1. education
2. school

Issue 220
WWW.IUOE286.ORG
J u n e 20 1 5
APPRENTICE GRADUATION
On Friday May 8th at Bates Technical College in Tacoma,
we recognized the most recent graduates from our Facilities Custodial Services Technician apprentice program,
other apprenticeship programs recognized that evening
were the roofers and the meat cutters. The Facilities Custodial Services Technician is an intense two year program
where the participants learn building maintenance, sustainable cleaning methods, how to deal with building emergencies, and they also receive their HVAC operator and boiler
licenses.
Many of these apprentices are immigrants to the United
States and also obtain their U.S. citizenship while in the
program.
We are honored to present the 2014-2015 graduating apprentices and wish them the best of luck in their careers at
Tacoma Public Schools and the Federal Way School
District. We also applaud the efforts of the School Districts
involved with this program and Bates Technical College
for their continued support of apprenticeship programs.
Lastly, our heartfelt thanks to the instructors and to
Jim Burnson and his staff at the Western Washington
Stationary Engineers Training Trust.
The joint mission of an apprentice program is a vital
piece of the labor management relationship. It is important
to support apprenticeships as we continue to need newly
trained individuals hired into our industry. In many areas
employers and unions have common needs and desires and
this collaborative work to construct an apprenticeship pipeline is a great way for labor and management to partner and
to find solutions for the demand for highly trained workers.
ORGANIZING NEWS
By Jeff Alexander
We would like to welcome a newly organized unit to
Operating Engineers Local #286. The Local has ratified a
first contract with Americold Logistics in Tacoma, WA.
Ammonia Refrigeration engineers at Americold cold storage. traditional work welcome aboard.
Richard Spencer
CONGRATULATIONS!
Business Manager
&
Financial Secretary
John McNeal joined the
Tacoma School District in
1986 after twenty-four
distinguished years in the
U.S. Army. John has been
a shop steward since 1996
and a Chief since 1998.
We thank him for his service to his country, his
union, and to public education.
Best wishes in your well
Officers & Staff
President ..................................................... James Gower
Vice President ............................................ Jeff Alexander
Recording-Secretary .................................. Dane Rawlins
Treasurer............................................. Margaret Englund
General Counsel ............................................. Jeff Frazier
Business Representative ........................ Michael Bolling
Business Representative…………………………....Jim Pyette
Communications Director…….………………....Brent Wagar
Organizer………………………………………………...Bryan Raby
Executive Board
District 1.................................................. Dwayne Lawton
District 2................................................. Ralph Chapman
District 3.............................................. Michael McCarthy
District 4.........................................................Ryen Young
District 5 ................................................ Duane Thiessen
District 6.......................................................James Ratliff
District 7............................................. James Kloberdanz
District 8……………………………………………..….Debbie Ford
Guard ....................................................... Michael Bolling
Trustee ............................................................. Jim Pyette
Trustee ......................................................... Paul Holland
Trustee ..................................................... Eddie Cammon
Auditor ...................................................... John Causey III
Auditor .......................................................... Don Brisbois
Auditor ......................................................... Carlos Vieyra
Conductor .........................................................................
Administrative Staff
Dues Administrator.........................................Linda Ness
Administrative Assistant................................ Patti Weber
Apprenticeship Director
Jim Burnson
“Engineering News” is published and posted on our website at
www.iuoe286.org, and is the official publication of this local
union.
Members are advised that notices published in “Engineering
News” regarding meetings, elections and other union activities
are to be considered as official notices in compliance with notification provisions of Local 286 By-Laws and applicable state and
federal laws.
“Contributions, (dues, initiation fees, etc.) or gifts to the International Union of Operating Engineers and Local Union 286 are not
deductible as a charitable contribution for federal tax purposes.”
Required by Internal Revenue Service
By Jeff Frazier
New NLRB Rules
In December of 2014 the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or
Board) adopted new rules designed to streamline and modernize the
Board’s representation case process and avoid unnecessary litigation
and delay. IUOE Local 286 was one of the first to conduct a hearing
under these rules.
