In November of 2009, 40 King County DDES employees received layoff notices, of which 25 were scheduled to be laid off December 31, 22009 and the remaining 15 were put in a “lifeboat” to be laid off on January 31, 2010.
The reasoning for the extra month was to allow the Department and the Executive’s office time to resubmit a fee increase proposal to the County Council in hopes of securing $1.5 million in revenue to save the 15 jobs.
Having worked with the County and Council for 4 years, Local 17 Union Rep Behnaz Nelson knew that one month was an insufficient timeline for action to be taken. Together the lifeboat employees, DDES stewards and the Union began lobbying the Executive’s office, the DDES Director and Council members for an extension of the lifeboat.
The need for an extension was summed up in several communications to all parties emphasizing that each day an employee spends in the lifeboat is a day spent looking for another job; not a day spent generating revenue for DDES and servicing the customers of King County to the fullest extent possible. With an extended layoff date the employees could put off their job search and get back to performing the work they love; while the Executive’s office and Council could fully explore the amount needed for a viable and financially sustainable fee increase.
The outgoing DDES Director Stephanie Warden was the first to respond to our pleas and extended the lifeboat to February 28, 2010. Next, the Council acknowledged our situation and recognized the need for additional time and on February 2, 2010 the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee unanimously passed with recommendation an ordinance extending the lifeboat to June 1, 2010. On February 16, 2010, the County Council approved the lifeboat extension by a vote of 6-0. Shortly thereafter, DDES management sent out a message to the lifeboat employees that their jobs were secured until May 31, 2010.
The road has been long, bumpy and mostly unforeseen, but the Union has prevailed in achieving the extension it so diligently fought for these past 2 months. Efforts made in solidarity are the basis for success in this situation. The union representative and the union members banded together, encouraged each other to fight for justice and provided information and support every step of the way.
This truly was a collaborative effort which exemplifies that no achievement is achieved alone and the best successes come from a unified front.
Dec. 2009 - LAYOFFS AT DDES
As you may know, due to the drastic reduction in fee-based revenues, DDES has recently sent out close to 40 layoff notices to members of the 17A bargaining unit.
According to the contract, for most members their bumping rights are limited to within DDES. However, employees with seniority dates preceding Jan. 1, 1986 do have the ability to bump in either DOT or DNRP, in accordance with the terms of Article 15 of the contract. During this round of layoffs, there are only a couple of people who received layoff notices who hold the higher seniority. The Union has requested the most recent seniority lists and they are posted here. DNRP has not yet submitted their list, but once it is provided it will be posted. Please check back.
Also, seniority lists are NOT foolproof and are subject to inaccuracies. Please review the information and encourage others to do so as well, since your job could very well depend on the accuracy of your seniority date.
DDES Seniority - 11-09
DNRP Seniority - 12/1/09
DNRP ENG IV - 11/20/09
DOT - Airport Seniority - 11-30-09
DOT - Roads Seniority - 11-30-09
Current Contract Information
