Friday, August 29, 2008

PSA 6

The tentative date for the PSA 6 ballot count is September 26, 2008. More information to follow.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

BLAGOJEVICH SLASHING MORE THAN 450 JOBS IN CHILD PROTECTION, HUMAN SERVICES, STATE PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES

An array of essential public services are under threat today as Governor Rod Blagojevich has announced plans to lay off more than 450 state employees in the departments of Children and Family Services, Human Services, Natural Resources and Historic Preservation. The governor's actions will harm efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect; provide nutrition and medical care for the neediest Illinois families; and operate state parks and historic sites.

According to information provided by the Blagojevich Administration to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)—the union that represents frontline state workers—the governor has moved to cut 304 positions in Children and Family Services, 73 in Human Services, 43 in Natural Resources and 34 in Historic Preservation. Compounding the pain for the public, nearly all of these 454 positions targeted for layoff are frontline employees, not upper management.

"The governor's actions will put abused and neglected children at greater risk, reduce access to Medicaid and food stamps, and further harm state parks and historic sites," AFSCME Council 31 executive director Henry Bayer said. "These cuts are irresponsible and they are deep, slashing 12 percent of the frontline workforce in child protection and more than 20 percent from historic preservation."

According to the information received by AFSCME, the cuts will take effect over the coming months: Sept. 30 in HPA, Oct. 31 in DNR, and Nov. 30 in DHS and DCFS.

"There is time to reverse these cuts, but only if advocates, concerned citizens and lawmakers act quickly," Bayer said. "Our union will do everything possible to prevent layoffs, protect our members and restore public services, but we can't do it alone. The public needs to insist that child protection, human services, state parks and Illinois history are too important to fall victim to the governor's budget axe. Lawmakers should return to Springfield as soon as possible to take whatever action is necessary to fix the budget and stop these cuts."

Layoffs on such a massive scale are likely to result in unmanageable caseloads for child protection and human services workers, delays in obtaining essential benefits and supports for needy families, and shorter hours and fewer educational programs at state parks and historic sites. The impact is made even worse when considered in light of steep cuts the Blagojevich Administration has previously made to these same agencies: Since 2001, DCFS has lost 28 percent of its frontline workforce, DNR 21 percent and DHS field offices 20 percent.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

TDF Overwhelmingly Ratifies Contract

TDF ratified the contract 98-10. The next step if for the rest of the state locals to ratify the contract.

Pork Chop Cook-Out

Friday, 8/29/08, TDF good and welfare will have a pork chop cook-out. Proceeds will go to help a member in need.

Friday, August 22, 2008

August Labor Management

Issue: Uniforms
Expect: uniforms to begin to be delivered next week. (August 25th)

Issue: Posting of the schedule
Expect: the schedule to be posted one hour prior to the shift to allow for changes. Management has requested this concession on the account of all the moves from the last bid, honoring scheduled vacations, and an increase in writ traffic. This issue will be revisited in a couple months when things have had time to shake-out.

Issue: Echo unit intercom
placed and supplies are now on hand for future repairs.

Issue: Caustics
Expect: A new delivery system that limits resident movement.

Issue: Handbooks, policies, procedures
Expect: A new handbook within a month. New procedures are being integrated into cycle training. Directives are still being updated.

Issue: Health and Safety Committee
Committee has been formed and has now met twice.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

TDF Contract Ratification Day

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

1st meeting 0730
2nd meeting 1230
3rd meeting 1530

The contract will be available at the meetings in the briefing room. Contract questions will be answered at the meetings.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Tentative Agreement Reached

After a 25-hour marathon bargaining session--helped along by the presence of an independent mediator--AFSCME reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with the State of Illinois late Friday morning, August 15.

The AFSCME Bargaining Committee voted overwhelmingly to recommend ratification of this contract settlement.
The settlement represents a real victory for the unity and solidarity that AFSCME members displayed throughout the negotiating process. It meets all of the key goals that the AFSCME Bargaining Committee had set. The new contract:
· Protects retiree health insurance;
· Keeps health care affordable for both active and retired workers;
· Provides for pay increases that help employees keep up with the cost-of-living, and
· Improves workplace rights and protections

Negotiations began over seven months ago--with Management pushing for massive health care concessions which would have drastically increased health care costs for both active and retired employees. At the same time, Management was offering virtually nothing in the way of pay increases or other economic enhancements. Management's proposals would have actually left state employees worse off than they are today.

The AFSCME Bargaining Committee stood firm against the State's demands—and its position was strengthened by the support of thousands of state workers who participated in a variety of solidarity actions to demonstrate their determination to resist such dire concessions. They wore AFSCME green on more than a dozen designated Green Days; participated in worksite picketing; came to Springfield 5,000 strong for a massive march and rally; and reached out to their communities at local summer parades and fairs.

Winning this contract was really about demonstrating the unity and strength of our union. It took all of us standing up together to overcome the State's efforts to shift costs onto the backs of employees. It was this widespread solidarity that ultimately convinced Management to come to the table and negotiate a fair settlement.

Worksite ratification meetings will get underway soon. Contract summaries will be available at these meetings and Union representatives will explain the new provisions and answer all questions. All members are encouraged to attend these meetings and to vote on ratification. As soon as they are scheduled, times and locations will be posted on the Union's website--and notices will be put out in all local unions.

Friday, August 15, 2008

*Contract*

Our diligent efforts have paid off! We have a tentative contract. I cannot release specifics at this time, but believe everyone should be satisfied with wage increases, healthcare, and additional language pick-ups offering increased protections. The next step is for the membership to ratify the contract.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Blagojevich at the State Fair

Next week, we have a great opportunity to make sure that Gov. Blagojevich knows that we're serious about fighting for a fair contract. Wednesday, August 13 is Governor's Day at the Illinois State Fair--and apparently the Governor is planning to be there for a political rally. We've got to make sure that Governor's Day is the day the Governor gets our message. Interested parties contact President Houzenga.

PSA Opt. 6

The ballots for the PSA Option 6 employees will soon be counted!

The State has withdrawn many of their objections to positions among the PSA Option 6 employees. As a result, the Labor Board can move forward and count the ballots! The Labor Board has not yet scheduled the ballot count. We will let you know as soon as the date is set.