Local 34 Officers & Stewards 9/1/09
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Note: Submissions for the Dec. 2009 newsletter should be sent to the Editor by Friday, Nov. 13. Submissions for the Jan. 2010 http://www.afscmelocal34.org/ AFSCME Council 5, Local 34, Hennepin County Social Services and Related Employees newsletter will be due by Dec. 18. Final Negotiation Sessions L 34 Banner – 11/2009 Negotiations Update Issue Contents: The Hennepin AFSCME Table Team, 2009, including Council 5 Field Representatives (L-R, in front) Page 2 – Local 34 Officers & Stewards; Matt Nelson, Steve Marincel, Jeff Dains 2009 Council 5 Convention – Day 1 Report and Gubernatorial Debate Page 3 – Highlights from the October General Assembly Meeting, Contact Information, Schedules November 2009 Page 4 – For Stewards and Members: What is an Investigative Interview? General Assembly Page 5 – Good & Welfare, PEOPLE, Wednesday, Hennepin County’s 2010 Budget, Race to Replace GAMC in Legislature November 4, 2009 In November, two final Negotiations Page 6 – ROWE – Questions & Answers, 5:30 pm Sessions remain – in Mediation! Part 2, Wide Health Gaps Between Health Services Bldg, See page 7 States, AFSCME’s Veterans Initiative Page 7 – 2009 Negotiations Room 110 Information, Family Justice Center Goes Green Special accommodations will be made for our physically Page 8 – Building a Lifetime of Smiles: challenged members. Please call Hennepin’s HP Dental Program, Council 596-1003 or 348-0266 if 5 Takes on the Swine Flu (H1N1), arrangements need to be made. Page 9 – Council 5 Convention Resolutions that were Approved, AFSCME’s Gerald McEntee Takes on the Obama White House over Health Care Page 10 – View from the Cheap Seats: VP Moore’s Column on Negotiations and Supporting Your Table Team, Conclusion of Article on Convention’s Gubernatorial Debate December 2009 Page 11 – Vice President Volkenant’s General Assembly Column and Convention Photos, Convention Report by VP Volkenant Wednesday, AFSCME members turned out October 19 for a rally to Page 12 – President Diederich’s support their Table Team members, during a break in the Column, Good & Welfare- Thank You’s, December 2, 2009 3rd session of Negotiations. (HSB 11 Trends: Wellness Programs Thank you to the supportive efforts of the Action Team, and its leader Vern Wagner (L34) and Council 5 organizer, Chris Cowen. Local 34 Banner November 2009 -1- Local 34 Officers & StewardsKeyur Desai 348-3611, Family Justice Ctr 9/1/09 Kathy Kelly 348-6593, Family Justice Ctr President: Susan Frame 348-0293, Govt Center A15 Jean Diederich 348-0266 –Brian 880 Arneson 348-7641, Govt Center A16 Vice Presidents: Carolyn Johnson 348-8586, Govt Center A16 Vicki Moore 348-Monica Jochmans 348-4192, HSB 5 5939 – 140 Penny Wile 348-7133, HSB 9 Wesley Volkenant 348-Nafisa Farah 596-1705, 6601 Shingle Creek 9592 – 630 Kristine Heckler 752-8332, Crystal Drop-in Ctr. Chief Stewards: Elena Izaksonas 521-3056, 4th Precinct Station Cliff Robinson 348-7542 –Ed 961 Kusleika (596-0153), ACF – HomeMonitor Cathy Cowden 543-0301 –Pamela Shones 763-413-3113, 1800 Chicago L890 Maureen Glover 348-4492, 1800 Chicago Recording Secretary: Dennis Moore 879-3560, 1800 Chicago Rita Salone 596-Jeff Meyer 348-5880, 1800 Chicago 1003 – L890 Martha Dille 348-2765, Grain Exchange Treasurer: Barbara Olson 612-543-1325, MHP Telecommuter Patrick Regan 348-8760 – L890 MAT Coordinator Membership Secretary: Bob Velez 543-0323, Family Justice Ctr Kela Williams 596- Trustees 0954 – 630 Audie Lussier, Osman Aweis, Vacant Sergeant-At-Arms: Delta Dental Trustee Chalmers Davis 521-3056 – Monica Jochmans N704 Members-At-Large: AFSCME Coverage of the Council Andrea Lazo-Rice 348-2249 – 959 5 Convention, October 8-10: Ibrahim Adam 348-2313 – Council 5 Opens its Largest Convention Ever 961 Submitted by AFSCME Council 5 on October 10, 2009 Angel Alexander 596-1863 – 630 http://afscmemn.org/council-5-opens-its-largest-convention-ever Jacquelin Poole 348-4246 – 961 The convention has more than 800 registered delegates from nearly 100 Jacqueline Coleman 543-2605 – locals. N706 Convention highlights how AFSCME members rise to meet the challenge. Randy Duncan 348-2368 – 612 An appearance by 6th District congressional candidate Tarryl Clark highlighted the first day of Stewards: Council 5’s annual convention in Duluth. The convention, which has more than 800 registered Zachary Rice 348-2274, delegates from nearly 100 locals, is the largest AFSCME convention ever in the state. “We Century Plaza 1 have more delegates representing more Local 34 Delegation Ester Killion 596-7858, members than ever before,” said Eliot Century Plaza 1 Seide, Council 5’s executive director. “This Mara Hill 596-0947, Century Plaza union is alive.” 2 The convention celebrates the 5th Miguel Salazar 596-7465, Century Plaza anniversary of the merger of three councils 2 that created Council 5. In those five years, AFSCME has organized more than 3,000 new Nancy Scarlotta 348-9452, Century Plaza members in Minnesota. That’s more new members than any other union in the state, Seide 2 said. Among the most recently organized: 54 probation officers in Anoka County. They are Fatuma Kassim 596-8457, Century Plaza pioneers, Seide said, the first Anoka County workers to unionize. 2 Jamoda Williams 596-8948, Century Plaza Council 5 President Mike Buesing: Rising to the Challenge 4 Seide and Council 5 president Mike Buesing highlighted members’ accomplishments in a Shaletha Thomas 596-8954, Century Plaza year filled with economic challenges. The union fought off forced furloughs and wage cuts in 4 state and local governments, fought off privatization attempts in a range of agencies, and is Diane Fossen 543-2506, leading the push for making a public option part of national health reform. “We can’t continue NorthPoint Dental to cut our way out of our state and local budget problems,” Buesing said. Buesing and Seide Shawnice Reid 543-2699, also praised member activism, including: NorthPoint Medical The Next Wave initiative to groom leaders and activists among younger members. “They are a very James Stevenson 596-9220, STS valuable part of our present and most certainly are our future,” Buesing said. Jim Edin 763-221-4443, STS The Local Union Leadership Academy, in which more than three dozen locals have taken part. Phillip Gray 348-5771, Internal organizing drives among locals at the Department of Natural Resources and St. Peter Juvenile Justice Ctr Regional Treatment Center. Terry Grace 348-7308, Seide pointed out that Council 5 has more than 225 volunteer member organizers, the largest Juvenile Justice Ctr AFSCME program nationwide. “Growth is our Number One priority,“ Seide said. “The more Aboubker Ouassaddine 543-0373, Family members we have, the more power we have.” These VMOs not only assist organizing drives in Justice Ctr Minnesota, but have gone to states such as Missouri, Texas and Kentucky. They see firsthand, Seide said, what it’s like working without a union. Local 34 Banner November 2009 -2- South Saint Paul, Minnesota 55075-2469 DFL Candidates Put Revenue on the Table (651) 450-4990 Fax: (651) 450-1908 Submitted by AFSCME Council 5 on October 12, 2009. http://afscmemn.org/dfl-candidates-put-revenue-tableTo Contact the Newsletter Editor: The Duluth convention center was a field Callof or e-mail— AFSCME green for the first televised gubernatorial debate. Wesley Volkenant - 612-348-9592 In the first televised debate in the 2010For Distribution concerns, contact: campaign for Minnesota governor, all 10 DFL candidates told the AFSCME CouncilRhonda Griffin at 612-543-0353 5 convention that the state must raise revenue to help solve its massive budgetInternet Web Site Developer: deficit. The candidates spoke toJohn an Herzog – 952-492-5233 energetic crowd of more than 800 delegates and other rank-and-file members – an eye-grabbing field of greenUPCOMING LOCAL 34 in the Duluth convention center. Once candidates got past trying to out-do eachMEETING SCHEDULE other in boasting of their laborNovember credentials, their AFSCME connections, thor their affinity for the color green, General Assembly - HSB 110 November 2009 their18th E-Board - HSB 917 S M T W T F S December 2009 forumDecember 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 S M T W T F S was nd 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 1 2 3 4 5 General Assembly - HSB 110 th 151617 18 19 20 21 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 16 E-Board - HSB 917 222324 25 26 27 28 131415 16 17 18 19 2930 202122 23 24 25 26 generally 272829 30 31 short ofUpcoming AFSCME Training fluff and seriousBasic Steward Training in tone. Council 5 Office The key question for the public November 17-18, December 8-9 employees is how the candidates will tackle the state’s looming $7 billion budget deficit – specifically, whether and Who We Are how they will raise revenue as part of the AFSCME’s 1.6 million members provide the vital services that make America solution. Mark Dayton jumped on thehappen. With members in hundreds of different occupations — from nurses to issue first. The state must raise taxes oncorrections officers, child care providers to sanitation workers — AFSCME is the the wealthiest 10 percent of statevoice of the dedicated workers who take care of America, and is a leading advocate households, he said without being asked. for all working families. That stance makes it hard to raise campaign donations from his family, the former U.S. senator joked, but repeated: Highlights from the October General Assembly—October 14, 2009 “If you do better, you ought to pay more. Officers attending were: Jean Diederich, Wes Volkenant, Cliff Robinson, Vicki Moore, Cathy Read my lips: Tax the rich.” Cowden, Chalmers Davis, Patrick Regan, Rita Salone, Jacquelin Poole, Angel