AFSCME Local 2865

As a AFSCME Member, you can get and use the information off of the webpages listed below.

AFSCME Council 13 Benefits Page and Local 2865 Benefits Page

 State/Local

State workers rally against pay cuts

By J.L. MILLER and GINGER GIBSON

The News Journal (DE)

May 7, 2009

DOVER -- More than 1,000 angry state employees converged on Legislative Mall after work Wednesday to send a loud-and-clear message to legislators across the street: No pay cuts.  ……. State troopers were in dark blue, teachers were in red and workers represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees wore in green. State Transportation Department employees dressed in their blaze orange safety jackets.

Related articles

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Kavips blog: A Meeting On The Green

Editorial: Democrats should act like they have a majority in the House

News Journal (DE)

May 7, 2009

Nearly half the members of the state House of Representatives threw away $55 million on Tuesday. The money could have helped address the dwindling state revenues, but instead, the legislators failed to approve Gov. Markell's gaming bill.  ….. Gov. Markell made it clear to those who voted against House Bill 100 that it hurt chances of state employees receiving less of a decrease in salary.

EDITORIAL: Union label / Pay cut plan has labor leaders apoplectic

Las Vegas Reivew Journal (NV)

May 7, 2009

…… Leading the parade of clueless belligerence is Dennis Malory, chief of staff of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 4041. Mr. Malory has never hidden his unabashed hostility toward the businesses that pay for his members' generous salaries and benefits.  Recall that last summer, when tourism began its precipitous dropoff, unemployment was rising and Nevada government finances were tumbling downhill, Mr. Malory was apoplectic at the suggestion that the state postpone or cancel a 4 percent pay raise for all state workers. …… Perhaps Mr. Malory and Ms. Warne would like to leave the security of government employment and try the uncertainty of the private sector, where there are no guarantees and no lifetime pensions?  We didn't think so.

Republicans seek employee benefit reform in exchange for tax hike

By David McGrath Schwartz

Las Vegas Sun (NV)

Thu, May 7, 2009 

 …… Republican legislators confirmed Wednesday that in exchange for supporting any tax increase needed to close the budget shortfall, they are asking for changes to state pensions, retiree health benefits and the bargaining agreements between unions and local governments. …. On collective bargaining, she said she hasn’t heard local governments calling for changes.  The Chamber of Commerce’s letter provoked a strong reaction from public employee unions — a key Democratic ally — when it circulated last month.  “It’s outrageous that to come to the table, they make demands with regard to public employees,” said Lynn Warne, president of the Nevada State Education Association. “They need to pay their fair share.”

State corrections department faces union-related lawsuit

By Steve Green

Las Vegas Sun (NV)

Wed, May 6, 2009 (10:03 a.m.)

 A union and two officers at the Nevada State Prison in Carson City are suing the state Department of Corrections, claiming the officers have faced retaliation for their union activities and for complaining about former warden Bill Donat.  Lt. Robert Lee Bianchi, senior corrections officer Randy Lee Cook and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 4041 filed the suit Tuesday in U.S. District Court against the state agency and several agency officials.

State workers could feel new wallop from wage freezes, cuts

By David Damron

Sentinel (FL)

May 7, 2009

 ……. Now the $66.5 billion budget Florida lawmakers are set to approve Friday will mark another year of frozen wages for Okoh and tens of thousands of other state workers who battle swine flu, guard dangerous prisoners or provide a gamut of other government services. ….. "It's a slap at the employees," said Okoh, a 14-year veteran who makes about $29,000 a year and is a local leader of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union. "These last few years have been very tough years. Very, very tough."

Editorial: Workers' cut is too large

Times Herald (CA)

 05/06/2009 07:33:58 AM PDT

Talk about the poor getting poorer. The state of California is poised to impose a $2 an hour pay cut for in-home supportive services workers -- the people who perform the tasks that allow elderly or disabled residents to live at home instead of in expensive-for-taxpayers nursing facilities. …. That's a 17.4 percent pay cut in an occupation that currently pays only slightly more than minimum wage.

Moore: Home providers support efforts to stop fraud

By Doug Moore, executive director of the 65,000-member UDW Homecare Providers Union

Modesto Bee (CA)

May. 07, 2009

Throughout California, thousands of home care providers in the In Home Supportive Services program give loving care to nearly a half million of our state's most vulnerable people. …… Yet, rather than being praised for their dedication and thanked for their efforts, home care providers are now branded as "scam artists" and worse.  ….. Let me be clear: United Domestic Workers strongly believes that funds for IHSS from the federal, state and county governments should be used honestly and effectively and that any fraud and abuse should be eliminated from the program. ….. This year UDW is sponsoring Assembly Bill 378, which would create training standards in the IHSS program.

