tea » tea times: July 30 2007 email: teaseattle  

T E A

T i m e s

July 30 2007


Contents

  1. August Meeting Schedule
  2. Call for Nominating Committee Members
  3. Call for WTD Supervisor Bargaining Team Members
  4. Contract Status Updates
  5. Announcement
  6. Remembrance - Keith Schlatter

1. August Meeting Schedule

    August  1   Board Meeting, 12-1, KSC 4G
    August  8   Board Meeting, 12-1, KSC 4G
    August 15   August Membership Meeting, 
                KSC 8th Floor Conference Room
    August 28   Grievance Committee

2. Call for Nominating Committee Members

Volunteers are needed to serve on the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying potential candidates for each Board position of TEA to be voted on at the Annual Meeting in September. In accordance with the Bylaws, Board elections are held at the Annual Meeting which generally occurs on the third Wednesday in September. This year, the following officer positions are open for election:

  • Treasurer
  • WTD Bargaining Chair
  • Transit Bargaining Chair
  • Council Chair

If you are interested in serving on the Nominating Committee, please contact Roger Browne or any Board member by August 7th.


3. Call for WTD Supervisor Bargaining Team Members

Volunteers are needed for the new WTD Supervisor Bargaining Team. Since the contract for the WTD Supervisor Bargaining unit was voted down and subsequent bargaining issues were raised, TEA plans to head back to the bargaining table with the County. To do so, two (2) new bargaining team members from the Supervisor Bargaining unit are needed to complete the Team. If you are interested, please contact Eric Davison, Roger Browne or any Board member by August 3rd.


4. Contract Status Updates

WTD Staff Contract - County negotiator preparing ordinance for KC Council approval.
Transit Staff Contract - Preparations for arbitration underway; subcommittee tracking progress.
WTD Supervisor Contract - Follow-up bargaining issues being identified; Supervisor team formed.
Transit Supervisor Contract - Team seeking clarifications from King County prior to contract vote.


5. Announcement

County treatment plants win national awards

Daily Journal of Commerce, July 17, 2007 - King County's Wastewater Treatment Division earned two national awards for outstanding compliance with state and federal requirements. The awards, given by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, were for the South Treatment Plant in Renton and the West Point Treatment Plant in Seattle. Both won Platinum Peak Performance Awards for having five consecutive years of 100 percent compliance with their respective National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits under state and federal regulations. Only 76 treatment plants in the U.S. earned the performance award this year. This is the ninth consecutive platinum-level award for South Treatment Plant and the first for West Point.


6. Remembrance


            Keith A. Schlatter
      February 2, 1950 - July 15, 2007

Keith Schlatter, CM III, passed away suddenly at his home on Sunday, July 15th. He will be dearly missed by all those who have had the pleasure and privilege to work with him. Keith began his career in construction management with Bechtel Corp. in Maryland, far from his Pasco roots. He and his family subsequently returned to the Pacific NW and settled in Bellevue. Keith began working with Metro on June 30, 1986, where he worked on the Downtown Seattle Bus Tunnel and the West Point Treatment Plant Expansion. More recently he's been assigned to a variety of East Satellite Construction Office projects.

By all accounts, Keith was a skilled construction inspector who was highly respected by his co-workers. "A more level headed and genuinely nice person would be hard to find", says Keven Sandquist. "Keith was conscientious, reliable and sincere in his work and his relationships; I don't recall ever hearing him complain about an assignment or not pursue his responsibilities to the fullest."

Keith's chosen profession, construction management and construction inspection, is not without periods of stress and tension; critical path schedules and tight project budgets are often in conflict. However, one of Keith's strengths was his ability to navigate conflict while honoring inter-personal relations. "Keith almost never raised his voice in anger, or spoke ill of anyone" recalls Doug Robertson. "In construction, this is a rare trait. Keith was one of the most dedicated and diligent inspectors I've ever worked with".

A memorial service was held at Westminster chapel in Bellevue on July 19th. Many family, friends and co-workers attended to celebrate Keith's life and accomplishments.


TEA Board:

   Roger Browne, President
   Adé Franklin, Vice President
   Ken Madden, Secretary
   Keven Sandquist, Treasurer
   Eric Davison, Wastewater Bargaining Chair
   Dave Crippen, Transit Bargaining Chair
   John Phillips, Council of Reps. Chair