Message from Governor Locke

“Washington Works will seize an historic opportunity to create a model state government workforce and system, providing the best results for Washington citizens.”

I stand in awe of the breadth and depth of our state workforce. The vast array of services that you provide to the residents of this state are amazing.

I am proud of the dedication and skill that you bring to your jobs. Every day, you and your colleagues ensure health care for more than 900,000 vulnerable children and adults. You teach more than 200,000 students at state colleges and universities. You protect children and elderly from abuse, make sure our food is safe and help low-income families and displaced or injured workers get back on their feet. You run our prisons, patrol our highways and help communities improve local economies. You protect our environment and natural resources, keep our transportation system moving and so much more.

As governor, I am aware of the pressures you face. In addition to the services you provide, you also must be adaptable to the changing needs of our state's 6 million residents and must be accountable for both the public's trust and the investment taxpayers make in state government.

That's why the Personnel System Reform Act is so important. Approved by the Legislature in 2002, this new law represents the biggest change in the state personnel system in 40 years-from job classification to hiring and compensation, collective bargaining and competitive contracting.

Like many great private companies, our challenges are to remain effective and respected in a rapidly changing world, to attract outstanding people to state government, and help all employees succeed in their important and difficult missions. Too often, our current personnel system has stood in the way of addressing these challenges, rather than helping us overcome them.

We call the whole effort Washington Works. The goal is improving the efficiency of state government by providing a better workplace and a better chance for you to succeed in your careers. While all parts of the reform law are to be in place by July 2005, many important developments are happening in the near future. Keep up with the progress we are making by looking at the Washington Works Website: http://www.washingtonworks.wa.gov/

Overhauling the system not only will sharpen our state's competitive edge, but also will give you the freedom to do the best job possible. Washington Works will achieve these goals by simplifying the rules and personnel processes.

A lot is happening as we reform the state personnel system. Just as our successful Priorities of Government budgeting process matches the state's financial resources with core state services, Washington Works realigns the human resources of state government with the business requirements of delivering services in the 21st century.

—Governor Locke, November 11, 2003
Sincerely,

Gary Locke
Governor