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T E AT i m e sOctober 10 2008Contents 1. October Meeting Calendar 2. Monthly Meeting Agenda 3. Sims Budget Proposal - Layoffs and Wage Freezes 4. Transit Contract Arbitration and Negotiations 5. Wastewater Contract Negotiations 6. Announcements 7. Classified 1. October TEA Meeting Calendar October 1 - TEA Board Meeting, 12-1, KSC 4G October 8 - TEA Board Meeting, 12-1, KSC, 4G October 15 - TEA Monthly Meeting, 12-1, KSC, 8th Flr Conf Rm October 28 - Grievance Committee, 9am November 6 - Transit Negotiations, 1:30-4:30 2. October Meeting Agenda The October member meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 15th, from 12-1pm, in the 8th floor conference room of the King Street Center. The meeting will be devoted to two main agenda topics:
3. Sims Budget Proposal - Layoffs and Wage Freezes In an email sent to all County employees on Tuesday, October 7th, Executive Sims outlined his budget proposal and the ramifications for employees in 2009. It is anticipated that CX (Current Expense-funded) departments will bear the brunt of the ramifications outlined in the email. Other County departments will likely share some of the pain. However, revenue-funded work groups such as Transit Design and Construction and the Wastewater Treatment Division will likely be insulated. TEA has not been notified about any anticipated layoffs of its members, as other unions have. Merit increases and COLA continue to be discussed during contract negotiations. 4. Transit Contract Arbitration and Negotiations Arbitrator Michael Beck is now reviewing the arbitration briefs submitted by TEA and King County for our retro contract covering 2005 - 2007. A final ruling is anticipated in November. Retro paychecks are expected by the end of this year or early next year. TEA and King County have begun bargaining on the contract for 2008 - 2010. The first bargaining session was held on September 22nd. The TEA bargaining team consisted of bargaining chair Jerry Williams, Colin Asquith, Isaiah Pullet, Garrett Stronks. Opening proposals were made by both sides. The next negotiation session is scheduled for November 6th. If you have any issues for the new Transit contract, please send them to the Transit Bargaining Chair Jerry Williams. 5. Wastewater Contract Negotiations The County presented its initial wage proposal: no wage adjustments. That's zero wage increase across the board and no decision yet on how much COLA would be offered for 2009. According to the County labor negotiator, "The County is experiencing a budget crisis and they are looking at many ways to cut the projected deficit". The TEA wage proposal presented to the County is based on comparables from the 2005 salary study which showed that salaries for TEA classifications are below market comparables in varying amounts across the board. Since the County's position is based on political considerations rather than actual data, TEA has suggested that the parties move toward mediation. The County has agreed to request PERC assign an impartial third party mediator. The first mediation session is anticipated in early November. 6. Announcements MERRA is offering reduced-rate movie tickets at several theaters. Please contact a MERRA representative to purchase tickets. For more information call Faye Smith at 263-5280. Open Enrollment for 2009 King County health benefits runs from November 3-21. Brown-bag sessions are scheduled for the King Street Center on Thursday, October 23rd and Monday, October 27th (8th Floor Conference Room). TEA members are encouraged to attend theses sessions and be prepared to meet the deadlines for completing enrollment. Transit TEA members should keep in mind that they remain on their existing benefit package until the arbitration is finalized. Retirement Opportunity - I have a special type of work and living opportunity for an environmental friendly and industrious retired couple that one of you TEA members may think to pass this information on to. It would take a special type of couple to both enjoy and perform the work. But it is indeed rewarding in many ways. I am a Mason (Freemason & Shriner Fraternity, etc) and we have a Masonic Park outside Granite Falls, WA. We need to find a retired couple that would be interested in becoming full time caretakers for our beautiful forested park. The position would require year-round maintenance work in the park, assorted park management tasks, as well as computer skills. Compensation includes a monetary salary and a nice home at the park, including power and water. If you know of a retired, environmental and people-friendly type couple that may be interested in this opportunity, please pass this information on and have them give me a call to find out more. Ken Alver 206-860-3060 home 206-684-1752 message Where in the world is David Levin? 6. Classified
TEA members can post classified ads for free. TEA Board Roger Browne, President Ade Franklin, Vice President Ken Madden, Secretary Terry Browne, Treasurer Eric Davison, Wastewater Bargaining Chair Jerry Williams, Transit Bargaining Chair John Phillips, Council of Reps. Chair |