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Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Duluth Workers Urged to Reject Offer
The Local 66 bargaining committee is recommending that members in the City of Duluth basic unit reject the city’s final contract offer and strike.
The city’s latest proposal could gut job protections, limit members’ ability to strike, and give the city unusual leverage in implementing contract terms. The contract covers more than 400 city workers.
“It’s an intense attack on protections,” said Jim Dreier, chair of the unit’s bargaining committee. “It’s a blueprint for eliminating full-time employees and replacing them through outsourcing, temporary or part-time work.”
A membership vote is scheduled for Feb. 23. Informational meetings and training will take place before then.
Other Locals Gain Agreements
Cottage Grove. Members of Local 517 ratified a two-year deal with some innovative twists. Members receive at least a 2 percent increase to base pay on Dec. 31, 2010, then an additional 1 percent the very next day. Members also get step increases in both years – plus written recognition from the city for sacrificing raises in 2010 in order to help the city meet its budget challenges.
Washington County. Members of Local 517 in the exempt unit have ratified a new two-year deal. The contract essentially holds the status quo; it maintains step increases in 2010 and maintains current health insurance terms. However, clerical and technical members in the non-exempt unit rejected the county’s initial proposal and were headed to mediation Jan. 27.
Stillwater Public Library. Members of Local 517 ratified a two-year agreement that retains step increases in both 2010 and 2011, then provides a 2 percent pay raise in 2011.
Shorewood. Members of Local 224 will vote Feb. 2 on a tentative agreement being recommended by their negotiators. The proposal provides step increases in both 2010 and 2011, plus a 2 percent raise in 2011. The deal also increases the employer’s contribution to health and dental insurance.
Countdown to Day on the Hill
On Feb. 17, Council 5 members will swarm the Capitol for our annual Day on the Hill in St. Paul. The goal is to make sure our legislators understand that it’s necessary to override Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s veto of the revenue that’s needed to save the services we provide.
If we fail, expect state and local governments to wipe out 1,000 more AFSCME jobs.
It’s not too late for you to make sure your elected officials personally understand what’s at stake. You can register online at Council 5’s Day on the Hill page.
Dayton Still Going Strong
Mark Dayton, Council 5’s endorsed candidate for governor, officially kicked off his campaign Jan. 20. He now is visiting all 87 counties in 87 days. You can follow him to a town near you by checking his website.
Meanwhile, support for Dayton keeps growing. A Rassmussen poll shows he is expanding his lead over other DFL candidates. Then, a day after a Pioneer Press poll suggested that Dayton would trounce Republican favorite Norm Coleman, Coleman announced he won’t enter the race after all.
Finally, on Jan. 18, Teamsters Joint Council 32 – the Teamsters Union’s statewide council – joined AFSCME Council 5 in endorsing Dayton.
Don’t Hide on Groundhog Day
The state’s major political parties hold precinct caucuses on Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m.
Key endorsed candidates – including Tarryl Clark in the 6th Congressional District and Debbie White in House District 31A in Winona – have endorsement fights within the DFL. That makes it vital for AFSCME members to get elected as delegates from their precincts to the endorsing conventions that follow.
To find your party’s caucus in your neighborhood, check the secretary of state’s Caucus Finder.
Get the Tax Credits You Deserve
With W-2s showing up in mailboxes, it’s time to make sure you’re getting every break you deserve on your taxes. Workers can qualify for a number of state and federal credits that reduce what you owe, entirely eliminate what you owe, or increase your refund.
For details on these credits and on getting free help in filing your taxes, see the story on Council 5’s website.
Freezin’ for a Reason
Paul Bissen, of MnDOT Local 868, will face his moment of cold, hard truth Feb. 13. That’s when he plunges into the frigid waters of Rochester’s Foster Arends Park to raise money for the Minnesota Special Olympics.
Paul’s goal is to raise $750 in pledges. You can pledge your support at Paul’s pledge page. Click the “Make a Pledge” or “Find a Plunger” link, click on “Rochester,” select Paul’s name from the drop-down menu, then click the Continue button.
AFSCME Brings Help to Haiti
Council 5’s Executive Board took an emergency vote to donate $1,000 to the AFL-CIO’s Solidarity Fund for earthquake relief in Haiti. AFSCME International donated $25,000.
To make your own contribution to the fund, visit the Solidarity Center’s website. Union Plus will match, dollar for dollar, individual donations made through the Solidarity Fund, up to a total of $100,000
Learn More About Your Movement
“Introduction to the Labor Movement” is the next class for labor activists offered by the Labor Education Service at the University of Minnesota. The class provides an overview of the labor movement: its structure, organization, evolution, successes, challenges, and how unions impact workers and communities.
The class runs Jan. 30 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on the university’s West Bank campus in Minneapolis. Fee is $50. To register, contact LES.
Basic Steward Training
• February 9-10, South St. Paul
• March 16-17, South St. Paul
• March 31-April 1, Willmar
• April 13-14, South St. Paul
Cost is $50. All training participants must be registered by a local officer. Officers should contact Christina Domeier.
Help Duane Run So Better Officials Run
Local 2829’s Duane Gatzke is trying to break his own fundraising record at this June’s PEOPLE Fun Run, during AFSCME’s International convention in Boston.
The run raises money to support candidates and elected officials who support us. For details on how you and your local can support Duane (and his bad knees), download a PDF.
