From the President
Greetings Friends,
We’ve had an eventful first six months of 2023, kicking the year off with Lobby Day in February, ClassCon (our classified workers annual conference) in March, a Day of Action in April and Convention in May. All but ClassCon involved in-person activities and the consensus is that it feels really good to talk face to face to get re-acquainted or to meet for the first time IRL! We look forward to continuing our work in ways that take advantage of tech tools while maximizing the opportunities to build relationships through human contact. As I said in my remarks at our Friday evening convention celebration, I want to have those conversations on the way to the bathroom or making our way through the buffet line that may seem minor, but which open up possibilities.
The staff of AFT Washington has seen a fair amount of turnover in the last year and we continue to work toward building our staff team so we can effectively support every local toward becoming an ever-more powerful union and represent you at the state level. By the beginning of fall we will have an entirely new Administrative Support Team and we’ll let you know who to connect with around finances, data, and other behind the scenes needs. The job announcement for the Administrative Support Specialist position can be found under Union Tips & Reminders; please share it with any students or contacts you think may be interested.
Our state federation’s work has also been refreshed after last month’s Convention. Delegates passed six resolutions and our executive board and staff will spend some time this summer planning for implementation. I’m impressed that both councils, our retirees and two committees – the Human Rights Committee and Contingent Faculty Issues Committee – submitted resolutions to address a range of needs and create opportunities that will strengthen our locals and our state federation. Thank you to all who contributed to the work and to those of you who will soon be involved.
We also elected six new board members, re-elected five and elected one into a different position. I want to welcome and thank our new members and those continuing to serve on our board. I also want to acknowledge those who have served and are now stepping back. Please see the piece in Local News & Highlights for details.
I hope to see many of you this summer at our Powerful Locals Conference or other events and I wish you all the best for a summer that brings you joy, rest, and peace…and maybe a little rabble rousing!
In solidarity,
Karen Strickland, President
Local News & Highlights
Walla Walla Community College Pro Staff Win Certification!
By Jacqui Cain, Project Organizer
The professional exempt staff at Walla Walla have organized their union with AFT! The Public Employees Relations Commission certified the new bargaining unit, which includes a wide variety of workers such as Advisors, Coordinators, Specialists, and even Directors and Assistant Directors, earlier this month. Even with nine positions requiring closer examination, they had a strong showing with almost 70% voting in favor of unionization.
Lead organizer Joshua Slepin said, "We've grown disconnected and felt ignored or disrespected for far longer than COVID can be blamed. Working to build this union has brought us together, reminding me, at least, of why we care about education in the first place: we build strong communities.
The new AFT unit will be the first AFT local at Walla Walla. AFT staff will be working with them closely as they move forward in completing their constitution and bylaws and prepare to bargain their first contract.
And That’s A Wrap! The Legislative Session Is In The Books
By Cortney Marabetta, Communications Specialist
This year’s legislative session was challenging from the very start. We knew that the state had the opportunity to make serious investments and that there were a lot of competing priorities. On top of that, there was some signaling of reticence on the part of the legislature to budget for the kind of sweeping changes we need. That made our significant wins at the end of the session all the sweeter!
During the entire session – starting even before it – AFT Washington members took action – a lot of action. We sent cookies and letters to legislators, had a presence at district town halls, and we were visible on campus during both Lobby Day and the Day of Action rallies and walkouts in April. Lobby Day was one of the largest in over a decade, and we filled the Capitol building with a sea of AFT blue as we handed the Governor’s staff a petition calling for investment in higher education. And we didn’t stop there. Members sent letters and postcards and signed more petitions, targeting committee members and budget writers.
Because of members showing up, sharing your stories, raising your voices, being present, all that effort paid off, with legislation and in the budget.
Working in coalition with Communities for Our Colleges, we were able to make the case for benefit hubs and expansion of childcare accessibility to undocumented students. In that coalition, our members have materially lowered the barriers to education for Washington state students and started laying the groundwork for cost-free college in Washington state.
There were key investments in education and workers in the budget as well.
PreK – 12 Education
- PreK-12 inflation adjustment of 3.7% (‘23-‘24) and 3.9% (’24 – ’25)
- Free school meals to many elementary schools and increased support of schools to participate in the Federal Community Eligibility Provision.
- Increasing special education funding toward meeting the actual need (as opposed to arbitrary caps).
- SEBB participants will see improvements in coverage on diabetes, dental and vision hardware.
Higher Education
- Full funding for the I-732 COLA at 8.9% and 5.87% for CTC faculty and technical college classified staff.
- COLAs of 4% and 3% for CTC professional staff and four-year college and university faculty.
