PRESS RELEASE					
For Immediate Publication
February 21, 2005 		      
							 	      
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WASHINGTON STATE EMPLOYEES ARE 'FED-UP' WITH THE WFSE!!!!

On February 21, 2005 employees of the Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS) who are 
'FED-UP!' with the union's actions, kick off their campaign to decertify the 
Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) as the bargaining representative for staff 
in several divisions within DSHS.  

Affected state employees feel the union underhandedly obtained a 'yes' vote in an October 
'04 election for the new bargaining unit contract to take effect July 1, 2005 
(if approved by the legislature).  Non-union members were not duly notified of the election, 
nor of the union security fee clause contained in the new contract.  Many non-union employees 
are 'FED-UP!' and have decided to take action. 

By signing a petition to 'decertify' the bargaining unit, all members of the bargaining unit 
will have the opportunity to vote on whether the WFSE will continue to represent them or not.  
State employees who are not represented by a union continue to be protected under the state 
merit system rules and Washington state labor laws.

Organizers are seeking at least 3000 signatures from 'FED-UP!' employees in the Economic and 
Social Security Bargaining Unit, which includes the following DSHS divisions statewide:  
Economic Services Administration, Medical Assistance Administration, Aging and Adult Services 
Administration, Children's Administration, Office of Appeals, Division of Fraud Investigators.  
Signature cards must be received before March 25th in order to meet the deadline of March 31st.

All DSHS employees in the above divisions who are 'FED-UP" are encouraged to go 
to: www.wiz-works.com/DSHSFedUp.  A signature card is available on this website to download.  
Mail the signature card to DSHS FED UP at PO Box 2271 Olympia WA 98501.  For further questions, 
please email DSHSFedUp@wiz-works.com.  A packet of flyers and signature cards will be mailed 
upon request.

WASHINGTON STATE EMPLOYEES ARE 'FED-UP' WITH THE WFSE!!!!