Please take this opportunity to refresh your holiday calendars, refamiliarize yourself with Metro’s upcoming service change dates, and, if you work with planners and schedulers, please review the latest Schedule Production calendars for upcoming service changes, including Spring 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026. 

• Updated Holiday Calendar through 2027 

• Service Change Dates through 2028 

• Spring 2025 Schedule Production Calendar 

• Fall 2025 Schedule Production Calendar 

• Spring 2026 Schedule Production Calendar 

This special in-person event will explore themes of strength, unity, and justice in honor of Black History Month and is open to all Metro employees. We hope you’ll join us! While a virtual option will not be available, the event will be recorded for those unable to attend 

About Larry Gossett 
Larry Gossett is a lifelong civil rights activist and community leader dedicated to advancing racial and social justice. A founder of the Black Student Union at the University of Washington, he played a pivotal role in establishing Black Studies programs and advocating for marginalized communities. As a member of Seattle’s historic “Gang of Four,” he worked alongside fellow activists to fight for equitable housing, education, and economic opportunities across racial lines. Serving on the King County Council for over 25 years, he championed criminal justice reform, public transportation, and policies that uplift underrepresented communities. One of his most significant achievements was leading the successful effort to rename King County in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., ensuring that the county’s identity reflects its commitment to equity and justice. His enduring legacy reflects a commitment to grassroots activism and coalition-building to drive meaningful change. 

Learn more before the event  
If you’re not familiar with Larry Gossett or the impact of Seattle’s historic Gang of Four, we encourage you to explore the resources below to learn more about their lasting contributions to racial and social justice. These videos and articles below provide valuable insight into their activism and the lasting changes they helped create.  

• Documentary: In Pursuit of Social Justice  
  • In Pursuit of Social Justice: Extended Interview with Larry Gossett 
• Larry Gossett talks King County’s logo change 
• Larry Gossett – Life Stories 
• Prosecutor’s Partners – Larry Gossett 
• King County Connects- Remembering the ‘Gang of Four.’ 
• Parham Gang of Four 
• KUOW – How Seattle’s Gang of Four changed the activism playbook 

This special event will give employees an intimate look at the home where Dr. King was born and spent his early years, exploring its transformation from a family residence into a historic museum after Dr. King’s assassination in 1968. The presentation will be guided by knowledgeable park rangers and include a Q&A session at the end.

This event is open to all King County employees, but space is limited. Please plan to log in early to secure your virtual seat! Zoom details for the presentation are provided below. 

Meeting link: https://kingcounty.zoom.us/j/82523362657  
Meeting ID: 825 2336 2657  

We hope you’ll join us to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King. 

 To start, explore the resources below to help you choose the best benefits for you and your family. 

• Go to kingcounty.gov/open-enrollment and review the 2025 Key Benefit Changes. 

• Attend a Benefits Fair at a Metro worksite near you. All fairs are from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Below are upcoming dates and locations.  

• If you are unable to attend an in-person fair or have additional questions, register for a virtual Open Enrollment information session—there are multiple sessions happening now through Nov. 15. You can also watch the Open Enrollment Overview video. 

Ready to enroll? Log in to PeopleSoft from your work computer or personal device between Nov. 1–15 and select the Open Enrollment tile. For assistance with PeopleSoft, contact King County Information Technology (KCIT) at 206-263-4357. 

If you take no action during Open Enrollment…  

• A Spouse Benefit Access Fee will be automatically applied if you cover your spouse or state-registered domestic partner on your medical plan. To qualify for an exemption, you must confirm eligibility each year during Open Enrollment. 

• You will not be enrolled in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Health Care and Dependent Day Care FSAs can reduce your taxable income, but you must re-enroll each year during Open Enrollment. 

• Your current benefit plan choices will carry over to next year. 

If you have questions, need language assistance, or disability support services, contact the King County Benefits team by emailing kc.benefits@kingcounty.gov or calling 206-684-1556. 

Open Enrollment is an annual opportunity to evaluate your employee benefit options (e.g., medical plans, flexible spending accounts, life and disability insurance) and make changes for the upcoming year. For all King County employees, this period will take place from Nov. 1-15. Below are a few ways to prepare.  

• Check that you are able to access your PeopleSoft account and that the personal information listed is up-to-date. Click here for instructions on how to sign on to PeopleSoft. If you run into issues or need help, call King County Information Technology (KCIT) at 206-263-4357. 

• Learn about your medical plan options ahead of the Open Enrollment period. Watch the How to Choose a Medical plan video or visit kingcounty.gov/open-enrollment to see side-by-side comparisons based on your employee benefit group. For complete plan details, go to Benefits summaries.  

• Review benefit changes by your employee benefit group by clicking here. The biggest change for 2025 is the new premium share and an increased Spouse Benefit Access Fee for employees enrolled in a KingCare medical plan. Check out the Key Benefit Changes summary or watch this video to learn more. 

Benefit fairs and virtual education sessions 

Beginning Nov. 1, the King County Benefits Team will be hosting in-person fairs at various Metro worksites to share information about benefit options, provide assistance, and answer questions. See the schedule below or click here for a downloadable poster.

If you’re unable to attend an in-person fair, check out the live virtual educational sessions, going on now through Nov. 15. Click here to register for an upcoming online session.  

