Publications

September 15, 2005

Aiding Katrina's victims

The International quickly contributed $100,000 to help members and their families impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Now you can help them, too. You can donate online by writing a check to the AFSCME Fallen Heroes Fund and sending it c/o the fund at 1625 L St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-5687. On the memo line of the check, specify that your contribution should be used for "Katrina Relief." You can also contribute online. Go to our Katrina web site for the latest on our Louisiana members and on how you can assist them and their families — by sending money, "adopting" a family or taking other kinds of action.

Katrina has affected more than 3,300 AFSCME members who belong to Council 17 in Louisiana, including more than 800 in New Orleans. Many are in urgent need of our help. Council members who have been impacted and are in need of assistance can contact the union at 1-800-272-8368. Last week, the International sent an advance team, headed by former Assistant to the Pres. Gloria Caoile, to Baton Rouge to help council officials locate and assist members who have been evacuated.

In addition, the International is developing a legislative agenda that will focus on supporting adequate funding of federal programs to respond effectively to — and prepare for — future calamities.

Meanwhile, councils and affiliates are making their own plans to send people, goods or money to the disaster area. And numerous members, on their own initiative, are heading there to help in any way they can.

Reporting organizing wins in ...

Wisconsin, where 42 Jackson County RNs, LPNs, certified nurses' aides, personal care aides and office staff joined Council 40. They'll become part of the existing Pine View Care Center bargaining unit that voted for union representation in 2003. And in Ohio, where Council 8 was the unanimous choice of 11 Muskingum County Water Department employees.

Big win under the sun

After two years of intense and difficult negotiations, New Mexico state workers have secured a 15 percent raise in their new contract, which was signed by Governor Richardson (D) this week. The three-year agreement also calls for improved benefits, including comprehensive safety and health protection, disciplinary and grievance procedures, schedules that provide two consecutive days off per week and cash payment for overtime — or, in the absence of cash, the right to refuse overtime.

Getting their due (respect)

Members of Minnesota Council 5 voted overwhelmingly to ratify a three-year contract with the state. In addition to an across-the-board, 2-percent increase in each year of the agreement, the state will — during 2006 and 2007 — continue its present rate of medical-insurance coverage: 100 percent for individual premiums and 85 percent for dependent premiums. Said Council 5 Exec. Dir. Eliot Seide of the health care portion of the deal, "We demanded respect and got it." Next up: Union and state negotiators will discuss reimbursement for millions of dollars in lost wages to employees who were forced to take vacation or work without pay during a recent, 13-day shutdown of state government.

Nothin' but the best

Blue-collar employees of the Polk County (Florida) School Board represented by Local 2227 (Council 79) have overwhelmingly ratified what they say is the best contract they've gotten in 20 years. It features a pay increase for this year that averages 5.8 percent across different categories and a hike for next year of 5 percent for every category. The contract covers about 3,800 non-instructional workers.

Rally reminder

A Sept. 23 rally at the Bellefontaine Habilitation Center in St. Louis, Mo., will feature President McEntee. The event is part of the Jobs with Justice national annual meeting, which takes place Sept. 23-25 in St. Louis. Those wishing to attend the rally should contact Missouri Area Field Service Director Dorothy Townsend at (314) 995-9707.

Remember your promise

Employees of Fircrest School, the embattled Washington state institution for the developmentally disabled in the town of Shoreline, recently rallied to protest threatened layoffs. It was the first of Council 28's actions aimed at state agencies that plan cuts in crucial public service jobs instead of in redundant management positions. Governor Gregoire (D) has promised to eliminate 1,000 middle-management jobs. But managers in several agencies are reportedly making staff cuts through layoffs, or by leaving vacant positions unfilled, while adding management positions.

Right you are, y'honor

In Arkansas, a U.S District Court judge ruled that the Benton city council illegally eliminated some benefits for its employees in 2003. The order came in response to a complaint filed by Local 2957 (Council 38) after the city cut three paid holidays plus health insurance for retired city employees. Can't do that, the judge said, declaring: "If the court allows the city to break its contracts whenever it wants to spend the money elsewhere, the contract clause [in question] would provide no protection at all."

Said president McEntee ...

...regarding high gasoline prices: "Labor Day is no time for workers to be choosing between a tank of gas and a bag of groceries."


 

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