T H E M I S S O U R I STATE WORKER Vol. 25 No. 3 Communications Workers of America Local 6355, AFL-CIO Fall 2014 ON NOVEMBER 4TH... Your Vote Can Be Part of the Solution! he experts are predicting that a record low schools. The people we vote for will decide T number of citizens will vote on November whether to grow or shrink the budget for state 4th. Given the enormous issues we face as public employee pay and benefits. They will decide workers, but that can’t be true of CWA Local whether to increase or decrease the number of 6355 members. It’s easy to paint all politicians staff assigned to where we work. with the same brush and to think that our vote The most important question is, which doesn’t matter. Just like it’s easy for our candidate is committed to protecting our nonunion member democratic rights? Our coworkers to think that right to organize and their decision not to join MISSOURI BALLOT take collective action to our union doesn’t improve our jobs and matter. Paycheck Deception the financial well being Union members of our families. Our know better than that. right to vote and We understand that Funding for Education peaceably assemble. collective action is the Our right to participate most powerful tool for in the political process. people to make change: Fair Pay and Staffing Levels In keeping with our in their communities, in long standing practice their jobs or in their during election years, government. That’s Voting Rights page 2 and 3 has a why union members published list of will vote on November candidates for 4th. We know that the stakes could not be Congress and the General Assembly whom our higher. The candidates our union has endorsed union has recommended receive your support. for the General Assembly and Congress will Our union is a nonpartisan organization. Our work to secure the resources we need to recommended list of candidates includes succeed. They understand that the conditions Democrats and Republicans. How you vote is a we are forced to serve Missouri’s people under personal decision. Our candidate must improve. recommendations are based on a careful review The work that the members of our union do is of the public records of those running for office too important for any of us not to vote and interviews with union activists from all over strategically. We will be voting on officials who Missouri. To look up what legislative district you will decide how much support to send to our live in, go to www.senate.mo.gov. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Endorsed Candidates ...... Page 2 Amendment 3 ...... Page 3 DSS-DHSS Bargaining Update ...... Page 4 Parkway Bargaining ...... Page 5

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CWA Local 6355 Endorsements for Nov. 4th How you vote is a personal decision. Based on careful review of candidate positions and voting record, your union believes the following will best represent the interests of union families. To check your registration status go to: sos.mo.gov/elections. An asterisk (*) indicates an incumbent. STATE AUDITOR 17 67 Alan Green No Endorsement 18 Lauren Arthur 68 Keith English * 19 JJ Rizzo * 69 Margo McNeil * U.S. REPRESENTATIVES 20 John Mayfield * 70 Bill Otto * 1 Lacy Clay * 21 Ira Anders * 71 Sue Meredith * 2 No Endorsement 22 * 72 Mary Nichols * 3 Open 23 Randy Dunn * 73 Courtney Allen Curtis * 4 Nate Irvin 24 * 74 Sharon L. Pace * 5 Emanuel Cleaver II * 25 Jeremy LaFaver * 75 Rochelle Walton Gray * 6 Bill Hedge 26 Gail McCann Beatty * 76 Joshua Peters * 7 Jim Evans 27 Bonnaye V. Mims * 77 Kimberly M. Gardner * 8 Open 28 Tom McDonald * 78 Penny V. Hubbard * 29 Noel Torpey * 79 Michael Butler * 30 Open 80 Mike Colona * 31 * 81 Jacob W. Hummel * 2 Open 32 Jeanie Lauer * 82 Michele Kratky * 4 Joe Keaveny * 33 * 83 Gina Mitten * 6 No Endorsement 34 Open 84 Karla May * 8 Open 35 Ken Duvall 85 Clem Smith * 10 Ed Schieffer 36 Kevin McManus * 86 Joe Adams 12 No Endorsement 37 * 87 Stacey Newman * 14 Maria N. Chappelle-Nadal * 38 TJ Berry * 88 Tracy McCreery 16 No Endorsement 39 Open 89 No Endorsement 18 Open 40 Lowell Jackson 90 20 No Endorsement 41 Dan Dildine 91 Jeanne Kirkton * 22 No Endorsement 42 Bart Korman * 92 Genise Montecillo * 24 Jill Schupp 43 Ed Lockwood 93 Bob Burns * 26 Open 44 Open 94 Vicki Englund * 28 No Endorsement 45 95 No Endorsement 30 No Endorsement 46 * 96 No Endorsement 32 No Endorsement 47 John Wright * 97 John McCaherty * 34 Robert Stuber 48 No Endorsement 98 No Endorsement