Alexander, Convention Coverage continued on page 10 Jacqueline Coleman, Kela Williams, Andrea Lazo-Rice and Ibrahim Adam. Excused Absence: Randal Duncan See page 9 for an Mark Dayton update on speaking to By a vote of 26-2, the Local accepted a Memorandum of Understanding to our Convention delegates,contract allowing the County to implement – in the times of declared emergencies – resolutions including negative34’s vacation/sick leave/PTO balances. Wes Volkenant A sea of green shirts greeted Ona Keller of the Minneapolis Elections Office made a presentation on the the candidates Ranked Choice Voting system Minneapolis will use this fall. For more information, visit www.voteminneapolis.org . Council 5 Business A motion was approved to reimburse Vice President Volkenant 4 hours lost time Representative: for Wednesday, October 7, due to his work with the Convention Credentials Committee, Matt Nelson 651-287-0578 and 4 hours lost time for Convention Delegate Shawnice Reid, who was scheduled to work at NorthPoint on Saturday, October 10, the day the Convention concluded. e-mail Matt at: Compensation for the MAT Coordinator position was discussed as Old Business, [email protected] with Bob Velez recusing himself. While a tabled motion had suggested paying the Coordinator $150 per month, the E-Board in September, had decided to recommend $50 Council 5 Contact Information: per month, making the position comparable to a steward or Member-at-Large. The $50 300 Hardman Avenue South, sum was approved.
Local 34 Banner November 2009 -3- A 2nd reading of proposed 30. The Local discussed the news of three terminated HSRs for theft and swindling, and Local 34 Constitutional Amendments roundly condemned their actions. was held. These Amendments were NorthPoint’s continued oppressive supervision of its employees was discussed by focused on the MAT Supervisor those familiar with the situation. Our displeasure and frustration with the way vacation position, proposing that the position be time is limited and handled, and with a recent disciplinary action of a dental employee added to the Executive Board and were considered. Left undone is what to do about work environments at places like outlining the determination of its pay NorthPoint and MHP in which our members are oppressed and left in vulnerable and duties. After considerable circumstances. Join us in November and offer your ideas or solutions. discussion, the proposed Amendments were each tabled, as was a separate Recommended ‘Reading’: Dilbert, Sunday, October 18, 2009 Amendment proposed to increase http://www.dilbert.com/strips/comic/2009-10-18/ officer terms of office from one year to “What exactly is my unproductive time?” “It goes by many names, including Sleep, Leisure two years. Constitution Committee and Healthy Lifestyle.” “If I do less of those things it will reduce the quality of my life below chair Poole was directed to write the point at which good hygiene has any utility.” “I don’t want to make out with you. I just Standing Rules to identify the duties of want you to work harder for no extra money.” “I spend too much the MAT Coordinator position for the time explaining the obvious.” November GA meeting. Homeless Closet is an New to the County? organization which provides winter clothing to single homeless people. AJust transferred into Local 34? motion to buy up to $200 To of sign up as a union member or to get answers to questions about AFSCME appropriate apparel for donation was and membership benefits, please complete this form and send it to: approved. Vicki Moore and Linda Flykt Kela Williams, Membership Secretary volunteered to do the purchasing. CP – mail code 630 – 612-596-0954 A motion was approved to donate $100 to the Labor Centre’sName ______Silent Auction, in the form of two $50 gift certificates to “union houses”,Job Title which President Diederich ______will purchase. Chief Steward Cliff RobinsonWork Location reported that Chief Stewards have______a Meet & Confer scheduled at MHP, where the issues include the statusMail of Code ______Sr. Volunteer Coordinators in relationPhone ______to the use of overtime. Vice President Moore I’m especially interested: indicated that the October HSPHDI want to sign up as a member Meet & Confer is going to focus on Contracting-Out of 24/7 programs andI want to sign up for Delta Dental working conditions at To receive Delta Dental Insurance information: contact Cindy Pince at Council 5– MHP/Cornerstone Solutions. 651-287-0564 President Diederich discussed the Gubernatorial DebateAre youat interested in setting the Local 34 website as your Microsoft Explorer home page? the Council 5 Convention andIf so, an go to the website address listed on the front page. Click on “Tools” in the menu October 24 screening of bar the at the top of your page. Select “Internet Options.” Under the “General” tab, find candidates by AFSCME Council 5the in St.option for Home Page, and copy the Local 34 address there. The next time you bring Paul. As noted elsewhere in this issue, up your Internet connection, the website will be your new Home Page. HR is also encouraging employees to visit a presentation on the County’s Do You Have Friends Who Would Like to Receive Our dental plan through HealthPartners. Newsletter? Vicki Moore gave an updateThere is now a quick and simple way for you to become informed on a wide variety of on the Action Team’s plans for issues the concerning AFSCME Local 34. Just sign yourself up for our free on-line newsletter! October 19 rally/”Green-In.” Please follow the directions below… Business Agent Matt NelsonSend an e-mail to the following address: [email protected] reported on negotiations, terming the n the Subject Line or Text, state “Subscribe to 34 Newsletter”, identify who you are, and Employer’s initial proposal the “worst send it off. one I have seen.” He also reported on a You will receive a confirmation e-mail within a week; you should have the latest issue grievance that the Council arbitration attached, so you can determine if you will be able to receive – and read – the e-mail team will review for a Sr. Social newsletter attachments. Worker’s one-day suspension for alleged improper activities outsideNote: of if at any time you want to stop receiving these updates, all you have to do is send an e- work and misuse of e-mail. Mediationmail to the address listed above, state “Unsubscribe” in the Subject Line or Text, and your for two NorthPoint Dental Hygienistsname will be removed from our list. For Netscape users, you may need to press “Reload” who were terminated by the Countyto get the most version. You can also access us from our Local 34 Website at: last year was scheduled for Octoberhttp://www.afscmelocal34.org Local 34 Banner November 2009 -4- When a supervisor calls an employee to their office to issue a warning or other For Our Stewards and Members Who discipline, this is not part of the investigation, and the employee is not entitled Need Assistance: to union representation. The supervisor is merely announcing they have arrived at a decision, and is not questioning the worker. This meeting could be What is an Investigative transformed into an investigative interview if the supervisor begins to ask Interview? questions to support the decision. Employees have Weingarten Rights (the right to union representation Unfortunately, if the employer neglects to offer union representation in an during investigation) only during investigation that leads to discipline, the discipline is not automatically investigative interviews. An overturned. In 1984, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled that Investigative Interview occurs overturning a discipline would be tantamount to “an unwarranted ‘windfall’ for when a supervisor questions an guilty workers.” The standard Weingarten penalty is now limited to a bulletin employee to obtain information board posting in which the employer promises not to repeat its violation. - Thank you to AFSCME Council 5 for providing the document the preceding is based upon. which could be used as a basis for discipline – or asks an employee to For more information: defend his/her conduct. Your Basic Rights as a Union Member http://afscmelocal34.org/your_basic_rights_as_a_union_member.htm The Art of the Investigative Interview… http://www.diversifiedriskmanagement.com/articles/art-of-the-investigative-interview.html Discipline in the Workplace: Investigative Interviews http://www.hr.ubc.ca/adv_srv/er/discipline.html#interviews If an employee has a reasonable Right to Union Representation in Meetings & Interviews http://www.poam.net/main/legal/legal-union-representation.html belief that discipline and/or other adverse consequences may result Good and Welfare from what s/he says, the employeeThe Good and Welfare Committee was established to send remembrances to has a right to request uniondues paying members at times of happiness or sorrow. This includes representation. marriages, the birth or adoption of a child, prolonged illness or hospitalization, or the death of a member, immediate family member or significant other – as Investigative interviews usuallydefined in the Contract. relate to subjects such as: In the case of surgery or prolonged illness, or for the birth or adoption of a Absenteeism Accidentschild, flowers or plants can be sent to a member. Drinking InDrugs situations involving the death of a member or a death in the family of a Fighting Falsifyingmember Records, memorials can be sent. (“Family” is defined the same as in Article 16 – Tardiness SabotageFuneral Leave – in our contract; it includes: spouse, Work Performance Violatingchild, Safety Rules significant other, Not every management-initiatedaunt/uncle, discussion is an investigativefather/mother, interview. For example, asister/brother, supervisor may talk