About SEA
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Engineering Professionals Serving Wisconsin
The Wisconsin State Engineering Association (SEA) is a bargaining unit of
approximately 1,100 engineers and engineering related professionals employed by
more than a dozen state agencies. We are responsible for the implementation of a
myriad of engineering services conducted by Wisconsin's state agencies. We are a
group of people dedicated to ensuring the quality and safety of life of every
person in Wisconsin.
Professional Integrity
Every SEA member is a professional, committed to the precise practice of
engineering and dedicated to provide the best value and quality service to the
people of Wisconsin.
Stewardship
State employees are unique taxpayers. We not only pay taxes, but are charged
with overseeing and spending taxpayer dollars to get the best value for the
state. SEA members take "ownership" in the work we do. We are committed to
protect the public interest and save tax dollars by being knowledgeable of state
programs and accountable to taxpayers. Our value to taxpayers is unsurpassed as
contracting work to consultants has proven to be much more costly than using SEA
members to perform design and construction work at state agencies.
Quality
We influence the quality of life of everyone in Wisconsin by: protecting health,
safety and welfare; enforcing requirements for safe construction of facilities
and infrastructure; designing and maintaining the transportation system;
enforcing laws enacted by the legislature; and ensuring the quality of our land,
air and water.
We are an independent association without affiliation with other state or national labor organizations. This enables us to act independently yet develop alliances with other groups on specific issues and common goals.
SEA's Board of Directors consists of five officers and eleven section
presidents. The statewide officers are elected at large and include: President,
Vice President - Grievance Officer, Second Vice President - Legislative Liaison,
Secretary and Treasurer.
The Board is responsible for bargaining labor agreements, arbitrating grievances
and promoting SEA's objectives. SEA members are responsible to ensure labor
agreements are followed and keep the Board informed of all activities that may
pertain to our members.
SEA retains a few professionals to assist with our needs. An attorney, a
communications manager, and a benefits coordinator help us with labor issues and
communications with state agencies and elected officials. Otherwise, we are a
volunteer organization.
SEA is its members. Member involvement and activities determine
the degree of SEA's success. We are always seeking ways to maximize member
involvement.
Member-Driven
Each section has formal meetings as well as more informal means to get
information to members in a timely manner. Members work together to use their
time and talents to improve the communities in which they live.
Meetings
The Board of Directors meets monthly or bimonthly to conduct routine business,
share information and address special issues.
Newsletter
Our monthly newsletter details recent Board meeting activities and issues,
legislative developments, results of ongoing grievances, SEA activities and
upcoming events.
Website
SEA's website contains useful information for members and others who are
interested in SEA. The website is updated regularly with recent and archived
newspaper articles, newsletters, forms and contact information.
State Engineering Association Day
Each year, members visit the Capitol as a group to talk with legislators about
issues that affect SEA or its members.
Annual Meeting
We hold an annual meeting open to all members at revolving locations throughout
the state.
Contracting Out
State studies conducted since 1985 consistently show that contracting out
engineering work costs taxpayers more than having existing state employees do
the work. In 2004, the state confirmed taxpayers pay 18 percent more when
engineering work is contracted out.
SEA is working to notify the public and legislators about the real costs of
contracting out. We support uniform and complete cost analyses to ensure work is
given to those who can provide the most value for taxpayers.
Reorganization and Downsizing
As Wisconsin tries to deal with a budget crisis, state employees are often first
to feel the brunt of the cuts. Agency reorganization and downsizing have raised
concerns for members who may be reassigned, relocated or laid off. SEA is
committed to represent our members in these matters and assure conformance with
our contract.
The quality of life, health and safety of Wisconsin's citizens may be impaired
as a result of reorganization and layoffs. Taxpayers are responsible for the
additional costs of reorganization without receiving clear benefits. SEA
communicates these concerns in bargaining and to state agencies, legislators and
the Governor.
Labor Agreements
SEA has always been prepared to bargain and agree to reasonable labor agreements
in a positive and professional manner. We intend to do what we can to ensure the
state bargains in good faith and deals with our issues and concerns.
Wages
Member salaries have fallen considerably below wage data averages available from
the government and private surveys of the employment market. This trend is
unfair toward career state employees and will continue to result in hiring and
retention problems. We support the creation of a technical career ladder system
for progressing through pay ranges.
Retirement
SEA will continue to be a watchdog of the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) and
seek to maintain the benefits of the WRS for all its past, present and future
members. SEA will support and work with other organizations to improve benefits
and ensure the integrity of the fund is maintained.
State Engineering Association members will continue to provide the best
quality service and value to Wisconsin's taxpayers. We will work hard to protect
people's health, safety and quality of life. We are determined to make the best
use of tax dollars, because we are taxpayers too.
As dedicated professionals, we are intent upon finding positive solutions to
improve the way the state does business. To achieve improvement, we will present
our ideas and concerns to those who can implement change. We look forward to an
open exchange of ideas with our members, our neighbors, legislators, agency
representatives and the Governor.
State Engineering Association
4510 Regent Street
Madison, WI 53705-4696
(608) 233-4696
wisea@wisea.org
Printable brochure
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