49 Gracia Yancey Backer 99 No Endorsement MISSOURI HOUSE 50 No Endorsement 100 No Endorsement 1 Open 51 Gary Grigsby 101 No Endorsement 2 Mike Waltemath 52 No Endorsement 102 John Callahan 3 Nate Walker 53 Henry Grubb 103 No Endorsement 4 No Endorsement 54 Open 104 Open 5 C. LeRoy Deichman 55 No Endorsement 105 Matt Judkins 6 Robert Harrington 56 Patty Johnson 106 * 7 Open 57 William Grimes 107 * 8 * 58 No Endorsement 108 No Endorsement 9 No Endorsement 59 No Endorsement 109 Barbara Bollmann 10 Pat Conway * 60 No Endorsement 110 No Endorsement 11 Galen Higdon, Jr. * 61 Tom Smith 111 Michael Frame * 12 Sandy Van Wagner 62 Open 112 Robert Butler 13 Open 63 Bryan Pinette 113 Sean Fauss 14 Open 64 Open 114 T.J. McKenna * 15 * 65 Anne Zerr * 115 * 16 Open 66 Tommie Pierson * 116 No Endorsement

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MISSOURI HOUSE (continued): 117 Linda Black * 134 Kevin Knox 151 Ryan Holder 118 Ben Harris * 135 Angie Filbeck 152 Open 119 Open 136 No Endorsement 153 Open 120 No Endorsement 137 Sandy Grogan 154 Open 121 No Endorsement 138 No Endorsement 155 No Endorsement 122 No Endorsement 139 No Endorsement 156 No Endorsement 123 No Endorsement 140 Jim Billedo 157 No Endorsement 124 No Endorsement 141 No Endorsement 158 No Endorsement 125 No Endorsement 142 Open 159 No Endorsement 126 Open 143 Open 160 No Endorsement 127 No Endorsement 144 Open 161 No Endorsement 128 No Endorsement 145 Charles Elrod 162 No Endorsement 129 No Endorsement 146 Open 163 No Endorsement 130 No Endorsement 147 Open 131 Marlee Yant 148 No Endorsement BALLOT MEASURES 132 Charlie Norr * 149 Bill Burlison Amendment 3 (education issue) – 133 No Endorsement 150 Walter Dearing Opposed DON’T LET POLITICIANS TAKE AWAY LOCAL CONTROL OF OUR SCHOOLS

A constitutional amendment is threatening to radically remake the way our local schools are run. The top-down mandate would take local control away from parents, teachers and school districts and give it to Jefferson City politicians with their own agenda. (St. Joseph News-Press, 8/5/14)

Missouri schools should not be run on a one-size-fits-all plan. The proposed amendment would treat our children like numbers and force teachers to teach to the test rather than focus on learning and instruction. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 9/2/14)

The amendment would cost Missouri MORE than is currently spent. The increased testing this measure requires statewide could cost Missouri taxpayers more than $1 billion. Local school districts would have to spend money on these tests, taking even more money out of the classroom. (Education Week, 8/6/14; St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 8/5/14) OPPOSE ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL LEGISLATION FOR SCHOOLS Vote NO on Constitutional Amendment 3 The Missouri State Worker 3 Fall 2014

Members Continue Bargaining with State he CWA bargaining team has continued in T intense negotiations that will determine the contract that will define your rights for years to come. From the beginning, we knew this was going to be tough. As expected, the State is seeking concessions on all of the most valuable in the current contract. For starters, the State wants to eliminate seniority rights, weaken job protection, not offer positive support at work, reduce rights around vacation and sick leave, and even wants to abandon its responsibility to have working alarm systems. CWA members are backing up their bargaining team. There is still a long way to go, but recently the bargaining team successfully beat back the State’s attempt to weaken your rights to use religious holidays. When all was said and done, the State agreed to actually mildly strengthen your rights to observe religious holidays. It’s the hard work of members just like you that made this possible. Show your coworkers that you are part of the fight for a fair contract by taking action at your workplace. Wear red, especially your CWA t-shirts, on days that your bargaining team is in session. Watch your email or check the facebook page for those upcoming dates. This is also the best time to recruit new members. When our union grows during the bargaining sessions, it gives your coworkers more leverage and power at the table. These are the best ways to join the fight! If no one in your office is in charge of bargaining mobilization call the union office at (800)575-6355 for more information. See Pages 6 & 7 to learn more about the bargaining team...

