LIMITS ON MANDATORY OVERTIME FOR CUSTODY STAFF

Together with a team of rank-and-file leaders and union staff, we have reached a tentative agreement with the State to limit the amount of mandatory overtime the DOC can assign to Officers and Sergeants to no more than 8 hours per week. Once fully executed, the agreement will remain in effect for 60 days with the option to extend if mutually agreed upon by the parties.

We will be taking this proposal to the membership for a vote. Our rank-and-file bargaining team recommends that you vote yes. Please stay tuned for voting instructions and timelines. 

GRIEVANCE TO PROTECT YOUR COMPENSATION

DOC is trying to dodge its responsibility to pay members correctly per the terms of our collective bargaining agreement. Specifically, we are contesting DOC's interpretation of the timing of pay for security screening, the McNeil Island premium, and the ability to offer straight time pay to overtime exempt employees who have maxed out their exchange time accruals.

Today, our Union's legal team filed a statewide grievance over these issues. We are prepared to arbitrate this case if necessary.

This grievance will not impact your 4% general wage increase, one-time $1500 bonus, and targeted range increases. All of these compensation improvements will take effect on July 1, 2022.  

UNIT CLOSURES NEGOTIATIONS

We are negotiating with the DOC over the impacts of units they intend to close. Last Thursday, a team of members and union staff met to bargain over proposed closures at MCC and LCC. One issue that we are fighting is DOC's desire to abolish some response and movement and relief positions that are not exclusively tied to units planned for closure. Our position is that this creates a safety and security risk, and we are pushing back. 

Please remember that negotiations over our DOC contract begin on May 25-26 at our Union Hall in Tukwila. We have assembled an outstanding team of shop stewards and staff who will be representing you at the negotiations table. You will be hearing more from them soon.