City of Seattle and SPU

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                               City of Seattle and S.P.U

 

 The City of Seattle and S.P.U has been through quite a transition of change in the last two years.

 

First of all I would like to Thank Joe Mickelson for his 30+ years to the water utility. Joe served as a Chief Shop Steward back in the mid 80”s through the early 90’s. He always had the best interest for water pipe workers; Joe has to many accomplishments to mention. We all wish him the best in his new venture.  Thanks Joe.

 

Last month Nick Pealy rolled out a new re-organization plan for field operations. Nick is separating Transmission & Operations and Maintenance.  We are looking forward to working with the new Water Operations/Transmission Director Rick Woyzac….. And Maintenance Director Jeff Simons. Congratulation and welcome aboard.

 

City Furloughs

 

Local 32 members who work for the City of Seattle voted not to participate in the City Furlough process for 2009, Water Operation Chief Shop Steward Josh Werner along with union leadership committee stood in solidarity and voted down the city furlough process proposed by the City Labor Relations.  The three main issues for voting down the proposal are as follows:  

1) City span of control at SPU,

2) Unfilled and budgeted positions (F.T.E.) in water pipe worked classifications.

3) Percentage of members who have 25 years+ who meet retirement criteria.

We are looking forward to meeting with Labor Relations within the city and consider initiatives to address a budget shortfall, but not at the expense of the Water Pipe Workers at SPU.

 

Congratulations to the new Mayor of Seattle Michael Mcginn. We wish Mike and his new staff a smooth transition.

 

A special thanks to Local 32 member Dan Sleeth an employee of Highline Water District who conducted a two-day training class for Senior Water Pipe Workers preparing them to take the Water Distribution Manager Certification test. Dan, instructed 20 members from Seattle Public Utilities Water Operations. Feedback from the test results and from the members who attended the class was very positive.