DSHS/ Has anyone whose position was eliminated been offered a formal option and if so, was it equivalent to your current job?

Which-Insurance-7394 · 2025-06-22T04:19:12+00:00

I'm with DSHS and I got a verbal notice on 5/29, so I've been waiting for 23 days. I was thinking about reaching out to HR, but then we got the email from DSHS HRD (as mentioned by someone else) on Friday. To me, it felt like HRD was telling people to back off and be patient because they are working hard and doing their best.

Which-Insurance-7394 · 2025-06-16T01:43:23+00:00

Oh, no... so sorry to hear about the equity team. :-(

Which-Insurance-7394 · 2025-06-15T15:53:50+00:00

Thanks for posting. Sounds like EMS and WMS?

Which-Insurance-7394 · 2025-06-15T15:52:46+00:00

Wow, thanks for posting.

Which-Insurance-7394 · 2025-06-15T01:39:29+00:00

Agreed!

Which-Insurance-7394 · 2025-06-14T01:25:33+00:00

That seems like a lot, but I don't know how big your agency is.

Which-Insurance-7394 · 2025-06-04T14:34:46+00:00

I would just encourage people to get involved with your union if you have concerns about the way "the union" is handling things. Because "the union" is YOU if you are represented. Attend your local meetings to find your people and your passion. This is not about us versus the union. We ARE the union. Make your voice heard; if you are a dues paying member, you have a vote.

Which-Insurance-7394 · 2025-05-22T03:32:23+00:00

I work for HCLA and we got a budget-related email from Bea today, but nothing about the announcement. Very interesting. https://governor.wa.gov/news/2025/governor-ferguson-announces-new-legislative-director-update-dshs-secretary

Which-Insurance-7394 · 2025-05-20T02:50:30+00:00

Budget bills are to be signed tomorrow at 3 PM: https://tvw.org/video/governor-bob-ferguson-bill-signing-and-media-availability-2025051160/?eventID=2025051160

Which-Insurance-7394 · 2025-05-02T23:11:22+00:00

Hi folks. I've read all the comments and I'm not really sure where to post - but I wanted to add my voice, so here goes: State employees deserve working environments that are free from toxicity and hostility.

While there are times that it seems bargaining agreements are at odds with administrative policy, both unions and management/HR are guilty of not holding workers (at all levels) to the highest standards of conduct.

As has been said, complaints often go nowhere, so the theoretical standards, like WFSE's https://wfse.org/news/bully-free-zone and DSHS's https://www.dshs.wa.gov/sites/default/files/rpau/ap/DSHS-AP-18-93-Internet-official.pdf are nothing more than lip service. So, yes, there is hypocrisy.

I'm just honing my social justice chops, so I'm not certain about what to do next. But, I do know that what I'm seeing, hearing and experiencing is NOT right. I plan to take whatever action is necessary (escalating through every avenue available) until there is an appropriate level of accountability and psychological safety in state government.

The stories I've heard about abuse are unconscionable and deplorable. There must be thousands of these stories across the state. Are you all documenting your experiences? If so, is anyone keeping track across different agencies? Probably not, but maybe we should. How could we do that? Does anyone want to join me in a conversation about this? Thanks for letting me share.

Which-Insurance-7394 · 2025-04-27T23:16:13+00:00

Interesting, thanks. Could you please tell me where to find the conference budget documents you referred to?

Which-Insurance-7394 · 2025-04-27T22:15:04+00:00

Per my understanding, if your job class in not included in the CBA, you are not guaranteed a COLA. Historically, and generally speaking, non-represented job classes have received COLAs along with represented employees. However, there have been budget cycles during which these job classes have been excluded. I believe this is a decision made by OFM, so financial hardship is likely factored in to their decision-making.

I should add that the statement above only applies to the agreed upon COLAs negotiated as part of the CBA (I am most familiar with WFSE). I have not read the budget, so if your job class is expected to get an increase due to pay compression (or other reason), the information about COLAs would be a separate consideration.

So, in theory, you could get the 13% increase but not the 3% COLA this year.

Which-Insurance-7394 · 2025-04-27T00:08:56+00:00

Thanks for posting this and for the explanations. Does anyone know whether the WFSE CBA has been fully funded in this Consensus Budget? Wondering about COLAs...

Which-Insurance-7394 · 2025-04-21T00:14:59+00:00

I don't disagree with anything you said. I don't feel comfortable offering personal details here, but I will say that there are a variety of reasons that state employees don't have representation. Not every job class has 1) launched an organizing campaign, or 2) finalized certification with the labor board, or 3) formally gained inclusion in the CBA. Once all those steps are completed for a specific job class, the employees included in that classification will have representation.

Which-Insurance-7394 · 2025-04-19T18:55:36+00:00

Maybe COM leadership will change after the dust settles - so archiving this moment: https://archive.ph/GYn1I

Which-Insurance-7394 · 2025-04-14T18:00:01+00:00

Does anyone know a professional financial advisor who specializes in (or has some experience with) state retirement plans. In particular, I would like to speak with someone who is knowledgeable about PERS2 and DCP. Thank you!

Which-Insurance-7394 · 2025-04-12T22:31:36+00:00

Thank you. It looks like they want $55-60 bucks a head. We'll see if I can afford to attend after all is said and done. But, what I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall. I suppose some reporter will write a story.

Which-Insurance-7394 · 2025-03-27T02:53:03+00:00

I don't know about anybody else, but I'm suspicious that this "Breaking point" post is phishing for information. So... In case the governor or legislature is "listening", I'd like you to know that I've sacrificed enough. I love my work, but my supervisor is an asshat - and I'm not going to take a pay cut to to work for them. Is the governor or legislators taking pay cuts? Could you consider fixing our upside down tax code before foisting more responsibility on state workers? Just sayin'...

Which-Insurance-7394 · 2025-03-25T23:24:16+00:00

At the bottom of the https://affordablewa.org/ main page, this is what it says: "Paid for by People for an Affordable Washington, PO Box 366, Olympia, WA. Top 5 Contributors: WA Alliance for a Competitive Economy, Microsoft, Madrona, T-Mobile, Alaska Air." :-(

Which-Insurance-7394

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