Retirement Plans – Opportunity, Risk, and Reward

- by Kerry Graber

It was a temperate September Saturday in SeaTac, and I was there for the WFSE Executive Committee meetings. I was looking forward to some Fall shopping at the Nordstrom Rack as soon as my last committee meeting wrapped up.  Then I found out the Retirement Committee was meeting and I felt compelled to find out what this group is working on.

I looked around curiously at the dedicated few from the Executive Board that had asked to be assigned to this small committee while we waited for the guest speaker.  Then Senator Conway, a democrat from the 29th legislative district, walked in and sat down like he was joining a group of friends to have coffee and a nice chat.  Tall and distinguished, the Senator had a relaxed but serious demeanor as he launched into his purpose.

Senator Conway speaks

The Senator described the 1.5 to 2 billion deficit projected in the budget, and expressed both concern and determination that state employees and their retirement benefits should be provided for.  He shared that the legislature was no longer interested in underfunding the system, “playing around with the pension funds” as he put it. Despite the press and the media focusing on problems with PERS 1 and TERS 1 plans, he assured us that Washington has a well-funded pension system. 

While new legislators want to see new employees not provided a defined benefit plan, he assured us that our contractual right to a pension will not go away.  Senator Conway noted that pensions will be provided, but admitted there will likely be no increase in benefits.  As for a plan 4 “defined benefit plan” for new employees (think of it like a 401K that has no guarantee of return), he stated that Governor Gregoire did not appear to agree with this idea, and that there was not enough support in the legislature to pass a bill for it. 

Since I was unaware the attempt had been made to propose or pass such a bill, this news brought me to the edge of my seat.

The Senator went on to explain that about 70% of the future value of our pension plans is funded by investment of both the employee’s and employer’s contribution, and 30% from current contributions.  The co-mingled trust fund is assumed to have an average 8% return on investment, invested carefully by the State Investment Board (SIB).  This varies over time based on the volatility of the stock market.  The profit and losses are averaged over time.  As most of us know, the legislature thought they could reduce contributions and start PERS 3 because of the great market returns.  This resulted in an unfunded liability for employees in PERS 1 and TERS 1.

Senator Conway was asked about the possibility of early retirement options being added to the plans.  The Senator was thoughtful, then shook his head and told us that all over the country early retirement options are being stripped from the plans that have it.  The bottom line: “Be realistic,” he said.

Gain Sharing and Early Retirement

After the Senator said his good-byes, the committee took up the business that had been delegated to them by the Council 28 executive board, namely, a resolution that directed the WFSE to work diligently toward the adoption of the “rule of 85” into law.  This rule would allow a person to retire without penalty or reduction of benefits if the sum of their age and years of service credit added up to 85.

Let me digress for a moment and update you on legal actions that relate to all of this.  As reported in previous bulletins, Ecology board members (my predecessors) were instrumental in pushing WFSE to sue over the loss of gain sharing for PERS 1 and 3 that occurred a couple of sessions ago.  Members felt that the promise of gain sharing was contractual, and had enticed many PERS 2 employees to switch to 3 when they otherwise would not have changed plans.  A judge ruled on the suit in favor of WFSE last spring that indeed gain sharing had been promised and must be restored.

Inextricably linked to that lawsuit was a new early retirement provision for PERS 2, that was included by the legislature as a kind of consolation prize when they removed gain sharing.  The early retirement provision allows employees with 30 years of service to retire before the age of 65 with less penalty, and at age 62 with no penalty.  The judge delayed ruling on whether this provision had to stay in place after gain sharing was restored. The union wants the court to retain early retirement, but the state argued it was only granted as a replacement for the loss of gain sharing. The judge is scheduled to rule on this piece of the lawsuit in December. 

Meanwhile, some who qualify under the early retirement provision have put in their papers, but others are faced with the dilemma that if they don’t retire now, the provision might go away after the judge rules and they would have to keep working until they are 65.  The situation has been made more complex by mixed messages from Department of Retirement Systems and human resource departments on the timing and deadline for people to make up their minds.  There is no way to know which way the judge will rule, or whether WFSE will appeal an unfavorable ruling to a higher court thereby extending the window for prospective retirees. 

If nothing else, I can say as an Executive Board member I will continue to push for assertive action by union legal staff in the courts to retain any benefit or improvement to retirement that we can gain in these troubled times.  



Next Steps for the Retirement Committee

Retirement Committee Chair Bill Copland, Department of Corrections member and president of the local in Richland, turned back to the group for input on how to proceed on pushing the rule of 85.  Clearly this is an option the members want but may be impossible to achieve in a climate of benefit-stripping.  Bill asked for input from the committee members to articulate where we are at, where we want to be, and what it is going to take to get there.  We were asked to go back to our Locals and talk about this issue and share what we have learned, bringing back any input that would be helpful to the committee.

Want to know more?

I have posted some background documents on the health of the retirement system, the Senate Bill report on the attempt to establish a PERS 4 from last session, and a policy brief from Governor Gregoire.  I will post more information as I receive it. 

Subscribe (Folllow) this blog to receive notification of updates.

