Good and Welfare Update

Tuesday, July 29th, the Good and Welfare Committee sponsored a wings cook-off competition. STA IV Hays and STA I T. Smith tied for first place. The fundraiser raised $133.25 to be used toward the purchase of a television for the break room. Thanks to all that helped and participated in the fun.

Mediation Moves Negotiations Forward

Mediation Moves Negotiations Forward
But Management Still Pushing for Huge Health Care Cost Increases

At the end of June the AFSCME Bargaining Committee broke off negotiations and invoked its right to call in a mediator, mutually chosen by the Union and Management. The Committee agreed to extend the contract through the first mediation session. That session was held on July 14-15 with Edwin Benn, a highly-experienced labor relations professional, serving as the mediator and the entire AFSCME Bargaining Committee in attendance.

Bargaining Committee Stands Firm To Protect Retiree Health Care

There was some real progress made in this mediation session. Throughout the seven months of bargaining, Management has been insisting on drastically raising retiree health care premiums. Currently employees with 20 years of service pay no premiums for health care coverage when they retire.

Management was insisting that all new hires, as well as many current employees, pay as much as 50% of the cost of their retiree health care premiums—no matter how many years they ended up working for the state.

The Bargaining Committee has been standing firm against this drastic cost increase for retiree health care. And with the help of the mediator, Management finally got the message that the Union had no intention of making all retirees pay.

Management agreed to withdraw all elements of its proposal to make future retirees pay more for their retiree health care premiums! This means the current structure will remain in place—with employees who work 20 years paying nothing for their retiree health premiums.

Management Holds Out for Big Increases in Health Care Costs

Unfortunately, Management is still insisting on a host of drastic increases in health care costs for active employees – in co-pays, deductibles, prescription drugs and out-of-pocket maximums, as well as big premium increases.

And despite the mediator’s best efforts, Management refused to back off these drastic health care cost increase proposals. Gov. Blagojevich says he wants affordable health care for all Illinois citizens—but he’s actually trying to make health care less affordable for his own employees.

Under Management’s health care proposal…

• Employees could pay as much as $65 more per month toward their health care premiums.
• The limit on employees’ maximum out-of-pocket liability in any one year for health care costs would increase by 50%
• Mail order drug costs would increase by 25%
• In-patient co-pays would increase by as much as 40% and out-patient co-pays would increase as much as 65%.
• All told, employees could end up paying thousands of dollars more per year for their health care coverage if they faced serious illness in their family.
  

Mediation Session Scheduled; Contract Extended

The AFSCME Bargaining Committee said “NO WAY” to these huge cost increases. When it became clear that the mediation process had stalled, the mediator recommended that another session be scheduled.

The Union Bargaining Committee voted to participate in another mediation session which will be held August 13-14—and to further extend the contract until that session.

The only way state employees will get the contract we deserve is if all AFSCME members get involved in the fight.

Here’s what you can do:

• Participate in the “Green Solidarity Day” at your worksite every week.
• Sign an AFSCME pledge card to make clear your determination to do whatever it takes to protect your health insurance and your standard of living.
• Participate in community outreach, informational picketing and protests against the Governor when your local union is sponsoring these events in your area.

June 23rd Rally in Springfield

On Monday, June 23rd, thirty-nine union and family members from local 3416, the Rushville Treatment and Detention Facility traveled to Springfield for an AFSCME Council 31 rally and march. Union members marched for a fair contract that addresses the rising cost of living and healthcare. We had a good turnout, thousands of members from around the state attended the rally and march. We had a simple message. We want a fair contract now! Unfortunately, we were not loud enough. The governor and his team did not come to the table to settle the contract. The union has invoked the first stage impasse requirement of mediation and has agreed to extend the current contract through the first session of mediation.

March and Rally

This Rally is mandatory for all local union leadership. Our contract expires June 30th. If you are not willing to pay thousands of dollars more a year for healthcare, more of your check into the pension, and have your general wage increases less than inflation, you need to be in Springfield on Monday, June 23rd, 11:30 a.m. at the State Capitol (2nd and Capitol Sts.) Friends, Family, and Retirees are also welcome to participate. We must protest these proposals now and stem the tide, rather than complaining about them when they pass. We have a sign-up sheet in the breakroom. The local has committed a $50.00 lottery to be drawn from among participating members. Someone is going to win, will it be you?

Public Service Administrators, Option 2

Public Service Administrators, Option 2
Uniting with AFSCME to get things done

As the election nears, the decision to join thousands of other state employees to win raises, rights and protection is an important one. There are some very real problems PSA Option 2 employees are facing. There are some very real solutions that AFSCME representation provides.

FAIR PAY & CONSISTENT RAISES
AFSCME’s track record for state employees is second to none. This is not about $1 more. Thousands of merit comp employees have made big improvements in their salaries and retirement calculations by joining AFSCME. In fact, Public Service Administrators Option 3, 4 and 6(e) recently won pay increases that result in an average of 15% for their first year. They also now have the right to receive all future increases under the AFSCME contract as well.

SECURITY, RIGHTS & BENEFITS THROUGH OUR MASTER CONTRACT
Choosing AFSCME means you will be covered by AFSCME’s contract immediately upon certification. AFSCME’s contract represents the overwhelming majority of state employees under the governor’s jurisdiction and provides the strongest leverage available during contract negotiations. AFSCME does not have to wait a year or more to make an entire new contract from scratch. And, because more than just your own classification is covered, your opportunities will increase by leaps and bounds. AFSCME offers you all the rights and protections that other AFSCME-represented state employees currently enjoy, including the right to have your own stewards, salary upgrades, cost-of-living increases, step increases, longevity pay, overtime pay, stand-by pay, protection form layoffs, tuition reimbursement opportunities, promotional and vacancy rights to AFSCME-represented jobs before they are available to non-members, and much more.

STRONGER TOGETHER
Subordinates and managers alike are working together under the protection and power of AFSCME’s contract in order to win and retain the rights they deserve. Each has their own voice and their own stewards when grievances arise that need to be resolved. In fact, most managers say they prefer working in a collective effort to get things done rather than being divided and at odds with subordinates. Most are tired of fear tactics, confusion, and division. The overwhelming majority of state employees believe it is a time stand up and fight together for the rights you all deserve. AFSCME is bringing people together to get things done.

PROTECTION FROM REORGANIZATION
Managers who have organized with AFSCME Council 31 have retained their titles. AFSCME Council 31 has fought to insure managers maintain their authority and position.

NEXT STEP –YOUR MAIL BALLOT UNION ELECTION
As you know, AFSCME filed a majority interest petition with the Illinois Labor Relations Board as a result of an overwhelming support for AFSCME representation. Ballots will be mailed on June 16, 2008 and must be received by the ILRB by close of business on July 8, 2008 in order for your vote to be valid and counted. If you do not receive a ballot, please let us know immediately.

At the same time, AFSCME will continue to push forward as quickly as possible to represent your position and title. Our track record is exceptional in these matters. For example, when the State tried to exclude hundreds of PSA Option 3s and 4s, AFSCME fought and won their right to be included.

Once final determinations are made, the ballots will be counted and AFSCME can be certified as your bargaining representative. Immediately, you will gain the benefits and protections of AFSCME’s contract and salary negotiations will then begin. We will continue to keep you updated on our progress in this regard. We are using the full force of our strength, experience, and expertise to gain all the benefits and rights you deserve as quickly as possible.

For more information, call Don Todd at 1-800-697-4645 Ext. 3302.