This is the Federation Hotline updated Jan. 25.
Today, a couple of big non-legislative news events affecting AFSCME Council 28 (WFSE) members:
UW and Harborview members speak truth to power on proposed closure of UW Laundry and costly new laundering requirements for HMC custodial staff
AFSCME Council 28 (WFSE) workers from the University of Washington (UW) Consolidated Laundry and workers from Harborview Medical Center (HMC) Thursday morning (Jan. 25) called on the Harborview Board of Trustees to uphold the values of King County and support workers on laundry jobs and respect for custodians.
The county owns the UW-run Harborview, but the UW must abide by a management agreement our members won that requires respect of workers.
The issues that brought the members to the Harborview board were the proposed closing of the laundry because of a claimed budget shortfall, and new self-laundry requirements.
John Frazier, a supply chain technician 1 at Harborview, called for dignity by introducing the issues to the board. At issue are custodians having to clean their own uniforms at Harborview, and UW Medicine’s planned closure of its Consolidated Laundry facility in the Rainier Valley, which employs 120 members.
Marcie Serafica, a custodian at Harborview, told the board that if custodians have to now clean their own uniforms, that could lead to potential health risks for custodians themselves, UW Medicine patients and the public.
“Unlike doctors, nurses, and higher-paid job classes, the Harborview custodial workers would now have to shoulder the financial and scheduling burden of washing their hospital uniforms, which often are covered in biological and chemical contaminants,” said Tania-Maria Rosario, a Federation lead council representative in Seattle.
Mustafa Getahun, a truck driver 2 at the Consolidated Laundry, urged the Harborview board to engage with UW Medicine to avoid closing the laundry, which has kept Harborview patients safe by cleaning the hospital’s linen and employee uniforms.
AFSCME Council 28 (WFSE) members expressed their displeasure that the UW is balancing the budget on the backs of lower-paid, predominantly immigrant and refugee workers of color.
Many of the women and men who work at UW Consolidated Laundry have worked there for 15 to 30 years and speak English as a second language.
The workers of UW Consolidated Laundry have toiled for years in physically demanding working conditions, in high heat, moving millions of pounds of heavy linens, on a loud shop floor.
They have been stable and productive workers providing an efficient and essential service for the No. 1 trauma center in five states as well as other hospitals and medical centers including the University of Washington Medical Center and the Veterans’ Administration.
The members noted the cruel irony of the UW’s reasons for closing the laundry.
“We have not heard that the UW was proposing to address its financial problems by cutting higher paid doctors, managers, or administrative staff,” Rosario said.
The members used their voice to make two reasonable asks of decision makers:
- They asked the Harborview Board of Trustees to treat custodial workers with the same respect and privileges that all workers should receive – and as required by the UW’s management agreement with King County.
- And they called on UW President Ana Mari Cauce to work towards keeping the Consolidated Laundry open so that all of the workers, their livelihoods and their families receive the same level of respect and consideration as doctors or hospital administrators.
Friday is “Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day”
From the Washington State Department of Commerce
Millions of dollars in Earned Income Tax Credits go unclaimed each year – is some of it yours?
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a benefit for working people with low to moderate incomes.
Workers earning up to $53,930 may be eligible to receive the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). A tax return must be filed to get the credit, even if no tax is owed or filing a tax return is not required.
Many people are eligible for this tax benefit, but it often goes unclaimed. The IRS estimates 20 percent of those eligible either do not claim the benefit on their taxes or do not file a tax return at all. Seniors, individuals with low incomes, and non-English speaking taxpayers account for much of the unclaimed credits because they don’t realize they are eligible. The credit reduces the amount of taxes owed and results in a lump sum refund payment for most people who are eligible to claim it.
Governor Jay Inslee proclaimed tomorrow, Jan. 26, as “Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day” in the state of Washington as part of a nationwide effort to spread the word about this under-used tax credit and provide information and resources to claim it.
“Together, the Earned Income Tax Credit and low-income Child Tax Credit (CTC) are among the strongest tools to promote work and help workers with children move out of poverty," Inslee said. “It is important for Washingtonians to be aware of this opportunity because one in five eligible taxpayers do not claim or receive this benefit.”
Just over 164,000 Washingtonians were lifted out of poverty by the EITC and CTC, including an average of 81,000 children each year from 2011 to 2013. In 2017, 426,000 Washington residents applied for the credit, claiming $926 million in refunds, for an average refund of $2,177.
This year individuals can receive a tax refund of up to $6,444 if they meet eligibility requirements.
“Helping working families get tax credits they are owed allow those families to make essential purchases or contribute to savings,” said Brian Bonlender, director of the Department of Commerce. “EITC dollars strengthen family finances, while also strengthening communities by boosting local economies. That is why we strive to make sure that everyone eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit knows about it and has the resources they need to claim it.”
The Department of Commerce and Department of Social and Health Services are partners with many local agencies and nonprofit organizations across the state in raising awareness about the Earned Income Tax Credit and free tax preparation services.
Free tax preparation services are available to many low- and moderate-income families. Just dial 2-1-1 and ask for free tax preparation locations. You may also search “free tax preparation” online.
On Jan. 26, communities throughout Washington and nationwide are taking part in national EITC Day to promote public awareness of the tax credit.
Local EITC Contacts
- Walla Walla Asset Building Coalition (Walla Walla and Columbia counties)
Steve Dickerson, 509.540.1247 or Elizabeth Guerra, 509.529.4980 - Chelan-Douglas Community Action Council
Linda Limbeck, 509.662.6156 ext. 238 - Kitsap Community Resources
Anjalee Blackwell, 360.473.2126 - Lower Columbia Community Action Programs (Cowlitz County)
Liz Myntti, 360.425.3430, ext. 215 - Opportunity Council (Whatcom County)
Lisa Sohni 360.734.5121 ext. 224 - Pierce County Asset Building Coalition
Alanna Rodgers 253.719.3743 - Community Action of Skagit County
Lynn Christofersen, 360.588-5748 or 360.416.7585 - Spokane County United Way
Andrey Muzychenko, 509.324.5030 - United Way of King County
Emily Vyhnanek, 206.461.5076 - Asset Building Coalition of Mason County
Allison Maluchnik, 360.401.9808 - United Way of Snohomish County
Lynsey Gagnon, 425.374.5526 - Thurston County Asset Building Coalition
Kirsten Klein, AARP Tax-Aide Local Coordinator, 360.269.5771 or Stephanie Abraham, VISTA Outreach Coordinator, 360.464.6055 - United Way of Yakima County
Paula Slaye, 509.966.5163 - Klickitat County Asset Building Coalition
Brian Wanless, 509.250.0737. Appointments can be made at the Senior Services Center, 509.773.3757 - OIC of WA: the Prosperity Center (Grant and Adams counties)
Carolyn Grant, 509.765.9206 ext. 239 - Community Housing Resource Center (Clark and Skamania counties)
Cheyanne Llanos Bare, 360.690.4496 ext. 107
Penny Thomas, Media Relations, 206-256-6106
James Helling, Community Services and Housing, 360-725-4144
Part-time legislation moving
The House State Government Committee on Wednesday (Jan. 24) passed out the good bill (HB 2669) to leave no doubt and declare that all part-time state employees are under civil service. The Senate counterpart (SB 6184) was awaiting a scheduled vote of the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee today (Jan. 25).
That’s it for now.
###