The new rule, implemented on April 14, 2015 makes changes to the
petition process. Now the petitioning party provides a recommended
time, date and location for the election as part of the petition. The
petition can be filed electronically. The Board will provide the
employer with a Notice of Petition for Election which is required to be
posted in the workplace and should not be taken down until it is
replaced by the Notice of Election, or the petition is withdrawn.
The Board will set the hearing on the petition for the eighth day after
the petition is served on the employer. No later than noon the day
before the hearing, the employer will have to provide the Union with a
Statement of Position Form. Amongst the information the employer
must provide is its position on the unit sought by the Union, and if it
disagrees with that unit, the individuals or positions it contends must
be deleted or added to the unit. Failure to raise an issue on the
Statement of Position Form will constitute a waiver of the issue.
Hearing will be limited to those areas that are contested by the
parties. Parties are precluded from introducing evidence at the hearing
that does not bear on an issue raised in the Statement of Position or in
response to the Statement of Position. The rules are designed to make
an employer take a position, and stick to that position.
(continued pp.6)
Executive Board
Monthly Meetings Summer 2015
18 “E” Street SW, Auburn
Mon. preceding 2nd Thur., 6:00 p.m.
June 8, July 6, Aug. 10, Sept. 8
District No. 1 and District No. 2
King & Pierce Counties
18 “E” St. SW, Auburn at 7:30 p.m.
Suspended until Sept. 10
District No. 3 - Pierce Co. School
Districts (Tacoma Custodians)
IBEW 76 Hall - Tacoma
Third Saturday, at 10:00 a.m.
Suspended until Sept. 19
District No. 4 - Peninsula
Clover Leaf
1240 Hollis St., Bremerton
First Tuesday, at 4.30 p.m.
Suspended until Sept. 2
District No. 5 - King Co. School
Districts
Rush Elementary
Third Saturday, at 9:00 a.m.
Suspended until Sept. 19
District No. 6
Dirty Dave’s Pizza
3939 Martin Way E, Lacey
Third Thursday, at 4:30 p.m.
June 18, Sept. 17
District No. 7 - Boeing
18 “E” Street SW, Auburn
Second Saturday, at 8:00 a.m.
Sept. 12
District No. 8 - NW Counties
TBD
Bates Technical College
(Custodial/Maintenance)
All meetings start at 1:00 p.m.
Suspended until Sept. 11
General Membership Meeting
Open To All Members
18 “E” Street SW, Auburn
June 11, 2015
at 7:30 p.m.
Metropolitan Park District
(Park & NW Trek Employees)
Zoo Education Bldg
Second Wednesday, at 4:30 p.m.
Suspended until Sept. 9
Puyallup School District #3
(Custodial)
Kalles Jr. High
Second Saturday at 8:30 a.m.
Suspended until Sept. 12
The following bargaining units
will be notified:
Bates Technical College - Security
Bellevue School District
Clover Park Technical College
Dieringer School District
Franklin Pierce School District
Lakehaven Utility District
Lake Washington Technical College
Puyallup School District - Security
Puyallup School District Maintenance/Warehouse/Print Shop
Sumner School District-Child Nutrition
Sumner School District - Bus Drivers
Sumner School District - Custodial,
Maintenance, Mechanics
White River School District Cust/Maint
White River School District - Bus Drivers
Puyallup School District #3
(Puyallup Bus Drivers)
Puyallup Eagles
Third Wednesday, at 10:00 a.m.
Suspended until Sept. 16
Tacoma School District
(Bus Drivers)
Madison School
Third Tuesday, at 10:00 a.m.
Suspended until Sept. 15
Tacoma School District
(Security)
Foss High School
First Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
Suspended until Sept. 2
Federal Way School District
Federal Way High School
Second Saturday, at 10:00 a.m.
Suspended until Sept. 12
IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO JOIN
A UNION, PLEASE HAVE THEM CONTACT
ORGANIZER BRYAN RABY
(253) 351-9095 or 1-800-573-3082
READ YOUR CONTRACT.
Contracts may easily be taken for
granted, but they often represent
many years of struggle and
thousands of hours of tough
negotiations to secure your benefits,
working conditions and wages.
