What Is A UniServ?
What is a UniServ Council? WEA's UniServ Councils are the direct link between local associations (and members) and programs available at the regional, state, and national levels.
UniServ (short for Unified Service) Councils are the regional offices and staff members who deliver the expertise and programs available through the WEA to members at the local level.
Who Belongs?
A UniServ Council is a group of local associations in the same geographic region. For example, the Oroville Education Association is affiliated with the North Central WEA UniServ Council, which is based in East Wenatchee. Likewise, the Pilchuck UniServ Council helps members from both King and Snohomish counties and is located in Everett.
WEA has a total of 21 UniServ Councils. There are five large local associations who also serve as their own UniServ Council, those being Kent, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, and Vancouver. Each UniServ Council - in partnership with the WEA and NEA - hires staff members to assist local members. A UniServ Council's staff is likely to include a mix of former classroom teachers, lawyers, labor law experts, organizers, mediators, bargaining specialists, and support staff. Those staff members help local associations in their region with bargaining, contract enforcement, grievances, professional growth seminars, community outreach, political action, public relations, and numerous other areas.
Pilchuck UniServ Council, as with the other 20 Councils, has its own governance leaders, with members directly electing their Council officers - similar to the local association elections. Council leaders make major policy and spending decisions in conjunction with the policy directives set by member delegates at the annual WEA Representative Assembly.
Who Does Pilchuck Represent?
Pilchuck UniServ Council represents members from Everett, Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Monroe, Mukilteo, Skykomish, Snohomish, and Sultan Education Associations.