sign in sign up
<<
Home , Alice Mann (politician), Ami Wazlawik, Anne Claflin, Ben Lien, Carlos Mariani, Connie Bernardy

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO

Issue 5 Stepping Nov. 6, 2018 UP VOTERS’ GUIDE

Elect as VOTE Governor TO SUPPORT WORKERS, OUR Turn over the House FAMILIES, OUR COMMUNITIES & Turn over the Senate by OUR FREEDOM winning District 13

ONE STRONG, UNITED VOICEwww.afscmemn.org FOR MINNESOTA • VOTERS’ GUIDE WORKERS2018 • STEPPING UP • 1 Make workers an unstoppable force on Nov. 6

very election cycle, we hear that this is the election that Ensuring Minnesota stays pro-worker means electing really matters. In 2018, that’s never been more true. Joe Perske for Senate in District 13. Perske, a County Commissioner and former mayor, is running for the only open EWe know corporate America is spending millions to break Senate seat. It’s being vacated by , who unions and take away our freedom to rise together. Wealthy acted as both Senate president and Lieutenant Governor in special interests don’t want to share their power or their violation of our Constitution. money. Our very existence as a union of people committed to making life better for ourselves, our families and our Nationally, we must elect our fine U.S. Senators Amy communities is at stake. Klobuchar and . The GOP-led Senate already confirmed one Supreme Court This year, we have the rare opportunity justice who is so anti-worker, he ruled to turn all three branches, the it was OK to fire a trucker who Minnesota Governorship, House Where do I vote? temporarily left a broken-down and Senate, into a pro-worker www.sos.state.mn.us/ trailer – after several hours of bastion. To vote for candidates elections-voting/. waiting for help – rather than who believe real freedom freeze to death. The Senate is on comes from being able Who’s a good candidate? the verge of confirming a judge to attend parent-teacher AFSCME members on PEOPLE just like him. We can’t give them conferences, go to the doctor Committees have screened and more ammo to turn the court and retire with dignity. Who interviewed candidates. against workers for decades. care about the 99 percent, not Find their recommendations There are simple yet powerful just the rich. on pages 6 and 7. steps we can take: The first step is electing • Door knock. U.S. Rep. Tim Walz as Governor. • Phone bank. He’s a former teacher, football coach • Talk to AFSCME members, and National Guardsman who will follow friends and relatives. in Gov. Dayton’s footsteps as a staunch • Vote. supporter of labor. If we want our state contracts We can’t let up for a second. The November election is days approved, if we want funding for quality public programs, if we away. want a leader who believes that public services matter or should even exist, we must elect Walz. AFSCME members and our allies are knocking on doors nearly every day from now through Election Day. Join them His opponent wants to destroy us: Jeff Johnson has infamously throughout the state – including the metro area, Duluth and said he wants to “go all Scott Walker on Minnesota.” St. Cloud – on the AFSCME 5 Facebook page under Events.

POSTMASTER Send address changes to: Stepping Up, 300 Hardman Ave. S, Suite 2, South St. Paul, MN 55075-2469 Periodicals postage paid at South St. Paul and additional mailing offices. Patrick Guernsey, President Publication No. 352180 John P. Westmoreland, Executive Director Published by AFSCME Minnesota, AFL-CIO 300 Hardman Ave. S. Member International Labor AFSCME Council 5 is a union of 43,000 workers South St. Paul, MN 55075-2469 Communications Association who advocate for excellence in services for the six times yearly: Design: Lynette Kalsnes public, dignity in the workplace, and opportunity January/February, March/April, May/June, Printing: Seven Corners Printing Mailing: Do-Good Biz and prosperity for all working families. July/August, September/October, Information and story ideas November/December. should be submitted to: Subscription price $1 per copy; $5 per year Lynette Kalsnes, Editor