Your Rights as a Shop Steward
By Brent Wagar
As a shop steward there are certain things that I would
always remind myself of. This is one of them. You are
equal to management when you are conducting union business. Now for me if I hadn’t reminded myself this all the
time it would be easy me to forget. Management isn’t in
the position to give away power. I would sit in the executive director’s big fancy office with him sitting in that $800
chair, all the framed diplomas on the wall behind him and
it was intimidating. It was supposed to be. However, I
would sit there and remind myself that in this meeting we
are equals under the law and it was vital for me to remember that to be able to represent the members in my group
effectively.
There is a line you are not allowed to cross and that is
using sexual or racial slurs or threatening violence. Shop
stewards can also be disciplined for soliciting false testimony, taking part in illegal walkouts or instructing
employees to disregard management’s instructions.
Management is not allowed to punish you for doing your
shop steward job. They cannot threaten you with adverse
consequences, give you poor evaluations, assign you an
oppressive schedule, or transfer you to another department;
in short they cannot punish or coerce you in anyway. Also,
management can’t hold stewards to higher standards, or be
stricter in regards to work requirements. The only exception is that stewards are often held to higher standards than
the rest of the membership for violating anti-strike clauses.
If you are treated unfairly or disciplined in any way
because of your actions as a shop steward, then the
The job of shop steward involves representing the mem- union should and will file a ULP (unfair labor practice)
bers in your group to the fullest extent possible. To do this charge, as well as a grievance. So the next time you are in
you have to confront management. The very nature of your that fancy office dealing with management remind yourself
job is to confront management. To do this effectively you that you are their equal.
are going to have to question their intelligence, their honCommunications & Solidarity
esty, their memory and their interpretation of the contract.
You are going to have heated discussions and sometimes
By Brent Wagar
arguments about money, discipline, and other important
matters. After all, you are fighting for people’s livelihood
I started my new job as Communications Director in
and in doing this work emotions are going to run high and
March, before that I was a custodian in the Bellevue
occasionally you may even lose your cool, raise your voice, School District. I have been a proud dues paying member
or even (heaven forbid) swear.
of the IUOE 286 since 1992, and I am honored to now be
on its payroll. It’s a challenge and responsibility I take
Now what makes this a little sticky is that you are also an seriously. This position was created to establish a better
employee in the organization. As an employee you are
conduit between the Local’s office and its members and
expected to act in a certain way towards management. You from the members back to the Local’s office. We are lookmay feel like you are put in a position as a shop steward
ing for new ways to establish communication and to upthat may lead to negative consequences at work. Many feel date and the established means to make things better for
that they are at risk as an employee because of the job they our members. That’s why I am here.
hold as a steward. This is not the case. You are protected.
As I have mentioned although I am a recent hire, I have
In this matter, the National Labor Relations Act and the
been around for a while. Things haven’t changed all that
Supreme Court of the United States have your back.
much in the labor movement since I joined IUOE 286.
Once again in DC we have a President who was elected on
Once again, when you are engaged in representational
the back of working people and now wants to pass an unactivity as a union officer you rise to the level of managefair trade deal that hurts labor. It’s just like President Clinment. They are no longer your supervisor in these matters
ton did in the 90s with NAFTA. In fact, I was reading
but your equal. So, in this case, actions that you take that
some old Engineering News articles in preparation for this
might lead to discipline when you are working as an emand I came across an article from former IUOE 286 Busiployee, these same actions are allowed when representing
ness Representative Jana Wilson in regard to NAFTA
your brothers and sisters as a shop steward. It is within
(Issue 132). She aptly warned of the threat to jobs, the enyour rights to speak in a loud voice, make gestures and
vironment and safety that that trade deal would have. She
even swear. You are immune from discipline for these acwas right, and just like NAFTA the TPP (Trans-Pacific
tions as long as you are acting on union business in a repre- Partnership) will continue to deteriorate the well-being of
sentational role. It does not apply when you are not acting
American workers. In fact TPP has been referred to as
in this role.
