On February 6th WSDOT members from throughout the state met in Seattle to discuss workplace and legislative issues as Local 17 prepares for negotiations of the 2011 – 2013 contract.
Local 17 long ago established separate Policy Committees for Engineering members and Property Acquisition members in order to provide members the opportunity to interact with union staff on issues of concern for members at WSDOT. Members from around the state choose representatives from their peers to attend the committee meetings.
The committee discussion included both contract and legislative issues. Items being considered at the legislature regarding furloughs and program cuts will have a major impact on contract negotiations. Supplementing the committee discussions, members also considered survey responses from all state members to the recent Local 17 State Contract Questionnaire.
The committee also selected four WSDOT members to serve on the Local 17 State Negotiations Team - Rod Blalock, Farzan Farivar, Dan Jones and Steve Morgans.
The Local 17 State Negotiations Team will meet in March to begin preparations for bargaining, which typically begins in April and concludes by October.
Local 17 wishes to thank members who volunteer their time to participate on the committee.