In the interim I urge you to get educated about this issue and educate others – respond to media reports with letters to the editor - point out that the “impending disaster” in underfunded state pensions, touted in news stories, is not a complete and accurate picture.  Lastly, be ready to provide your input as a citizen and state employee (on your own time of course!) when the issue comes up again for lawmakers

Green Caucus Activates Members and Breaks New Ground

-by Kerry Graber

The Council 28 Executive Board passed a resolution last year and formed a Green Caucus (GC) group to start working on integrating environmental considerations into our union’s values, actions, and decisions.  The GC kicked off this effort last January with a workshop and planning session at the SeaTac Double Tree Hotel, and started meeting by conference phone/video conference on a monthly basis.  A second planning session was held in September, drawing members across the state to prepare a strategic plan for unveiling at the October Council 28 convention.

The convention provided an opportunity for the GC to hold workshops and discussions about what members would like to see the union accomplish by adopting sustainability as part of our values and beliefs.  Sustainability is a word seen a great deal in print and in the media, and can mean different things to people.  For the GC, sustainability means we look at issues and decisions for their long term consequences, their impact on future generations, and their use of precious resources.  The language of sustainability is useful because we can engage in controversial discussions without buying in to the polarizing of people into “winners” and “losers.” 

Looking at many problems we struggle with right now in Washington state, members long for decision-makers to engage in problem-solving instead of rhetoric.  Sustainability brings into focus issues like stable funding for State Parks, green jobs that are here to stay, products that are made without toxic chemicals, because the view encompasses the future and considers the real costs of decisions. 

What we’ve done so far:

•    Outreach to members.  The GC was formed to provide our members a voice in the discussion about environmental issues, so setting up a communication system from the start was important.  The first step was to establish a blog where we could post our agendas, meeting notes, and resources.  Part of our push at convention was to sign up more members to receive notices of events from our blog.  We doubled our number, and we continue to see more sign-ups.  We also kicked off our involvement in twitter, and started posting messages during convention.  GC members are also visiting local meetings and sharing our vision.

•    Going green in our union work.  We started working with Council staff to provide information and resources on “walking our talk.”  The GC pushed for a greener convention, offering a local green building tour and making sure recycling was a part of the facilities we used.  Council staff started evaluating offices and buildings for considerations like curb-side recycling and energy use.  The Council’s Women’s Committee adopted a goal to hold paperless meetings.  Council Executive Board meetings have cut paper use in half.  We are looking for a member to help us develop a “10 things your Local can do to save the earth.”

•    Making friends.  Another goal was to start networking with environmental groups and develop relationships with organizations that could educate us and ally with us on our issues.  Our second face-to-face planning session was started with a presentation from Laurie Valeriano, executive director of the Washington Toxics Coalition.  In the Spokane area GC members have been making connections with local and statewide groups, and we hope to have a speaker from one of these at our next monthly meeting.  Plans are in the works to have union members attend the Spokane River Keeper’s spring cleanup event.  The GC is looking for a similar event we can participate in for the Olympia area, and a member to make the connection for us.

•    Gearing up for the session.  As the special legislative session convenes we are preparing to have a voice in the coming regular session.  Members have volunteered to help with bill tracking and making sure legislative staff are aware of our concerns about specific legislation.  We are identifying members who can provide resources and possibly testify on several issues that may come up, including environmental agency consolidation, funding for State Parks, and toxics legislation.  We are identifying environmental groups that might partner with us in this effort.

With the grim economic outlook and the prospect of another all-cuts budget, members may question whether involvement in the GC is important.  You already know that being a state employee is more than just bringing home a paycheck, it is also about public service and being a citizen.  The GC offers a chance for members to engage in a group that works on issues that matter to the communities we live in.  In the process we may find ourselves in the company of people and organizations that see us as allies and friends.  Our green shirts may come to stand not just for “union” but for “green values” as well.

Furlough Grievance Update

– Debbie Brookman, Labor Advocate, WFSE/AFSCME Staff

This is a quick update on the status of the various Temporary Layoff (TLO)/Furlough grievances filed in Ecology.
 
Lucas et al. This case was filed on behalf of overtime exempt Ecology employees. We went to a hearing on the "arbitrability" of the cases on 9/27/11. The issues included timeliness, who should be included in the group grievance, whether or not each individual grievant must show harm and a contract violation versus just showing it for the group as a whole, and other issues related to whether or not these grievances can be heard on their merits. Briefs were due on 11/8/11. The arbitrator should issue a decision approximately 30-days from that date. Depending on the arbitrator's decision on arbitrability, this case could go to a second hearing on the "merits" of the grievance.
 Stolz et al. - This case was filed on behalf of the permanent emergency spill responders who were not exempted from the furloughs even though the law exempted their services from the layoffs. This case is being handled by our law firm and was scheduled to go to hearing on Monday, 11/7/11. A decision should be available by the end of January, if not sooner.
 
Fiedler et al. - This case was filed on behalf of Ecology employees who were not allowed to adjust their alternate work schedules during the first furloughs (those that occurred before the Memorandum of Understanding allowing schedule adjustments was in place). We were scheduled to go to a hearing on the arbitrability of the grievances but ended up settling those issues. Now, the case has been referred to our attorney and a hearing on the merits is scheduled for March 19, 2012.
 
Groves et al. - This case was filed on behalf of part-time Ecology employees whose work schedules were reduced to less than 20-hours as a result of the furloughs. This case has been consolidated into several other grievances filed in DSHS and the Department of Health.  Questions about this grievance should be directed to Sherri Ann Burke, Labor Advocate, at WFSE Headquarters.
Other questions can be directed to Debbie at 360-352-7603 or 800-562-6002.

