WFSE/AFSCME Council 28 and the State of Washington
Background
In April 1997, newly-elected Governor Gary Locke directed all state agencies to embark upon an aggressive long term effort to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of state services. He issued two Executive Orders to implement this change. Executive Order 97-02 created a Subcabinet of Management Improvement and Results to oversee efforts to improve the effectiveness and fairness of state regulatory processes and directed each state agency to complete a review of its rules and regulations. Executive Order 97-03 directed each state agency to develop and implement the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of the public services it provides through quality improvement, business process redesign, employee involvement, and other quality improvement techniques. Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE)/AFSCME Council 28 has worked with the Governor and the agencies in implementing these Executive Orders.
Structure
The quality efforts are directed by the Governor’s Office with oversight by the Subcabinet on Management Improvement and Results. By July 1 1997, each state agency was required to develop and implement plans to carry out the mission set forth in the Executive Orders. Thus, specific quality projects have been undertaken on an agency-by-agency basis. Council 28 staff and members participate on steering committees and process improvement teams in agencies where committee and team representation is based on WFSE/AFSCME representation rights.
Accomplishments
As of June 1998, Washington state agencies have reported 498 quality projects that have produced savings of $8,246,924. The quality projects have also generated $1,538,070 in new revenue. To date, thousands of state workers and WFSE/AFSCME members have received basic quality improvement training.
References
Details of the quality improvement projects can be found in two reports published by the Governor’s Office: Governing for Results (12/97) and Governing for Results 2 (6/98).
