The state’s Public Employment Relations Commission this morning announced the results of the decertification elections for WSU bargaining unit 3 (skilled trades, representing about 220 employees) and bargaining unit 2 (housing and dining services supervisors representing nine employees).
Employees in bargaining unit 3 voted 121-86 to decertify the union. As a result, employees formerly in that bargaining unit are considered civil service employees, and are covered under the state’s new civil service rules.
Employees in bargaining unit 2 (supervisors) voted 5-4 to maintain the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) as its bargaining representative.
President V. Lane Rawlins announced that the employees formerly in bargaining unit 3 will receive the same salary increases as other civil service employees — 3.2% effective Sept. 1, 2005, and, for those who qualify, the Department of Personnel designated salary survey increases effective July 1, 2005.
The university’s 2005-07 biennial supplemental budget request will be amended to provide funding for these pay increases, said Karl Boehmke, executive budget director. (See related article in this week’s issue of WSU Today). Pay adjustments reflecting these increases are expected to be provided no later than the last payroll check in December.
“WSU has requested to meet with the WFSE regarding bargaining unit 2 (supervisors) as soon as possible,” said Rich Heath, associate vice president for Business Affairs.