California Nurses Approve Historic First Contract

AFSCME Works Online Xtras

May 6, 2009

Registered nurses at Parkview Community Hospital Medical Center in Riverside – members of United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP/AFSCME) – have overwhelmingly ratified their first contract and won a strong voice in the workplace.  The historic two-year agreement creates a Registered Nurse Advisory Committee, which will press for improvements in patient care.

Editorial: Public pensions a bit too generous

Modesto Bee (CA)

Thursday, May. 07, 2009

A group pushing public pension reform has compiled a database of government retirees who receive $100,000 or more a year from the California Public Employee Retirement System. …… With the economy in decline and public employees being laid off, these pension disclosures are likely to stir anger. But it's important to direct that anger at the right people. Our elected leaders — governors, legislators, county supervisors, city councils, and local fire and water district board members — are to blame. They approved these lucrative pensions.

Lingle Takes Message To The Web

KITV (HI)

7:10 pm HST May 6, 2009

Gov. Linda Lingle Wednesday ramped up her war on Democratic lawmakers for their plan to hike taxes. ….. "The Web cast, the public veto Thursday, they are just attempts to create a circus out of this process," said HGEA Union leader Randy Perreira. "Doing this kind of public spectacle like this is ridiculous and frankly a waste of taxpayer money." ….. Earlier Wednesday, on radio shows, the governor said her negotiators have told unions furloughs will be imposed July 1.  

 Related article from the Star Bulletin: Lingle readies veto pen on taxes as lawmakers get set to override

Workers await news on state furloughs

Susan Vela

Lansing State Journal (MI)

May 7, 2009

Uncertainty reigns at the state Capitol and state government offices throughout Michigan while tens of thousands of state employees wait to learn if they'll have to take six unpaid furlough days to help Michigan address a $1.3 billion budget shortfall.  Nearly 38,000 state workers will be furloughed, according to Gov. Jennifer Granholm's executive order on Tuesday.

Benton Harbor school district eyes privatizing bus service

By DAVID WARFIELD

Herald Palladium (MI)

May 6, 2009 1:09 PM

….. Once hired by First Student, Benton Harbor's transportation workers would still receive some health benefits. But those are scaled back significantly from what the workers get through the Michigan Education Association. …. Under First Student, the starting wage for bus monitors would move to $8 an hour, Jefferson said, and drivers would get what she called "an average $1 per hour increase in pay."

Decline in sales tax may force layoffs

By TIM O'BRIEN

Times Union (NY)

Thursday, May 7, 2009

ALBANY A dramatic drop in consumer spending is prompting Albany County to look at deep cuts that could include layoffs, County Executive Michael Breslin said Wednesday. ….. Therese Assalian, a spokesman for the Civil Service Employees Association, said in a e-mailed statement that the union wants to work with the county on savings.  "CSEA recognizes the tough economic times we are in," she wrote. "CSEA has had ongoing discussions with the county on cost-saving initiatives, including an alternative drug purchase program. CSEA has implemented this program in several counties across the state where, on average, a 50 percent savings in prescription drug costs have been realized."

Elected officials target early childhood programs for rescue

by Liz Goodwin

Gotham Schools (NY)

May 7, 2009

With the deadline for next year’s city budget looming, elected officials are eyeing early-childhood centers slated to be cut under Mayor Bloomberg’s proposed budget as a key reduction to reverse. …… Elected officials used the rally, which was organized by the AFSCME public-employees union, which represents ACS workers, to criticize Bloomberg. “If you keep getting on our last nerve, we’re going to turn Gracie Mansion into a daycare,” Councilman Charles Barron, a staunch Bloomberg antagonist, said as the crowd cheered.

Business, German classes cut at Troy schools

By Danielle Sanzone

The Record (NY)

Thursday, May 7, 2009

The proposal to eliminate 62.8 full-time employees at the Enlarged City School District of Troy was summed up in a concise statement by one of many opponents to the layoffs — “not a good idea,” said Walter Cook, a 2002 graduate of Troy High School. …… All in all, the district would cut 50 teachers represented by the Troy Teachers Association and 12 employees with the CSEA, said Seth Cohen, president of the TTA.

State job cuts would hurt Rockland, region

Billy Riccaldo,  president, CSEA Southern Region.

Journal News (NY)

May 7, 2009

Your April 25 editorial ("CSEA doth protest too much," implies that CSEA had a letter opposing state layoffs ready and waiting for Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski's signature. That is not true. In contacting him and asking him to write to Gov. Paterson to express opposition to state layoffs, we offered to show him similar letters of support that some of his colleagues in the Assembly have already written.

