T E A

October 11 2005

October/November Meeting Schedule (a busy time!!)

Oct 17		Wastewater Negotiating Committee (12-1, KSC rm. 7045)
Oct 18		Transit Negotiating Committee (12-1, KSC 4G)
Oct 19		TEA Regular Meeting (12-1pm, Large 8th Floor Conference Room, King Street Center)
Oct 20		WTD Contract Negotiations (8-12)
Oct 20		Board Business Meeting (12-1pm, 4G, King Street Center)
Oct 24		Transit Contract Negotiations (8-12, 4G)
Oct 24		Wastewater Negotiating Committee (12-1, KSC rm. 7045)
Oct 25		Transit Negotiating Committee (12-1, 4G)
Oct 27		WTD Contract Negotiations (8-12)
Oct 27		Board Business Meeting (12-1pm, 4G, King Street Center)
Oct 31		Wastewater Negotiating Committee (12-1, KSC rm. 7045)
Nov  1		Transit Negotiating Committee (12-1, 4G)
Nov  3		WTD Contract Negotiations (8-12)
Nov  3		Board Business Meeting (12-1pm, 4G, King Street Center)
Nov  8		Transit Negotiating Committee (12-1, 4G)
Nov 10		WTD Contract Negotiations (8-12)
Nov 10		Board Business Meeting (12-1pm, 4G, King Street Center)
Nov 11		HOLIDAY (Veterans Day)
Nov 15		Transit Negotiating Team (12-1, 4G)
Nov 16		Annual TEA Meeting (12-1 pm, Chinook/King Conference Rooms on 6th floor, King Street Center)
Nov 17		WTD Contract Negotiations (8-12)
Nov 17		Board Business Meeting (12-1pm, 4G, King Street Center)
Nov 22		Transit Negotiating Committee (12-1, 4G)
Nov 24 & 25		HOLIDAY (Thanksgiving)
Nov 29		Transit Negotiating Committee (12-1, 4G)

TEA Monthly Member Meeting Agenda (Wed., October 19)

1. Call to Order
2. Treasurer's Report
3. Proposed Amendments to TEA Bylaws (Vote)
4. Update on Wastewater and Transit Negotiations
5. Upcoming Election of Officers and Annual Meeting (November 16)
6. Issues for the Good of the Order

Advance notice of possible request for action by members

All our union members should be aware that the Wastewater Bargaining Team is considering asking them to prepare a letter to Ron Sims urging a prompt and fair conclusion to wage negotiations with the Wastewater bargaining units.

A decision on whether to take this action will occur in the next week and will depend on any substantial changes in the offer from the County in bargaining.

If we do ask you to take this extraordinary step, a bulleted list of points will be sent you, and you will be asked to email Executive Sims from your own home computer on your own time.

Executive Sims has made certain assurances to TEA recently and we need to see if they are reflected in a change in the bargaining position of the County negotiators. Stay tuned! Ask the WW Bargaining Committee members if you want more info.

Vote on Proposed Bylaw Amendments - Changing Number of TEA Executive Board Officers and Revising Duties

Note:  This vote will take place at the October 19th monthly meeting; proxy vote forms (for those wanting to vote but who cannot attend) may be downloaded from the TEA website main page at www.teaseattle.org.

Based on proposals from members, the Board is recommending amending the Bylaws to create some new positions to share workload and more accurately reflect the reality of separate negotiations between the two Divisions. Instead of the current five Board positions, it is proposed there be seven positions.

Essentially, the current 2nd Vice President office would be abolished and replaced by two new officers that would be Chair of each Bargaining Committee, one each for WW and Transit. In addition, the current Council of Representatives position would be "elevated" to an actual Board position.

Because the change impacts many parts of the bylaws (since they reference current Board offices), rather than posting them here in the TEA Times, the full version of both the current bylaws and the proposed amended versions are on our TEA website.

The most substantive changes can be found in

• Article IV, Section B (Council) establishes the new makeup of the Board to 7 members);
• Article VI Section B (Council - deletes Council of Reps. duties and moves to new Section I), Section C (Board - changes election process for officer positions), and Section F (deletes position of Second Vice-President);
• Article VI, adds two new sections: Sections H (WTD and Transit Bargaining Chairs) and Section I (Council Of Representatives Chair)
• Article VII Section D (Bargaining Teams and Committees) clarifies the new officer roles on the bargaining teams and the larger advisory committees for each Bargaining Unit

To See a Complete Version of the Bylaws with proposed Revisions, go to TEA Web site.

New Officer Nominations now close November 1st

Nominations for Board positions close Tuesday, November 1.  This reflects the member decision at last month's meeting to postpone the annual meeting (and elections) until the result of the amendment vote is known this month.  Please get your nominations to the Nominating Committee (Gary Ikeda, Ken Madden, Lee Miller and Robin Robinson) or any TEA Board officer.

Assuming the proposed Bylaw Amendments pass (see above), the positions to be filled and voted on at the November 16 Annual meeting are:

Treasurer
WTD Bargaining Chair
Transit Bargaining Chair
Council of Representatives Chair

Each of these positions is for a two-year term of office.  We encourage all our members to consider running for these positions - it is the most direct way to have an impact on the direction and operation of our organization!  We welcome new energy and ideas - please consider running!

Notice of Open Enrollment for 2006 Benefits

County employees recently received notification that personalized open enrollment packets for 2006 benefits are being mailed to employees' homes and that the deadline for making changes is Friday, Oct. 28.

Please note that you ARE expected to return this form, as it reflects current benefit offerings to TEA members.  TEA employees will continue to be covered under the existing benefits until a new contract is negotiated.