When you’re ready to make your selections and enroll in your 2025 benefits, log in to PeopleSoft between Nov. 1-15 to do so. If you don’t take any action during this period, you will remain enrolled in your existing current medical plan and benefits choices from 2024, except for any Flexible Spending Account, which requires annual sign-up. Please note that this is the only opportunity to make changes to your benefit options for 2025 unless you have a qualifying life event. For more information and resources, visit kingcounty.gov/open-enrollment.  

Climate change can be spooky but learning more about the actions we’re taking can help! Metro’s Sustainability team will be hosting a Lunch & Learn on Thursday, October 31, from 12-12:45 p.m. to share more about the King County Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP).  

The SCAP outlines climate action priorities and commitments for both County operations and the broader community. The 2020 SCAP included Metro-specific goals and actions for increasing ridership, transitioning to zero-emission fleets, reducing fossil-fuel use at our transit facilities, implementing green building standards for capital projects, and more. The SCAP is updated every five years with the next plan due for transmittal to Council by June 2025. 

Hear more about Metro-related proposed actions and goals in the draft 2025 SCAP and get your questions answered by subject matter experts who are participating in the plan update. Below are meeting details on how to attend.  

For more information or questions about the event, email Metro’s Sustainability & Climate Manager Autumn Salamack (asalamack@kingcounty.gov).   

Upcoming Climate Action Talk Lunch & Learns  

Interested in learning more about King County’s Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP)? Check out the monthly Climate Action Talk Lunch & Learn series, which was created to foster cross-departmental connections between staff and share how King County programs are implementing the SCAP. This monthly series is hosted by the Executive Climate Office and open to all employees interested in learning more.  Meetings will take place from noon-1 p.m. on Oct. 24, Nov. 21, and Dec. 19.

How to attend: Virtual on Microsoft Teams 
Meeting ID: 294 579 277 671 
Passcode: E2Dgqg 
Or dial in by phone +1 425-653-6586; and use phone conference ID: 226 206 267# 

During flu season, it’s especially important to take proactive steps to protect yourself and others around you. From Oct. 1 through May 15, Metro will be providing 3-ply masks at worksites and on coaches to help maintain a healthy working environment and reduce the spread of germs. This time frame aligns with respiratory virus peak seasons, with the flu typically peaking in the fall and running through the spring. If you have questions about obtaining a mask or if they need to be replenished at a worksite, reach out to your manager or supervisor.  

Whether it’s connecting people with adoptable animals, supporting community access to affordable healthcare, ensuring kids of all ages and abilities can play sports, helping build low-income housing, or any of the hundreds of other causes on our list of nonprofits, there’s something for everyone.

The Employee Giving Program connects employees to nonprofits and provides you an accessible way to donate and engage through:

• 2025 Payroll Pledges (via PeopleSoft)
• 2024 Time Donations (via PeopleSoft)
• One-Time Donations (via EGP Website)
• Special Events around Metro
• Year-Round Volunteering

While Metro employees have always been incredibly generous in giving, we’d love to see even more of you get involved. Please consider participating this year so we can meet or exceed last year’s $325,000 donation.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more communications on exactly how you can get involved through each of the activities listed above. In the meantime, we encourage you to explore the list of nonprofits you can donate to by visiting: kingcounty.gov/giving and selecting the “find a non-profit organization” button. Thank you in advance for your engagement and your generosity!

Metro’s 2024 Lead EGP Ambassadors: Kerry Flory, Justin Johnson, and Monique Lowe 

Metro employees in recovery from substance-use are invited to join a new Employee Resource Group (ERG), “Together in Recovery At Metro” (TRAM). The first virtual meeting will be at 11 a.m. on Oct. 29. Find the details on how to access the meeting below.

ERGs are employee-created and led. Due to the sensitive nature of this topic, we’ve taken steps to ensure confidentiality and employee protection. Please note, the TRAM ERG is not a clinical recovery support group. The purpose of the ERG is to: 

• provide a network of support and fellowship to Metro employees recovering from substance abuse disorder 
• foster a culture of understanding, acceptance, and compassion, with a strong focus on destigmatizing conversations around addiction  
• promote community, belonging, and outreach through service 

If you’re interested in helping develop this ERG, email tram@kingcounty.gov. 

King County’s Employee Giving Program (EGP) Annual Drive runs from Oct. 7 – Nov. 22. During this time, employees can pledge time, make payroll donations, or participate in special events to support their favorite causes and nonprofits. Metro’s Lead Ambassadors—Kerry Flory, Justin Johnson, and Monique Lowe—will be sharing more information soon on how you can participate. Be on the lookout for upcoming messages and events! 

However, our leads can’t do it alone and need help spreading the word. Metro is looking for employees to volunteer as a Worksite Ambassador to work alongside our Lead Ambassadors. This is great way to encourage others to participate in the EGP Annual Drive and boost your resume in the process.  

Worksite Ambassadors will attend 4 hours of virtual or in-person training and then spend 1-2 hours per week throughout the duration of the Annual Drive. The EGP aims to have one Worksite Ambassador per location or for every 50 employees. With over 5,000 employees at Metro, we ideally need 100 Worksite Ambassadors. A big thank you to those who have already signed up—we still need more volunteers! Help us make a difference while building your resume, growing your Metro community, and gaining new skills.  

To apply, check with your supervisor for approval first (this is required) and then complete the online Worksite Ambassador registration form.   For more details on the program, how to get involved, or ways to contribute, reach out to our Lead Ambassadors directly, email employeegiving@kingcounty.gov, or visit kingcounty.gov/giving.