2 • STEPPING UP • 2018 VOTER’S GUIDE • www.afscmemn.org H Elect a Governor for working people or the past eight years, working people and our families have had Fa strong supporter in Gov. Mark Dayton. This election, when our freedom to stand together is under attack by billionaires and corporate CEOs, it’s more important than ever that we elect someone who will follow his example and fight for working people. AFSCME Council 5 has found that true champion of working people in Tim Walz. The Council 5 Executive Board – made up of members, elected by members – unanimously endorsed Tim Walz and Peggy Flanagan for Governor and Lieutenant Governor following their decisive primary victory. Congressman Walz is a former teacher and football coach who served for 24 years in the Army National Guard. His parents instilled a commitment to the common good and selfless service; summers spent farming with his family reinforced those values. In Congress, Tim worked across party lines to make Peggy Flanagan and Tim Walz health care more affordable, support quality education, toughen ethics laws and help our veterans. and silence our powerful, united voice.” • Continue fighting tax breaks that benefit the wealthy few, just as Tim Tim is running for Governor to bring “We can count on people like Tim who has in Congress. He voted against the Minnesotans across our great state respect the work we do and our right Trump tax plan that gives big tax cuts together and to make sure everyone to organize and bargain collectively,” to the rich and their corporations; gets a fair shot. says Patrick Guernsey, the newly elected puts Medicare and Social Security at president of Council 5. “We expect risk; and is making the debt skyrocket. State Rep. Flanagan is a citizen of the he’ll build on Gov. Dayton’s legacy and of Ojibwe who continue to make Minnesota the most “I’m proud to be endorsed by, and stand is dedicated to building coalitions and livable state in the union, with quality with, my union sisters and brothers of working on behalf of children and public services and a large middle class AFSCME Council 5 to protect workers’ families. Peggy is a strong advocate for work force.” rights,” Tim Walz says. people of color, indigenous communities and working people. Tim and Peggy will: “As a lifelong educator and proud public sector union member, I understand • Make sure every Minnesotan has “Tim and Peggy have strong track how important unions are to ensure access to high-quality health care at a records of supporting the rights of price they can afford. workers’ and their families’ rights are workers, allowing us to make life better protected,” he says. “This is even more • Lower health care costs. for ourselves, our families and our important after the Supreme Court’s communities,” says Council 5 executive • Fight for lower class sizes, universal Janus decision earlier this summer. As director John P. Westmoreland. “We pre-K, career and technical education your next Governor, I will stand with are confident they will stand up to the and affordable college. you and fight every day to ensure our billionaires and other corporate special • Build an economy that works for all unions stay strong in Minnesota.” interests trying to take away our rights of us.