Giving Green

Hello fellow green caucus members,

Heading into Thanksgiving we are already getting bombarded with sales pitches for after-holiday shopping.  I ran across a link from the Huffington Post on non-material Christmas gifts from last year, and I wanted to share it in case you are thinking like me, “enough with the buying stuff already!”

As we head into another Christmas season, and for some, into more tough times, this is a good moment to consider supporting local economies by avoiding chain stores, and giving personalized experiences instead of stuff when you can.  This is hard, because I know my kids like to have a box or two to open, but my husband and I are providing vacation experiences for my teens this year instead of a lot of things.  Here’s hoping for a very green holiday to you all.

I am also including a link to an interesting article in The Nation on capitalism versus climate.  It is a long read, but a great in-depth article about the complexity of the problems we face as a planet and a society.  Great analysis on the current politics of climate change.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

Kerry Graber

• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/19/nonmaterial-cheap-green-g_n_791456.html#s197651&title=Adopt

• http://www.thenation.com/article/164497/capitalism-vs-climate

Green Caucus Activates Members and Breaks New Ground

By Kerry Graber, Local 443, Ecology Bargaining Unit

To be published in the Local 443 newsletter:


The Council 28 Executive Board passed a resolution last year and formed a Green Caucus (GC) group to start working on integrating environmental considerations into our union’s values, actions, and decisions.  The GC kicked off this effort last January with a workshop and planning session at the SeaTac Double Tree Hotel, and started meeting by conference phone/video conference on a monthly basis.  A second planning session was held in September, drawing members across the state to prepare a strategic plan for unveiling at the October Council 28 convention.

The convention provided an opportunity for the GC to hold workshops and discussions about what members would like to see the union accomplish by adopting sustainability as part of our values and beliefs.  Sustainability is a word seen a great deal in print and in the media, and can mean different things to people.  For the GC, sustainability means we look at issues and decisions for their long term consequences, their impact on future generations, and their use of precious resources.  The language of sustainability is useful because we can engage in controversial discussions without buying in to the polarizing of people into “winners” and “losers.” 

Looking at many problems we struggle with right now in Washington state, members long for decision-makers to engage in problem-solving instead of rhetoric.  Sustainability brings into focus issues like stable funding for State Parks, green jobs that are here to stay, products that are made without toxic chemicals, because the view encompasses the future and considers the real costs of decisions. 

What we’ve done so far:

•    Outreach to members.  The GC was formed to provide our members a voice in the discussion about environmental issues, so setting up a communication system from the start was important.  The first step was to establish a blog where we could post our agendas, meeting notes, and resources.  Part of our push at convention was to sign up more members to receive notices of events from our blog.  We doubled our number, and we continue to see more sign-ups.  We also kicked off our involvement in twitter, and started posting messages during convention.  GC members are also visiting local meetings and sharing our vision.

•    Going green in our union work.  We started working with Council staff to provide information and resources on “walking our talk.”  The GC pushed for a greener convention, offering a local green building tour and making sure recycling was a part of the facilities we used.  Council staff started evaluating offices and buildings for considerations like curb-side recycling and energy use.  The Council’s Women’s Committee adopted a goal to hold paperless meetings.  Council Executive Board meetings have cut paper use in half.  We are looking for a member to help us develop a “10 things your local can do to save the earth.”

•    Making friends.  Another goal was to start networking with environmental groups and develop relationships with organizations that could educate us and ally with us on our issues.  Our second face-to-face planning session was started with a presentation from Laurie Valeriano, executive director of the Washington Toxics Coalition.  In the Spokane area GC members have been making connections with local and statewide groups, and we hope to have a speaker from one of these at our next monthly meeting.  Plans are in the works to have union members attend the Spokane River Keeper’s spring cleanup event.  The GC is looking for a similar event we can participate in for the Olympia area, and a member to make the connection for us.

•    Gearing up for the session.  As the special legislative session convenes we are preparing to have a voice in the coming regular session.  Members have volunteered to help with bill tracking and making sure legislative staff are aware of our concerns about specific legislation.  We are identifying members who can provide resources and possibly testify on several issues that may come up, including environmental agency consolidation, funding for State Parks, and toxics legislation.  We are identifying environmental groups that might partner with us in this effort.

With the grim economic outlook and the prospect of another all-cuts budget, members may question whether involvement in the GC is important.  You already know that being a state employee is more than just bringing home a pay check, it is also about public service and being a citizen.  The GC offers a chance for members to engage in a group that works on issues that matter to the communities we live in.  In the process we may find ourselves in the company of people and organizations that see us as allies and friends.  Our green shirts may come to stand not just for “union” but for “green values” as well.

Want to get involved?

Join us. Sign-up using the link at top-right.

Meetings by phone or video conference occur every second Thursday of the month 6 – 7:30 p.m.  The call-in number is posted on the blog.

Attend in person at WFSE headquarters in Olympia third floor conference room, or in the Spokane field office.

Want to host a video connection at your field office?  Contact your field staff office manager for arrangements prior to the meeting.

Green Caucus flyers are available on the blog to be printed and posted at your worksite.