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Gearing Up for Bargaining at Parkway Now is the Time for You to Add Your Voice to Build a Fair Contract he Labor Agreement covering CWA represented workers at the Parkway School District will T expire next year, but Local 6355 activists are already mobilizing Parkway members to fight for the best possible contract. Over the coming weeks, Parkway members will be selecting their negotiating committee and preparing the initial proposal. If you are interested in participating or have proposals or ideas regarding bargaining, attend the upcoming membership meeting on November 8th or contact the union office at (314)454-1688. Save 15% on AT&T Wireless Go Union and save on cell phone plans, data plans, phones and accessories today! Visit UnionPlus.org/ATT The Union Plus FAN# is 3508840.

THE MISSOURI STATE WORKER Kansas City Workers’

Published monthly by: CWA Local 6355 Rights Board Hearing 5585 Pershing Ave, Ste 150 St. Louis, MO 63112

Office Hours: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm Monday—Friday ON FSD REORGANIZATION Phone: (314)454-1688 or toll free (800)575-6355 Email: [email protected] Wednesday, November 12, 2014 CWA LOCAL 6355 EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT: BRADLEY HARMON VICE PRESIDENT: BETH PITNEY 6:00―8:00 p.m. SECRETARY-TREASURER: CATIE SHINN REPRESENTATIVES: JANET DELANA St. Mark Hope & Peace Lutheran Church CLARISSA MARTIN TRACEY MILLER 3800 Troost Ave / Kansas City, MO JAMIE REED

Community members, CWA LOCAL 6355 STAFF state employees and ORGANIZING DIRECTOR: ADAM SEEHAVER ORGANIZERS: JAMSETTA DAVIS elected officials will be MARK ESTERS meeting to discuss JAMES RAINES concerns, impact, and OFFICE MANAGER: RACHEL ZARON next steps surrounding

**Reprint Permission Granted to All Union Publications** reorganization.

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Getting to Know Your DSS-DHSS Bargaining Team Wear Red on Bargaining Days to Show Your Support! Kathy Fitzgerald Kathy has been a Children’s Service Worker for Children’s Division and a CWA member for 11 years. Currently, Kathy serves as an investigator in Southwest Missouri. Originally from North St. Louis County, Kathy attended Grace Church for over 20 years, and is married with two children and two beautiful grandchildren whom she adores. Kathy is a strong supporter of investing in education and our children. She served on the Pattonville School Board for many years. Kathy also has a strong union background. She knows that being active in our union is the best way to get a fair contract and keep our rights in the workplace. She would like to ensure that seniority is protected in this contract.

Marcia Gant Marcia Gant works in Child Support Enforcement at the Seven Hills office in St. Louis County. and has been with the State for the past 16 years. She has been in the union for 3 years, and joined because she “got tired of doing nothing and wanted to have a voice and possibly make a difference.” Marcia enjoys meeting new CWA members and becoming more politically aware through Union activities. “I wish more members would get involved because it takes everyone doing the footwork.” Marcia is also a member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists.

Bradley Harmon Bradley joined DSS in 2003 as a paid Children’s Division practicum student at Mizzou. After graduating, DSS assigned him to the St Louis City CD Alternative Care unit. CWA leaders appointed Bradley as a steward in 2005, took him through organizer on the job training in 2006 and named him DSS Northeast Missouri Area Representative later that year. Bradley served on the DSS-DHSS/CWA bargaining committee in 2007. He was elected Local 6355 President in 2008 and co-chaired the bargaining committee in 2010. He was reelected in 2011 and again this year. He strives everyday to keep his promise to “work my guts out” to build our union.

Mike Madonna Mike Madonna is a veteran of the US Army / Coast Guard, where he served 9 years before retiring to Missouri, where he had spent much of his childhood and adult life. He works as an Adult Protective Care worker in Department of Health and Senior Services. A strong advocate for fairness and justice, Mike joined CWA 9 years ago. “We are at the table working hard to make sure state workers have a contract that rewards excellence and protects workers from abuse,” Mike says, “And we’re not leaving here until we have one!”

