UFWW Direct

UFWW Message: Special Legislative Session, Action Items

2011-11-18T17:10:43Z

Hi Everybody,

For the direct action fans among us, there will be plenty to do in Olympia, starting November 28. See below for lots of ways to get involved. I will definitely be in Olympia on the 28th, the opening day of the special legislative session. And I'm sure I'll be back and forth a lot after that. Feel free to pass this information along to anyone who wants to get involved.

Best,

Bill Lyne,

President, United Faculty of Washington State

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Rally in Olympia

Saturday, December 3
11am on the Capitol Steps, Olympia

In the next few days, legislators are heading back to Olympia for a special session about the budget. But they won’t be alone at the Capitol.

On Saturday, December 3, they’ll be joined by parents, students, seniors and others. We will call on our elected officials to represent the working families who need quality education and good jobs now, not deeper budget cuts.

We believe it’s irresponsible to cut essential services while special interests profit from unfair tax breaks. We’re rallying in Olympia to call on legislators to get their priorities straight and end tax breaks for corporations and the wealthiest members of our community. Click below to join us on December 3:

Yes, I'll be there: http://bit.ly/s4DUYe

Sorry I can’t make it on December 3, but I still want to help: http://bit.ly/salQsd

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Occupythecapitol.org

To stay up to date a new website has been created www.occupythecapitol.org to act as a clearing house for everything that is happening that week and beyond. Please help spread the word about this website by sharing it on Facebook and linking to it in your emails and websites.

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For More

Contact Bill Lyne (bill_lyne@hotmail.com)

web page: www.ufww.org

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You Are Invited: Rep. Carlyle and Rep. Hunter Reception Nov. 2

2011-10-27T12:34:03Z

BELLINGHAM CELEBRATES

REP. REUVEN CARLYLE AND REP. ROSS HUNTER

November 2, 2011, 6 p.m.

At the Squalicum Boathouse, Bellingham, WA

Reuven and Ross are two of the Washington State Legislature’s staunchest supporters of Western Washington University and Public, Four-Year Higher Education. Even in these tough economic times, Reuven and Ross stood with Western in supporting high quality, accessible, and affordable higher education. Come hear their thoughts for the upcoming legislative session and join us in supporting their re-election.

When: November 2, 2011, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Squalicum Boat House, 2600 Harbor Loop, Bellingham, WA 98225

RSVP: Please RSVP to fouryearpac@gmail.com

Support: Donations greatly appreciated. Please give individually as appropriate to you. &n bsp;

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Sponsored by: Western Advocates, The United Faculty of Western Washington, The Western Chapter of the Public School Employees

web page: www.ufww.org

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November 2nd Fundraiser for Ross Hunter and Reuven Carlyle

2011-10-16T20:04:14Z

Join us as

BELLINGHAM CELEBRATES

REP. REUVEN CARLYLE AND REP. ROSS HUNTER

November 2, 2011, 6 p.m.

At the Squalicum Boathouse, Bellingham, WA

When: November 2, 2011, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Squalicum Boat House

2600 Harbor Loop, Bellingham, WA 98225

RSVP: Please RSVP to fouryearpac@gmail.com

Support: Donations greatly appreciated. Please give individually as appropriate to you.

Sponsored by: Western Advocates, The United Faculty of Western Washington, The Western Chapter of the Public School Employees

Invitation Flyer (PDF)

web page: www.ufww.org

unsubscribe: http://www.ufww.org/mail/mail.cgi/u/ufww_d/

Join Us to Celebrate Washington State Reps. Reuven Carlyle & Ross Hunter

2011-10-16T19:49:53Z

Join us as

BELLINGHAM CELEBRATES

REP. REUVEN CARLYLE AND REP. ROSS HUNTER

November 2, 2011, 6 p.m.

At the Squalicum Boathouse, Bellingham, WA

When: November 2, 2011, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Squalicum Boat House

2600 Harbor Loop, Bellingham, WA 98225

RSVP: Please RSVP to fouryearpac@gmail.com

Support: Donations greatly appreciated. Please give individually as appropriate to you.

Sponsored by: Western Advocates, The United Faculty of Western Washington, The Western Chapter of the Public School Employees

web page: www.ufww.org

unsubscribe: http://www.ufww.org/mail/mail.cgi/u/ufww_d/

UFWS Message: Please Thank Your Local Legislator

2011-04-11T16:40:52Z

Dear Colleagues,

Our legislators heard you!

In the State of Washington House of Representatives proposed budget released this week, budget writers recognized the historic underfunding of Western Washington University and acted accordingly. The budget still proposes cuts, but they are not nearly as bad as they could have been for Western.