October Meeting Information

Hello Green Caucus! We are on for a meeting Thursday October 13 at 6:00 pm. You can join the meeting by teleconference and video conference. We are broadcasting the meeting from WFSE HQ.

• If you'd like to join via teleconference and video-conference and have not received an email with the link and login information, please call WFSE HQ by 5:00 pm Thursday and ask for the Green Caucus video-conference login information.

• If you'd like to join via teleconference, call 1-877-820-7831 at 6:00pm. To enter the room respond with 469342# (include the pound sign).

• The WFSE HQ and Spokane Field offices will be open for caucus members to attend in person.

TENTATIVE AGENDA
• Approval of September 2011 Minutes
• Chair Report
• Report from Convention
• Subcommittee reports

Green Caucus Saturday, September 17, 2011 SeaTac Doubletree

ATTENDING: Dan Petruso, Morton Alexander, Juvenile Rehabilitation; Carol Dotlitch, Bob Overturf, stationary engineer; Leigh Molinda, Local 573; Debbie Haigh, L&I, Spokane; Alia Griffing; WFSE staff, Legislative and Political Action; Kerry Graber, Ecology; Sue Hendrickson, E-Board; Mike Carlson, L&I, Local 443; Jim Wavada, Ecology, Spokane; Kim Loftness, Local 341; Laurie Valeriano.

9:15 Opening remarks and Introductions, Agenda Review, Introductions

Last meeting was mostly planning and goal setting and planning for convention. Monthly phone calls have helped us figure out how we are going to operate.

9:30 Legislative Session – Alia Griffing

It’s going to be the fight of our lives. Revenue forecast says were $1.4 billion. Ten percent plans will be implemented; but Governor doesn’t want to do across-the-board cuts. Some agencies will be targeted.

Our position is that you can’t do it with cuts alone. Now the House D’s are talking about revenues. Senate is collection of individuals – harder to read. Seems like both houses and both caucuses are talking about revenue. We’re going to be pushing hard to stop the cuts and for revenue.

In odd numbered years, bills that did not pass in earlier legislature can be reactivated where they are.

One bill that will see renewal will be Hydraulic Project Approval – charging more for hydraulic permits (water rights).

Pre-tax deduction for transit and parking (another bill from House). HB1518. This bill would encourage trip reduction programs and save state money.

We could get actively involved in promoting each of these bills and asking to sit in on negotiations for the crafting of these bills.

Would some of us be willing to be sounding boards for legislative ideas and are willing to lobby legislators?

Encourages us to have a Green Caucus Lobby Day.

Wavada proposed that we gather feedback/intelligence on emerging legislation from local jurisdictions and forward that to Alia and ask for feedback from her on who we should be working with on that issue.

Alia responded that it’s important to stick to lunchbox issues with all of our efforts.

Kerry added that we should not do anything to add to Alia’s workload.

Carol urged us to encourage the purchase of Discover Passes, because they aren’t selling and that means parks may be forced to close.

Morton asked Carol about status of WMS cutback issues. Carol responded with caution per the recent effort that resulted in creation of new EMS positions and filled them with bargaining unit employees. Governor is working on LEAN process.

10:15 Laurie Valeriano, Washington Toxics Coalition -- How do we work with them and other

organizations?

Gave an introduction of Coalition’s legislative work, BPA bans, regulation of lead in children’s toys. 70,000 chemicals are grandfathered in to situation where no legislative review is required.

Chemicals in children’s products is biggest recent piece of work. Now working on disclosure requirements and requirement for identifying safe alternatives to toxic chemicals. They are looking for people who are personally impacted and willing to share their stories.

They look to outreach with others to advance larger policy initiatives. Talked about Environmental Priorities Coalition, 25 groups, who review and prioritize proposals brought to them. They are very issue focused. We typically do issues like Puget Sound health and cleanup. Another big issue is climate change. Climate Solutions, (Jessica). Washington Conservation Coaltion. Land Council, Nature Conservancy are other organizations to whom we should reach out. Earth Ministries? Very connected with faith community through Earth Ministries. Sierra Club as potential partner on energy issues.

NOTE: Contact her for database with contact information for outreach.

Climate Solutions is developing an initiative to change Initiative 937 (verify). They work on green jobs and Green Economy.

Talk to Bill Robinson (Nature Conservancy) and Mo Broom (Environmental Council), best to work with on Parks funding issue. Coalition can help us tell stories that help to get the word out through blogs and other media. Joan Crooks (Washington Environmental Council), Mo works for them.

11:00 Q&A with Alia and Laurie:

Groups submit written proposals. Then Coalition narrows down list in mid-October. Time to work with groups begins in Summer. Important to understand the longer-term policy objectives of your partners.

Laurie: We are seeing proposals to protect 937, and another energy proposal to incentivize energy efficiency in homes. Proposal on PCB’s (disclosure on use of PCBs in products). Children Safe Products. Oct. 7^th Washington Conservation Voters (Clifford Traisman, lobbyist for them and Washington Environmental Council) annual breakfast is place where the larger environmental agenda gets discussed.

Discussed the possibility of the Green Caucus replacing some of the “connective tissue” that PEER used to provide in terms of ethics, the protection of scientific conclusions, and whistleblowers.

Laurie talked about the unequal playing field that agency stakeholder processes because they can’t put the resources into it that polluters and manufacturers can. So they dominate the process.