NAFTA on steroids and we need to work towards stopping it from being passed by Congress but it doesn’t stop
Of course there are circumstances that are not protected.
with TPP. (cont. next page)
Abraham Lincoln: Labor Union Supporter
By Jim Pyette
My wife and I home-school our daughters and I was teaching them some history the other day and stumbled on this quote by Abraham Lincoln:
"All that serves labor serves the nation. All that harms is treason. If a man tells you he trusts America, yet fears labor, he is a fool.
There is no America without labor, and to fleece the one is to rob the other."
I realized that he was saying, basically, anyone that harms Unions, harms America. Wow!
I decided to look up some other quotes from some significant figures that shaped the America we love today:
Why Unions Are Important to America:
"With all their faults, trade unions have done more for humanity than any other organization of men that ever existed. They have
done more for decency, for honesty, for education, for the betterment of the race, for the developing of character in men, than any
other association of men."
Clarence Darrow, Attorney
Unions Help Set Acceptable Standards for All Working Americans, Not Just Members:
"Although it is true that only about 20 percent of American workers are in unions, that 20 percent sets the standards across the board
in salaries, benefits and working conditions. If you are making a decent salary in a non-union company, you owe that to the unions. One thing that corporations do not do is give out money out of the goodness of their hearts." Molly Ivins, Columnist
Labor Unions Help Advance American Progress:
"Every advance in this half-century: Social Security, civil rights, Medicare, aid to education... one after
another- came with the support and leadership of American Labor." Jimmy Carter, U.S. President
What Labor Unions have Contributed to Society:
"The labor movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress. Out of its bold struggles,
economic and social reform gave birth to unemployment insurance, old-age pensions, government relief for the destitute and, above
all, new wage levels that meant not mere survival but a tolerable life. The captains of industry did not lead this transformation; they
resisted it until they were overcome. When in the thirties the wave of union organization crested over the nation, it carried to secure
shores not only itself but the whole society."
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.—Speech to the state convention of the Illinois AFL-CIO, Oct. 7, 1965
In conclusion, if anyone speaks against the work of Unions, just remember, they speak against such men as Abraham Lincoln,
Jimmy Carter and Martin Luther King Jr.
Communications & Solidarity (cont.)
In fact, we need to streamline or communications because
we’re at a crossroads and we need to be ready. We are smack in
the middle of an era of great possibilities and struggles. The labor movement has great opportunities for growth as the infrastructure of our country is re-envisioned and rebuilt. We IUOE
286 members can be on the forefront of these changes and benefit greatly from them. There are also threats to Unions like IUOE
286 coming from state legislatures and big business and we need
to take those threats seriously. This is also a time of great grassroots campaigns that question the power of the richest individuals and look to raise the wages of the poorest. We need to support these grassroots efforts and we need to be able to communicate to our members effectively through these times.
Through all of these challenges and opportunities there is one
constant, one thing that is so important that we need to remind
ourselves of it constantly of its importance, SOLIDARITY.
It is so easy to fall into the chasm of infighting but the focus
needs to stay on our real foe and that is the bosses and their
greed. The boiler operator can’t work against the belt shop
worker; the custodian can’t see the security officer as the threat;
the groundskeeper and the zookeeper need to be on the same
page as do the bus drivers and the school cooks. If we stay
focused on our common goals and against our common foes then
we will stay out of this abyss and ultimately be successful. This
is true in collective bargaining and in larger arenas like supporting public school teachers and also minimum wage campaigns.
They are our brothers and sisters and need our support as we
need theirs. Throughout the key to solidarity is good communication.
This isn’t anything that you don’t know but it’s easy to forget
and that is why solidarity is such an important mantra. Working
together and communicating freely we will have the strength to
navigate through this challenging time and to take advantage of
the opportunities. For this reason I am grateful for my new role
and am focused on finding ways to communicate with the membership and opening ways for the membership to communicate
back.
Please let me know how things are going by contacting me
with concerns or questions (brent.wagar@iuoe286.org). Let me
know how the website looks and how we can improve it more.
Finally, check out our page at Facebook.com/IUOE286 and
follow us on Twitter @IUOE286. Your input is vital of making
this work
Facebook.com/iuoe286.