to a workergrandparent/grandparent-in-law, grandchildren, about the proper way to do a job.niece/nephew, or Even if the supervisor asksa person regarded as a member of the member’s immediate family). questions of the worker, this is notIn the event of members getting married, retiring, gaining U.S. citizenship, an investigative interview becauseor for a death in the family of a member or in the case of the death of a the possibility of discipline member, is a card can be sent to the family. remote. The same is true of Please send all requests for remembrances to the co-Chairs for the Good and routine conversations to clarify Welfare Committee - Lisa Durkot (MC 965), Marcia Dietz (MC L890) or work assignments or explain safetyMerry Brigham (MC L890). The referrals must include the name of the rules. member and the reason for your request. If the request is for a plant or flowers, you will also need to include the person’s home phone number for delivery Nevertheless, even a routinepurposes. conversation can change its character if the supervisor is dissatisfied with the employee’s Sign Up for the PEOPLE Fund answers. If this happens, the The AFSCME People Fund is AFSCME’s political action fund, and is used to employee can insist on thesupport our endorsed candidates. If many members voluntarily pledge as little as presence of a union representative$2.00 a payroll period, our ability to get our endorsed candidates elected will be before the conversation goes anygreatly enhanced. At $4.00 per pay period, a contributor receives an AFSCME further. green jacket. Please contact Jacqueline Coleman at 543-2605 to sign up now! Local 34 Banner November 2009 -5- Hennepin County News Hennepin County has retained its triple-A rating, the highest possible, from the major bond rating Smaller Government: Hennepin County’s firms for 34 consecutive years. This saves taxpayers money when the county sells bonds for capital improvements. Before making a final decision on the 2010 budget, the board is holding public 2010 Proposed Budget is Less than hearings about specific components of the proposed budget. The hearings began Oct. 8, with 2009 Budget http://www.co.hennepin.mn.us/portal/site/HCInternet/menuitem.f25c43712525 NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center and Metropolitan Health Plan. The county’s Truth-in- 4e89710ece04b1466498/? vgnextoid=1f2783232b604210VgnVCM10000049114689RCRD Taxation hearing, required by state law, will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, in the Board Room at the Government Center. The board is scheduled to approve the budget Tuesday, Dec. 15. Hennepin County Administrator Richard P. Johnson presented his 2010 proposed Groups Race to Find Replacement Medical Care for Poor Hennepin County budget to the Board of by Rupa Shenoy, Minnesota Public Radio - October 16, 2009 - http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/10/15/gamc-program-cut/ Commissioners, saying the proposed budget is less than the 2009 budget by Gov. Tim Pawlenty cut General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) earlier this year using more than 6 percent and provides a lean unallotment, saying he needed to balance the state's budget. Groups racing to find a replacement operating-and-capital budget during a time for the program thought they had until March to find a solution. It turns out they probably don't. of significant economic challenges. The "Right now, we're seeing that more and more people are needing health coverage under the 2010 proposed operating-and-capital program so the money is going faster than we thought it would," said Michael Scandrett, director budget is $1.6 billion, which is down more of the Minnesota Safety Net Coalition, a group is made up of dozens of hospitals, clinics, and other than 6 percent from the $1.7 billion final health providers. "It looks now like it could be some time in February when people could lose their 2009 budget. It includes a property tax levy coverage." The one-month difference may not sound like much, but in this case it's huge. The of $663.6 million or a 3 percent increase Legislature doesn't open its session until February, leaving advocates with little time to pass a bill which will provide: creating a new health program to cover GAMC patients. No increase for basic county operations. Scandrett's group is in the early stages of crafting legislation they hope will earn bipartisan support This means maintaining the county’s and the governor's signature. We need to come to a decision by the end of December so we have a hiring freeze, continuing to reduce the bill that will get passed." Scandrett said if a replacement program isn't passed, the state will see number of staff, and reducing or more people in poverty, more homeless, more people in jail, and more people in hospitals who eliminating contracts. can't pay; and those costs will be passed on to everyone else. State Sen. Linda Berglin, said she's A 3-percent increase is committed to never tried to come up with legislation and pass it this fast. Berglin said support for proposed Hennepin County Medical Center, which is legislation must be in place by Feb. 4, the day the legislature convenes, but any new program must faced with financial and liquidity risks due cost less than GAMC does now. Coming up with a cheaper alternative may be more difficult than to the state’s withdrawal of the General passing fast track legislation. Hennepin County Medical Center's Scott Davies, points out that Assistance Medical Care, which provides GAMC is already cost efficient, and general healthcare only gets so cheap. Davies said it's not like medical care to low-income adults. dental care, where people who can't afford teeth implants get dentures. "The trouble is, in Countywide Data, as of 6/30/09: In the first half of 2009, County and AFSCME bargaining unit turnover was 2.8%. At the end of 2008, AFSCME The elimination of the Solid Waste medicine is there's no equivalent for dentures," he said. "If you have a heart attack, you have to bargainingManagement units represented Fee, which 4119 wasemployees. $16.1 Duringhave the firstsame half treatment. of 2009, If71 you (1.7%) have involuntarily leukemia, if left you ((death have breast(1), retirement cancer, you(58), have termination to have (12))the and 43million voluntarily in 2009. separated (1.0%), for a total of same114. Countywide,treatment. There's of the 7576not a employeesdenture option in 2008, for this 136 thing." (1.8%) HCMCinvoluntarily faces aleft $43 in themillion first shortfallhalf of 2009, and 79 (1.0%), voluntarily separated in thatnext same year period. without GAMC funding. Davies and other advocates agree any new program that provides By combining the effects of the tax levy and coverage for GAMC patients would be better than none at all. fee adjustments of the county, rail authority, housing authority and solidBuy waste a Candy Bar, Help a Vet system, Johnson said the overall impactSubmitted will by AFSCME Council 5 on October 10, 2009 http://afscmemn.org/buy-candy-bar%2C-help-vet be a net property tax increase of 2 percentMany of our convention delegates satisfied their sweet tooth by buying candy bars to help veterans. for 2010. The impact on individual Their purchases and generous donations raised $4,240 this month to help our Veterans properties will vary depending on the Initiative exceed its annual goal of raising $20,000. The funds will be used to improve life for changes in property values. In general, residents of all five Minnesota Veterans Homes. Last year’s wish list was created by AFSCME property values of homes have fallen, which members who work at each home. means many homeowners will see the county portion of their property taxesHere’s fall. how we’ve already helped all five veterans’ homes: This budget proposal is less than the Fergus Falls – gazebo furniture maximum levy of 4.95 percent, which was Hastings – fishing poles, garden flowers, microwave, pots and pans approved by the board on Sept. 8. The Luverne – karaoke system board will adopt its levy in December, after Minneapolis – Memorial Day picnic, State Fair field trip, exercise equipment, plasma TVs and nearly three months of budget hearings.a Wii The approved levy may be less than but not Silver Bay – “Movie Night” package with DVD players, a movie library and pizza ovens more than the maximum levy amountEvery veteran’s home is eligible for funding if AFSCME members who work there submit a detailed approved in September. proposal to Tim Henderson at [email protected]. Johnson praised county employees and commissioners for their professional'Shockingly and Wide' Health Gaps Among thoughtful response to this new economicStates environment that is reshaping governmentBy Rita Rubin, USA TODAY services. Most county departmentshttp://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-10-08-states-healthcare_N.htm are operating with slimmer budgets inA 2010new "scorecard" lists "shockingly wide variations" among the states when it comes to the health of than 2009. “These times have forced,their but residents, says the president of the Commonwealth Fund, which compared such factors as more importantly fostered, innovationaccess to care, insurance coverage and avoidable hospital admissions. "The differences we see within our organization,” Johnsonamong said. the states translate to real lives and real dollars," said Karen Davis. "Where you live matters “Commitment to critical review of deliveryfor how long you live and how healthy you live," said study co-author Cathy Schoen, senior vice outcomes and consistent reengineeringpresident will of the Commonwealth Fund. help position Hennepin for future success.”Overall, Vermont ranked No. 1 and Mississippi came in last, the same position it held when the He