The assistant public defender who held the number three rank in union seniority has retired after almost 35 years of service to the citizens of Cook County.  A retirment lunch, hosted by the local,  was held in honor of Dennis Urban’s retirement on December 30, 2009.  Brother, Michael Davidson delivered a spirited address to the attendees at the luncheon recounting the years that Dennis has been with the office.  Heck, Tiger Woods was born the year Dennis Urban became an assistant public defender.  On behalf of the union, best of luck to you Dennis! 

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This is an update regarding the transition of County employees covered by UniCare HMO which has withdrawn from the Illinois market, necessitating a switch in coverage for those County employees who had elected Unicare as their health insurance provider. We are pleased to announce that effective January 1, 2010, these employees will be covered by a new Blue Cross/Blue Shield HMO plan with a comparable network named “Classic Blue”. A chief concern has been whether employees whose primary care physician is in the Northwestern Faculty Foundation Medical Group would be able to continue seeing their designated physicians. The answer is yes: the new network will include Northwestern. There may be a small number of employees whose primary care physician is not in the network. We are going to be identifying those employees and they will be provided with the option of switching to the PPO to continue utilizing that doctor should they chose to do so. In the meantime, we are providing attached letter (PDF) that will be sent to affected employees next week with their new insurance cards. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Department of Risk Management / Employee Benefits at 312-603-6385 or visit our website for additional information as it becomes available.

Resurrection wants to sell

West Suburban and Westlake Hospitals

Now is the time to

make our voices heard!

Resurrection management recently announced that they are starting negotiations on the possible sale of West Suburban and Westlake Hospitals with for-profit Vanguard Health Systems.

In its statement, Resurrection said it would remain committed to employees and the communities surrounding the hospitals.  But there are many questions that must be answered.  Several state agencies need to review the proposal and assess its impact before the deal moves forward.

By working together, we can make our voices heard during this process. Together, we can work to insure that:

• The quality of patient services is improved
• All services are maintained
• Patients and caregivers come before investor profits
• Employees’ jobs are secure and current wage and benefit levels are maintained

You are invited to a meeting to discuss steps we can take to insure that West Suburban and Westlake patients, employees and community interests are protected.

OPAHA Meeting

When: Monday, January 11^th at 7 pm

Where: Austin Boulevard Christian Church

634 N. Austin Blvd, Oak Park, IL

Oak Park/Austin Health Alliance (OPAHA)

A coalition of South Austin Coalition (773/287-4570)

the Oak Park Coalition for Truth and Justice (www.opctj.org)

and HEART/AFSCME (www.reformresurrection.org)

Background

On November 24, 2009, Resurrection Health Care announced plans to sell two of its eight hospitals to Vanguard Health Systems, a for-profit company.  Both hospitals, West Suburban Medical Center, in Oak Park, and Westlake Hospital, in Melrose Park, have struggled financially in recent years.

Vanguard owns MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn and Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago, in addition to hospitals in Texas, Arizona and Massachusetts, several of which are unionized.   Founded in 1997, the company is based in Nashville, Tennessee.

OPAHA questions:

Same promises, same failures? When Resurrection acquired West Suburban Medical Center in 2004, many residents were hopeful that their community hospital would benefit from promised investments and new management.  While RHC did build a new emergency room, most of the changes at West Sub were for the worse – cuts in staffing, reduction in services to the community and no improvement in management (but big improvements in CEO compensation!).

Who pays for the profits? Vanguard is purchasing West Sub and Westlake hospitals in order to make a profit.  But these hospitals are currently losing money and Vanguard will have to pay taxes on these hospitals, which means their expenses will be higher.  So what would new management do in order to turn a profit at these hospitals?  One study found that wages at for-profit hospitals are lower that wages at nonprofit hospitals.  And Vanguard has a history of cutting services and closing low-performing hospitals.

Respect for workers’ rights? For more than 6 years, employees at Resurrection have worked to form a union to have a voice at work and improve patient care.  RHC management has waged an expensive and aggressive antiunion campaign in response.  Vanguard should be held to a higher standard.

What about access and accountability? Non profit hospitals are accountable to state laws related to “charitable trust.”  This means they are legally required to operate the hospital in accordance with its charitable mission.  In addition, there are also specific requirements for providing and reporting on community benefits. For profits may say they have a “mission,” but they have no legal obligation to conform to it.

We need to work together to get answers!

The Oak Park/Austin Health Alliance was formed by the South Austin Coalition Community Council (SACCC), the Oak Park Coalition for Truth and Justice (OPCTJ) and AFSCME Council 31.  Our goals are to make sure that uninsured residents have access to care, that the hospital provides much-needed services to the community, and that workers are allowed to organize without fear of retaliation.

