![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ts2.mm.bing.net\/images\/thumbnail.aspx?q=257103107093&id=db074ac3068b9e64671b449e9eae0490&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.mypuretherapy.com%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2fFall-Leaves.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSummer’s over and we are now gearing up for an exciting and challenging Fall.\u00a0\u00a0 Here is an update on some things we have been talking about in the past and a look at some topics that are important to you.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Survey<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n I know that many of\u00a0the members thought that\u00a0the office made a poor and insulting attempt at ascertaing the issues in this office\u00a0\u00a0by distributing the\u00a0infamous survey.\u00a0 I agree.\u00a0 (I also found out that\u00a0 the survey was not<\/span> written by\u00a0\u00a0a subcommittee of the Public\u00a0Defender’s advisory board.)\u00a0\u00a0But\u00a0\u00a0I think that it is still a good idea\u00a0 to candidly communicate with management about issues that interfere with our mission: to provide the finest legal representation to the indigent accused in Cook County.\u00a0 To that end, please email any ideas or suggestions you have\u00a0to board@cookcountypd.org<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 As I said earlier in a flash message sent to the members on our email burst list, the\u00a0executive board met with top management including Judge Cunningham to express our collective disappointment and concern over the content and quality of the survey.\u00a0 We meet again with management on 10\/22\/10 and would like to share any other thoughts or suggestions the members have to make the office an even more professional environment.<\/p>\n Negotiations<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n Council 31 received on 9\/30\/2010 the arbitrator’s decision from the interest arbitration that AFSCME and the County engaged in over the four Sheriff’s locals and the results were that the arbitrator chose AFSCME’s offer because it was right and fair.\u00a0 (The terms have been sent to everyone on the email burst list.\u00a0 Not on the list?\u00a0 Send an email to board@cookcountypd.org<\/a>\u00a0and include your name and worksite.\u00a0 We\u00a0will not<\/em>\u00a0add any cookcountyil.gov addresses (those are the county email addresses that are assigned to all county employees), so make sure you send us your personal email address.)<\/p>\n Contract negotiations with our local and the County\u00a0resume on October 13, 2010.<\/p>\n The County’s finances are always an issue because how much money the County really has and how much the County says it has are definitely two different things.\u00a0 Who will win the November 2nd election for County Board President? Will that individual increase, maintain or decrease the current County sales tax?\u00a0 Will the hospital finally collect more of the monies it is owed?\u00a0 These and other questions will determine how things will shape up for next year and as you can imagine, the situation is fluid and dynamic.\u00a0 Rest assured that when the executive board knows more about the situation, we will share it with the membership in a timely manner.<\/p>\n Politics<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n I can’t tell you who to vote for but\u00a0 I can tell you that even though this is not a presidential election year, it is the year that we will choose not only our governor but also our U.S. Senator and also County Board Commissioners and President not to mention, Judges.\u00a0 These elections are not meant for us to ignore and sit on the sidelines.\u00a0 Every member of this local, at a minimum, should vote.\u00a0 The governor’s race will have an impact on our pension plan, funding for Cook County and the generation of more revenue to meet the budget shortfall that is now inching closer to $14 Billion;\u00a0 the Senate race will impact many of the agenda items set out by\u00a0Barack Obama;\u00a0 and the County Board President’s race will determine many things\u00a0that will affect this office in terms of\u00a0resources.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ideally,\u00a0you should volunteer and work on a campaign.\u00a0 Brother Joseph Gump (Executive-at-large; RM; PEOPLE chair) is on another leave from the office so he can devote weeks to the upcoming election.\u00a0 If you would like to volunteer for AFSCME endorsed candidates by phone banking, canvassing, getting out the vote or working on election day as a pollwatcher, please email board@cookcountypd.org<\/a>\u00a0and we will forward the email to him.<\/p>\n A final reminder, the last day to register to vote or change address or registration<\/strong>\u00a0for the election on 11\/2\/2010\u00a0 is Tuesday, October 5, 2010<\/strong>.\u00a0 Make sure you are registered to vote!<\/p>\n Local Trustee Election Reminder<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n In case you missed all the notices, Kevin Ochalla<\/strong> and Rosa Silva<\/strong> are squaring off in a runoff election to be held at 2650 S. California on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at the 7th Floor Library from 3:00 to 4:30 pm<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Know Your Rights<\/span><\/p>\n It is ironic that sometimes the people who are best at defending the accused do such a pitiful job representing themselves.\u00a0 Please note that if you are called by a supervisor into a meeting or “counseling session”, AND you even remotely think that the meeting or session may lead to your being disciplined or some other adverse action, then you are entitled to union representation.\u00a0\u00a0 This right, codified in our contract in section 11.5 comes from the language in NLRB v. J. Weingarten<\/span>, Inc., 420 U.S. 251 (1975).\u00a0<\/p>\n In order for an employee to receive Weingarten<\/span> protection, they must first ask for a union
\nsteward or representative.\u00a0 After this request is made,\u00a0management \u00a0has three options: 1) grant the request and delay questions until a steward arrives; 2) deny the request and end the investigatory interview; or 3) give the employee the choice of a) continuing without a steward or b) ending the interview. If management denies the request for a steward and continues with the interview, then management \u00a0has violated the terms of our contract and a timely grievance should be filed.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net\/hphotos-ak-snc4\/hs629.snc4\/58958_438294697229_235241582229_5063883_6775160_s.jpg\")
<\/p>\n