       Emergency Inclement Weather Discussion (Dean Stenehjem).  

Dean stated that everyone tried to do their best in the equal distribution of overtime with the recent inclement weather situation we experienced.  Dean suggested that a committee be put together to establish a policy to address this, however the state may create a policy later down the road.  Dean would like two members from administration and two members from Labor/Management to be on the committee.  Dean suggested that Cherie’s new intern research different policies within the state and school districts as examples to start with.  Dean appreciated the staff members that stayed on campus and were willing to come in to cover for those who could not make it in.  WSSB will be recognizing these as “call back” situations. 

 

2.   Morale in the Residential Program (Dean Stenehjem)

Dean has been hearing that morale in the Residential department is poor.  Janet sent out an e-mail on behalf of Dean requesting that each employee in the Residential department schedule 20 minutes to meet with Dean to air any positive or negative things that are happening in the residential program. Dean would like to deal with the issues and give people the opportunity to voice their opinions and will keep all conversations confidential.  Bonda feels that Renee should take the three-day training course for better knowledge regarding the Union and that the “nuts and bolts” training this would provide would be very helpful.  Bonda felt that it may be good for Leonard to attend the same training.  Dean thought that the union provided this training.    

 

3.   Miscellaneous

*      Dean said that there has been some question as to the recent change in Ally Blacklock’s shift.  Dean said that we can open all positions up for bid, but if we do, Dean would like to review all positions based on the fact that WSSB has 54 kids on campus this year.  Dean stated that administration has done their best over the years to save jobs in budget crisis times and sometimes it feels as if this has hurt us.  Dean has heard from former and current staff that there is too many staff and people do not have enough to do.  It is difficult for administration as if this is the case, often times it would be beneficial for the agency to assign different work while there is lower student enrollment; however, at times when we request to do this, there seems to be resistance and people state that they are not working within their class.  This lack of flexibility does have a negative impact on programs at WSSB.  Bonda reported that the union felt that Ally should not have been put in that position and since there was a reorganization that we should have re-bid all positions as Ally is working a position that she did not bid for.  Renee said that when Bonda and Cherie looked at this situation that there were two very different perceptions on this situation.  Renee expressed the concern that if we do re-bid it may end up with a combination that does not work for the needs of the students. 

*      Renee asked that if there were any employees who were interested in obtaining their CDL license to let her know.  This would open up opportunities for field trips, ski trips, Camp Magruder, etc.  Renee has heard of 3-4 residential employees who are interested.  WSSB will sponsor the two-day training.  Dean reported that part of the qualifications if people are interested is that they will be subject to Random Drug Testing through ESD 112; they must be able to put Chains on the WSSB bus, etc.  Dean also reported that WSSB ordered an additional 8-passenger van.

*      Tina reported that Ally is very unhappy with her shift change as it has caused a hardship.  Tina wants to know when we can tell her that a decision has been made regarding the bid process.  Dean asked that Bonda talk to staff and then Dean and Bonda will meet to discuss the results.  The union felt that since Michelle Doherty was an intermittent/temporary employee that she should have been moved to that position.  Jim and Bonda both said no because it would be a new position and they would have to re-bid all jobs.  Dean felt that he will have more information after the meetings with all residential staff tomorrow, then he and Bonda can discuss the situation.

 

The meeting adjourned at 2:23 p.m.  The next meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 at 1:30 p.m. (WSFE to meet at 1:00 p.m.)

 

 

 

________________________________                                ________________________________

Dean O. Stenehjem, Ed.D.                                             Bonda Albers, RLC

Superintendent                                                              President – Local WSFE