- Definition of part-time/adjunct pay equity as at least 85% and directive to the SBCTC to develop a plan to achieve pay equity by 2025.
- Funding for diversity, equity and inclusion is allocated for implementation of SB 5194, SB 5227, and other purposes for a total of at least $38 million.
- $5,236,000 to the CTCs and .75 FTE navigator at the four-year colleges for HB 1559 – establishing benefits hubs on college campuses plus more than $1 million for the Washington Student Achievement Council to implement this program.
- More than $13 million to expand Working Connections Childcare, including eligibility for undocumented students.
- $55,254,000 for bridge grants of $500 to students who receive the maximum college grant and aren’t recipients of college bound scholarship.
- Nearly $80 million is allocated for Guided Pathways.
- Many workforce development programs received funding to increase capacity. Examples include nursing, medical assisting, allied health, dental therapy, cybersecurity, maritime and I-BEST programs.
Retirees/General
- A one-time, 3 percent benefit increase is provided to PERS plan 1 and TRS plan 1 retirees up to a maximum of $110 per month. The benefit increase goes into effect on July 1, 2023. To be eligible for the increase the member must be retired on or before July 1, 2022. This increase only applies for members that are not receiving a minimum benefit.
- Funding to continue the Labor Education and Research Center at South Seattle College and the Harry Bridges Center at the UW.
If you have questions about the legislative session or specifics on the budget, please contact Cortney Marabetta at cmarabetta@aftwa.org for more details. This session is a strong start and we look forward to building on our wins in this one with more in the next!
Thank You, Outgoing Board Members!
By Karen Strickland, President
Delegates at our 2023 convention elected new board members who will take office on July 15th. As we welcome our new leadership, we want to acknowledge the contributions of our outgoing board members and thank them for representing you, our members, and guiding our union to grow stronger every year.
Tracy Lai, Vice President for Human Rights, has served since 2013. She has been a creative and unrelenting advocate for human rights for all and consistently elevated the importance of building relationships to our work as a union. Tracy has opened many doors to members who don’t see themselves represented in the union and has been a mentor and role model to many.
Richard Moore, Vice President At Large, has served since 2015, when he joined the board soon after forming a new local of the UW English Language Faculty. His perspective from a small local in a large employer has been an important one as we have developed strategy. He has modeled the values of cross-union relationships and fighting for workers in the face of great obstacles.
David Ortiz, Vice President At Large, has served in his current role since 2019, and served previously as the inaugural Vice President of Human Rights, from 2010 to 2013. He has been essential as a member of our Personnel Committee and in moving our program to become an anti-racist, unified and inclusive union, specifically leading our anti-racism in collective bargaining project, our race and labor workshop and deepening our relationships with tribal governments. David sets a high standard and supports us all in reaching it.
Ken Pimpleton has served as our treasurer since 2015, and he has done so with diligence and a frugal eye. As treasurer, Ken led our budget committee to navigate our financial circumstances effectively, ensuring our decisions were informed by our values and goals along with principles of fiscal responsibility. Ken created an atmosphere of warmth and positive regard in our meetings, even after the transition to virtual meetings. Some of you may recall his talent at generating great enthusiasm for our scholarship fundraisers at convention – he knows how to get the money! Ken has been a real asset to AFT Washington.
Tran Phung, Vice President for Legal Defense, has served since 2017 and has played an important role in building the connection between her local, Whatcom Community College Federation of Teachers Local 3191 and our state federation. She has been invaluable in bringing the perspective of locals outside the Puget Sound corridor to the decision making of our board.
Susie Wilson, Vice President for Legislative Affairs, has served since 2021. She previously served on our Personnel Committee, where her careful and thorough analysis was invaluable in all deliberations pertaining to personnel. Her diligence played an important role as we developed our legislative agendas and strategized throughout the last two sessions.
The Glacier NW v Teamsters SCOTUS Decision
By Cortney Marabetta, Communications Specialist
Last week, the Supreme Court handed down their decision in Glacier NW v. Teamsters. The decision was 8-1 in favor of Glacier NW, stating that unions can be held responsible for damage to employer property. However, the decision does not appear to create much in the way of precedent. This decision does not overturn Garmon, the 1959 decision that states federal labor law preempts state lawsuits challenging conduct protected (however arguably) by the National Labor Relations Act. This decision also maintained current law regarding protections for strikers, stating only that they lose federal protections for strike actions only when they stop work without taking precautions to avoid damage to employer property. The decision also leaves the NLRB in the primary role in deciding what the actual facts of labor disputes are and whether under those facts federal labor law protects strikers and their strikes.