www.afscmemn.org • VOTERS’ GUIDE 2018 • STEPPING UP • 3 How high are the stakes this election? Ask AFSCME members pound doors, pavement Iowa. You can see what happened weeks after There’s a reason an AFSCME Council 5 endorsement carries so much weight on they elected an anti-worker GOP Governor Election Day. and Legislature. An endorsement means a candidate: • Can proudly associate with the AFSCME name, the unified voice of workers. The stuff in green? That’s what public workers • Values public workers and public programs. • Believes that forming a union to improve can negotiate now: working conditions and the quality of life is a fundamental right. Bargaining Topics Under New Iowa Collective Bargaining Law And it means that AFSCME members will Topics of Bargaining Minnesota Iowa do our very to help elect them. This election (non-public safety) season, 18 member organizers are voluntarily Base Wage MANDATORY MANDATORY taking time from their usual jobs to visit work Call-back Time MANDATORY PERMISSIVE sites and knock on doors at least five days a Dues Checkoffs MANDATORY EXCLUDED week, until their feet and knuckles are sore. Evaluation Procedures MANDATORY EXCLUDED “I believe in the cause,” says Bryan Kirsch, a Grievance Procedures MANDATORY PERMISSIVE MnDOT worker from Apple Valley. “You have to Health and Safety Matters MANDATORY PERMISSIVE protect your rights. If no one does it, then we’re Holidays and Holiday Premium Pay MANDATORY PERMISSIVE going to lose our rights. You’ve got to step up if Hours MANDATORY PERMISSIVE you’re going to get things changed.” In-Service Training MANDATORY PERMISSIVE Insurance (All) MANDATORY EXCLUDED “It’s important to elect Tim Walz as Governor Job Classifications MANDATORY MANDATORY because we want to protect our local, our Labor/Management MANDATORY PERMISSIVE union, we want to protect Minnesota,” Kirsch Leaves of Absence (non-political) MANDATORY PERMISSIVE says. “If we get the wrong person in office, Leaves of Absence (political activity) MANDATORY EXCLUDED they’re going to destroy Minnesota. They’re Longevity MANDATORY PERMISSIVE going to mess with health care, take our Meal and Rest Periods MANDATORY PERMISSIVE pensions, and mess with the budgets that fix Overtime Compensation MANDATORY PERMISSIVE roads and education, too. They’re going to care PAC (PEOPLE) Dues MANDATORY EXCLUDED more about putting money in their pockets than Pay Date MANDATORY MANDATORY serving the residents of Minnesota.” Pay Grades MANDATORY MANDATORY “I think it’s very important that our AFSCME Procedures for Staff Reduction MANDATORY EXCLUDED members are engaged and understand not only Retirement Systems EXCLUDED EXCLUDED who they’re voting for but why they’re voting Seniority MANDATORY PERMISSIVE for these people,” says Local 753 member Shift Differentials MANDATORY PERMISSIVE Destiny Dusosky of Sauk Rapids. “It’s not just a Sick Leave MANDATORY PERMISSIVE group of people in the Cities deciding who we Subcontracting Public Services MANDATORY EXCLUDED should endorse, it really is a grassroots efforts Supplemental Pay MANDATORY EXCLUDED that is deeply facilitated by our membership.” Tools and Equipment MANDATORY PERMISSIVE Transfer Procedures MANDATORY EXCLUDED Dusosky says she’s excited to campaign for Walz Uniforms MANDATORY EXCLUDED and Joe Perske for Senate District 13, who is Vacations MANDATORY PERMISSIVE running for the only open Senate seat. Perske is Wages (Including Steps) MANDATORY EXCLUDED a County Commissioner, former Sartell mayor, teacher and coach. MANDATORY = Both parties are required to bargain if a proposal is made. “This election will flip the Senate if we win it,” PERMISSIVE = Can only be discussed if mutual agreement between the parties exists. If one of the parties does Dusosky says. “It will be easier for us to pass not wish to discuss this subject, it can not be negotiated or taken to an Arbitrator. our contracts. We’ll be working with more EXCLUDED = Cannot be discussed by either party during the course of negotiations. labor-friendly legislators.”

4 • STEPPING UP • 2018 VOTER’S GUIDE • www.afscmemn.org AFSCME members pound doors, pavement There’s a reason an AFSCME Council 5 Zack Frank, a correctional officer at St. Cloud Other member organizers include: Aaron Heim, endorsement carries so much weight on Correctional Facility, says he sees Tim Walz Christina St. Germaine, Denna Thurmond, Election Day. as an inclusive candidate and advocate for Fatemah Green, Heather Schultz, Jessica education, the environment and health care with Langhorst, Joe Crandall, Kathy Nelson, Kelly An endorsement means a candidate: a strong record of public and military service. Chirpich, Lakesia Lewis, Pat Benner, Rick • Can proudly associate with the AFSCME Frauendienst, Sheryl Lilya, Starr Suggs and Tia “It all starts with the open conversations I feel name, the unified voice of workers. McDougle. Walz is willing to have with us,” Frank says. “We • Values public workers and public programs. need people to set the contract for the future.” • Believes that forming a union to improve working conditions and the quality of life is a Following the election, Frank says, “Our job as fundamental right. union members is to keep elected officials to task.” And it means that AFSCME members will do our very to help elect them. This election season, 18 member organizers are voluntarily taking time from their usual jobs to visit work sites and knock on doors at least five days a week, until their feet and knuckles are sore. “I believe in the cause,” says Bryan Kirsch, a MnDOT worker from Apple Valley. “You have to protect your rights. If no one does it, then we’re going to lose our rights. You’ve got to step up if you’re going to get things changed.” “It’s important to elect Tim Walz as Governor because we want to protect our local, our union, we want to protect Minnesota,” Kirsch says. “If we get the wrong person in office, they’re going to destroy Minnesota. They’re going to mess with health care, take our pensions, and mess with the budgets that fix roads and education, too. They’re going to care more about putting money in their pockets than serving the residents of Minnesota.” “I think it’s very important that our AFSCME members are engaged and understand not only who they’re voting for but why they’re voting for these people,” says Local 753 member Destiny Dusosky of Sauk Rapids. “It’s not just a group of people in the Cities deciding who we should endorse, it really is a grassroots efforts that is deeply facilitated by our membership.” Dusosky says she’s excited to campaign for Walz and Joe Perske for Senate District 13, who is running for the only open Senate seat. Perske is a County Commissioner, former Sartell mayor, teacher and coach. “This election will flip the Senate if we win it,” Dusosky says. “It will be easier for us to pass our contracts. We’ll be working with more Clockwise from top left: Member organizers Zack Frank and Mike West; Bryan Kirsch and his daughter; labor-friendly legislators.” David Yang; and Denise Bickford and Destiny Dusosky.

