This is the Federation Hotline updated Jan. 24.
Bill to bring back state Productivity Board, employee suggestion program takes a big step
The bill to restart the program that generated millions of dollars in taxpayer savings thanks to employees’ “Brainstorm” ideas cleared the Senate State Government Committee Wednesday morning (Jan. 24).
SSB 6332 now goes to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. It has until Feb. 5 to clear that committee.
The bill would restart the state Productivity Board and the “Brainstorm Award” employee suggestion program by July 31.
The quick committee action came shortly after the public hearing where the Federation praised the old program that fell victim to the Great Recession budget cuts.
The program generated more than $62 million in taxpayer savings thanks to state employees’ bright ideas.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Phil Fortunato of the 31st Dist., told the committee the program creates “100,000 eyes” looking for small ideas that when multiplied save tens of thousands of dollars.
AFSCME Council 28 (WFSE) Lobbyist Matt Zuvich said the program provides an objective, third-party to evaluate an employee’s suggestion that might have been rejected by his or her own agency.
Zuvich said “some agencies for whatever reason are a barrier and this gives them an independent route to take ideas that can bring efficiencies and savings forward.”
Under the “Brainstorm Awards,” employee suggesters would share in the savings: $10,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less.
What’s new online?
- Watch our latest SPOTLIGHT VIDEO on the FEB1 Moment of Silence.
- SNEAK PEEK at one of our top stories in the JAN union newspaper: His shop steward ‘had my back’ -- now Andrew Simbler is back on the job. Andrew Simbler is back on the job in Spokane thanks to his shop steward, union council representative and the backing of the other members of Local 1221.
That’s it for now.
###