You can read more about the decision at The Stand, The Nation, and The Guardian.
Pro Labor Bills Pass Washington State Legislature
Last session, two important labor bills passed the Legislature. ESHB 1187 creates privileged communications between a union employee and a union representative for any communication between them during union representation. ESB 1200 requires public employers to provide employee information to exclusive bargaining representatives. We will have more details on these in the very near future – watch for that information!
Union Tips & Reminders
Seeking Scholarship Applicants
The AFT Washington/Barnard, Iglitzin & Lavitt Scholarship is now open for applications! You can find this year's application form here. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 28, 2023. You will be notified by August 25, 2023.
To apply, the applicant must be a current member in good standing of an AFT Washington local or chapter, or the spouse/domestic partner, or child/dependent of a current member and must plan to attend an institution of higher education at the associate to doctoral level during the 2023-2024 academic year for the purpose of obtaining a degree or certification.
This year, we are able to award six scholarships!
Powerful Locals Is Coming!
Have you ever wondered how to encourage member engagement in the hybrid world? Want to hear about contract bargaining strategies that have given members wins? Powerful Locals is the place for you! It is a great opportunity to grow your local's power and network. Powerful Locals will be fully online this year.
Our two core tracks will be on Member Engagement and Bargaining Strategies. We are still settling the details and finalizing workshops, but will have more information soon.
The plenary session will focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and will feature the work of the Anti-Racism in Collective Bargaining group. The plenary is open to all attendees.
Registration opens soon!
Experience India
June 16th, doors at 5:00 PM
The Skagit Valley College South Asian Club is excited to invite you to this year's annual SVC event in collaboration with the Native American Club! It will be a night of great food and performances. This event shares vibrant South Asian cultures and is a fundraiser for Skagit Valley College's Guru Nanak Scholarship which supports the education of South Asian students. This family-friendly event is open to all & FREE to attend, so make sure to get your tickets!
AFT Washington is sponsoring a table. If you are interested in joining our table, please contact Cortney Marabetta at cmarabetta@aftwa.org.
For more information, check here.
Washington State Labor Council Convention
The 2023 Convention of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO will be held July 18-20 in SeaTac at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport. Per WSLC Constitution, all affiliated unions will receive a convention call 90 days prior to the event notifying each union how many delegates and alternates they can send and explaining how to register. Your local should have received a convention call – let the WSLC know if you have not received one yet.
AFT Washington Adjunct Unemployment Workshop
June 9th and June 15th, 2023 (2 workshops)
AFT Washington has helped hundreds of adjuncts successfully apply for unemployment benefits over more than a decade.
This workshop is intended for seasoned and new applicants alike. The aim is to increase your chances of getting your unemployment claim as adjuncts resolved quickly, decreasing the potential of accidently triggering delays that could delay payments by months.
Attending a workshop in-person is important, so we can answer questions live! We do not record sessions, but we can provide additional accommodations as needed.
AFT Connect: Better Data For A Stronger Union
Connect is AFT’s web-based, secure local data management system. It provides a great way to record individual member data, and so much more!
- Capture detailed employment and employer information about members, prospective members, and retired members of your local.
- Make sure your members can access their union-provided benefits (discounted insurance, home mortgages, travel, goods and personal services).
- Keep track of changes in member earnings to ensure proper payment of your local’s per capita obligations.
- Manage your local executive board as well as COPE and other local committees.
- Plan outreach to your members and prospects. Have the information you need to conduct mailings, email, phone and text message outreach via local efforts or using AFT’s communications tools. Record member event attendance and outreach responses.
- Create forms and surveys.
- Track your local’s engagement with and support from Community Allies.
Readily use these features and more through AFT Connect’s dashboard, upload bulk spreadsheet updates of your membership, or let Connect help your local turn data into a powerful outreach and management tool through easy, customizable reports.
Maintaining your local’s membership and leadership information in Connect meets AFT and AFT Washington requirements for your local to remain in good standing.
To get started with AFT Connect, or to request training and other member data support, contact Christine Landon at clandon@aftwa.org.
Communications Help Is Available
Is your local not sure how to best use your website? Did you know you can have a free website? Would you like help with figuring out strategies for better communications outreach? Got something for the whole union to hear about? We can help with all of these, and more!
On top of helping your local, we can provide outreach to the union as a whole, through the Pulse and the Union Spotlight. We are actively interested in anything your members are doing, such as workshops or innovative problem solving.
If you have questions about them, want guidance, or are interested in learning more, please contact Cortney Marabetta at cmarabetta@aftwa.org.