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Sisters and Brothers:<\/p>\n
NEGOTIATIONS <\/strong>The County is under new leadership.\u00a0 Toni Preckwinkle was sworn in as Cook County Board President on December 6th, 2011, \u00a0along with a few new County Commissioners.\u00a0 Toni Preckwinkle has indicated to AFSCME that she is very interested in ending our two year long attempt at negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement.\u00a0 With President Stroger, there were NO scheduled negotiations for the last\u00a0six months which led AFSCME to file a complaint with the Labor Board.\u00a0 Although that ULP is pending, it may now become moot with the new leadership at the County Building.\u00a0 We believe that President Preckwinkle will be much more receptive to contract talks so stay tuned to further communications from the union\u00a0regarding this topic.<\/p>\n 21% ? <\/strong>Yes, President Preckwinkle has thrown around the 21% budget cuts for\u00a0the offices of all \u00a0independently elected officials.\u00a0 The Public Defender is not an elected official.\u00a0 He is appointed by the County Board President with the approval of the Commissioners and serves a six year term.\u00a0 Our budget is under the Office of the President.\u00a0 At this time, we do not know what cuts will be made in our office and how those cuts will affect our members.\u00a0 AFSCME has been in contact with President Preckwinkle and she has indicated her desire to “minimize effects on front line employees.\u00a0”\u00a0 Time will tell what President Preckwinkle does.<\/p>\n SIGN THE CARD <\/strong>As a way to remind the new County Board President of\u00a0the County’s\u00a0obligation to bargain in good faith, we are asking all members to sign cards that are being distributed at work sites urging her management team to return to the bargaining table “with a firm commitment to reaching a fair contract settlement in an expeditious manner.”\u00a0 How can anyone disagree with that?\u00a0 Please sign the card and get it back to me no later than December 10, 2010.\u00a0 The cards will be presented to the President by members of the bargaining team shortly thereafter.<\/a><\/p>\n WINTER PARTY <\/strong>The best party in town is\u00a0 scheduled for 1\/21\/2011.\u00a0\u00a0This year’s Local party\u00a0will be at the Crystal Gardens at Navy Pier.\u00a0 As before, members will be required to RSVP.\u00a0 Please reply ASAP.\u00a0 Details to be provided very soon.<\/em> This will be the party that everyone will be talking about for months, so don’t miss out.<\/p>\n