Sisters and Brothers,
2011 has been a very tough year for this local, but despite it all, we have met each challenge with strength and resolve.
President P began the year with the FY2011 budget battle that threatened the layoffs of, at one time, some 60 assistant public defenders. Together, we were able to advocate effectively to prevent layoffs in our office. Then we voted on whether or not to take 10 furlough days and you the members spoke and rejected the County’s furlough proposal. And after more than 30 months of contract negotiations, we ratified a four year contract with the County that contained a modest wage increase with no change in health care. Then, for the second time in nine months, we had to fight again to rescind layoff notices that were sent to ten our our attorneys and 27 of our investigators in anticipation of FY2012. Despite our best efforts, 18 of our support staff were laid off. And in addition to the highlights above, consider the following list which is by no means complete:
- we participated in the We are One Rally
- we supported our sisters and brothers in Wisconsin
- we held our annual summer party at Castaways
- we held our annual golf outing Eaglewood Resort
- we elected new officers for the 2011-2013 term
- we held general membership meetings at 26th St and Juvenile Court
- we maintained this website and revamped it (like the new look?)
- we maintained a facebook page
- we provided email messages to all members on our burst list (approx 300)
- we fought cuts to pension benefits by lobbying the general assembly
- we met the goal of having one certified steward for every 20 members
- we maintained 100% full membership
- we sent a delegation to the Council 31 State Convention
- we won Council 31’s Winners Circle Award for our superior level of PEOPLE MVP member participation
- we awarded the 27, 28th and 29th Jack Carey Memorial Scholarship
- we conducted a survey of membership