Our local legislators from the 40th and 42nd Districts worked hard to make sure that the proposed budget addressed the inequity in Western’s state funding. Please take a moment to thank them for standing up for Western.

If you know your District, please click on one of the links below. You can find your District here.

40th: To send a quick thank you note.

42nd: To send a quick thank you note.

Our representatives need to know you we appreciate their support for Western.

Thanks for all that you continue to do for Western.

Bill Lyne

President, United Faculty of Washington State

web page: www.ufww.org

unsubscribe: http://www.ufww.org/mail/mail.cgi/u/ufww_d/

UFWW Message, Rally 3/17

2011-03-10T11:46:15Z

Dear Colleagues,

This is a reminder that United Faculty of Western Washington will be heading down to Olympia next Thursday, March 17, for the RALLY! To Protect Our Future in Olympia. The bus is filling up, but we still have some seats. In the wake of recent events, we anticipate a large turnout at the capitol steps. We would like to have as many faculty present as possible. You can bring the whole family! We welcome students, staff, administrators, retired colleagues, and all friends of labor to join us on the bus. To sign up, please e-mail me at: garfinkle@comcast.net.

Our plan is to leave from the Sehome Haggen parking lot at 8am to ensure that we are in place for the noon rally. We will head home after the rally (with lunch on board) with an ETA back in Bellingham of 4:30pm. The details will be posted on the UFWW website. In addition, for those traveling separately, we will post details before Thursday of where to assemble down in Olympia.

The rally is being planned in Olympia to coincide with the announcement by the state's Revenue Forecast Council of what that body projects by way of anticipated revenue for the 2011-2013 biennium (Rally Poster). All the rumors are that the news will be bad; we'll likely be told on that day that, rather than a $4.6 billion deficit, we're facing a deficit hole that is as much as $1 billion deeper. The purpose of this March 17 rally, then, will be to make a loud, boisterous, “Wisconsin”-like case for closing tax loopholes and using the money to fund higher education and other essential services. The rally is being put on by the “Our Economic Future” coalition (140 member-organizations strong).

Sincerely,

Steven

Steven Garfinkle President, United Faculty of Western Washington

web page: www.ufww.org

unsubscribe: http://www.ufww.org/mail/mail.cgi/u/ufww_d/

Rally in Olympia 3/17

2011-03-03T20:17:18Z

Dear Colleagues,

On Thursday, March 17, a large rally is being planned in Olympia to coincide with the announcement by the state's Revenue Forecast Council of what that body projects by way of anticipated revenue for the 2011-2013 biennium. All the rumors are that the news will be bad; we'll likely be told on that day that, rather than a $4.6 billion deficit, we're facing a deficit hole that is as much as $1 billion deeper. The purpose of this March 17 rally, then, will be to make a loud, boisterous, “Wisconsin”-like case for closing tax loopholes and using the money to fund higher education and other essential services. The rally is being put on by the “Our Economic Future” coalition (140 member-organizations strong).

The United Faculty of Western Washington will be sponsoring a bus to take as many faculty as possible to Olympia for this rally on March 17. Please consider joining us. To sign up, contact UFWW President Steven Garfinkle at: garfinkle@comcast.net

Sincerely,

Steven

Steven Garfinkle
President, United Faculty of Western Washington

web page: www.ufww.org

unsubscribe: http://www.ufww.org/mail/mail.cgi/u/ufww_d/

UFWW Message: March 1, Education Action Day

2011-02-25T12:27:19Z

Dear Colleagues,

Next Tuesday, March 1 will be a busy day in Bellingham for advocates of WWU's public mission. I urge you to join us for the series of events listed below (more info).

1. The Associated Students will be holding the "Rally to Restore Education" from 11am - 1pm in the Performing Arts Center Plaza. They would appreciate faculty support!

2. UFWW will be holding a forum for all faculty on the current budgetary climate and related issues (such as workload) at 4pm in Fraser 3.

3. The College Promise Coalition will be sponsoring a community conversation in the Bellingham City Council Chambers from 5pm-6pm (see flyer). Many of us will be traveling directly from our forum to the council chambers. Please join us!

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Also, we invite those of you have not yet taken action through Western Advocates to do so: Legislative Link !

Thank you!

Steven Garfinkle

President, United Faculty of Western Washington

web page: www.ufww.org

unsubscribe: http://www.ufww.org/mail/mail.cgi/u/ufww_d/

UFWW Message, Solidarity

2011-02-22T13:07:36Z

Dear Colleagues,

Our colleagues in public sector unions are under assault in a number of states, notably Wisconsin and Ohio. Please note the message below from Mary Linquist, WEA President, which includes a few things we can do right now to show our support.

