{"id":227,"date":"2008-09-24T14:44:48","date_gmt":"2008-09-24T20:44:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cookcountypd.org\/blog\/2008\/09\/24\/falling-back-into-contract-negotiations\/"},"modified":"2008-09-25T15:05:27","modified_gmt":"2008-09-25T21:05:27","slug":"falling-back-into-contract-negotiations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/local3315.org\/blog\/index.php\/2008\/09\/24\/falling-back-into-contract-negotiations\/","title":{"rendered":"Falling Back into Contract Negotiations"},"content":{"rendered":"

Negotiations<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

On September 15th, the County began universal negotiations with 14\u00a0AFSCME locals from Cook County including our Local.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Each local is allowed a certain number of representatives\u00a0who can be a part of the bargaining committee.\u00a0 Our local has been represented by the executive board in the last two contracts and will be doing so this time as well.\u00a0 The purpose of universal negotiations is to bargain for all the locals on the same issues that apply to all of us.\u00a0 For example, in universals, we bargain on\u00a0wage increases and health care benefits, just to name the two biggest issues.\u00a0 In locals, however, we craft proposals that are specific to our local.\u00a0 A good \u00a0example of a local proposal\u00a0 that was implemented was when we changed our bond court duty day (which was relegated to the 150 junior lawyers in the office) to one that was exclusively volunteer and that actually provided additional\u00a0 monetary compensation above and beyond our\u00a0salary and benefits. \u00a0(Yes,\u00a0we used to have<\/em> to\u00a0do bond\u00a0court for no<\/em> extra money).\u00a0\u00a0 The surveys that you completed a few months ago are being used in generating our proposals for contract negotiations.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Given this background, all you need to know is that your involvement in job actions will be essential in getting a fair contract for our membership.\u00a0 Whether it’s putting on a button to show solidarity or actually going out on strike, you need to do your part in getting a good contract for years to come.\u00a0 So please stay active and informed by checking your email, reading the blog and staying in touch with the stewards and other members of our member action teams at your work-sites.<\/p>\n

Contracts<\/strong><\/p>\n

Speaking of contracts, our contracts for the current period have finally<\/em> been printed up and are in the process of being distributed to the membership.<\/p>\n

The 1% Issue<\/strong><\/p>\n

As I explained in my previous post, the County has reneged on its agreement to pay us an extra 1% for certain steps on top of our negotiated wage increases (AFSCME pay plan).\u00a0 We were a little confused on their stance on this issue because they actually paid us the extra 1% \u00a0for almost three months<\/em>.\u00a0 Now that they reneged, we are taking it to arbitration.\u00a0 I was notified yestereday that the date for the Step 4 hearing is 12\/12\/08 before Arbitrator Cox.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As to members who have been told that they need to wait two years to advance from step 5 to step 6, please know that we believe we have resolved the issue in our favor but want to make sure we have identified all affected members.\u00a0 Please call Bruce Mosbacher (26th street at x3217) if you have been affected and have not filed a grievance.<\/p>\n

Union Trustee<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of our three trustee positions is up for election.\u00a0 Trustees are charged with reviewing the local’s finances from time to time per the local’s constitution.\u00a0 This is an excellent time to come forward and get involved in this local.\u00a0 I ran and was elected to trustee about ten years ago and have not left the local leadership since.\u00a0 Please keep an eye open for the election notice.<\/p>\n

MVP and the Presidential Election<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joe Gump, our People chair, \u00a0has asked that I remind the members that the union’s political action committee has changed its dues structure.\u00a0 Previously, members could join at the $2.20ppd VIP \u00a0level or the $4.20\u00a0MVP level.\u00a0 The VIP level is being phased out and nowwe are asking that you\u00a0join at\u00a0the\u00a0 MVP level or above only.\u00a0 If you need to sign up, please contact one of the board members and we will get you the appropriate gold MVP card to sign.\u00a0 This election, has been described by many to be the most important one in decaceds for the labor movement.\u00a0 If this union and it’s members want to advance and have a better future for ourselves, our families and our country, we need to be involved in the upcoming election and vote for the right candidate.<\/p>\n

The Cook County Employees Pension Fund<\/strong><\/p>\n

For many of us, the pension is what has kept us working for the County despite our humble salaries and talents which would garner greater rewards in the private sector.\u00a0 But what if the pension fund dwindled by the time we sought retirement?\u00a0 That is why it’s important to keep your eye on the ball and participate in the upcoming election for pension board.\u00a0 It’s a tricky election process because you can only vote in person at the county building or you must request a ballot in the mail\u00a0(an application for such a mail-in ballot will be mailed to your house). Then mail your “absentee”\u00a0ballot in\u00a0–\u00a0 a two step procedure.<\/p>\n

One of our members, Quentin Pitluk<\/strong> (26th), is on the ballot in this election and you should consider supporting him\u00a0when you vote.<\/p>\n

In Solidarity,<\/p>\n

K. S. Galhotra<\/p>\n

President, Local 3315<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Negotiations\u00a0 On September 15th, the County began universal negotiations with 14\u00a0AFSCME locals from Cook County including our Local.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Each local is allowed a certain number of representatives\u00a0who can be a part of the bargaining committee.\u00a0 Our local has been represented by the executive board in the last two contracts and will be doing so this […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-227","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/local3315.org\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/227","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/local3315.org\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/local3315.org\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/local3315.org\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/local3315.org\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=227"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/local3315.org\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/227\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/local3315.org\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=227"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/local3315.org\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=227"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/local3315.org\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=227"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}