also praised the county’s partnersCommonwealth – Fund compiled its first scorecard in 2007. Hawaii, which was second this year, from cities to the University of Minnesotaranked – first, ahead of Vermont, in 2007. The same 13 states made up the top quarter in both 2007 for working side by side with the county to serve the public. A positive note is that Local 34 Banner November 2009 -6- and 2009, although their specific rankings to note this – employees know which meetings are important to participate in. If shifted. And 10 of the 13 states in the lowest performance is suffering, it will be addressed. quarter in 2009 also ranked at the bottom in 2007. Does shift differential apply to a worker in ROWE that may work between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m., In some measures of health status, the top whereas a non-ROWE worker would be working from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.? state's performance was double or triple that of No. If an employee chooses to work various hours, that is his or her choice. The County is the bottom states, the Commonwealth Fund not responsible to pay shift differential. Note – You can’t receive OT or shift differential found. The gap was especially wide in the unless your Supervisor requires or approves it. percentage of adults ages 18 to 64 who lacked health insurance. In Massachusetts, which has a ADS proposed Telework Guidelines on April 7, 2009. In discussing data privacy, the universal health insurance program, only 7.2% guidelines state that phone work cannot be done at home, nor can work be printed at the of its residents that age were uninsured. In office and worked on at home. How does this fit with the ROWE principles? With this Texas, nearly a third were. Improving the scenario, what work can be done at home? performance of all states could save thousands ROWE and Telework are not the same. ADS has been using these guidelines, in the of lives and billions of dollars, according to the interim, until the Telework Policy was finalized. Once the Telework Policy is published, this "Commonwealth Fund State Scorecard." Some ADS policy will be obsolete. Not all employees are a part of ROWE at this time, so the examples: Telework Policy will remain in place as long as it is needed. • At least $5 billion a year could be saved in preventable hospitalizations and How will ergonomic issues be addressed? readmissions for chronically ill or frail nursing home patients. Ergonomic issues will be addressed the same way they are now. • Each year, nearly 78,000 fewer adults and children would die prematurely. Can a ROWE worker log more than ten hours of work in a day? • About 29 million more Americans would be ROWE workers must abide by the same federal laws, regulations and Labor Relations and insured. HR regulations that they have always followed. Being a part of a ROWE does not exempt "On a positive note, there were gains in you from laws and regulations. children's coverage as a result of national reforms, and improvement in some measures of What about Paid Time Off? hospital and nursing home care following federal In a ROWE, the belief that work happens Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 efforts to publicly report quality data," the a.m. and 5:00 p.m. is no longer true. In a ROWE, people get credit for the work, not when scorecard said. "When we take action at a and where they do it. For example, if an employee is not working on Wednesday, but is national level, we succeed," working in the evening or on weekends, what’s important is that the work is getting done – Davis said. "States cannot go it alone. Reform is not whether or not they are submitting paid time off. needed.” ROWE: Questions & Answers – From the ROWE FAQ (for a link, please see below): 2nd Set of Q&A How does the Department make sure employees aren’t taking advantage of ROWE and At the August Meet & Confer, the slacking off? union representatives were given an The only way to ‘slack off’ in a ROWE is to not meet the goals and expectations of the job. Employees should continue to have discussions with their manager to ensure that updated ROWE FAQ document, measurable goals and expectations are clear. reflecting many of our ROWE questions and concerns. We’ll print more Q&A next month. Meanwhile, if you have ROWE questions or concerns, you can contact Local 34 Vice Presidents Vicki Moore or Wes Volkenant and/or ROWE Internal Change Agents How will ROWE workers be monitored and Local 34 members, Carolyn Johnson or Ashley Everett. and disciplined in terms of their time? and ROWE is about results. If a person is 2009For more Negotiations information about ROWE, please read Information the HSPHD ROWE FAQ, online at: not meeting his or her job results, that http://drum/images/HSPHDIntranet/Collaborative%20Groups/ROWE/ROWE_FAQ_080609.doc is a performance issue. If a person’s result is to open a service window at Family Justice Center Goes Green! 7:00 a.m. and that person is not there at 7:00 a.m. to open the window,Submitted that by AFSCME Council 5 on September 29, is a performance issue, not a time 2009 issue. Please refer to HSPHDhttp://afscmemn.org/family-justice-goes-green%21 FAQ question #10 on Tardiness forBargaining more power comes from mobilizing our members to showcase the solidarity information. that gets us good contracts. Hennepin County workers at the Family Justice Center flexed their collective muscle by recruiting 75 workers to wear green on September Does the concept that no meetings29 are– the day AFSCME negotiators were at the table. Supportive bosses also wore mandatory really mean that no meetingsgreen, including District Court Judge Kevin Burke, who took the photo above. are mandatory? The employer’s proposal was an insult to dedicated Yes, within a context. Employeesemployees need who are doing their part to keep to be where the work is whencounty they services operating during tough times. need to be there. This includesKatie Farber explains the solidarity on display at meetings. If the meeting is importantthe FJC... to the employee’s job or to the work the team does, then the employeeThe Family Justice Center houses many AFSCME must attend. The key is that themembers word working for Hennepin County and the “mandatory” does not need to beState used of Minnesota. Hennepin County locals are Local 34 Banner November 2009 -7- in the the County Home School and Jon Ekholm from Sentencing to Serve. Local 34 has requested a Meet and Confer to address its concerns for the process of negotiating our new contract. HSR classification, which was the Local’s sole area When we received the “Table Talk” of supplemental negotiation this year. The County, flyer, members were outraged at the in turn, offered up several issues of its own, County’s proposals, and really wanted to including cleaning up the list of job classifications, be part of the process. We can’t all sit at the list of Letters of Understanding and the Article the table with our hard working 31 Meet & Confer issues. They also proposed ROWE-impacted changes in Seniority and members and Council Five Staff who do Holiday language, and noted possible ROWE implications in the break/work schedule the negotiating, but we wanted to show section, the vacation and sick leave sections, and the Absence Without Leave section. A further session will be scheduled during Mediation. them, and our employer, that we are united in solidarity. We decided to show As seen on the front page of this issue, AFSCME members from all six Locals turned out for a our solidarity by all wearing green on loud and exuberant rally for the Table Team, during the 3rd negotiation session on October 19. 9/29—the day negotiations were An enthusiastic Eliot Seide, Council 5’s Executive Director, came to the rally, and led the scheduled. crowd in chants of “No Takebacks” and “Who are We? – AFSCME!” Members of the AFSCME A few days before hand, we put up locals were invited to attend informational sessions throughout the last two weeks of October homemade posters on our 5 Union to learn about the progress of negotiations, and to ask questions of Table Team members bulletin boards throughout the building. and Council 5 representatives. A new Table Talk was being issued ahead of the November 2 The posters featured a bright green T- session – the first with mediator Jan Johnson’s attention to bringing Hennepin County and shirt cut out. Then, we made dozens of AFSCME to a mutually-acceptable agreement. smaller versions of the T-shirt cut outs In the October issue of this newsletter, both initial proposals were outlined. AFSCME’s initial and gave them to members to wear on position was to request a 2% wage increase for a one-year-only contract. AFSCME proposed the days before 9/29, as a way to the status quo on Singles’ health insurance premiums and a transfer of Families’ coverage promote the action and stimulate from 25% to the members to just 15%. In addition, AFSCME proposed that the Employer conversation about contract provide Orientation time in connection with New Employee Orientation. The County’s initial negotiations. We used a M.A.T. style position is that it faces a $25 million deficit that this contract needs to resolve. By freezing strategy to get members talking to wage increases (COLAs) and step increases for two years, the County would save about $15 members, one on one throughout the million. In addition, they proposed finding an additional $10 million (now reduced to $7 building—with designated members million) in savings each year without specifying how. Options included higher insurance volunteering to speak to others in a premiums for Singles, new health insurance deductibles, specific portion of the building. higher “user costs” (co-pays), or freezing or reducing On 9/29, most of