Gov. Gregoire signs collective bargaining agreements

For Immediate Release: July 1, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today hosted a collective bargaining signing ceremony with union representatives from ten labor agreements.

The state Labor Relations Office negotiated twenty-two agreements with various unions, and eighteen of them required the governor�s signature to take effect. Representatives from the following groups chose to participate in the ceremony:

� Coalition of Unions
� Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals
� Washington Public Employees Association
� Masters, Mates and Pilots Deck Officers
� Masters, Mates and Pilots Watch Supervisors
� Marine Engineer Beneficial Association Licensed Engineer Officers
� Marine Engineer Beneficial Association Unlicensed Engine Room Employees
� Puget Sound Metal Trades Unions
� Inlandboatmen�s Union of the Pacific
� Washington State Residential Care Council representing Adult Family Home Providers

Gregoire thanked participants �for working with us during these very challenging economic times� and acknowledged that perseverance was required during bargaining after the recession hit. Acknowledging that �everyone is suffering from the effects of a nearly $9 billion budget gap,� the governor told union leaders, �I wish there was more we could do to reward your members for their hard work.�

Each union was acknowledged by the governor and witnessed the signing of its agreement. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Gregoire signed the remaining contracts for unions that did not attend.