Ed. Note: This letter to the editor is in response to the March 26 article "Swedish engineer takes on union."

I've been an employee of the Swedish engineering department for 13 years and a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers over 15. I was elected shop steward for the membership over eight years ago.

Our employer, Swedish Health Services, has a contractual agreement with the International Union of Operating Engineers' local chapter 286.

"The union" (in this case) consists of our engineering employees over four campuses and various other locations. Of the roughly 50 persons of varied job classifications, 95 percent are members that make up eligible voting engineers for Swedish.

The remaining 5 percent were those employee who chose not to join at the time of the contract conception but were covered under the contract between medical facility and the union just like the members.

They receive the same benefits as union members, with exceptions such as no voting rights and input in any decisions related to union contract or membership welfare.

Before, during and after the agreed acceptance of the stationary engineers central pension by Swedish Health Services, voting membership of Swedish engineers and nonmembers were given full notification by Swedish Health Services and the union.

Swedish Health Services held meetings open to employees with pension advisors present to explain, with local 286 pension representatives if requested, the structure and conditions of the pension and deductions.

Before, during and after conception of the agreement, as shop steward I made copies of the proposed agreement and the final draft available to all Swedish engineers.

When the agreement was accepted by the membership, the amounts of contributions were discussed openly across all campuses, and again meetings were held by the union business representatives open to all Swedish engineers.

The different classifications made their perspective decisions on contribution amounts and votes were cast for each year's pension contributions (popular vote wins). Each year the amount changes or remains the same by popular vote, and a notification is issued for all Swedish engineers.

In response to the amount stated in the article for Mr.Olafson's deductions, I am of the same classification and the amount should be roughly $204 bi-monthly per 160 hour worked.

The central pension was also never considered a primary plan but a supplemental.

If Mr. Olafson is getting more than the appropriate amount deducted, I would suggest he contact his payroll representative and have this matter resolved.

For this year's current payroll deduction (pre-tax amount), it was voted on by membership last fall and posted six months ago with amount changes from former to current.

Also in response, it this was April a year ago that the return amount dropped from 3 percent to 1 percent. This was done by the actions of the governing board of the central for the health of pension in the long term.

In perspective to this, the return amount is not expected to stay at this level forever. The pension historically has been considered to be one of the top five performers in the nation (as pensions of this type go).

Our employer gave us the option about three years ago to choose defined benefits or a defined contribution plan for our primary retirement. As of 2009, this option has been removed, and all nonunion employees lost the option.

The only thing that has stopped this from happening to the engineers has been our contract.

And when it comes time to negotiate new contract terms, if we lose and are forced to accept a 401k as our primary pension, I will gladly accept increases to my stationary engineers pension because I believe it will be there for me, my wife and children.

Michael V. Bolling
Swedish Medical Center Ballard
Union Shop Steward