the employees were stability pay. The County also proposed new wellness wearing green—people also wore incentives, a two-year contract, changes in PTO and buttons, wrist bands and stickers. We vacation/sick leave, contracting-out language, the decided to have a group picture taken— definition of “Super Department” for lay-off purposes, and Local 34 Treasurer Patrick Regan made a a series of discussion issues. last minute run to our office to pick up As the third session drew to a close, “money issues” our banner. Member Merry Brigham (wages, steps, stability pay, health insurance) remained to be negotiated in the Mediation brought her digital camera to take the sessions. Health insurance options have been vetted by both sides, each side has staked out pictures, but at the last second, District positions, and the Employer has modified its original deductible proposal, as well as its Court Judge Kevin Burke—who also wore proposal on the U of M hospitals. The Employer has offered to help lower-paid employees green that day—volunteered to take the offset costs it has proposed – much as it did in 2007. Among the “non-financial” issues, the snap shots. It was great to have so length of the contract is unsettled. The Employer has stepped away from its proposals on many members engaged in a collective contracting-out language and removing the Super Department language. There has been a action—the enthusiasm was contagious great deal of discussion over the AFSCME proposal for orientation sessions and the Employer and energizing. To our contract proposal on PTO. Among the discussion issues that have generated considerable negotiators, we say “keep up the good consideration were the new PERAHealth policy on Care the Phased & Insurance Retirement Option, News and replacing the work, and know we are all behind terms “intermittent” and “temporary” with “limited duration.” Much remains you, united in solidarity.” to be settled in the month of November. Local 34’s Table Team: (L-R) Building a Lifetime of Smiles Jacquelin Poole, Wes Many people these days apply the saying, "If it isn't broken, Volkenant, Laurie Simon, Pat Regan, Jean Diederich and don't fix it", to their teeth. Most dental problems start out small AFSCME Field and may be hard to detect in early stages. However, delaying Representative Matt Nelson checkups and treatment can lead to serious problems later on. The plaque you didn't notice can lead to gum disease. The At Supplemental Negotiations on Octobersensitivity to hot and cold can be a sign of an abscess, cavity, cracked tooth or 19, your Table Team membersreceding faced gums. In addition, growing evidence that suggests a link between poor oral Christine Yates of Labor Relations,hygiene and specific medical problems other than problems with your teeth. Patrice Hughes-Alfred, Joe Gaspard and Mark Lee of HSPHD, Michael RossmanAt this session, led by Dr. David Gesko, HealthPartners Dental Director and Senior from HR, David Eggen of the MedicalVice President, learn more about why the County's dental plan is a good idea and the Examiner’s Office, Angie Cousins from new dental changes for January 2010, about myths and facts about tooth care, and Local 34 Banner November 2009 -8- advice about caring for your teeth. Also, pretty clear it won’t be business as usual. But Council 5 is fighting to make sure it is you'll get a toothbrush, floss and paste to business as usual – at least in one way. help ensure that you build a lifetime of Union reps are making sure employers don’t use a flu “emergency” as an excuse to smiles! abandon language that protects workers. At the same time, the union is urging employers to recognize that it can’t be business as usual if that costs workers pay – or Here are the locations for the their jobs – when they follow medical advice and stay home. presentations. Presentations “It’s very important for members to know that we keep working through these issues, are 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. that they’re not going to be left behind,” says Local 600’s John Hillyard, president of (Exception Brookdale Library: 11:30 a.m. Council 5’s State Employee Policy Committee. - 12:30 p.m.) Health vs. Paycheck 11/5: Medina Public Works, Large The situation can get complicated in a hurry. Medical advice says ill workers should stay home for as long as 7 days. If they have to care for sick children or family members, it Training could be even longer. Room #1104 But what about workers who use up sick leave? What’s more important: obeying 11/6: Century Plaza, Room #4406 medical advice – or keeping a paycheck coming in? What if their employer has a policy 11/9: Health Services Building, that disciplines them for being absent too many days? Room #110 Workers who are not sick face different challenges. How do they get the work done if, as 11/10: Brookdale Library, Large some health officials predict, as many as 40 percent of workers fall ill and stay home? Conference In Minnesota’s emergency plan, some functions are classified as top priorities, says Rooms A, B, C Cathy Hockert, the state’s director of continuity planning. These include jobs where life (11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) could be at stake, such as public safety, corrections, health care and veterans’ homes. 11/17: Government Center, They also cover key business functions, such as payroll and state payments. Auditorium Under these same classifications, other employees may see their duties shut down or 11/24: Government Center, shifted. Similarly, based on their jobs, some workers will find themselves at the head of Auditorium the line in getting an H1N1 vaccination, or antiviral treatments if they get sick. 12/1: Ridgedale Library, Robert Rolf Seeking consistent policies Meeting The state has drafted guidelines trying to make sure all agencies follow the same Room policies. The Health Department is also asking agencies to take daily attendance so it can pinpoint outbreaks or clusters of illness. The main policy states: “Healthy employees For more information and to sign up for a who are not caring for an ill family member are expected to report to work each day. Ill or suspected ill employees are expected to stay home.” The policy also: session via Pathlore, visit the Benefits Requires supervisors to send home workers who exhibit flu-like symptoms. Unit web page/News and Events or send an e-mail to HR Benefits. Allows employees to return to work without a medical note during a pandemic. http://hennote1.co.hennepin.mn.us/HR/Intranet/GenlInfo Allows employees to use sick leave to take care of themselves or others. If they don’t have sick .nsf/b7dfe57ff1d386fb86257544005979f6/301a7e578b1 time, they can use vacation or comp time. If that’s not an option, they can take time under the 7b9ed86257648005f0d4a?OpenDocument Family Medical and Leave Act, which is unpaid leave. Reminder: AFSCME Local 34 offers a AFSCME has given constant feedback as the state drafted these policies, says Bob separate Delta Dental plan to everyone in Hilliker, Council 5’s state field director. The union is comfortable with some, less a Local 34 job classification. The County comfortable with others; a lot will depend on how supervisors implement them, he says. “We’re making it clear: We will pursue grievances, or class-action grievances, over any dental plan is a voluntarily-chosen violation of the contract.” program that can coordinate benefits with the Delta Dental AFSCME is also urging employers to give workers the option of taking advance insurance. sick leave or vacation, so they don’t lose pay during a flu absence. Labor Unions, Labor History, Political & Legal Information On the Front Lines Interesting Read: The Very Separate World of Conservative Republicans http://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/TheVerySeparateWorld.pdf Against the Flu Submitted byCouncil AFSCME Council 5 Convention: 5 on October 15,The 2009 Resolutions http://afscmemn.org/front-lines-against-fluApproved (11 of 16 proposed to the Convention): Organize for Power: This union will invest resources, If a flu pandemic hits Minnesota,develop it’s programs and infrastructure, and train staff and pretty clear it won’t be businessmembers as to enable us to win representation rights for new groups of usual. But Council 5 is fighting toworkers; make and AFSCME Council 5 will continue to seek sure workers are protectedrepresentation if a rights for all unorganized public sector workers and enact collective bargaining law where they do not currently exist for pandemic does hit. workers not covered by a law; Council 5 will expand its organizing Council 5 makes sure workersefforts are among workers in non-profit and private entities who protected if pandemicprovide hits public services; Council 5 will continue its efforts to If a flu pandemic hits Minnesota,develop it’s leveraged campaigns that employ innovative tactics that combat aggressive anti- union campaigns waged by private and public sector employers; Council 5 will recruit and develop VMOs; Council 5 will coordinate political and Local 34 Banner November 2009 -9- organizing functions to make support of organizingCoverage: AFSCME will make every attempt to include this ion our ongoing efforts to a key component of political action; and, we improvemust FMLA benefits and coverage for workers. organize smarter. POLITICO: Labor Chief McEntee Takes on the White House □ Electing a Pro-Working Families By: Ben Smith October 17, 2009 http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28397.html Governor: AFSCME Council 5 will do everything it can to help elect a pro-working families governor by The president of one of America’s largest labor unions, Gerry McEntee, has emerged as a major obstacle mobilizing our members in huge numbers in to the White