Like many DCYF workers in Washington, Taylor Andrews-Garcelon loves her clients but has felt her job get more stressful and dangerous in the last few years.
Big decisions about our working conditions and livelihoods were made in Olympia during the 2024 legislative session. Through our union, we had a seat at the table and came away with major improvements for public employees.
UPDATE 12/27/19: The court extended the temporary restraining order through March 31, 2020. This provides a small window of opportunity for legislators to update our state's public disclosure law. Click here to email your legislators.
Olympia, Wash. – The Superior Court of Washington for Thurston County issued a temporary restraining order December 18, halting the release of state employees’ names, birthdates, work locations, and work emails.
As a public librarian for the Philadelphia Free Library, Sheila O’Steen embodies what we think of when we imagine a public service worker. Every day, she interacts with members of her community. Whether her patrons are young or old, affluent or impoverished, O’Steen shares knowledge and information with everyone she serves.
OLYMPIA, Wash. – A lot of information can be gleaned from a birth date. That's why Washington state public employees are raising safety concerns about a recent state Supreme Court decision – and hope lawmakers will correct it.
In October, justices sided with the Freedom Foundation that public employees' birth dates can be disclosed under the state Public Records Act. Kati Thompson, an IT Systems Administrator of the Employment Security Department, believes this could put state workers in danger, especially those who are domestic violence survivors.
It’s my promise to grow our union. You’ve placed your trust in me, and it’s my mission to connect with members, hear your stories, and work to elevate what matters most to you. In my first months, I’ve traveled both sides of the mountains and many agencies and industries to connect with you and learn what issues are most important to you.
It’s been a whirlwind since October 6, one of the most amazing days of my life. Going back to work after being elected Vice President of Council 28 was a challenge—I was so eager to get started with the work you elected me to do.
According to a narrow (5-4) Washington Supreme Court ruling, state employees’ birth dates are currently subject to public disclosure. Anyone can request a public employee’s date of birth as a matter of public record—a significant breach of personal privacy and safety.
Safety, Privacy, Outsourcing Among Issues Up for Debate
The Washington State Legislature will convene on January 13, 2020, and no workforce has more at stake in the decisions they will make. Several important bills affecting public employees will be up for debate, including outsourcing, the disclosure of employees' birth dates, and more.