Kerry talked about union’s issue with contracting out facilitation processes for public policy events. Kerry concerned about a fundamental agency bias against advocating for the environment.

Debbie reported on struggles keeping business associations from exercising undue influence on L&I enforcement policy. Talked about new MSDS disclosure statements. Talked about privatization efforts for industrial insurance. Business packs are contributing to politicians at 11:1 ratio to unions.

Kerry asked how they fund themselves. Private foundations (Bullitt, Russel), national foundations, Merk Foundation, Marisol (?) Foundation. Individual memberships and donations from mailings and events. WFSE could consider becoming a member organization. Fundraising auction in May.

Molinda explained that Blue/Green Alliance is focusing on green jobs and environmental protection at Washington State Labor Council level. Carol: It’s mostly a political lobbying effort. How are they meeting? Dedicated to expanding jobs in green industries.

National Caucus of Environmental Legislators. Contact info coming from Laurie.

12:15 Brainstorming – talked about convention coverage of our Green Caucus table and sessions at

Convention. Morton will check his schedule t see if he can cover some times and so will Mike Carlson.

NOTE: I am facilitating 1:30 pm Workshop on Green Caucus Plan on Friday at the Convention Oct. 7^th. Tour of Green Buildings at 4:15 on Oct. 7^th. Must also be at Saturday Noon brownbag lunch. Get Liz Larson to duplicate Green Caucus fliers to leave in workshops. Need posters for place finders to que up people in Convention Center lobby. Liz Larson will do poster as well.

1:00 Brainstorming follow through from morning session:

· Share our stories

· Letter of interest to all environmental groups, especially Conservation Voters

· Bill tracking for Toxics Coalition

· Lobby Day arrangements

· Connect to local organizations and efforts—trickle up

· Support for Parks

· Blue/Green Alliance

· Process for navigating potential conflict between blue and green on specific projects or legislative issues. Significant discussion on how we navigate competing demands for support labor versus environment. Kerry pointed out that these are often contrived conflicts. Debbie wondered if we shouldn’t pick three or four items to work on as a Caucus.

· Bob Overturf: training, mission statement, education of area reps. Get in front of each local’s member meetings with 5-minute presentation. Promote our successes on advancing a limited agenda.

· Kerry, maybe we should target at least one member with each of 54 Locals.

· Carol: We need to be prepared to push back on further attempts to cut environmental agencies. We need to sound the clarion call to pay attention to the threat coming their ways. Target the locals of the natural resource policy committee. Let’s get somebody in front of them to talk about Green Caucus and budget peril.

· Don Hall wants a table to sell Discover passes for state park.

· Need fliers that people can put on their work location bulletin boards

· Need a presence at shop steward and lobby training and other events.

· How do we educate our Board and LPA about what we’re doing and wanting to support.

· Speakers bureau from this group.

· We should provide advisors and mentors to environmental clubs at schools.

· Debbie: How do we recruit people in our unions from the perspective of their personal interests.

· Green jobs agenda.

· Climate change agenda.

· Telework language in contract

· Green purchasing.

· Green pension investing.

· Green Pension: Jim W. will bring our presentation on green investing to E-Board and Green Caucus.

1:30 Brainstorming to develop planning strategy

Developed list of priority items and categorized:

Education:

· Bill Tracking

· Climate Change

· Green Caucus Flier

Advocacy:

· Support natural resource agencies

· Green Jobs

· Lobby day

Partnership:

· Recruitment based on interests

· Connection to local organizations

· Outreach to other environmental organizations and locals

Discussed at length how to turn the above list into an action plan.

3:00 Action Planning:

Bill Tracking – Kerry Graber

Serve as a resource to Alia Griffing

Climate Change – Debbie Haigh, Jim Wavada

Green Caucus Flier – Debbie Haigh

Green Jobs – Leigh Molinda

Lobby Day: Bob Overturf

Recruiting based on interests -- Mike Carlson

Outreach to other environmental organizations and other Locals -- Wavada, Dan Petruso, Don Hall

Support Natural Resource Agencies – Scott Mallery

At future meeting, we will put one of these items on the agenda for discussion. Topic leader would need to submit progress report prior to monthly teleconferences.

3:30 Green Caucus Flier and Poster:

Flier format in terms of color and design will be made consistent with Green Caucus button design. Discussed several options for content. Lots of discussion of content and style for poster and flier.

The Green Office Guide

Green Office Guide

August Meeting Information

Hello Green Caucus! We are on for a meeting Thursday August 11 at 6:00 pm. You can join the meeting by teleconference and video conference. We are broadcasting the meeting from WFSE HQ.

• If you'd like to join via teleconference and video-conference and have not received an email with the link and login information, please call WFSE HQ by 5:00 pm Thursday and ask for the Green Caucus video-conference login information.

• If you'd like to join via teleconference, call 1-866-921-2203 at 5:30 pm. To enter the room respond with *1651542* (include the stars).

• The WFSE HQ and Spokane Field offices will be open for caucus members to attend in person.

TENTATIVE AGENDA
• Approval of July 2011 Minutes
• Chair Report
• Subcommittee reports
• Convention Planning
• Sustainable Practices
• Political Action and Networking

Draft Minutes, 7/14/11

WFSE Council 28 Green Caucus 
Meeting
July 14, 2011, 6:00 PM

Meeting Minutes:

There is one correction regarding the WFSE policy on deciding governance.  Liz Larsen will make corrections to Web blog copy of minutes.

