PSE Membership It s about YOU!
Welcome to PSE! For us, success means fair wages, good benefits and a strong voice in your workplace. It means paid time off for vacations, holidays and family illnesses. It means health care coverage and job security, and benefits when you retire. Your union is here to make sure you know your rights and benefits, and receive fair treatment on the job, every day. There are many #PSEBenefits available to you, and no membership card or ID is required to access them. Membership Benefits CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS/COLLECTIVE BARGAINING: The two-way process between an employer (school district or university) and a labor union (PSE). This process determines your wages, health benefits, hours and working conditions. The end result of collective bargaining is a legallybinding contract (collective bargaining agreement). Contracts are usually negotiated every three years. Minor changes and clarifications are negotiated from time to time to deal with unanticipated issues, when needs arise through legislative changes, or when the union and the employer mutually agree to make a change. Find your contract online at PSEClassified.org under Chapter Contracts. GRIEVANCE SUPPORT: Have a problem at work? Your Field Representative is a member of PSE s staff and is only a phone call or email away to help you if you have an issue arise or need to file a grievance. APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS: A structured, paid, on-the-job training program to earn college credit. Check out our website to learn about the 28 occupations available under this program! TRAININGS/WORKSHOPS: If you re interested in taking a more active role in your chapter, numerous leadership and skill building trainings are available, including our annual TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) workshop. A VOICE FOR YOUR PROFESSION IN OLYMPIA AND WASHINGTON, D.C.: Through the collective power of more than 28,000 members, PSE has the strength to hold politicians accountable for smarter, safer schools in Washington state. We also have a strong federal voice in Washington, D.C. to ensure your needs are heard nationally. EXCLUSIVE, COST-SAVING CONSUMER BENEFITS: Including AT&T Wireless Savings, Education Assistance, a full service roadside assistance motor club, flower discounts, mortgage program, auto buying service, pet savings, movie ticket and theme park discounts, and so much more EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAM: In time of crisis, the Emergency Relief Fund provides financial assistance to members in need. Reach out! Help is available. PSE AND SEIU SCHOLARSHIPS: Every year, direct financial aid is awarded to PSE members and their children through scholarship programs. LAWYER REFERRAL PROGRAM: Quality free and discounted legal services, including two, free 30-minute consultations and 15% off the attorney s standard rate! Visit PSEClassified.org and click on Membership Benefits to learn more and start accessing your discounts right away. www.pseclassified.org Facebook.com/PSEClassified Twitter.com/PSEClassified Instagram.com/PSEClassified
You Are Not Alone With more than 28,000 members statewide who play a vital role in the operation of preschool, K-12 and universities throughout the state, you are part of a union of dedicated individuals committed to our students and schools. There is power in numbers, power to make progress, and power to affect change as our history reflects. Whether it s achieving new school reforms that will dramatically improve future funding, improving school safety, enhancing school levy limits, achieving greater flexibility in negotiating higher education contracts, PSE will remain at the forefront for you, guaranteeing that your interests will always come first. You Are a Part of SEIU The Fastest Growing Union In North America In 2005, PSE affiliated with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to gain even more strength by working with other classified school employees and union members in the state and nationally. We became SEIU Local 1948 and combined with other SEIU locals, we are the largest labor organization in the history of our state, and one of the most powerful in the country. You Make PSE Strong(er) By getting more involved in PSE you can make a strong organization even stronger. PSE is member-governed by an elected Board of Directors. We are headquartered in Auburn, with regional offices in Kennewick, Vancouver and Spokane. As a PSE member you are a part of a local chapter. PSE is operated democratically through the classified employees who make up more than 220 local PSE chapters. Chapter members elect their own officers, bargain collectively and implement programs locally, like scholarships, awards, and professional development. Chapters send delegates to the PSE convention where resolutions and policies are discussed and the future direction for PSE is democratically decided. Each local chapter is assigned a PSE staff member, referred to as a Field Representative to assist in managing all local negotiations and programs. PSE provides the expertise to assist in all the decisions your chapter needs to make. To reach your field rep, contact the PSE regional office nearest you. At any time, if you want to learn more about becoming involved in either the local leadership of your chapter or in some other way, please communicate with your local chapter president or contact your field representative. We have the power to hold politicians accountable for smarter, safer schools for Washington state.
Public School Employees of Washington PO Box 798 Auburn, WA 98071-0798 www.pseclassified.org Statewide 866.820.5652 253.876.7407 Regional Offices Auburn Spokane Tri-Cities Vancouver You Are Connected Always Get Connected PSE ensures all their members are connected to their union. PSE s website is updated almost daily with the latest PSE news. It s not all just politics either. The PSE website (www. pseclassified.org) highlights all the great things classified staff do for their communities such as food drives and the awards they win. Make sure you also like Public School Employees of Washington on Facebook. PSE s Facebook page is a great way to get connected to PSE and meet other wonderful classified staff members. Finally you can follow PSE on Twitter @PSEClassified to get the latest PSE news as it happens and follow live PSE events such as Action Week and Convention. News Blog During the state s legislative session that begins in January each year, the PSE blog becomes the place for the most current, real-time information on happenings in Olympia. Learn the latest about a particular piece of legislation that PSE is tracking, get a heads up when your voice urgently needs to be heard by your legislators and learn how you can help to ensure our politicians are keeping the best interests of our public school students and schools at the forefront. It s updated throughout the year, and most frequently during the legislative session. Political Action Center Know who your legislators are and where they stand on issues that impact you personally and professionally. The Political Action Center, found under the Get Involved tab on our website, provides you the tools to register to vote, learn who your legislators are, and how they ve voted on various legislative bills. We also encourage you to sign up to receive emails during the legislative session. The emails will provide session updates and ask you to take specific action, such as contacting your legislators, when it s most effective. Remember, as a group of more than 28,000 we can ensure our voices are heard in Washington state and Washington D.C. when it comes to public education. Field and State Office Contact Information The state office and the regional offices exist to serve you, whether it s getting your questions answered, seeking more information or expressing concerns, our job is to help and support you.
