The Story of Justice Denied!
Up until July 1, 2005, WE the Washington State employees (who were already represented by a union – whether we knew it not), had the “legal” right to vote on whether or not we wanted Union Security in our contracts. WAC-356-42-042 / Full Chapter WAC-356
Union Security is the language in the contract that says “Pay Up or Be Fired”!
We were further guaranteed the right to vote on the issue of Union Security by signed agreements between the contract negotiators. (See WPEA Signed Agreement OR WFSE Signed Agreement.)
The Unions absolutely “DENIED” us that vote by disinformation about the vote as well as deliberately holding back information about the vote.
The Unions openly admit they denied us that vote. (See newsletter1 or newsletter2 here.)
PERC Ruled the Unions denied us that vote. (Snipet of Ruling OR Full Ruling)
The remedy to PERC’s ruling was to order a New Vote. (Snipet of Remedy from Ruling)
However, the original remedy was replaced with a NEW remedy that didn't remedy anything. That amended remedy simply ordered the Unions to Post an apology and vow to never do that again. (Snipet of Remedy from Amended Ruling OR Full Amended Ruling)
And the message to us poor souls who were DENIED that vote…Too Bad. So Sad. Just live with it!
IS THAT JUSTICE!?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!
A Threat to Justice ANYWHERE is a Threat to Justice EVERYWHERE!
And until we get that vote, which was promised to us, guaranteed to us, and is our legal, moral, and ethical right, Union Security should NEVER be allowed in ANY contract. Not the 2005-2007 contract, not the 2007-2009 contract, not the 2009-2011 contract. No union security until a proper vote has been conducted! Period!
We are currently fighting to get that vote through the “real” court system. However, that legal process could drag on for years. So what can we do in the mean time?
Since the unions are “unwilling” to give us that vote, the Decertification Process is the ONLY option left to us. The Decertification Process is a democratic process that gives us three options…
1) We can assert we want to keep the current union as is – no change
2) We can petition for a new union
3) We can remove a union presence altogether
Unfortunately this process is only available every 2 years. This time has now passed for the 2009-2011 contract. We thank all who were involved this time around and signed their cards. Don't give up hope, We get this chance every 2 years. If you want to take advantage of any one of these options, you will NEED to sign a "Decertification” card/form during an open decertification window and mail it to the address indicated on that form. When that window does open, we have only a short time to present our “showing of interest” Please give us your contact information so we can inform you, or keep in contact so you can help us plan the next effort.
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