COME TO OUR 2ND ANNUAL
GOLF TOURNAMENT
AND 50TH ANNIVERSARY
We are proud to announce our 2nd
annual golf tournament to be held at
Meadow Park Golf Course to benefit
our Membership Assistance Program
and to celebrate our 50th anniversary.
JULY 18, 2015
CALL (253) 351-9095
New NLRB Rules (cont.)
Post-hearing briefs are no longer allowed. Parties are expected to provide closing oral arguments the same day as the
hearing. Within two days of the decision and direction of election, the employer will have to provide the Union with an
electronic Voter List which now additionally requires the work location, shift, and job classification and, when available, employee’s personal phone number and email addresses. After the election, if there are objections to the election,
an offer of proof must be filed with the objections within seven days of the vote count.
IUOE Local 286 and Seattle Children’s were the first parties in Region 19 to conduct an election hearing under the
Board’s new rules. Local 286 petitioned to add two positions to its bargaining unit at Seattle Children’s. After the
hearing, the Regional Director directed an election and the two employees voted to be represented by Local 286; so far
so good with the new rules.
302/612 Healthcare Changes
By James A. Gower, President
Once again, International Vice President and Business Manager of Local 302 Daren Konopaski and Business
Manager of Local 612 Ernie Evans, have allowed me to attend their quarterly IUOE 302/612 Health and Security
Trust which took place on June 2nd.
Last quarter the Trust voted to change from the First Choice network to the Premera Blue Cross Network. Although
the network will change, you will see no change to your benefits, but there is a small possibility you may not be able
to use your current doctor. Most doctors that are in the First Choice network are in the Premera network, and Premera
has a larger network of doctors. You will be receiving a new insurance card, this card is for ALL of your benefits;
doctors, dentists, vision and prescriptions. You should receive the new card by the end of June. If you do not receive
a new card, you can contact Welfare and Pension Administration Services at 206-441-7574 or 800-732-1121.
The Trust will be increasing in the cost of benefits. Due to the fact that Locals 302 & 612 are in the middle of negotiating their Master Labor Agreement with the Association of General Contractors (AGC), the exact amount of
increase is unknown. At this time, the Trust is estimating an increase of $45.00 to $50.00 per month. This is the
second time in the history of Local 286 that we have had knowledge of our insurance rates increasing, prior to getting
the bill.
This will affect every bargaining unit differently, please review your contract to determine the effects. If you have
any question, please do not hesitate to ask your shop steward or call your business representative.
Martin Luther King, Jr. County Labor Council, AFL-CIO
The Board recommended the following endorsements:
Seattle City Council
Seattle City Council
Seattle City Council
Seattle City Council
Seattle City Council
Seattle City Council
Seattle City Council
Port of Seattle Commisioner
Seattle School Director
Seattle School Director
Seattle School Director
Federal Way City Council
Federal Way City Council
City of Tukwila
City of Pacific
Shoreline City Council
Shoreline City Council
So. King Co. Fire & Rescue Commisioner
5/20/2015
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 6
District 7
District 8
Position 5
Position 2
Position 3
Position 6
Position 1
Position 5
Mayor
Mayor
Position 2
Position 6
Lisa Herbold & Brianna Thomas (dual)
Bruce Harrell
Kshama Sawant
Jeann Godden & Rob Johnson (dual)
Mike O'Brien
Sally Bagshaw
Tim Burgess & John Persak (dual)
Herb Krohn & Ken Rogers (dual)
Rick Burke
Jill geary
Marty McLaren & Leslie Harris (dual)
Anthony Murrietta
Mark Koppang
De'Sean Quinn
Leanne Guier
Keith Scully
Jesse Solomon
Position 2
Roger Flygare
IUOE Local 286
18 “E” Street S.W.
Auburn, WA 98001
Non-Profit
U.S. Postage Paid
Seattle, WA
Permit No. 5544
Address Service Requested
We are on the web at
IUOE286.org
General Membership Meeting
Open To All Members
18 “E” Street S. W., Auburn
June 11, 2015
at 7:30 p.m.
All Training and
Apprenticeship Classes are on the IUOE
website at www.iuoe286.org
OPEIU8 AFL/CIO