Well, I am back from a contract negotiation session between Cook County and the 15 AFSCME locals including ours.  I have to tell you that what we learned today from Jaye Williams, the new CFO for Cook County, is that the County is about $200 million in the hole for 2011, because of the half penny sales tax rollback passed by the county board.  Commissioners, swayed by angry anti-tax rhetoric from the Chicago Tribune and Sun Times editorial boards, voted to decrease the tax because they are under the mistaken belief that such a reduction in taxes will actually generate revenue – – even when there is no basis to believe this.   Ask yourself  this question: Would you drive outside the county to make a $1000 purchase to save $5?  I think not.

While Todd Stroger fought to veto this rollback, his efforts were thwarted by a new state law passed during the fall veto session by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Quinn that reduced the number of commissioners required to override a veto from 15 to 11.  12 commissioners voted for the rollback and  so a veto by the President would have been meaningless.  So now we are going to be $200 million in the hole.  Before we could take solace in the fact that the budget woes were with the City of Chicago and the State but not with Cook County.  Now we can join the State and City of Chicago in having an unbalanced budget and revenue shortfalls.

What we do know is that there will probably be a new County board president next year and maybe some new commissioners as well, and what they will have to address is how we are going to make up for the $200 million reduction in revenue.  It’s a problem that was solved — and now is back and not going away any time soon.

This rollback of the sales tax, championed by Commissioner Larry Suffredin, and supported by 11 other commissioners has dealt a blow to the County’s financial picture and will undoubtedly have a significant impact on our ability to secure a fair contract [read  ‘wages and good health care’].

PEOPLE ENDORSEMENTS

On December 15th, Joe Gump and I attended the AFSCME Region 1 PEOPLE committee meeting, (all AFSCME local presidents and PEOPLE chairs are voting members) and the committee voted to not endorse Commissioner Suffredin in his reelection bid.  The same “no endorsement” was given to each commissioner that voted to rollback the half penny tax.  The only candidates for commissioner that garnered our endorsement were:

Jerry Butler (3rd), Elgie Sims (4th), Deborah Sims (5th), Joan Murphy (6th), and  Jesus Garcia (7th).  Also endorsed for Assessor was Joe Berrios.

Similarly, based on the pledges by Dorothy Brown, Toni Preckwinkle and Terrence O’Brien to rollback the rest of the penny tax, there was no endorsement in the President’s race either.  Did I mention we did not endorse Todd Stroger?  His fight to veto the rollback was spirited, but too little, too late.   If you haven’t made up your mind yet on who you will vote for in the Cook County Board President race, you should attend a candidate forum that is being held on January 12th from 6-7:30 pm at the First United Methodist Church at Chicago Temple.  Also,  there was no endorsement in the Sheriff’s race.

And the “no endorsement” theme continues in the State races as well.  Neither Hynes nor Quinn will step up and support an income tax increase.   Illinois is in dismal financial straits, ranking only better than California.  The money has to come from somewhere and that is why HB 174, which raises personal income tax and adds services to the list of things that can be taxed,  is the best solution to the state’s fiscal crisis.  We need to support candidates who understand that cuts in services and wage concessions are not going to balance the budget.  And that is why the state PEOPLE committee declined to endorse either Hynes or Quinn for Governor.

DAN GALLAGHER, Carol Pearce McCarthy Vacancy, Cook County

ANN FINLEY COLLINS, 11th Judicial Subcircuit, Cook County

PAMELA LEEMING,* 11th Judicial Subcircuit, Cook County

TERRY MACCARTHY,**Philip Bronstein Vacancy, Cook County

*Pamela left the office when appointed to the bench last month.

**Terry is a supervisor at 26th St and a former local member.

If you looked at your paystub and noticed that you are not contributing $4.20 of every paycheck to the PEOPLE committee, you can call me at 26th Street for information on how to set up your voluntary deduction that will fund this vital political voice for our union.

UNICARE

Many of you have been asking about the status of Unicare HMO, which decided to pull out of Illinois effective December 31, 2009.  Today we learned from the County that next week, insurance cards will be sent to current Unicare members from a new Blue Cross Blue Shield plan that will have a network that will be comparable to but not identical to the Unicare plan.  Northwestern Memorial Hospital, however, will be included in the network.

