^wscF4Y,le Make AmericaG Ha' LooALNET MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT, FRED WRIGHT AFL.CIOTAKES ONTHE KOCH BROTHERS WITH state that have targeted union workers, particularly unionized pub- THE KOCH SISIERS; MAKING A POINT WITH lic employees, while attorneys in their various organizations have SAI'RE TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE NON. even drafted anti-union legislation that they then make available to STOP CAMPAIGN BE'NG CONDUCTED AGA'NST far right-wing legislators. They have for all intents and purposes created a virtual political party. AMERICAN I,YORKERS AND FAMILIES They want their umbrella of orga- nizations to be full service stops for the destruction of organized labor. A recuring fear among progressiveAmericans everywhere has long been that a few reaction- But under the time-honored maxim that the truth is less expen- aries with immense wealth would combine to sive, the AFL-CIO has created an advertising campaign that is tak- essentially form their own political party and ing the Koch brothers to task head on. The AFL-CIO has created spend lavishly to achieve their own ends. And a campaign called "The Koch Sisters." The campaign features two now it has happened and happened in a way workers, Karen and Joyce Koch, not related by blood but connect- that is methodical. deliberate. fierce and blan- ed by hard work, a belief in collective bargaining and a love for ketin-e the nation coast-to-coast. In the last few their communities. years, Charles and David Koch. u,ho have a Karen Koch is a mother of two, a college professor and a mem- combined net worth of more than 80 billion ber of the Michigan Education Association and comes from a proud dollars, have established a political machine United Automobile Workers (UAW) family. Joyce Koch, a long- that staie by state is targetin-u pro-union elected officials for defeat, time social worker and one-time administrator of an anti-poverty r"a-<sins lau s that hamper collectir e bar-sainin-s and making it more program, is a mother, grandmother and wife of a retired teacher :,. ::tister tc ,. rtte. --=: - n ho u es a meniber r,.f the .\merican Federation of Teachers (AFT). L[dr-!a:^-J- tus lrrilu r\Lr.'rr .rre UE pflnt'lpar Otrrnefs OI l\CL-n Karen and Joy,ce Koch are u.orking people who share a last Industries- aD ener:l- and chemical con_glomerate that is the sec- name with two of the wealthiest people in the world but they have ond largest privately held company in the United States. Among stood throughout their lives for a living wage, the right to bargain its subsidiaries is Georgia-Paciflc. Koch Industries has 50,000 em- collectively, dignity on thejob, adequate healthcare and programs ployees in the United States and 20,000 more in 59 other countries. that support communities. They stand in sharp contrast to two in- Their total operations are estimated to process one million bar:rels dividuals with a net worth of between 84 to 100 billion dollars of crude oil a day. In 1980, David Koch was the Libertarian Par- who feel compelled to destroy ty's vice-presidential candidate: the Libertarian Parly's platform every last component of the modem safety net that be-ean to develop in the 1930s in response the that year stated that Social Security, welfare, minimum wage laws. to greatest economic crisis in history. colporate taxes and OSHA should all be abolished. By 198,1. he joined the Republican Part1. and soon became one of its largest Karen and Joyce Koch. steeped in the traditions of trade union- contributors. Charles and David Koch u,ere stron-s supporters of ism, know the challenges of raisin-e famiiies without great wealth. Republican presidential nominee iv{itr Romnel,in 2012. They have Their stories are the stories of tens of millions of Americans work- been estimated to be tied for the fourth wealthiest people in the ing out challenges across the kitchen table. And the AFL-CIO is United States and tied for the ninth vv.ealthiest people in the world. skillfully employing their experiences to counter the destructive actions of multi-billionaires who are spending fortunes artempting Under organizations set up under names such as Americans for to distorl the truth, restrict access to the voting booth and crush the Prosperity, the Koch brothers have set up groups in almost every basic freedoms that make collective bargaining possible. f*_ AFSCME Local ll39 AFSCME Local1739 Community & Social Service Agency Employees Communiry and Social Agency Employees General Membership Meeting Building Community . Protecting Dignity . Delivering rhe Future Date: Thursday, May 28, 2015-Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m. Fred Wright President Place: District Council #217, 1606 Walnur Street Third Floor Auditorium - AGENDA Marie Seldon - Vce President James Baylor Treasurer General Union Business - Ricky Taylor C o rre sp ondin g S e cre tary At the conclusion of the meeting, - Marcella Joc Secretary there will be a union member participation drawing. -Recording