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T E A

T i m e s

June 3 2004


June Meeting Schedule

June  7 WTD Negotiation Team (12-1pm)
June  8 Board Business Meeting (12-1pm, 5F)
   
June 15 Board Business Meeting (12-1pm, 5F)
June 16 TEA Regular Meeting (Elliott Bay Café), 12-1pm
   
June 22 Board Business Meeting (12-1pm, 5F)
June 23 WTD Special Meeting to Vote on Contract (5 B&C), 11:30-1pm
   
June 29 Board Business Meeting (12-1pm, 5F)

Agenda for June 16 Regular TEA Meeting

  1. Call to Order
  2. Treasurer's Report
  3. Proposed Dues Amendment (Clarification and correction to existing language)
  4. Review and Discussion of Proposed
  5. Issues for the Good of the Order

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - Tentative Agreement reached on Wastewater Contract - Vote

On May 25th, TEA and King County reached a tentative agreement on a labor contract for the Staff and Supervisor bargaining units in of TEA in WTD. As reported at recent monthly meetings, TEA and King County have held several off-the-record meetings to craft a final tentative agreement.

On May 26th, the Wastewater Negotiating Team held a special meeting to review the terms of the proposed contract, including: retro COLA, a guarantee of a new (current) wage survey, procedures for retro wage adjustments, overtime, Executive Leave, Reimbursement for License and Certifications, new right for TLT's and more. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Wastewater Negotiating Team voted unanimously to present the contract proposal to WTD/TEA members for a vote.

The target date for the vote is June 23. This notice in the TEA Times satisfies the Bylaw requirement to provide fifteen (15) days notice to the Wastewater TEA members of the contract ratification vote on June 23. Absentee voting and voting by proxy will be allowed. Ballots will be distributed starting on June 16th.

TEA's attorney, Jim Cline, and the County's new negotiating representative, Nancy Grennan, are currently completing the final text modifications to the contract before printing and distributing copies of the proposal. Work-group representatives will begin distributing copies of the contract proposal on June 7th.

An informational meeting to discuss the contract elements will be held in conjunction with the Monthly meeting on June 16th. Individual work-groups can also schedule contract briefings to be provided by the Wastewater Negotiating Team between June 7th and June 22nd. Contact your Council representative if you wish to schedule a work-group meeting.


Amendment to Special Assessment - Vote

At the April monthly meeting, two amendments to the dues policy were proposed: one would amend the Special Assessment for new TEA members and the other would correct the dues policy language. The proposals led to a spirited discussion on the pros and cons of the currently approved Special Assessment structure, particularly as it treats members who have joined TEA since recognition in April 2001.

After further consideration by the TEA Board, there will be a one-month delay in the vote on a Special Assessment amendment in order to fully analyze the financial implications and present the findings to the TEA membership.

In the meantime, there will be a vote to correct an error in the text of the dues policy at the June 16th meeting. This amendment is needed to clarify intent; nothing would change in implementing the special assessment as a result of this change. The proposed changes are shown crossed out below; underlined text would be added. The Board is recommending adoption:

Amendment to the Dues Policy (adopted 9/03, amended 2/04) :

Upon ratification of a contract for the bargaining unit, dues shall be 0.4% of employee's gross income base hourly wages, deducted each paycheck based on the number of hours worked for that pay period.

Additionally, a one-time Initial Special Assessment shall be charged based on the following formula:

[# of months since TEA recognition (April 2001) through contract ratification] x [0.004] x [employee's gross base hourly wage on ratification date] x [160 hours].


Donation of Sick/Vacation Leave Requested

The following TEA members are in need of donated sick leave or vacation leave. Your help would be greatly appreciated. If you are interested in helping, please obtain a donation form from the Administrative Assistant for your work group.

For further information on King County leave donation policy, refer to the King County Personnel Guidelines on donating sick or vacation time - go to Microsoft Outlook, click on "Public Folders/All Public Folders"; Human Resources; Policies & Guidelines; Personnel Guidelines.

  • John Whitney (TR) is out on extended medical leave as a result of back surgery.

Announcements

  • Job Postings: Check the job postings section on the KC website see new postings. http://www.metrokc.gov/ohrm/jobs/
  • Classified Ads: TEA members can post classified ads for free. Send classified ads to Patty Overby, TEA Secretary at (patty.overby@metrokc.gov)