Posts by Deirdre Bissonnette
Bill Alert SJR 8202
As part of its work, the ICSEW Legislative and Policy subcommittee provides Bill Alerts during the current legislative cycle. Its purpose is to inform state employees of pending legislation that may impact them. As state employees, we cannot use state time or resources to lobby for or against legislative proposals in accordance with RCW 42.52.160…
Volunteer to Serve Your Community on MLK Day
By Julie Hyde, ICSEW Communications Subcommittee Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the Department of Health’s employee bulletin The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service is Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. Dr. King believed everyone has the power to build bridges and heal divides through service. The MLK National Day of Service calls upon us to honor…
Keeping Workers Safe from COVID-19
COVID-19 doesn’t end with the lifting of Washington emergency orders. Here’s what agencies are doing to keep state workers safe. By Birgit Miller, ICSEW Communications Subcommittee The last remaining emergency proclamations and state of emergency issued by Gov. Jay Inslee in response to the COVID-19 pandemic expired Oct. 31. However, COVID-19 remains a recognized hazard…
Learn about the legislature with us
What Understanding how our state’s legislature works can seem intimidating. It’s filled with complex terms and processes that can make anyone’s head spin! ICSEW is hosting a free legislative training with the Legislative Information Center at 11 a.m. Tues. Dec. 20. They’ll explain how the legislature works in simple terms to help you know what’s going…
November Meeting Recap
Meeting Summary for November 2022: The following is a summary of the presentation from our November meeting. A recording of the presentation will be available on our YouTube page. Handouts and meeting minutes are usually posted on icsew.wa.gov within seven business days following each meeting. Behavioral Health Recovery from COVID 19 Dr. Kira…
Women’s Equality Day 2022
Today is #Women’sEqualityDay. We’ve made some progress, but we have not yet achieved true gender equity. Congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment in 1972, but it is not protected by the US Constitution. And earlier this year, SCOTUS reversed Roe v. Wade, which gave states authority to restrict rights to abortion. We’ve put together a…
Parting Words from ICSEW’s Executive Chair
Closing the Digital Equity Divide
by Deirdre Bissonnette, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife The COVID-19 pandemic caused a digital revolution in the way many people work. A huge portion of what we did in person for our jobs suddenly had to be migrated online. Digital technology makes teleworking possible. However, the pandemic exacerbated inequities in digital access, especially for…
The Legislature Passed the Fair Start for Kids Act. Here’s What This Means for You
By Stephanie Goedecke, Employment Security Department As part of its work, the ICSEW Legislative and Policy subcommittee provides Bill Alerts during the current legislative cycle. Its purpose is to inform state employees of pending legislation that may impact them. The legislative and policy subcommittee also strives to provide updates on the status of bills flagged…
State Employees Volunteer with ICSEW at Thurston County Food Bank Gardens
Department of Natural Resources Employee, Julie Gilling, (left) and Stephanie Goedecke from the Employment Security Department (right) remove weeds from some garlic in a Thurston County Food Bank garden during an ICSEW volunteer event April 23 in Olympia Story and Photos by Deirdre Bissonnnette Department of Fish & Wildlife ICSEW was proud to volunteer at…