Bargaining Update
June 1, 2004
The governor’s Labor Relations Office reached agreement on a key contract article Friday (May 28) in negotiations with the Washington Federation of State Employees general government team.
“This is a major step for both sides,” said Gary Moore, the governor’s chief negotiator.
The Federation called the tentative agreement “a major breakthrough” and said it is “one of the most important articles in the master contract and will have a bearing on many other articles still being negotiated.”
Progress also was made in negotiations on many other key articles, including those on discipline, union rights and drug-free workplace.
Moore said his office is looking forward to meeting again with the Federation team June 7, 8 and 9 to continue making progress.
The Labor Relations Office also recently reached agreement on ground rules with the coalition of unions each representing fewer than 500 state employees. Negotiations will began May 24th.
The coalition includes:
- Washington Association of Professional Biologists
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 76
- Washington State Nurses Association
- Plumbers & Pipefitters, Local 32
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 760
- International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots
- Washington State Patrol Communication Managers Association
Talks are proceeding with Local 17 of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, Local 117 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the Washington Federation of State Employees, and the team representing The Evergreen State College and some community colleges.
Negotiations also are underway with the health coalition, the group of unions negotiating the amount of dollars expended on behalf of each employee for medical benefits .
“We’re getting busy,” said Gary Moore, Governor Locke’s chief negotiator. “I’m hopeful we can start making some movement and get some tentative agreements reached.”
Currently, the Labor Relations Office has dates scheduled with all of the labor unions representing state employees to move forward with negotiations.