Labor/Management Meeting

 

Minutes

 

February 15, 2005

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

 

Attendees:  Dean Stenehjem, Mary Sarate, Dee Amundsen, Rob Tracey, Renee Corso, Craig Meador, Janet Merz (recording secretary), Don Barber, Bonda Albers, Tina Corey, Sandy Prouty

 

1.      Civil Service Reform (Dean Stenehjem):  Dean stated that we are receiving a lot of questions from employees regarding the new contract.  Cherie has been told that WSFE is to provide the training, not WSSB.  Don said that training is scheduled for: February 26--Chehalis, March 5--Bonneville Hot Springs, March 14--Naselle, April 2—Vancouver and an additional 41 trainings scheduled state-wide.  Bonda said she has already signed 8-9 people up.  Don said that the stewards and member activists received letters regarding the training.  Don suggested that if people have questions or concerns they call either Don or Bonda for more information.  Don stated that training will be ongoing. Discussion about doing some joint training occurred.  Cherie was checking with Tina Peterson to find out what WSSB can provide and to whom. WSSB felt it was important for all employees covered by the contract and management to have clear information on the contract as soon as possible to eliminate potential concerns and problems.

 

2.      Draft School Year Calendar–2005-2006 (Dean Stenehjem): Dean stated we coordinate our calendar with Hudson’s Bay (HB) High School; due to our students attending HB. We try to start school on the Monday following Vancouver’s schedule. Dean would like to start thinking about the Outreach Fall Workshop training next year as currently they have scheduling conflicts as their schools start at different times in the fall.  We may bring in the Outreach staff at an earlier date so they can avoid the conflict.  Bonda said she likes having the training with Outreach.  We are also requesting that the AER hold their annual training on our March 10th, 2006 state in-service day.    

 

3.      Overtime (Don Barber):  Don stated that at the end of last year and the beginning of this year, that this issue was brought up.  This issue was also readdressed last week at the local union meeting.  Don stated this was regarding a Residential employee who came in early for a meeting and Renee asked the employee to put in comp. time.  Renee stated she had an evaluation scheduled with this person; then a meeting came up and she sent an e-mail to her staff indicating she would not be in that day.  Renee assumed the employee would know that she wasn’t coming in; however this employee still came in.  Renee offered the person comp. time, flex time, or overtime.  Don stated he wanted to clarify that any employee working over 8 hours is considered overtime.  Don stated that if the supervisor and employee agree to flex time or comp time that is OK with him, as long as it is agreeable to both sides.  Dean stated that if someone contacts Don or Bonda regarding an issue; to ask the employee if they have talked to their supervisor first.  Dean feels it is not fair to the supervisor as they do not know it is an issue.  Don said the situation with Renee appears to be a miscommunication.  Don stated he encourages membership to talk to their supervisors first; however, they do bring issues to Don and Bonda. 

 

4.      Contracting Out (Don Barber):  Don stated that the union is leery of contracting out; not just at WSSB.  Don stated that he and Cherie talked last week about the WorkSource situation and he is pleased with the outcome.  Don stated that all unions are very careful about taking a bargaining unit job or supplanting a bargaining unit job.  Don stated that there is no language in the new contract regarding this issue and it will more than likely be settled in court.  Dean feels that we missed an opportunity and if we want to move forward, we will have to RIF a position to be able to fill another position.  Dean stated we felt it was a no-cost way to try this scenario out (cross training of education and residential secretaries).  This could have resulted in another union position.  Dean said he also understands where the union is with this issue.  Don stated that he told Cherie that we should sit down at this meeting to discuss this.  Dean asked each area to look at their clerical needs due to the additional needs in each department to see if we can be more efficient.  Mary asked if Don would be willing to discuss the issue of getting a WorkSource person as a temporary situation.  Don said he would be willing to discuss it and sited a situation in Employment Security that may end up in court that had WorkSource involved.  Don said if it promotes an individual or a bargaining unit position that he is willing to look at it case by case.  Dean stated that he needs to gather more information from each department to see where we are going.  Bonda asked how WorkSource was funded.  Dean stated it is a federally funded program.  Dean stated that he is working with our Foundation (not state related) to see if they could get a WorkSource person to assist with clerical duties.

 

5.      Miscellaneous

*      Dean stated that yesterday we had our hearing for Capital Projects in the House.  Mary and Rob attended the meeting.  The hearing went very well.  Our Capital Analyst from OFM was in attendance and also felt it went well.  Dean was given 30 minutes to do his presentation.  Dean also testified on the Distance Learning bill.  A reporter from the AP from Olympia interviewed Dean today regarding Digital Learning. 

 

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m.  The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 16th at 1:30 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

Bonda Albers, WSFE Local President              Dean O. Stenehjem, Superintendent