Regards,

Steven

Steven Garfinkle

President, United Faculty of Western Washington

The NEA family has come out in force to support our members and colleagues in Wisconsin, as well as those in Idaho, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio and Tennessee. Other states are facing unprecedented threats as well. Although we have made inroads in making the media aware of these battles across the country, all eyes and cameras continue to be on Wisconsin. Please remember as you are asked to talk about our battles across the country and the fight in Wisconsin that we are fighting for members to be heard and for their rights. Message discipline around Wisconsin's fight will help us in all our battles.

Below is a message from the communications team on the ground in Madison that we are sharing for your reference:

This protest is about public sector employees retaining a voice in their profession and Wisconsin's future. The proposed legislation strips away worker rights and destroys the collaborative partnerships that have been established between labor and management in Wisconsin. It's not about pay and benefits, pensions and health care.

What is happening right now in Wisconsin is historic. Tens of thousands of citizens - unprecedented numbers - are gathering and speaking out to show their support for the state's public servants. They want to voice support for the third grade teacher who stays late to help a student with math - for the nurses who work every day to care for patients - for the firefighters who keep us safe -- and for the snow plow drivers who plow streets through the night so their neighbors can get to work in the morning. These public workers are on the front-lines everyday to support us - and they should have a say in their profession.

The people of Wisconsin are asking the Governor and legislature to hear them out - and work with them to find bipartisan solutions that will address Wisconsin's challenges. Silencing the voices of public sector employees by busting up their unions is not a going to help Wisconsin move forward - and it will only divide the people of this state.

Because we know everyone is looking for a way to lend their voice to our collective fights, here are three things you can do right now:

o Have members sign the petition on Education Votes website: educationvotes.nea.org/nationalpetition

o Ask members to "Wear Red for Ed" to support public education beginning Tuesday, February 22nd , and every Tuesday this spring

o Email information about local or state solidarity actions to campaignhub@nea.org

I encourage you to share this message with your state affiliate Officers, Board members, GR directors, PR directors, UniServ managers, and other Association leaders, members, and staff.

Again, this is a national fight for working people. We're leaders in this fight. Let's get this note out widely, take action together, support each other. We're going to win this fight.

web page: www.ufww.org

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UFWS Message: Political Advocacy Tools

2011-02-15T14:06:10Z

Dear Colleagues,

State support for our public universities has been cut by over 30% in the last two years. The budget proposals that are now making the rounds in Olympia would bring that total to over 50% in four years.

The larger class sizes, increased graduation times, layoffs, reduced salaries, reduced retirement benefits, and decreased student access that these budget cuts will lead to will destroy our universities.

Take a few minutes and write your legislator now to tell them that they cannot cut us any more. Go to this link to easily contact your legislators now: http://wfc2.wiredforchange.com/o/8502/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=201

UFWS has joined the Western Alumni Association to create Western Advocates www.wwuadvocates.org, an organization that makes it easy for people to become informed and forceful advocates for public higher education. Join us now: http://wfc2.wiredforchange.com/o/8502/signup_page/signon

Sincerely,

Bill Lyne
President, United Faculty of Washington State
--
www.wwuadvocates.org
Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/WWU-Advocates/117548494983136

UFWW Collective Bargaining Update

2010-10-22T13:41:44Z

Dear Colleagues,

Our first Collective Bargaining Agreement will expire in September 2011. United Faculty of Western Washington (UFWW) has begun preparations for bargaining our next contract with the university administration. Faculty participation in these efforts will be crucial to our success.

On Monday you will receive an invitation from UFWW to participate in a bargaining survey. The survey is one of the most important ways in which the faculty can communicate its priorities and concerns to the UFWW Bargaining Team. ALL faculty are asked to complete the survey. The higher the rate of participation, the better the data that will be available to our bargaining team. (A full list of the UFWW Bargaining Team is available at www.ufww.org/about_us.html.)

In order to ensure that this year’s bargaining is fully informed by the faculty, we will also be holding two all faculty forums in early November. These forums will be moderated by the bargaining team. Your participation will be essential to their success.

All Faculty Bargaining Forums:
Wednesday, November 3, 4pm, AW 204
Thursday, November 4, 4pm, Frasier 3

Yesterday we also received a message from Bruce Shepard and Scott Pearce announcing a climate survey designed by the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) that will also be available next week. Both of next week’s surveys represent unique opportunities for faculty to weigh in on important matters. UFWW urges your thoughtful participation in these surveys.

Regards,

Steven Garfinkle
President, United Faculty of Western Washington

Kevin Leonard
Chair, United Faculty of Western Washington 2010 Bargaining Team