House’s efforts to maintain a unified front in the health care debate. The veteran president support of our endorsed gubernatorial candidate. of AFSCME has crossed lines that few labor leaders – even those who quietly agree with him – would go □ Raising Revenue Fairly: That we near. McEntee led workers in chanting a barnyard epithet to describe Senate Finance Committee raise revenue fairly for public services and other chairman Max Baucus’s health care bill, which would levy a new tax on expensive health care plans. He needs by raising income and other taxes on the published an op-ed in U.S.A. Today warning, in terms that could be used against Democrats in the midterms, that the plan could tax the middle class and cost workers their health care. And he blew off a wealthiest Minnesotans; Council 5 mobilize its plea from White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and published an open letter promising to “oppose” membership at our February 17, 2009 Day on the legislation that contained the tax – published over the objections, several labor officials said, of other Hill. union presidents whose names appeared on the letter. □ Employee Free Choice Act: That Council 5 make passage of the Employee Free "We have had just about enough of his gratuitous slaps,” said a senior White House official, calling the Choice Act a key consideration for endorsements in politically charged language “outrageous and unacceptable” from an ally — even from one that had, the the 2009 and 2010 elections and a major priority official noted, devoted substantial resources to health care efforts. “He’s doing his members a real for enactment in the next Congress; Council 5 - disservice,” said the official, who said that while all other labor leaders had been careful to keep their mobilize our membership and lobby Congress for opposition to elements of health care proposals modulated and largely inside the tent, McEntee was passage of the Act. “beyond the pale.” But a spokesman for AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka stood by McEntee. "We work □ Communicating for Power: That closely with the White House and count ourselves among their strongest supporters,” said the Council 5 will continue to establish an identity that spokesman, Eddie Vale. “Sometimes being supportive means staking out a tough position, and nobody build member pride and loyalty, attracts new understands that better than President McEntee." member, and reaches politicians, allies and McEntee’s posture – and the fierce response from a White House determined to keep allies in line – journalists with a powerful message of who we are reflects a broader dilemma on the left of the Democratic Party, which is feeling both lingering and what we’re fighting for; that our local unions satisfaction at Obama’s victory and frustration at his caution. From labor to civil libertarians to anti-war and policy committees will be encouraged to activists, progressive organizers have had to choose between biting their tongues and losing the access contribute to the Media Fund for advertising that and power that comes with friends in the White House. McEntee is among the most prominent leaders projects a proud, bold image of public services and who have been willing to challenge the administration. Despite his investment – and AFSCME’s – in the workers who provide them; that Council 5 will health care reform, he has been willing to risk his relationships and his influence with powerful continue to provide member reporter, newsletter Democratic leaders in the White House and the Senate for a bill he can more fully embrace. and LaborWeb training as part of its Leadership In labor circles, McEntee is regarded with a mixture of pride, indulgence and disdain. “Gerry’s never been Academy. shy about standing up for his members, regardless of who’s in power – he’s there to fight for his □ Building Strong Local Unions: members,” said the secretary-treasurer of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, a longtime McEntee friend, Rick Council 5 locals will be asked to routinely assess Bloomingdale. “A lot of people have made the political calculus that we don’t want to piss off the White themselves, set new goals, and develop strategies House, so we don’t want to be that overt – but they’re certainly glad that somebody is,” said one to achieve the goals; Council 5 will provide the prominent labor official. “That’s the great thing about him – you can’t edit the guy – and he likes to do resources for local union efforts; Local unions will the ‘bull***’ chant whenever he can find an excuse.” continue to pursue capacity-building language; Local unions will develop an accurate map of their "No one's worked harder than AFSCME to support the president's vision of providing quality, affordable membership to further grow power. health care for all Americans,” said spokesman Chris Policano, who said the union has spent more than □ Change Legislation to Protect $2 million on advertising for health care reform, lobbied Congress, paid campaign organizers in 13 Union Member Status: That Council 5 and its states, and turned out workers to town hall meetings, while planning a large-scale "national day of affiliates publicly and legislatively support a change action" October 20. “President McEntee is fiercely committed to the principles we've been advocating for in legislation to protect our fellow members from months, including a public option and keeping costs off the backs of working families. He's more than being removed from our unions, based on whether willing to keep the heat on Congress to make that happen,” he said. or not they might have access to confidential When Emanuel recently requested that he tone down his public criticism of compromise legislation, information and/or the employer’s bargaining McEntee responded dismissively. “He told us that we really don’t want to be looked upon as the group strategy. that stopped meaningful health-care reform,” he said in an interview with Bloomberg News . “We would □ Elected Metropolitan Council: love to be on the exact same page as the White House, but we see ourselves as fighting for our Council 5 and its affiliates publicly and vigorously members.” So instead of backing down, McEntee convened a conference call of AFL-CIO union support an elected Metropolitan Council. presidents, and presented them with an ad that would run the next day in POLITICO, the Washington □ ADA and Reasonable Post, and other Washington newspapers containing this uncompromising language: “Unless the bill that Accommodation: AFSCME will be proactive in goes to the floor of the U.S. Senate makes substantial progress to address the concerns of working men changing the ADA reasonable accommodation and women, we will oppose it.” The last phrase shocked other union leaders on the call, and three of process so that trained worker advocates, them – Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers, Leo Gerard of the United independent of the employer will become the final Steelworkers, and Harold Schaitberger of the International Association of Firefighters - questioned the authority in determining reasonable language. “Is there any imaginable scenario where even AFSCME – the big blowhard – would oppose a accommodation for workers whose jobs depend on health care reform bill by this congress and this president?” asked an official at one objecting union, who it; AFSCME will explore the possibility of trained spoke on the condition of anonymity. “Is there any scenario that that would happen? So why would we Union-Provided Advocates for workers facing say it in an ad?” reasonable accommodation. Others said they might still oppose the legislation, but that the ad was unnecessarily strident. “This is □ Independent Medical Exams: very premature to be putting markers down,” Schaitberger said. “There are so many steps left. There are AFSCME will work to make sure that independent two Senate bills to be merged. We’re going to get a lot further down this road by being prospective.” The medical exams for workers compensation and any unions that thought McEntee had gone too far are circulating a letter to the Senate that changes the other job-related health issues are required to be word “oppose” to “not support it.” Another union president on the call, Unite Here’s John Wilhelm, independent; AFSCME will work onDid legislation You Know? to AFSCMEdownplayed composes the 54%differences. of all Hennepin As for McEntee, County employeeshe added: “There’s (53.3% ofa lotall ofFTEs). different Local styles 34 alone, in the makes labor make Minnesota Workers Compensationup 25.1% a fairerof all Hennepinmovement, FTEs, andwhich that’s is 24.6% ok.” One of all longtime employees McEntee. On the associate other hand, said theAFSCME president employees and his accountaides will for just just system. 