School employee faces 26 charges including arson and terrorism

Associated Press (NY)

May 7, 2009

An upstate school district employee accused of bombing a home in 2001 has been indicted on over 20 charges stemming from a probe into allegations that he used violence to intimidate people who crossed him.  State police arrested 60-year-old Steven Raucci (RAW'-see) in February at a Schenectady middle school after a small explosive device was found in his office.  Raucci -- who was also president of the local CSEA unit for school employees -- was charged with arson for allegedly bombing a Rotterdam home in 2001.

 Related articles:

The Gazette: Raucci faces many counts

Times Union: DA: Case about power / 26-count indictment details charges against ex-Schenectady official

Dane County, Madison struggle with revenue shortfall

By MATTHEW DeFOUR and DEAN MOSIMAN

Wisconsin State Journal

WED., MAY 6, 2009 - 9:09 PM

Dane County is considering layoffs as it faces up to a $6 million budget shortfall this year if sales tax and other revenues continue to fall short of predictions.…… Shannon Maier, president of AFSCME Local 720, said the unions are cooperating with the county. "We just want to ensure that our members are treated fairly," Maier said.

Gov. Quinn backs off pension plan

By Doug Finke

GateHouse News Service (IL)

Wed May 06, 2009, 07:34 PM CDT

 Gov. Pat Quinn on Wednesday dropped his proposal to have teachers, state workers and others pay more toward their public pension benefits.  However, Quinn reiterated that the state needs to save money on pension costs and said the way to do that is to put in place a revised plan with lower benefits that will apply to workers hired after a certain date. …… The idea of reducing benefits for future hirees is opposed by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Illinois Federation of Teachers and others whose members belong to the pension systems

More families turning to food pantries; DHS backlog a factor

by Meg Handley

Medill Reports (IL)

May 06, 2009

…… The situation has only worsened with the recession, said Anders Lindall of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31. Rising unemployment has triggered spikes in demand for social services like food stamps, which has increased pressure on an already understaffed DHS, he said.  “It is an everyday occurrence that there are lines out of the building and down the street,” he added.

Chicago parking meters: Firm admits it wasn't ready

By Jon Hilkevitch

Chicago Tribune (IL)

May 5, 2009

 LAZ Parking, a company that does business in 16 states and brings in more than $200 million annually, was poorly prepared to take over Chicago's parking meters when the handoff from the city took place Feb. 13, the firm acknowledges.  It relied heavily on mall security guards and workers from a temporary job-placement agency -- all with no experience in the parking industry -- to reprogram the city's approximately 36,000 meters and change over the decals that provide drivers with rates and rules, company officials said.

Layoffs made in custodial department, future of swing shift still uncertain

By Eric Staples

The Daily (WA)

May 7, 2009

Gene Woodard, director of the custodial division of UW Facilities Services, brought custodians together in a meeting Tuesday to announce that 46 custodial positions will be eliminated in order to manage the custodial division’s 16 percent cuts. …… Meetings between the union representing UW custodians, Washington Federation of State Employees Local 1488 and the university have made little headway in addressing the concerns of swing-shift custodians.

UNIONS: State workers should reject contract

DENNIS REDMON, Redmon is president of the Fair Washington Labor Association

News Tribune (WA)

 05/07/09 

 …… Most state workers don’t know they get to vote on these new contracts. If they vote no, the contracts expire June 30. Most state workers were forced to pay union dues without a vote in 2005. If we vote no, we can stop paying union dues that have gone from $40 to $70 a month in three years. …. Workers should vote no on the new no-raise contract and keep their dues.

Union, mayor, councilors at odds over City Hall cleaning

By JOE LoTEMPLIO

Press Republican (MA)

May 7, 2009

….. Mayor Donald Kasprzak hired the contractor, Champlain Valley Industries, after the previous part-time employee left the job. The union argued that using a contractor was taking away a position to which the union was entitled. The union won the grievance, but rather than hire a part-time employee to clean the building, Kasprzak ordered Public Works Superintendent Mike Brodi to assign workers to the job. …… Denise Nephew, president of the American Federation of County, State and Municipal Employees, said she would like to see the part-time position added.

Bills would hide government workers' birthdates

By RYAN McNEILL

The Dallas Morning News (TX)

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Lawmakers are seeking to restrict information from the public that would make it nearly impossible to identify whether government workers have criminal records, while the state is making millions of dollars selling the very same information about all Texas drivers.

