State of Washington
Public Employment
Relations Commission
Marine Division
Photo by Stephen J. Brown, courtesy of Washington State Ferries
Director's Corner Newsletter
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| Executive Director Mike Sellars |
January 18, 2012
Greetings!
Welcome to the Public Employment Relations Commission. I am the new Executive Director, taking over for Cathy Callahan who retired at the end of December. I thank Cathy for her years of public service, both to PERC and to collective bargaining. We are definitely better for her service.
Along with my arrival and Cathy’s departure, 2011 was a time of change for PERC. In July, the Marine Employees Commission became a division of PERC. PERC and the marine clientele have worked hard to make the transition as seamless as possible.
In addition to Cathy’s retirement, PERC said farewell to two retiring veteran adjudicator/mediators: Ken Latsch and Katrina Boedecker. Katrina and Ken have 65 years of combined experience. We thank Ken and Katrina for their years of public service and dedication to collective bargaining.
PERC also welcomed three new faces. Erin Slone-Gomez, Casey King and Emily Whitney began with PERC in November. You have likely started seeing them appear on cases.
Despite these changes, the dedication to our mission does not. I am passionate about our mission, and am excited for the opportunity to lead PERC. In the meantime, if you have questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Finally, mark your calendar for April 26 and 27 for the 35th Labor Employment Relations Association (LERA) conference at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. I look forward to seeing you there. Watch our web site for more information.
Michael P. Sellars, Executive Director
Mike.Sellars@perc.wa.gov
-What's New-
Welcome!
Welcome to the Marine Employees Commission, the Washington State
Ferry System, and all the labor organizations who represent ferry employees
throughout the State of Washington.
On 7/1/11, in compliance with 2ESSB 5742 signed into law 6/7/11, the Marine Employees' Commission will become the Marine Division of the Public Employment Relations Commission. All filings that previously would have been filed with the Marine Employees Commission should be filed directly with the Public Employment Relations Commission.
| For new cases, use PERC's forms found here: Case Filing Forms | |
| Everything may be filed using the methods below: | |
| filing@perc.wa.gov | |
| Delivery | Public Employment Relations Commission 112 Henry Street NE Suite 300 Olympia WA 98506 |
| Public Employment Relations Commission PO Box 40919 Olympia WA 98504-0919 |
|
| Fax | 360-570-7334 |
This web site will remain operational until all content has been integrated into PERC's web site at www.perc.wa.gov.
Farewell!
The final Marine Employees' Commission public meeting was held Friday, June 24. Outgoing Chairman John Swanson was recognized with a plaque for his 9 years of outstanding service to the MEC. The International Masters, Mates and Pilots Union also presented him with a plaque in appreciation for his efforts to improve labor relations. Minutes from the final meeting are on the Meeting Information page.
Captain Mike Murray, Outgoing Chairman John Swanson, Captain Tim Saffle
New Commissioner
On June 10 the Governor's Office notified MEC that Mark Brennan has been appointed, effective June 16, 2011, to replace Commissioner Patricia A. Warren as the Commissioner from labor.
Commissioner John Cox, Outgoing Chairman John Swanson, New Commissioner Mark Brennan
FY 11 GMAP Results
Performance measure results for FY 11 are posted on the GMAP web page.
The Washington State Ferries system is the nation's largest ferry fleet, consisting of 23 vessels--21 passenger and vehicle and 2 passenger only. The WSF system carries 23 million passengers each year and 11 million vehicles; it is very important to transportation, tourism, and the overall economy of the Puget Sound area.
In 1983, the Washington State Legislature established the Marine Employees' Commission (MEC) to protect the rights prescribed by Chapter 47.64 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW): rights of employers, employees, labor organizations, and the public. The MEC is to ensure the operation of the ferry system is not disrupted by labor disputes, by providing the specialized attention required to resolve the unique and complex labor relations questions that arise in the operation of the Washington State Ferry (WSF) system. The WSF system operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so disputes need to be resolved quickly.
The Marine Employees' Commission is composed of three part-time Commissioners appointed by the Governor representing labor, industry, and maritime affairs.
MEC's mission is to encourage peaceful labor relations between WSF management, state ferry employees and their bargaining representatives, in order to provide continuous operation of the Washington state ferry system.
MEC's purpose is to:
MEC operates under Chapter 47.64 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Title 316 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
MEC's goal is to quickly resolve the unique and complex labor relations questions that rise. Commission members are trained as administrative law judges and hold formal administrative hearings to resolve in a timely manner the often complex disputes in which parties allege violations of the contract or the law. Monthly meetings are held with labor and management, to provide a neutral forum for on-going labor relations dialogue.The Commissioners participate in other collective bargaining roles as well.
The labor unions under MEC jurisdiction are:
IBU (Inlandboatmens' Union of the Pacific)
Public Employment Relations Commission Marine Division
112 Henry Street NE Suite 300 / PO Box 40919 / Olympia WA 98504-0919
Phone (360) 570-7300 / Fax (360) 570-7334 / email: info@perc.wa.gov
Office Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday Closed Weekends and State Holidays
This web page was updated June 30, 2011. The content of this web site will be migrated to PERC's web site at www.perc.wa.gov.
Send mail to info@perc.wa.gov with questions or comments about this web site.