47.2% of the Total Directhave toPayroll; get used Local to him.34 accounts “That’s just for the23.1% kind of of Total bare-knuckles Direct Payroll politics. McEntee has played for a long □ Medical & Workers Comp Leave time,” the person said. Should Count as Time-Worked for FMLACouncil 5 Convention – continued Local 34 Banner November 2009 -10- Time to quit regressing the ideas of the people who do the work every day, and Kelliher was among those promising that The state’s own Tax Incidence Study showsAFSCME that and other unions would have a seat at the table, would be partners with the governor, and millionaires pay only 8.8 percent of their income in state and local taxes. Average Minnesota The debate was moderated by Barbara Reyelts of Duluth’s Northland NewsCenter. Council 5 also households, on the other hand, pay 12.8 invited all major Republican candidates to participate, but none accepted. Council 5’s executive percent. But State Sen. Tom Bakk said taxing board plans to interview gubernatorial candidates for a possible endorsement Oct. 24 in St. Paul. the rich in and of itself won’t raise enough money to cover the state’s deficit. “We have to VIEW FROM THE CHEAP SEATS Vicki Moore, Local 34 have an honest conversation about the state’s problems,” he said. “We’re all going to have to Vice President be willing to pitch in. We can’t just tax somebody else.” Bakk SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAM - SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAM - SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAM proposed restoring income tax - SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAM - SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAM - SUPPORT YOUR TABLE rates across the board to their TEAM - SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAM - SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAM - SUPPORT YOUR 1998 levels, then adding a TABLE TEAM - SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAM - SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAM - SUPPORT fourth tier for the state’s YOUR TABLE TEAM - SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAM - SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAM - highest earners. Nearly all the SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAM - SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAM - SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAM candidates – former state Rep. I believe a very general definition of Negotiate is: to discuss in order to reach an Matt Entenza, former state Candidate Sen. Steve Kelley, current Matt agreement. A very general definition of Discuss is: to consider and talk over. Both House Speaker Margaret AndersonEntenza Kelliher, of these words imply a back and forth between talking, listening and working state Sen. John Marty, state Rep. Tom toward an agreement that somewhat meets the needs of both parties. I really Rukavina, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and hope that this is happening, but would be lying if I didn’t say that I have some state Rep. Paul Thissen – made reference in misgivings when it comes to the issues most people raise as concerns to them. I one way or another to the need for a more have several questions for the other side of the table and decision makers. progressive state income-tax system or for raising more money from the state’s wealthiest Do you value your dedicated, loyal and trained workforce who has repeatedly households. But Bakk and Dayton were the only demonstrated their willingness to give 120%? candidates to offer concrete revenue proposals. “Of course we need to raise revenues,” said Who does the work of Hennepin County? Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner. Who provides services to the residents of Hennepin County? “Everybody knows it and has known it for a long Who generates revenue for their work? time.” But she offered no specifics. Who spends their time in meetings? More than taxes And dare I ask, what is the ratio between direct-service staff and all of the Most of the candidates also said that taxes alone other Hennepin County employees? won’t solve the problem, either. Kelley and Rybak said the state needs to broaden its To my Co-Workers, I remind you that a Labor Contract is not a Gift. It is something revenue sources. Rybak, in particular, pointed that requires your efforts and visibility. It requires the same commitment that you out that under Gov. Tim Pawlenty, too much of give to your work and to your clients. Here is how you can stand up and be the burden has fallen on local counted and, from what I hear, you really need to do so: property taxes. Bakk, Dayton, Rybak Attend Commissioner Hearings: and Thissen said the o Monday, 11/16, 1 pm to 4 pm (Human Services) Speake state has to find Thursday, 11/19, 1 pm to 4 pm (Public Safety) r o Margar ways to create jobs o Friday, 11/20, 9 am to 12 pm (Human Services cont.) et and put more people o Monday, 11/30, 1pm to 4 pm (Commissioner Amendments) to work as a way of generating more revenue. Rukavina stressed the o Wednesday, 12/02, 1 pm to 4 pm (Commissioner Amendments) state’s need to invest in education to create o Tuesday, 12/15, 1:30 (Budget Approval) some of those new jobs. Kelliher stressed the You can contact Vern Wagner, Chris Cowen, a member of the Action Team, or an need to reinvest in infrastructure, including Officer or Steward to let them know which hearings you will attend. cellular and broadband technology in outstate Minnesota, to promote economic growth. Next you can attend a meeting in your building with a member of the Table Marty and Thissen focused extensively on the Team or Action Committee to find out what’s happening. need to control health costs while expanding o Brookdale Room C: Wednesday, 10/21, noon to 1 health coverage as part of a budget solution. o Century Plaza, Room 4406: Friday, 10/23, 11:30 to 1 pm Pawlenty’s cuts to General Assistance Medical o Government Center, Room 1690A: Monday, 10/26, 2:30 – 3:30 pm Care “crossed a moral line” that the state should not cross, Thissen said. Marty promoted his o FJC, Room B51: Tuesday, 10/27, noon – 1 pm nd Minnesota Plan to expand the availability of o Grain Exchange, MHP 2 Fl Lg Conf Room: Wed., 10/28, noon – 1 pm affordable health insurance. Kelley, Rybak and o HSB, Room 112: Thursday, 10/29, noon – 1 pm Thissen promoted taking a fresh look at how state and local agencies deliver public services. Finally let Vern Wagner, Chris Cowen, a member of the Action Team, or an Kelley pledged to change the tone of relations Officer or Steward know what action you would like to take to SUPPORT between the governor’s office and the state’s YOUR TABLE TEAM ! workers. Thissen said the state needs to tap into Local 34 Banner November 2009 -11- SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAM2, 9 – and 10). Although the Duluth moderator left a lot to be desired, I appreciated the SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAMformat, – which included a general financial crisis question for everyone to answer, an SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAMopportunity – to draw upon their own life experiences to express what will make them a SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAMgood – Governor, and then specific questions to each separate candidate, drawn from those SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAMwe –wrote down that morning. Some of those were tough; John Marty was pointedly SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAM – asked about how he expects to win after his trouncing in 1994 in the same race; RT SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAM – SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAMRybak – was quizzed about City of Minneapolis managers getting big bonuses shortly after SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAMhe – took office, even as the bargaining unit employees had to SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAMtake – a small wage increase in that settlement; and Tom Rukavina SUPPORT YOUR TABLE TEAM faced accusations that he was involved in efforts to privatize a My Convention Report – Wes VolkenantDuluth-area nursing home that eventually closed at the expense Thank you, Local 34, for my first Council nearly 300 AFSCME jobs. convention experience in Duluth (I’d been Personally, I rated Thissen, Rybak unable to attend two years ago). Even with Kelliher highest – and liked Marty’s snow on the final morning and near- Gaertner’s answers,- Wes too. Volkenant freezing temps throughout, our northern At left, I’ve placed a number of photos from the recent port city remains one of my favorite cities Council 5 Convention in Duluth. These photos, from top to visit. to bottom, show President Jean Diederich conducting I was appointed to the Credentials the Resolutions Committee debate; part of one of the Committee for this convention, which Local 34 tables on the Convention floor, with Bob Velez meant arriving earlier on Wednesday and and Betty Pharr in the foreground; floor business – with registering delegates and alternates from our special AFSCME shirts on display; the Local 34 crew lining up for its group photo; Eliot Seide introducing the gubernatorial debate; the 10 DFL Gubernatorial candidates at the 6-9pm that first night, then early both dais. Thursday and Friday mornings (@7-9am each day). Many Local 34 delegates were Negotiations: already registered as of Wednesday night, Have you read the Table Talk following Session 1? It and we turned out a great group of 34 outlined the original proposals, which were captured in delegates. We had our President, Jean the October issue of this newsletter. Session 2 saw Diederich, representing us on the dais as both sides doing a lot of clarifying and posturing, the chair of the Resolutions Committee. frankly, especially on health insurance and other cost- We saw Bob Velez not only take an active saving proposals. As Matt Nelson noted at our October role on the Convention floor, but he and GA meeting, the good news is that the County offered to Betty Pharr hosted candidate Tom withdraw changing the Contracting Out language for Rukavina for a pizza/beverage get-together Local 34 and withdrew its proposal to break up the Super Department for layoffs. Unfortunately there was after the gubernatorial debate - and more no movement in their initial proposal for wage and step than half our delegation stopped by to say freezes, plus additional cost-savings from employees. hello! We heard Vern Wagner get The County reduced its total savings needed by recognition for his Action Committee work. reaching agreements on cost reductions with We listened to Katie