Employees' union seeks $17.7M refund from state
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - A state employees' union has filed a labor-contract grievance against the state, seeking a $17.7 million refund from a health benefits account.
Greg Devereux, executive director of the Washington Federation of State Employees, said the account had a surplus from which the Legislature removed about $118 million to help balance the budget this year. Devereux said that 15 percent of the amount is due back to union workers because the surplus was from an account that holds comingled funds from both taxpayers and state workers.
Marty Brown, the budget director for Gov. Chris Gregoire, said the Legislature had the authority to use the funds.
Devereux said union workers should receive a $200 rebate. If the state doesn't settle the grievance that was filed last week, they'll seek arbitration, he said.
A similar grievance six years ago arose at the same time that the governor's labor negotiators were in talks with unions over health care benefits. That dispute was settled in the new contracts for the following two years, and unionized workers were given one-time rebates of $756.
Both parties said the circumstances were a bit different in 2006 and contracts were worded slightly differently.
Gregoire is currently in talks with more than two dozen unions over health benefits for the upcoming two years. Talks over wages are expected later in the summer.
Greg Devereux, executive director of the Washington Federation of State Employees, said the account had a surplus from which the Legislature removed about $118 million to help balance the budget this year. Devereux said that 15 percent of the amount is due back to union workers because the surplus was from an account that holds comingled funds from both taxpayers and state workers.
Marty Brown, the budget director for Gov. Chris Gregoire, said the Legislature had the authority to use the funds.
Devereux said union workers should receive a $200 rebate. If the state doesn't settle the grievance that was filed last week, they'll seek arbitration, he said.
A similar grievance six years ago arose at the same time that the governor's labor negotiators were in talks with unions over health care benefits. That dispute was settled in the new contracts for the following two years, and unionized workers were given one-time rebates of $756.
Both parties said the circumstances were a bit different in 2006 and contracts were worded slightly differently.
Gregoire is currently in talks with more than two dozen unions over health benefits for the upcoming two years. Talks over wages are expected later in the summer.
As a spouse of a non-union state worker, I have seen our health insurance go from a reasonable co-pay 4 years ago to the current "No Pay" system wherein we are each individually responsible for the first $2000 of our healthcare expense. We go through that in about a month and a half with her cancer treatments. After the deductible is satisfied, we are only covered for 80%. She is the lowest paid person in her job description and often it is a choice between paying the medical or downgrading what we eat to meatless spaghetti.
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I am so sick of hearing you people whining about how "high on the hog" state workers live and in the next breath whining about the state not keeping criminals behind bars. You can't have it both ways. Either pay the guards, clerks, officers and first level administrators a living wage, or stop putting offenders in prison.
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Otherwise you will be reading about more Jamie Biendls.
Comingled funds? What does that mean? Will the taxpayers get some back too?
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Hahaha....
Maybe if the Legislature didn't get free medical then the union would not complain so much. Â In 2006 I worked for the state dot and had to pay out of pocket to the tune of a $97 a month. Â I wasn't complaining about it at all. Â But it did stick in my craw when the politicians would sit there and say we had to pay a fair share when they don't pay a dime and even after they leave they get the free medical for life.
Unions should take a hike! There is no place for Unions in the Local, State or Federal Government.
Because supervisors in government agencies are always fair and reasonable compared to the private sector?
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Heh.
Conspiracy Theory #1.: Smoke & mirrors. The Union & State, in collusion , throwing this out there to see if it sticks for some sort of sympathy for said union.
It really is a veiled campaign contribution for Jay Inslee.  Sure, the State keeps the money, but keep tab on the shell game if you can.
The State & the employee's unions have been in bed for decades....this one wont fool me.
In the words sung by Mr. Joe Cocker-"Cry me a river"...My eyes though are dry, because I never shed a tear for the poor, down trodden State Employees Unions who filed this suit.
"Gregoire is currently in talks with more than two dozen unions over health benefits for the upcoming two years. Talks over wages are expected later in the summer." A new governor and legislature will be stuck figuring out how to pay for it with stagnant or declining tax revenue, so what the heck, might as well be generous. We need a Scott Walker and we have a Chris Gregoire.
It would be helpful to know which state employee union. There are many.Â
"Washington Federation of State Employees".....?
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I mean, according to the article.
You completely read the article.
How dare you obtain all the facts.