Bill would ease limits on use of state phones, computers

BY PAUL HAMMEL

WORLD-HERALD (NE)

Thursday    May 7, 2009

LINCOLN — Public officials and public employees would be allowed incidental use of government telephones or computers to contact family members, a doctor or a teacher, under a bill given first-round approval Wednesday.

Budget shortfall may delay new Sandy Springs park

By April Hunt

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA)

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

…… The city is negotiating with CH2M Hill, the private Colorado-based firm that provides its day-to-day operations, to cut from its $25.8 million contract.

Tax amnesty program gains committee's OK

By Robert Travis Scott

Times Picayune (LA)

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

…… Another amendment that would let the state contract with a collection agency on a contingency basis would likely increase tax collections under the amnesty program well beyond the expense of hiring the outside firm, revenue Secretary Cynthia Bridges said. A private firm would make more contacts with taxpayers by letter and phone than the agency would be able to handle, Bridges said. Similar amnesty programs in Indiana and Oklahoma collected about four times the amount originally targeted by using outside management firms, she said.

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AFSCME Information Center

Department of Research & Collective Bargaining Services  

American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees

James C. Briner, 56, of Harrisburg, formerly of Sunbury, died at Sunbury Community Hospital on Monday.
He was born in Sunbury, PA on July 4, 1956, the son of Clair S. and Emma L. (Swank) Briner.
He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Granada Conflict from November 1977 to August 1983 and was a 1974 graduate of Shikellamy High School and SUN Vo-Tech. He was working for the West Shore School District and formerly worked for Bob Evans and Gannett Fleming, Inc. Jim loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He was a kind soul to all he encountered. He enjoyed reading, history, movies, and anything to do with car and motorcycles.
Surviving are brothers, Edwin S. and Cynthis S. of Harrisburg, John A. and Cynthia K. of Sunbury; sisters, Ruth S. Hoover Ripple of Sunbury, Fay A. Strickler of Mechanicsburg; nieces and nephews, Cory and Christina Hoover, Chris Hoover and wife, Sheila, Edwin J., Alesha M., Andrew M. and Morgan E. Briner. He was preceded in death by brothers, Alvin C. and Jerry L.; and a nephew, Jonathan A. Briner.
Friends may call at the David T. Zweier Funeral Home, Inc., 157 Chestnut Street, Sunbury, PA from 7-9 p.m., Thursday evening. A funeral will be celebrated at the funeral home Friday at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Pomfret Manor Cemetery, Sunbury.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. John's United Methodist Church, Second & Arch Streets, Sunbury, PA. www.pennlive.com/obits Published in the Patriot-News on 6/11/2008.

At March's Monthly Meeting, there was a issue brought to the attention of the members about the price to hold the meeting at Crossroads Middle School.  The cost to have the meeting at any of the WSSD buildings getting to high for us to pay at this time.  Meeting place ideas were asked for.  If anyone has a free or cheap location that our Local Union can use to host a Monthly Meeting please let an Executive Officer or Steward know.  Church fellowship halls, Town Meeting Halls, Social Club Halls, etc... would work.  We need a place to use for about 2 hours once a month or every other month.  Send your location ideas to Local 2865 Email.  Thank You All.

The past monthly meeting turn out was good, but it would be nice to see more newer faces.  We know that not all members are able to attend the monthly meetings.  Our Local Union has difficulty dispatching information to our large network of members.  Union bulletin boards are trying to be placed in every building in the West Shore School District.  We are still looking for willing members to receive and hang the information on the bulletin boards.  If you are wiling to help out, please contact a Steward or Executive Officer.  Monthly meetings are a way for members to learn about many things like Work Man's Comp, Health Coverage, how the Union works, etc...  When any member comes to a monthly meeting they should be able to say that they learned or confirmed something.  If you would like to learn something please contact a Steward or Executive Officer so they can arrange to have the item taught about during the monthly meeting.  If you have a problem please contact a Steward.  Problems will be dealt with by a Steward as soon as possible.  Do not come to the monthly meeting to have a problem answered or solved.  Problems can not be handled in a timely manner at the monthly meeting.  Please come to the monthly meeting to learn and socialize with your fellow employees.

Rumors and talk come up all the time about the Union and District.  If you hear anything that you are not sure about please don't spead it.  Call a Steward, so they can research the item.  The Steward will find out the truth and report back to you.  Rumors and stories can start by anyone.  We all need to communicate with each other in a way that is proper and appropriate for the situation.  Bulletin boards are being setup, email accounts are being collected, meetings are being arranged so all Support Staff Employees have a chance to get the truth and facts.  Please remember that we all have to unite in order to maintain a good work enviroment.  Someday we all will have a GREAT work enviroment.  Things take time to work out.  NO ONE IS ALONE ANY MORE.

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