Convention Committee Reports:

• Podium Time at Convention:  Time is pretty limited at this late stage in planning.  Carol offered to find us 10 minutes on the last day of the conference.  Dan Petruso and others pointed out that we can use “Good of the Order” time during floor sessions to promote the Green Caucus.
  
• Welcome Table:  Green Caucus will have a Welcome Table at the convention.
  
• Workshops:  Current plans call for one session with a guest presenter on sustainability and the union; and another session that will function as a working session on legislative priorities of the Green Caucus.

• Logistics: 
• Hotels: Debbie Haigh reported that several area hotels will agree to some sustainability policies and actions during the convention to send the right message to all conventioneers, even those not staying at the host hotel.
• Bottled Water:  It’s out, pitchers are in.
• Information Table:  Green Caucus will stock a display table at the convention with green actions/programs literature.
• Tours:  Jim Wavada offered to organize a green building tour for the Friday afternoon portion of the convention schedule (after formal sessions and before receptions).
• Buttons:  Caucus will buy 300 Green Caucus buttons to distribute at the convention.
• Incentives/Tokens:  It was recommended that the Green Caucus give away a limited number of State Parks Discover Passes to parties who join the Caucus at the convention and at the proposed face-to-face planning meeting.  This idea met with widespread approval.  They could also be distributed with Green Caucus buttons to new Green Caucus members at the Convention and elsewhere.

Green Caucus Governance: 

Carol Dotlitch asked the group to remember that they are first and foremost a union organization.  She listed several jobs-related challenges that could fit inside the mission of WFSE and the charge of the Green Caucus.  She reminded the Caucus that at this critical time in the history of organized labor, we are under attack as never before and that includes natural resource jobs that are critical to protecting and enhancing our environment.  We should never forget that union jobs are attached to these environmental priorities.  Carol also encouraged the Caucus to focus like a laser on the challenge of getting the rest of the union to recognize and participate in the work of the Caucus.

External Outreach Committee Report: 

• Issues Agenda Development:  Kerry Graber asked Carol Dotlitch and Liz Larsen for funding to put together a face-to-face meeting of the Caucus specifically focused on developing issue papers.  Wavada suggested the agenda be expanded slightly to include strategies for outreach to sympathetic organization within and outside of organized labor.  Sept. 17th was set as the tentative meeting date at the usual location in Federal Way (Doubletree Hotel).
  
• Marysville Coal Port Project – Michelle __________ reported that Pacific _______ Commodities is proposing a coal shipping port at Cherry Point.  This could develop into a good-paying-jobs versus the environment conundrum.  It’s something the Caucus should study and develop a policy position around.
  
• R.W. Grace Asbestos Contaminated site – Morton Alexander, will keep track of developments around a proposal to develop a former W.R. Grace vermiculite (asbestos containing mineral used as insulation) plant in Spokane adjacent to his office, which is full of represented workers. Disturbing the soil at this site could friate asbestos fibers that members would have to breath coming and going from their office.
  
• Outreach Efforts – Jim Wavada reported on recent efforts to get Local 1221 to join the Spokane Alliance, a progressive community group composed mostly of unions and church congregations in the Spokane Community.  The Alliance is a national organization with chapters in the Puget Sound and Yakima/Tri-Cities areas as well.  Wavada is heading a Local 1221 subcommittee to explore the notion of the Local joining the Alliance.
  
  
• Wavada also presented his written recommendation on an outreach strategy for the Caucus, which will also be posted to the Caucus blog.  He volunteered to lead the Outreach group and to flesh out the outreach strategy with data about specific organizations and a plan/schedule for approaching them to explore shared interests.

Internal Committee Report: 

John Miller noted that we have to look inward at our own practices before we look outward for changes in business practices that will help the environment.  Debbie Haigh of Spokane Labor and Industries presented a detailed Green Building Guide she located that would take Council 28 step-by-step through the process of greening their building and office practices.  She will get this to Kerry Graber for placement on the blog site.

• Next meeting, Aug. 11th at 6:00 PM.

ADJOURNED.

Green Caucus Strategic Outreach - July 14

Original Author:  Jim Wavada, Local 1221, Ecology Bargaining Unit

INTRO:

I did not attend the Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. last month, so I’m certain that those who did and perhaps many others of you will have your own ideas, which may be superior to these for how best to get our Green Caucus out on the playing field, forging strategic partnerships.  These are just my initial thoughts, meant to stimulate the conversation and perhaps form the basis of an outreach strategy.  – JW

As I see it, the Green Caucus outreach should have two objectives:

• Forge productive, long-term relationships, from the local community to the federal level.
• Shape broad policy statements,
• based on shared values, rather than specific cases or rigid positions, 
• so that we can broaden our base of support when the time comes to act on an issue of concern to us 
• as union members and friends of the environment.

If we accept these objectives as legitimate, I would submit that there are two tracks of work we must pursue that are essentially sorting processes.

1. We need to sort out who will be most useful (a good fit) to embed us as a force for environmental and public worker advocacy in our local communities and at the state and federal levels.
2. We need to develop a list of shared environmental values with these potential partners. 