As a union of more than 28,000, we can ensure our voices are heard in Washington state and Washington, D.C. when it comes to public education.
You Are OUR Priority The staff of PSE has one priority, and that s you. We re not going anywhere we ve been representing people like you since 1948. While we ve evolved in many ways, including representing higher education support staff beginning in 2000, one thing will never change. We have your interests at the forefront, and we always will. We are here for you, whether it s assistance in understanding your contract, advice on accessing professional development opportunities, legal assistance, financial help in a time of crisis, accessing member benefits, questions about how to manage a hostile work situation, grievance support, and just about anything else related to your job and your workplace, we re just an email, a phone call or even a few steps away. As a member you always have access to PSE personnel and their professional expertise. PSE provides a wide range of resources to bargaining leaders, often referred to as chapter leaders, and classified employee team members. This prepares you to advocate for your chapter/bargaining unit at the bargaining table or with workplace issues. We hold occasional workshops, an annual TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) training, and we keep our professional staff updated on the latest trends, legal developments and bargaining strategies.
Helpful Words and Phrases PSE acknowledges that we often use words and phrases that may be familiar to some, but not all. We ve pulled some of the most commonly used language, and included brief definitions of each that we thought might be helpful: Bargaining Unit/Chapter A group of employees that are members of a labor union (PSE) designated to represent the membership as a whole in wage and contract negotiations with the school district or university. Negotiations A two-way process between an employer (school district or university) and a labor union (PSE). This process determines everything from wages and health benefits to hours and working conditions. The end result of collective bargaining is a legally-binding contract, which clearly describes employees rights and benefits. Contract A contract comes as the result of the collective bargaining process. A contract details employment terms and sets out the rights and responsibilities of the employee and his or her employer. Grievance One of PSE s main responsibilities is to make sure all provisions of a contract are followed. If you believe a right or provision in your contract has been violated, contact your field representative, who can advise you about how to proceed with a grievance. Typical grievances may include situations involving seniority, disciplinary action, or violations of law, such as workplace safety regulations. Union Steward/Building Rep This person is an official within the local chapter. This position is voluntary and elected by local chapter leadership, while also maintaining their regular position as an employee. The Building Rep serves as a significant link and conduit of information between the local PSE leadership and the members of the chapter. This person is charged with ensuring that both the district and PSE employees are adhering to the collective bargaining agreement. He or she may also represent and assist fellow workers in navigating the grievance process. Weingarten Rights In 1975 the United States Supreme Court upheld a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) decision that employees have a right to union representation at investigatory interviews. These rights have become known as the Weingarten Rights. WEINGARTEN RIGHTS If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or terminated, or affect my personal working conditions, I respectfully request that my union representative, officer or steward be present at the meeting. Without representation, I will attend the meeting and follow lawful orders, but I choose not to answer any questions.
You Are PSE We value each of you, and it s because of you that we exist. Your success in your classrooms, school buildings, cafeterias, bus barns, offices, technology labs, school grounds gives us the drive and impetus to keep working on your behalf. Our job is to support the power and strength that you bring to PSE and to public education. Because of you, we remain tireless in our efforts toward public education improvements for our students, schools and for each of you. Thank you for the work you do. Our Investment in You Inside the front pocket, you ll find your Dues Authorization Card. Please take a few minutes to fill it out and return it today in the postage-paid envelope.
PSE = Progress 2015: Fought to fully fund higher education collective bargaining agreements in Olympia, and retain and increase vital classified employee health insurance benefits. 2014: Members fought to pass I-1351 to decrease class sizes and increase student support in our schools. 2013: Achieved down-payment toward full state funding of public schools. 2012: Fought for fair and affordable health insurance for ALL school workers and their families. 2009-2010: Helped pass education reform legislation that calls for $2.8 billion in additional investments through 2018 to provide more adequate, stable funding for classified jobs and services. 2010: Spearheaded approval of measure to allow for local negotiations of higher education collective bargaining agreements. 2008: Achieved victory for HJR 4204, simple majority passage of school levies. 2007-08: Improved state-funded classified staffing formulas for first time in 30 years. 1998: Passed bill that established the School Employee Retirement System (SERS), a pension benefit specifically for school support staff. Our job is to support the power and strength that you bring to PSE and to public education.
PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES OF WASHINGTON SEIU Local 1948 PO Box 798 / Auburn, WA 98071-0798 P: 253.876.7407 or 866.820.5652 F: 253.876.7409 www.pseclassified.org Facebook.com/PSEClassified Twitter.com/PSEClassified Instagram.com/PSEClassified