www.afscmemn.org • VOTERS’ GUIDE 2018 • STEPPING UP • 5 ENDORSED CANDIDATES

Governor Tim Walz Lt. Governor State Attorney Secretary of Peggy Flanagan Auditor General State

TWIN CITIES METRO Minnesota House District 45A: Lyndon R. District 55A: Ramsey County Board District 20B: Carlson District 56A: District 3: Janice Rettman District 30A: Sarah Hamlin District 45B: District 56B: District 4: Toni Carter District 30B: Margaret District 46A: District 57A: Robert Bierman District 5: Rafael Ortega Fernandez District 46B: District 57B: District 6: Jim McDonough District 32B: Jeff Peterson District 47A: Madalynn Gerold District 58A: Maggie A. District 34A: Daniel Solon District 47B: Donzel Leggett Williams Ramsey County Sheriff District 34B: District 48A: District 58B: Marla Vagts Jack Serier District 35A: Bill Vikander District 48B: Carlie Kotyza- District 59A: Wittuhn Washington County District 35B: Katheryn District 59B: Raymond Dehn Attorney Eckhardt District 49A: District 60A: Diane Loeffler District 49B: Steve Elkins Peter Orput District 36A: District 61A: District 50A: Michael Howard District 36B: District 61B: Washington County District 50B: Andrew Carlson District 37A: District 63A: Board District 51A: District 37B: Amir Malik District 63B: District 2: Stan Karwoski District 38A: Kevin Fogarty District 64A: District 38B: District 64B: Washington County District 39A: Ann Mozey District 65A: Sheriff District 39B: Shelly District 65B: Dan Starry District 67A: Tim Mahoney Christensen Brooklyn Park District 40A: Mike Nelson District 67B: Mayor: Hollies Winston District 40B: Metro Hennepin County District 41A: Maplewood Attorney District 41B: Mary Kunesh- Mayor: Nora Slawik Mike Freeman Podein City Council: District 42A: District 51B: Hennepin County Board Kathleen (Kathy) Juenemann District 42B: Jamie Becker- District 52A: District 2: Irene Fernando Nikki Villavicencio Finn District 52B: Ruth Richardson District 3: Marion Greene Richfield District 43A: Peter Fischer District 53A: District 4: Peter McLaughlin District 43B: Mayor: Maria Regan Gonzalez District 53B: District 44A: City Council: Mary Supple District 54A: Ramsey County District 44B: District 54B: Tina Folch Attorney John Choi

6 • STEPPING UP • 2018 VOTER’S GUIDE • www.afscmemn.org U.S. Senate U.S. House of Representatives

District 1: District 2: District 3: District 4: Betty District 5: Dan Feehan Angie Craig Dean Phillips McCollum Ilhan Omar Not sure where to vote? Find out at https:// pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/. Or dial 651-215-1440 in the metro area and District 6: District 7: District 8: Ian Todd Collin Joe Radinovich 1-877-600-VOTE in Peterson Greater Minnesota.