As an example, suppose a local Riverkeepers Group is concerned about the quality of data being collected or the nature of decision-making on a prominent urban waterway.  Suppose that the state agencies charged with developing that data are abrogating that responsibility by contracting it out to a consultant, or consultants, who may have direct ties (past or present) to one of the major polluters of that waterway.  For the Riverkeepers, it would be easy for them to stand with state employees insisting that this particular project work ought not to be contracted out.  We can stand with the Riverkeepers in insisting that an unbiased approach to data gathering is required in order to ensure valid data for valid actions.  An intersection of interests exists between the state employees (some of whom may be members of the Riverskeepers Group) and the environmentalists in that group. 

In this scenario, the existence of a longer-term, continuing relationship with the Green Caucus might allow for rapid response to threats to the environment and/or state workers.

The key is to have the ongoing relationship, and a basic agreement on shared environmental values. 

So how do we get there?

I propose two work groups or maybe one workgroup with two phases of work.

Step 1:  An inventory of environmental groups and community organizations that would support an agenda to protect the environment, even if they aren’t at their core environmental organizations.  (Church groups, community service organizations, for instance).  Who are these groups?  Who is the leadership of each?  How can they be approached?  What do we propose to them?  These are questions this group would attempt to answer.

Step 2:  Negotiation of a shared interest statement that could, with minor tweaks for different groups, be signed onto by the leadership of targeted partner organizations.  This would involved discerning what environmental issues might be of the greatest import to each intended partner group, surveying our own level of expertise, passion and other resource that could be shared with this group and then executing some kind of formal written recognition of our shared interests.

Step 3:  Arrange events or participate in other organizations’ events that offer the opportunity to introduce Green Caucus principles and members to a wider audience in every community.  This could be as simple as donating a few dollars to buy a booth at an eco-event sponsored by a new partner or as complicated as developing a legislative proposal or organizing a rally.

Step 4:  Check back.  The Green Caucus should receive regular (quarterly?) progress reports on their outreach efforts, including any proposed resolutions to support a particular effort of a new or existing partner.

RECOMMENDATION:

I think we need 3 -5  people for each of the tracks and representation from both sides of the Cascades on each.  I think we should start with a separate planning meeting for each of these groups with the aim of launching into serious outreach concurrent with the annual convention.
 I would propose these groups work together and/or apart to:

• Identify members of Council 28 who have existing ties to community and environmental organizations that look like they would be good partners for the Caucus, and recruit these members to the Caucus (perhaps a large mailing solicitation would be in order).
• identify specific groups in communities throughout the state, ascertain their environmental values (which may not always be at the surface; but may run deep) and start a database with their contact information and environemental priorities;
• develop a list of policy priorities from these groups to bring to the Green Caucus for consideration and melding with our own priorities;
• concurrent with the previous three activities, develop our own internal list of areas of environmental priority for our Caucus.

Here are some likely partners with whom we can begin to build some relationships.  The list is meant to illustrate group types, not to set down specific targets.  Additional suggestions are quite welcome.

• Spokane Alliance, Sound Alliance (Puget Sound areas)
• Riverkeepers (there are groups associated with rivers all over the state)
• Environmental Clubs, (Sierra Club, Land Trusts, etc)
• Sporting Clubs (Fly Fishers, Ducks Unlimited, Frizzbie Golfers )
• Local churches with community outreach projects.
• Community based, land use stewards – (groups often formed around a proposed development, etc.)

These are my initial thoughts on Outreach from the Green Caucus.

July Meeting Information

Hello Green Caucus! We are on for a meeting Thursday July 14 at 6:00 pm. You can join the meeting by teleconference and video conference. We are broadcasting the meeting from WFSE HQ.

• If you'd like to join via teleconference and video-conference and have not received an email with the link and login information, please call WFSE HQ by 5:00 pm Thursday and ask for the Green Caucus video-conference login information.

• If you'd like to join via teleconference, call 1-866-921-2203 at 5:30 pm. To enter the room respond with *1651542* (include the stars).

• The WFSE HQ and Spokane Field offices will be open for caucus members to attend in person.

TENTATIVE AGENDA
• Approval of June 2011 Minutes
• Chair Report
• Subcommittee reports
o Convention Planning
• Sustainable Practices
• Political Action and Networking

Green Caucus Minutes - 6/9/11

WFSE/AFSCME Green Caucus

June 9, 2011

6:00 – 7:30 PM

DRAFT Meeting Minutes

Legislative Conference:

Kerry Graber and Dan Petruso reported on their participation in the recent Legislative Action Conference in Washington, D.C. Notes from this conference are posted on the AFSCME Web site, http://www.afscme.org/.

The main topic at the conference was how to react to the recent, coordinated national attack of newly elected state officials on labor rights. The conference developed a strategy that focuses on claiming the middle of the political and economic debates for America’s middle class. It will be important to stress that unions are pro-worker, pro-family and pro-middle class.

An important piece of the strategy is to recognize that the opposition is highly organized and very well funded and has been organizing this current attack for years. Kerry recommended members visit http://www.thinkprogress.org/ for a list of the sponsors of the current anti-union campaign, which is organized through the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), which organizes “information” seminars and “legislative packets” for newly elected conservatives, mostly at the state or local level. The ALEC connection to the current anti-union, anti-public worker campaign is clear in the nearly identical phrasing of union-busting legislative proposals across several states now led by conservative governors and legislators who have attended ALEC workshops after their elections.