Farber and members HealthPartners, but about $7 million additional savings of the Labor Chorus close out our are still to be found in negotiations. I’m trying to do my Convention. And we saw Linda Flykt work best at representing the membership at negotiations. the delegates for PEOPLE raffle tickets, like an AFSCME Convention expert. I’m planning to use some more SLWOP time to sit in on a few of the Board’s budget hearings – I thought the Commissioner Amendments sessions were very interesting last Day One, I attended a boring workshop fall. As the Action Team has urged, please consider attending these vital Board meetings. session on community resources for members in time of layoff or other financial Other items: crisis, but followed that with a very good We continue to be frustrated by the supervision at Jennifer Munt session on “Defending Our NorthPoint. A steward was initially denied leave to Paychecks,” which focused on key attend the AFSCME Convention to which she was an legislators who we need to try to defeat in elected delegate; another member faced discipline 2010, and others who we need to find ways for actions that they were not at fault for (without a to encourage to vote in our favor more Review for 18+ months); one supervisor has been often. restricting vacation leave to week-long increments – refusing one-and-two-day vacation requests. Although there were fun convention I’ve been participating with our stewards on moments – social events, like the AFSCME addressing several members’ issues and concerns, dance (after hours tend to lend themselves including disciplinary actions at Century Plaza, ranging from three-and-five-day to such) - my convention highlight was the suspensions for not meeting performance standards, to addressing discipline for Gubernatorial Debate between the field of attendance concerns. ten announced and unannounced DFL I think we’re all upset by the news of the three HSRs candidates for Governor in 2010 (see pages who abused their positions, and were charged Local 34 Banner November 2009 -12- th October 15 with theft or and lose weight if they are obese. The tobacco plan goes into effect in July 2010 and the weight loss swindling. It’s a cautionary plan tale the following year. about the slippery slopes that Iredell Health Systems Vice President John Snow said the renewed focus on wellness and health many of us may face incare our in the media is increasingly raising awareness with employers. Employees with healthy positions. They took a wrong lifestylesturn. get sick less frequently, are more productive and keep overall health Thank goodness there are nearlyinsurance costs low. "We cover 65 percent of our employees' health care," said Greg Watson, 1900 others of us who remainchief in financial officer of RP Machine and Abundant Manufacturing. "It is significant for us with the this Local, and who carrynumber the of employees in the plans. The healthier your employers are the lower it keeps * Note: Aspublic’s of 7/18/09, trust onthe our1903 shoulders, Localyour 34 rates." employees hadand ando ourAverage difficult Hourlyjobs to the Wage best of of our ability in an For honest, More Reading: forthright$26.68. manner. http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/21/pf/saving/health_assessment_tests/?postversion=2009102112 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/15/AR2009101503036.html? Wes hpid=topnews Good & Welfare: Thank You’s http://www.kmbc.com/health/21285795/detail.html http://www.reuters.com/article/mediaNews/idUSN3041617120090930 Jacquelin (Poole), ANNOUNCEMENT: A beautiful bouquet of Fall-like The Local 34 Executive Board approved a motion at the October 21, 2009 meeting to renew flowers arrived in a ceramic pumpkin our membership in the Minnesota Social Services Association (MSSA) for 2010. As part of that container today. Thank you for membership, our local is able to send 7 agency delegates to MSSA events. We will hold the submitting my name. The flowers election of the 2010 MSSA delegates at the December 2, 2009 General Assembly which will be held at 5:30 PM in Room L 15 of the Health Services Building. If you are interested in helped to brighten my day. putting your name forward for one of the delegate positions or would like more information, Beverly A. T. Mackey please contact me. This announcement will run again in the December newsletter.
From Duluth, Minnesota’s AFSCME activists Council 5 Convention Highlights: convene… I served as part of a panel for one of the workshops at the convention on Progressive Dues. This workshop was held as a precursor to a meeting scheduled for early 2010 for all locals who have yet to develop a progressive dues structure based on the resolution passed at the AFSCME International Convention. The five panelists were Barb Bezat and Mary Austin from Local 3937, University of Minnesota Technical, Mike Nelson and Eric Mattson from Local 2829, State Amalgamated, and me. We shared our experiences in moving to our respective progressive dues structure with the workshop attendees. The common thread was that we all felt it was important to be fair to all our members, to find a way to provide for appropriate representation of our members as well as support our local's efforts to be effective in the workplace and to fund our work. Members attending the workshop asked questions about how long it took to complete this process, from deciding to switch to implementing the new structure; what ask of the Employer’s Payroll regarding the change; how to explain the new structure to members; etc. We are very lucky that our change from the five tiered structure to the straight 1% structure went as smoothly as it did. From conversations that I held with sisters and brothers after the workshop, they are facing road blocks such as the Employer not wanting to change the existing system, members of the locals are feeling that the existing system works just fine so why "fix" it, and fears that the new structure will need to be changed Wellness Programs: How Industry every year. Trends May Impact Our Future Health Insurance Coverage As Wes Volkenant noted earlier, I also served as the Chair of the Resolutions Committee. This year it was a relatively quiet duty as the resolutions mostly addressed enhancing the work we Higher Fees for Workers with already do. One thing that I did learn is that we should say what we mean - that if the committee's recommendation is to not support a resolution, then we should say so. That way, Health Risks? when members vote, they will be clear that voting no is the recommendation of the By Bethany Fuller | Statesville R&L - October 18, committee. My work was done on Friday morning prior to the gubernatorial forum. Looking out 2009 http://www2.statesville.com/content/2009/oct/18/ over the room of delegates, all wearing that beautiful AFSCME green, was a truly wondrous company-health-plans-may-penalize-smokers- sight. Can you imagine what the gubernatorial candidates must have thought when they obese/lifestyles/ looked out over the crowd? A growing number of employers are making Negotiations: their workers' health a primary concern of their Our proposal is short and to the point in recognition of the economic climate we face - ongoing businesses. Corporate wellness programs and unallotments by Governor Pawlenty means that funding for a good number of programs in the additional premiums for tobacco use and Human Services and Public Health Department have been greatly reduced on top of cuts from obesity are becoming frequent additions to federal funding. We are very cognizant of the fact that our families, friends and neighbors are companies' health plans. For example, the experiencing the same economic hardships we face. We also know that we are doing more N.C. State Health Plan includes a work - not the same amount but more - with fewer staff than several years ago. We are Comprehensive Wellness Initiative, which working through our breaks and staying late to finish that one last detail in order to get a case focuses on quitting tobacco use and completed so that our clients get the services they so desperately need - and do so because weight management, was approved by the we are dedicated to providing quality services. We are all doing our part to keep Hennepin state General Assembly this year. Under the County working. new plan, state employees, such as teachers, would have to change their level of benefits if November 2nd and November 16th are the last two scheduled days for bargaining and are they aren't actively trying to quit tobacco use both full days of mediation. The Table Team has not wavered in our goal of reaching a fair and just agreement with the Employer. What can you do to help achieve that goal? Talk to your Local 34 Banner November 2009 -13- supervisors, managers, commissioners, friends and neighbors about how the work that you do has changed, how increased caseloads have impacted your ability to do your work in a timely and correct fashion, what the lack of state and federal funding has meant the programs we work under and the stress we experience. And remember to wear green - shirts, buttons, wristbands - maybe even join me and have green hair! Lastly: Thanks to all of you who wished me well on my move. It was an interesting process - packing up 25 years of memories to travel about four miles to my new abode - and one that I am so happy to have completed. The family tradition is that whoever has the newest home gets to host the Thanksgiving meal. That means I will be busy unpacking and organizing to get ready for that celebration. I wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving this year. Jean
"We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count." - Neil A. Maxwell
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