ARDC

Withall the activity of the holiday season upon us we need to remember that a condition of employment is that we are on the master roll of attorneys licensed and registered to practice in Illinois.  Please protect your job status and complete the registration for next year withthe ARDC before it’s too late.   Although, we are in discussions with other state and local governmental agencies  about approaching the Illinois Supreme Court for reduced rates for government attorneys,  we must still pay the same rates as other practicing lawyers.   Please  avoid the headaches by ensuring that  you have registered and paid your dues to the ARDC.   You can even register online!

THANK YOU  to the HOLIDAY PARTY COMMITTEE

If you attended the annual holiday party at Moretti’s, you should know that the people to thank are Melissa Myer, Sara Spivy, Sarah Fransene and Kyan Keenan.    The hit of the party, as anyone who attended can tell you, was the photo booth that allowed members to dress up using festive props and have picturestaken with friends and co-workers that they could take home and enjoy for years to come.

TIME CONSIDERED SERVED – MITT TO ISSUE

[singlepic id=143 w=320 h=240 float=]Last week, Bryan Bowen (26th) left our office for private practice in Columbus, Ohio.  Bryan was assigned to the Felony Trial Division and had been an assistant public defender since June of 2004.  We wish Bryan the very best.

Soon, Brian Healy, a public defender since January of 1980, will retire.  Brian has spent almost twenty years representing the indigent accused in [singlepic id=140 w=320 h=240 float=left]the Maywood courthouse. His level of dedication, experience and skill will be sorely missed.  Brian, Happy Trails to you too and thank you for your years of service to the citzens of Cook County.

Finally,  I want to wish you and yours a very happy and safe holiday season!

In Solidarity,

K. S. Galhotra

President

It appears that the Cook County Department of Corrections’ website is up and running so now you can locate individuals housed at Cook County Jail, without calling jail records,  by going to the following website:

http://10.127.145.63/search/

or when not using the County’s ethernet, try

http://www2.cookcountysheriff.org/search/

It is with a heavy heart that we learned of the passing of our brother, Assistant Public Defender, Porter Louis Merriwether.  Portor was an attorney at 26th Street and had been a public defender since April 16, 1984.  He passed away on November 13, 2009.  Anyone that knew him truly appreciated his charm, wit and passion for justice.

Portor was born to the late J.B,. and Shirley Kendric Meriwether on March 16, 1940.  Portor was 1958 graduate of Lincoln High School in Evansville, Indiana, where he was an award winning basketball player.

He went on to attend Tennessee State A & I University on a basketball scholarship.  While there, he made the first team  in his freshmen year and was team captain for 3 years; he was a 3 time All-American; a United Press International All-American; a Chuck Taylor Converse All-American team member; and an alternate on the 1960 U.S.Olympic Basketball team.

Portor was inducted into the Tennessee State University Hall of Fame in 1984 as a member of the 3 time NAIA championship basketball team (1958 – 59) led by legendary coach John B. McClendon.  He was also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

Portor was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1962 draft to the Syracuse Nationals.  After retiring from professional basketball, he graduated from Howard University School of Law.

Portor is survived by his devoted wife of 39 years, Marlene; daughter, Dr. Pippa Meriwether; one granddaughter, Teilei Hall; brothers, Lawrence (Garnette), Lee (Carol); sisters: Arrelia Coleman, Joan (Lewis) Lyons; sister-in-law, Alicia Peck; dedicated surrogate family, Aleen Donaldson, Jimmie Covington, Phillip Beverly,Pierre Jones, Brandon (Ice) Heard, Daniel Willis and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Portor is, posthumously, our member of the month.

COOK COUNTY UPDATE FROM AFSCME COUNCIL 31

A News Bulletin for Cook County AFSCME Members:

Sales Tax Repeal Threatens Services — A penny—or half penny—lost could have a very big cost for Cook County services.  The incessant battling over the one cent sales tax increase enacted by the County Board nearly two years ago may be heading for its conclusion.  On Nov.17, the County Board voted to repeal half the increase; then on Nov. 23, Board President Todd Stroger vetoed the repeal.  And on Dec. 1, the Board voted to override Stroger’s veto.

AFSCME and other concerned organizations lobbied hard against the override, hoping to sway at least a few of those who voted for the repeal to change their positions.

The sales tax is needed because the County is living on “borrowed time” right now.  Even with the partial repeal in place, sales tax revenues will continue to flow through most of the current fiscal year, helping to keep the County afloat for now.  But once the full impact of the repeal is felt, those revenues will plummet.  And the County’s health system is getting extra federal and state aid this year that can’t be counted on going forward.

The Health Systems Board is warning that repeal of the tax increase could result in further layoffs at the County’s public hospitalsand clinics.  At the same time, a federal judge is ordering the County to greatly increase hiring at the jail.  And the County’s juvenile detention center continues to be under heavy legal scrutiny, requiring additional revenue.  Something will have to give somewhere now that it appears that the County will lose the $200 million that the half penny increase raises.