Dan and Kerry noted that one of the major takeaways from the conference is that AFSCME Councils and Locals needs to reach out to Progressive organizations at work in communities all over the U.S. and work with them to educate voters about the detrimental consequences for America’s working middle class of allowing the ALEC legislative agenda to advance.

Jim Wavada noted that Local 1221 already has been approached by the Spokane Alliance, a union and church-based Progressive organization of community activists who put people first. Local 1221 has invited the Spokane Alliance to make a presentation to the July meeting of the Local. Wavada encouraged members of other locals, particularly Local 443, to invite members of their community’s Alliance organization to do the same as Local 1221. The Spokane Alliance is part of a national organization that has chapters throughout the Northwest, including Puget Sound and the Tri-Cities. They have offered to do training in effective community organizing in Spokane and elsewhere.

Kerry and Dan also encouraged members to start or increase PEOPLE contributions, as this is the only money we have working for us to fight the financial largesse of the national Chamber of Commerce and ALEC and other organizations with anti-worker agendas.

Morton Alexander commented that he thinks the time and money we put into political endorsements every year is a “waste of money,” that could be better spent increasing our membership and mobilizing it. Dan Petruso added that sometimes it’s more effective to select and volunteer for candidates who are willing to support labor than it is to just give money to campaigns because that volunteering creates a personal relationship and can open doors when we need to get a clear communication on a particular issue to key legislators.

Green Caucus Governance:

Kerry reported that she has received no direction from Carol Dotlich on the permanent leadership of the Green Caucus. She did indicate that leadership of the Council’s caucuses is usually delegated by Carol to a Council Executive Board member. Kerry agreed to give a list of nominations developed by our group to Carol for her consideration. In the interim, Kerry proposed that she and Bob Overturf agree to co-chair the Green Caucus. Those attending agreed that this would be an acceptable interim solution to Caucus governance.

Steering Committee:

Kerry proposed that we plan a face-to-face meeting of the steering committee that assembled originally to organize the Caucus. With the group’s permission, she will prepare a proposal to take to the Council Executive Committee along with a budget request for travel and per diem.

Convention Planning:

Kerry agreed to talk to Carol Dotlich and the annual convetion planners about getting some podium time at the Convention to introduce the Council to the Green Caucus and encourage members to join it. She also thinks we should be hooking up with the Washington State Labor Council to advocate for green jobs programs in Washington state. She would like to see retirees and someone from AFSCME get some podium time to voice support for the Green Caucus.

Debbie Haighe reported that the contract we currently have for the Spokane Convention Center is, in fact, their “green contract,” which includes recycling for meeting rooms, and other green measures related to food and beverage service.

She also relayed that our original proposal to adapt the convention badges of Green Caucus members who are delegates or alternates at the convention won’t work, and we will have to consider perhaps doing separate badges to identify Green Caucus members.

Kandy Kraig encouraged the Green Caucus to put together a gift basket for the PEOPLE fund-raising auction that will be part of the Convention. The group agreed to put together a wine and cheese basket with a sustainability theme. Jim Wavada will research wineries that may have certified sustainable practices in place. Kerry Graber will do the same for cheese providers. Debbie Haighe will coordinate the selection of baskets and decoration of them.

Jim Wavada proposed that we invite the Alliance (see earlier notation in these minutes) to conduct a mini-seminar on community organizing. Laura Reisdorph noted there may be a problem with finding time of the agenda this close to the convention; but she will check out the possibility.

Laura requested Jim Wavada send her his Outlook distribution list for Green Caucus members so that she can compare that with the list she has of those who signed up through the Council Web site and consolidate the two lists into a single master list.

Sustainable Practices:

It was agreed we need to have another meeting of those specifically interested in WFSE sustainable practices to outline what needs to happen next. Greg Devereux, executive director, has indicated he will strongly support whatever measures we recommend to make the Council 28 a more environmentally sustainable organization (within budgetary constraints, one assumes). Kerry Graber will notify John Miller and request that he organize this interim meeting.

Political Action and Networking:

Jim Wavada agreed to begin working on a list of groups to which the Green Caucus should reach out in order to leverage our influence on earth-friendly, worker-friendly policy and practice.

Next meeting. July 14th, 6:00 PM. Videocast to Spokane field office, conference call available to other locations.

ADJOURN.

June Meeting Information

Hello Green Caucus! We are on for a meeting Thursday June 9 at 6:00 pm. You can join the meeting by teleconference and video conference. We are broadcasting the meeting from WFSE HQ.

• If you'd like to join via teleconference and video-conference and have not received an email with the link and login information, please call WFSE HQ by 5:00 pm Thursday and ask for the Green Caucus video-conference login information. 

• If you'd like to join via teleconference, call 1-866-921-2203 at 5:30 pm. To enter the room respond with *1651542* (include the stars).

• The WFSE HQ and Spokane Field offices will be open for caucus members to attend in person.

TENTATIVE AGENDA

• Approval of May 2011 Minutes 
• Chair Report 
• Subcommittee reports
  
• Convention Planning
• Sustainable Practices
• Political Action and Networking
• Report on the State Battles Summit