Prize-$50.00 gift card . (Union members have to be present to vinl) 1606 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 dinner will be served. Tel: 215.893.3710 . Fax: 215.732.4876 2 LCCAL NEf Newslefter of AFSCME Local 1739 American Friends Service Gommittee (AFSC) is for three years and will cover members through September 30, the greater of $10.88 per hour or 2 A new contract between the AFSC and AFSCME Local 1739 was 201'7.The wage increases are wage increase for all ratified on October 15,2014. The vote was a resoundng 27 - 0 percent for Pro Bs and Pro As and a 2 percent 2 percent wage and reflected an enornous amount of confldence and trust in the other employees in year one, an across-the-board (less negotiating committee's great effort. Local 1139 negotiated a increase and a lump sum payment of one percent of salary very competitive three-year pact which includes wage increases taxes and other applicable deductions) in year two and an across- for each year. The contract includes many provisions considering the-board increase of 3 percent on January 1, 2017. Local 1739 social work in a modern environment. The new agreements will also successfully negotiated a neutrality clause and a living wage soon be available to all members. increase (which had been passed by the Ciry of Philadelphia)' as part of its operation, has been awarded a contract for (JCC Klein) JEVS. Klein Jewish Gommunity Genter - Career lhk w-hich will be integrated with the JEVS EARN center' JCC-Klein and AFSCME Local 1739 was An agreement between The JEVS Career Linli operation should begin around the first on August 26. 2Ol1 and ilcludes u'a-Qe ilcreases totaling ratified of \{arch. 9.75 percent and health beneflts desigaed to provide members u'ith a level of securitl' and comfort. Emplol'ees are al1 nou' enrolled Tenant's Union Representative Netwott (TURN) in Affordable Health Care Exchan-ues. The ne\l' agreements har-e Local 1739's representatives and attorneys have achieved an been distributed. agreement with TURN management to secure a neu' 3-year Negotiations will continue in mid-2015 around wages Kaiserman Jewish contract. benefits. We look to achieve a pact which full1'reflects Gommunity Genter (JCC - Kaiserman) and health the value of TLR-\ employees and the i-ndispensable services they Contract negotiations u'ere held on October l-i and December perform in the Philadelphia community. 16- l0l+ and are on-goin-s. All issues are being discussed and a sipificant effort is being made to arril'e at a comprehensive pact Jewish Family & Ghildren's Service (JFCSI issues relevant to the covering wages, health benefits and all There was an iacrease in health insurance co-pays but premiums to the community. Kai'erman Center and its mission remained the same. The JFCS pact is due to expire on August to go JEVS Human Services 31. 1015 and Local 1739 is assemblin-s a ne-sotiating team ibnrard u'ith c-ontract talls. \\-e are looking tbnlard to a compre- -{-lr a5reement trenleen JE\-S Human Sen-ices and '\FSC\IE Local pact u'hich sill reflect the great vaiue of JFCS 1--19 e'a: rarine'J on OctsbEr 9- 101+ b1 tbe orer*helmins margln heu<ir-e multi-1ear q'orters aDd fu great pmiessional sen'ice thev have performed of 96 - l-t: an ergession of geat tbr the negotiaring commitee-s thoroueh preparadon and attention 1s deteil' The pact over man)-vears. AFSCME LOCAL 1739 NOTICE TO MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS States, shall preclude an employer from Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act gives employees statute of the United a labor organization . to require as these rights: making an agreement with a condition of employment membership therein on or after the ' To organize thifiieth day following the beginning of such employment or . To form, joint or assist anY union the effective date of such agreement, whichever is the later, if ofthe employees To bargain collectively through representatives or such labor organization is the representative ' collective their choice as provided in Section 9(a), in the appropriate bargaining unit covered by such agreement when made. ' To act together for other mutual aid or protection security clause . To choose not to engage in any ofthe protected The membership required under a union the payment of periodic concerted activities pursuant to the above proviso is merely dues, and initiation fees if applicable. While actual union Act states: Section 8(a)(3) of the National Labor Relations membership is not required, employees choosing not to join the payments; will not be entitled to attend It shall be an unfair practice for an employer- union must make required union meetings; cannot vote upon the ratiflcation of contracts or hire or tenure of (3) by discrimination in regard to other agreements between the employer an the union; will not employment employment or any term of condition of have a voice in the internal affairs of the union; and will not enjoy labor to encourage or discourage membership in any "members only" beneflts.