Make Your Voice Heard — If County employees don’t speak out for County services, who else will?  If your County Commissioner was among those who voted for the repeal, be sure to let him or her know that you are very concerned about what the impact will be for County services and jobs.

And while you’re at it, be sure to thank your Commissioner if he or she stood against repealing the half cent in the first place.  Those who voted against were:  Murphy, Sims, Moreno , Beavers and Butler .  Commissioners Joan Murphy and Deborah Simsdeserve special thanks since they face tough reelection campaigns against opponents who are trying to use their support for the sales tax increase against them.

County Still Stalling at the Bargaining Table — Negotiations over a new contract for AFSCME members in Cook County are moving at a glacial pace. Management negotiators have been insisting that without certitude about whether the sales tax increase will remain in place, they can’t know what the County’s fiscal prospects will be.

The County has essentially refused to bargain over wage increases, and AFSCME has filed unfair labor practice charges with theIllinois Labor Relations Board.

Union negotiators have argued that County employees are struggling to balance their own budgets and deserve a pay increase to help them keep up with the cost of living.  In addition, the Union is refusing to go along with the large increases in employee health care costs that Management is pushing at the bargaining table.

The AFSCME Bargaining Committee, made up of representatives from all fifteen AFSCME local unions representing Cook County employees, is determined to protect the gains AFSCME members have made in improving their working conditions and standard of living over the past two decades.

None of the other unions that represent County employees whose agreements have expired have settled their contracts.  AFSCME is seen as the lead union in Cook County and other unions generally follow the pattern that our union sets when we settle our contract.

AFSCME is continuing to sponsor periodic solidarity actions—with displays of unity in every worksite—in order to send a strong message to Management that we don’t intend to go backwards or back down.  We’re going to get the fair contract we deserve!

Protests Send Health Board Back to the Drawing Board — The independent Health Systems Board that oversees the County’s hospitals and outpatient clinics has shown itself ready and willing to hear the concerns of all stakeholders in the system.  But in initially laying out its goals for the system, the Board gave greater credence to the voices of outside consultants than to those of its own employees or concerned citizens.

Earlier this Fall, the Board unveiled a strategic plan for the County health care system—drawn up by those outside consultants–which would have resulted in the closure of several community clinics, as well as a reduction in hospital beds.

Fortunately, the Board continued its practice of providing for stakeholder input—and Board members quickly got an earful at a series of community forums.  AFSCME members and other labor and community groups turned out in force to get their message across—County health care services are vitally needed and should not be cut back.

AFSCME Regional Director Peter Schmalz testified at the hearing held in South Holland on October 19th and urged the Board to revisit the strategic plan in order to take into account the views expressed by health care advocates, health system employees and community residents in the hearings.  Subsequently, Health System CEO William Foley told AFSCME that the Board would do just that.

AFSCME continues to play a leading role in the Emergency Network to Preserve Cook County Health Services, a coalition of unions and community groups committed to ensuring that Cook County continues to provide quality health care services to all those in need.

Due to the short notice, the Union is extending the period within which to RSVP to the holiday party.  Please remember that if you are bringing a guest, to identify the guest by name in your RSVP.  For your convenience, the email address to RSVP is pdunionparty09@gmail.com .

For clarification purposes, though extended, the deadline for your RSVP is  9:00 AM on Friday, 12/4/09.

The Jack Carey Scholarship Selection committee met on November 19th to discuss the applicants for the Winter/Spring 2010 Award.  The committee, consisting of local president K. S. Galhotra, Melissa Smejkal, Michael Morrissey, Viola Rouse, Hon. Paul Stralka, Daniel Kiss,and David C. Thomas voted and chose James Vanzant as the winner.

James was clerking over the summer at 26th Street with Dena Singer, Bryan Bowen and Antoinette Weston in Judge Rickey Jones’ courtroom.  As a 711 law student, James was able to do motions, hearings and trials in a felony courtroom under the supervision of local members.   Says James, “I found my summer experience with the Office so rewarding and beneficial that I stayed on as a volunteer intern during the school year, and I intend to continue to do so next semester.”  Last year, James externed for Judge Guzman at the Northern District of Illinois.  James is our first former Marine, an officer who served two combat tours in Iraq.  Fluent in Arabic, James is expecting his Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law in May, 2010.

James becomes the 23rd recipient of the  scholarship named in memory of Jack Carey,  former member of the homicide task force and president of local 3315.

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