Tina Smith

SOUTHERN & WESTERN MINNESOTA District 20A: Barbara District 24A: Joe Heegard District 13: Joe Perske Dröher Kline District 24B: Yvette Marthaler District 21A: Lori Ann District 25A: Jamie Mahlberg Minnesota House Clark District 25B: District 13A: Jim Read District 21B: Jonathan District 26B: Tyrel Clark Isenor District 13B: Heidi Everett North District 27A: Theron (Terry) District 14A: Aric Putnam District 22B: Cheniqua Gjersvik Johnson District 14B: District 27B: Jeanne Poppe District 19A: District 23A: Heather L. Klassen District 19B:

NORTHERN MINNESOTA Minnesota House District 6B: Dave South District 15B: Karla Scapanski District 3A: Lislegard & West District 32A: Renae Berg District 7A: Jennifer District 3B: District 10A: Dale Menk St. Louis County Board Schultz District 4A: District 10B: Phil Yetzer District 1: Frank Jewell District 7B: District 5A: District 11A: District 9A: Alex Hering District 5B: Pat Medure District 11B: Tim Burkhardt District 6A: District 9B: Stephen Browning District 15A: Emy Minzel

Bring this list of AFSCME-endorsed candidates to the ballot box or pull it up on your phone: www.afscmemn.org/vote.

www.afscmemn.org • VOTERS’ GUIDE 2018 • STEPPING UP • 7 Elect AFSCME members to create change Clockwise from left: (Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn meets with correctional officers; Rep. Erin Koegel meets with members on Day on the Hill; and Rep. Dave Pinto listens intently as a St. Peter Security Hospital worker talks about a serious assault by a patient

FSCME members have a unique opportunity this November to vote for fellow Council 5 members who Stephenson is an A Assistant Hennepin share our belief that public workers and public services make life better for all. County Attorney who handles criminal cases Five members are running for election or and serves on the reelection to the Minnesota House: Coon Rapids Planning • Kelly Moller, District 42A, AFSCME Local Commission. 2938 “Thank you to • Zack Stephenson, District 36A, Local 2938 AFSCME members for • Assistant Minority Leader Dave Pinto, trusting me to be a District 64B, Local 8; House Committees include Public voice for working families. I won’t let you down,” Stephenson Safety, Health and Human Services, and Commerce and says. Regulatory Reform. • Jamie Becker-Finn, District 42B, Local 2938; House Incumbent Rep. Pinto is an Assistant Ramsey County Attorney, Committees include Public Safety, Environment and Veterans where he fights juvenile sex trafficking. Affairs. “As an assistant leader in the House DFL, I’m playing a key • Erin Koegel, District 37A, Local 8; Committees include role in working to advance our progressive agenda – racial Health and Human Services Reform, Transportation and the and gender equity, clean water and air, robust and broadly Subcommittee on Childcare Access. shared prosperity,” Pinto says. Moller is an Assistant Hennepin County Attorney who handles Rep. Becker-Finn is an Assistant Hennepin County Attorney criminal appeals on behalf of the state, and has worked to who focuses on domestic violence; and a Leech Lake Band secure victim privacy and strengthen hit-and-run laws. She of Ojibwe descendant: “I am a thoughtful, respectful leader serves on Shoreview’s Public Safety Committee. who values honesty and authenticity. I believe that regular “As a State Representative, I will listen to the people of our people can work together to achieve positive changes in our district and be a voice for them with the same thoughtfulness, communities,” she says. passion, and conviction that I have had as a prosecutor Rep. Koegel is a volunteer coordinator for Community Action seeking justice,” Moller said. “When elected, I look forward Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties, and former to working with AFSCME to bring the voices of working executive director of the nonprofit Health Care for All. Minnesotans to the Capitol.”

8 • STEPPING UP • 2018 VOTER’S GUIDE • www.afscmemn.org