25,500 state employees granted a seat at the table with state officials during talks regarding employee pay, working conditions and other personnel issues

Gov. Napolitano issued an executive order today that will give state employees in Arizona a chance to help solve the budget crisis and an ongoing say on the issues that affect their jobs and services.

State employees will now have the same freedom to vote to form an employee organization that most Arizonans already possess. They will also be able to meet and confer with the state directly to make improvements.

Since state employees began working with SEIU Arizona a little over a year ago, thousands of public service employees have been working towards this change. Now, all employees will have the chance to vote whether they want a seat at the decision-making table.

In the recent past, SEIU members have partnered with both Republicans and Democrats to improve public services in Arizona and the meet and confer process outlined in the governor's order is widely supported by elected officials in both parties.

More than 45 city, counties and government agencies in Arizona now have a "meet and confer" process in place, including the following cities and counties: Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Phoenix, Pima and Pinal. The Department of Corrections and the Department of Public Safety also have a meet and confer process in place in the State of Arizona. The DPS process was put into place by the Legislature in 2005.

To learn more about the order, take a look at "Questions and Answers About the Governor's Executive Order". You may also download a copy of the order here.

For more information, please visit www.seiuarizona.org