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Defending Public Defenders
Public employees in Eastern Washington have a strong ally in Local 690, representing more than 350 public employees in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. The Teamster local recently came to the defense of one of its public defenders and won her reinstatement complete with back pay, benefits and sick leave.
“I was fired by the county, but thanks to the great representation from Local 690, I was reinstated in my job as a Spokane County Public Defender,” said Carol Huneke. “Seven years ago we needed representation and turned to Local 690. I was the first person to join and now, due to the diligence of the Teamsters, I was reinstated to my job and can continue doing the work I love.”
Huneke works as a public defender representing people who are accused of a crime and cannot afford an attorney. She enjoys the work, puts in long hours defending her clients and considers it a privilege to serve the community.
“The county denied our wrongful termination grievance so the local immediately filed for arbitration with the county and the local’s legal team went to work preparing this very complicated case for arbitration,” said Val Holstrom, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 690. “The process took 14 months and Carol’s arbitration lasted seven days but we were up to the challenge. We fought for Carol and won. The arbitrator ordered the county to reinstate her with no loss of seniority and make her whole for all lost wages and benefits.”