Mark Pfeifer A master at sentence structure and English verbiage, Mark, whom we affectionately consider to be our “Grammar Guru”, is a valued and trusted bargaining team member. He is an Eligibility Specialist with the Family Support Division, and has been a member of CWA since 2007. He frequently attends Lobby Day and has served as a delegate to the CWA General Assembly. Originally from Oklahoma, Mark now makes his home in Rolla, MO, along with his better half, Julie, and their 3 children.

Continued on Page 7...

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Bargaining Team (continued from page 6) Natashia Pickens Natashia has been a CWA member for 3 years and an FSD Eligibility Specialist for 9 years, currently at the Page office in St. Louis County. She lives in the City of St. Louis and is raising her two beautiful teenage daughters. Natashia is involved in her community through her church, Grace Chapel, and is active with the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. Natashia will also be assuming the Vice President position on Local 6355’s Executive Board in November.

Beth Pitney Beth has been an FSD Eligibility Specialist in Randolph County for 12 years. She has been active with CWA for that long, and has served as Vice President since 2011. Beth chairs CWA’s Labor-Management Committee and co-chairs the 2014 Bargaining Committee. She is determined to fight for a fair contract for Missouri state workers. Prior to becoming an ES worker, Beth was an FSD client. While volunteering at a domestic violence shelter for women, she found her voice. She says “It is important to fight for the people who don’t have a voice, or are scared to use it.”

Jan Ramsey Jan currently works as a DYS Youth Specialist at the Montgomery City Youth Center. She has been there for 14 ½ years, and served as a Union Steward for over 13 of those. Jan joined CWA within about six months of coming to work for DYS. Before coming to work for DYS, Jan was a police officer, and before that a paramedic for her local fire department. After her years with the police, Jan decided to come to work with DYS in order to work with and help the youth. Jan has enjoyed seeing how negotiations work from the inside. Through bargaining, she would like to see the union become stronger and more respected.

Jamie Reed Jamie has worked for 14 years at the DYS Hogan Street facility as a Youth Specialist. Jamie has been a steward for CWA for a little over 5 years, and has served as an Area Representative on the CWA board since 2011. This is Jamie’s first time participating on the bargaining committee, and is working diligently to achieve a better, stronger contract for state workers. There are currently about 10 CWA members at her workplace, but Jamie is working to sign up more members in her area. Jamie is a great asset to her facility and her Union, and we will continue to see great things from Jamie for years to come.

Members...Just Like YOU Although you may not physically be at the Membership Meetings table with your negotiating team in Jefferson St. Louis: City, your team is depending on you for First Thursday of the month at 6:00 pm successful negotiations with the state. Active CWA Union office 5585 Pershing Ave; St. Louis, MO 63112 members who engage their coworkers in collective action to demonstrate support for Kansas City: our united effort for a fair contract and Fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm improved working conditions mean as much CWA Union office or more as the skill and finesse of your 6320 Manchester; Kansas City, MO 64133 bargaining team. Participate in bargaining mobilizations, encourage your colleagues to If you are interested in setting up a meeting join the union and be part of the solution! in your area, contact (800)575-6355.

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Communications Workers of America Local 6355 MO State Workers Union / MO Public Employees Union / United Foster Parents of MO Non Profit Org. US Postage 5585 Pershing Ave, Suite 150 St. Louis, MO 63112 PAID St. Louis, MO Permit # 495

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Communications Workers of America Local 6355 APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

NAME: ______

ADDRESS: ______SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER CITY/STATE/ZIP: ______

PHONE (HOME): ______PHONE (WORK): ______DATE OF HIRE JOB CLASSIFICATION: ______DIVISION: ______

WORK LOCATION (ADDRESS): ______COUNTY: ______NAME OF CO-WORKER WHO EMAIL: ______ASKED YOU TO JOIN

AUTHORIZATION FOR EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION DEDUCTION hereby, voluntarily, authorize and direct the State of Missouri, to deduct from my pay each month, beginning with the receipt of this I authorization, regular monthly dues as certified by the Secretary Treasurer of the Communications Workers of America, equaling 2 hours pay per month (equivalent to 1.15% of base pay). I further direct the State to forward all sums deducted to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Communications Workers of America. It is understood that the State assumes no responsibility in connection with this authorization except that of forwarding monies to the Secretary- Treasurer of the Union. Withdrawals will be processed once a year on December 15th.

DATED:______, 20___ SIGNATURE OF EMPLOYEE______

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