http://www.afscmelocal34.org/
AFSCME Council 5, Local 34, Hennepin County Social Services and Related Employees
If You Don't Fight for the Middle Class, Kiss
It Good-Bye
By Jim Hightower, AlterNet - Posted on September 4, 2010
http://www.alternet.org/story/148047/
PO Box 15222, Minneapolis MN
55415-0222
America's corporate chieftains must love poor people, for
they're doing all they can to create millions more of them.
They're knocking down wages, off-shoring everything from
manufacturing jobs to high tech, reducing full-time work to
part-time, downsizing our workplaces, busting unions, cutting
health care coverage and canceling pensions -- while also
lobbying in Washington to privatize Social Security, eliminate
job safety protections, restrict unemployment benefits, kill
job-creating programs and increase corporate control of our
elections.
It's said that the poor and the rich will always be among us.
But nowhere is it written that the middle-class will always be
there. In fact, it is a very recent creation in our society (and
an unavailable dream for most people in the world).
America's great middle class literally arose with the rise of
labor unions and populist political movements in the 1800s,
finally culminating in democratic economic reforms
implemented from the 1930s into the 1960s.
Social Security, wage AND hour laws, collective bargaining
rights, unemployment compensation, the GI Bill, the
interstate highway program, civil rights laws, Medicare, Head
Start -- and more -- provided the national framework
necessary to sustain a middle class for the American
Majority. This essential framework was not "given" to us by
corporate executives and politicians -- indeed, they sputtered,
spewed and fought every piece of it tooth and nail. Rather, it
came from union-led grassroots movements, organizing for
structural change.
This Labor Day, we see corporate executives and their
politicians relentlessly dismantling that framework, piece by
piece -- and we see the middle class disappearing and
poverty rising with each dismantled piece. But as labor icon
Joe Hill said just before he was executed by Utah authorities
for his unionizing activities, "Don't mourn, organize." It's time
for working families to organize again for the revitalization of
the middle class.
Who'll take a stand these days for restoring America's
founding ethic of the common good?
Local 34 Banner
October 2010
October 2010
General Assembly
Wednesday,
October 6, 2010
5:30 pm
Health Services Bldg,
Room 110
Special accommodations will be made for
our physically challenged members.
Please call 596-1003 or 348-0266 if
arrangements need to be made.
October 2010
General Assembly
Wednesday,
November 3, 2010
HSB 110
Local 34 Mailing Address:
L 34 Banner - 10/2010
Issue Contents:
Page 2 – Local 34 Officers & Stewards;
How to Create an Agreement that’s Worth
Something
Page 3 – Highlights of September GA and
E-Board Meetings; Thank You from Betsy
McAfee; Oct 26- Next Wave Labor Movie
Night; Calendars & Contacts
Page 4 – What is a Union Steward?; Delta
Dental Contact Info, Become a Member
Page 5 – Good & Welfare Policy, PEOPLE,
Twin Cities Area Union Restaurants
Page 6 – More from the 2010 AFSCME
International Convention – Resolutions
from the Legislation Committee; Danny
Donohue’s Letter to Activists on Actions of
McEntee & Saunders Continuing Against
Lucy & Donohue Convention Supporters
Page 7 – Politics: Governor’s Race –
AFSCME Shares Why You Should Vote for
Dayton and not Vote for Emmer; Emmer’s
Budget Plan – Anti-Government Employee
Page 8 – 2010 Endorsements by the
Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation
Page 9 – VP Vicki Moore Column on the
Election, Self-Insurance Changes and Thin
Skin Among Child Support Supervisors;
Study on Stress of Managing Home & Job;
AFSCME Family Scholarship (and Others)
Page 10 – Thank You Notes; Tax Policies
Page 11 – VP Wes Volkenant Column on
August Meet & Confer, Quarterly
Steward’s Retreat; In Remembrance:
Chalmers Davis
Page 12 – President Jean Diederich’s
Column on Self-Insurance and Preferred
One; E-Board Vacancy to be Filled in
October, Phone Banks, Human Rights Day
Conference, Care for Aged & Vulnerable
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Note: Submissions for the November 2010 newsletter should be sent to the Editor by Friday, Oct. 15. Submissions for the Dec. 2010 newsletter will be due by Nov. 15.
Local 34 Officers & Stewards
09/01/10
President:
Jean Diederich
348-0266 – HSB - 880
Vice Presidents:
Vicki Moore
348-5939 – GC - 140
Wesley Volkenant
348-9592 – CP - 630
Chief Stewards:
Cathy Cowden
543-0301 – FJC - L890
Carolyn (Johnson) Vreeman 348-8586 – GC - 160
Recording Secretary:
Rita Salone
596-1003 – FJC - L890
Treasurer:
Patrick Regan
348-8760 – FJC - L890
Membership Secretary:
Kela Williams
596-0954 – CP - 630
Sergeant-At-Arms:
Andrea Lazo-Rice
348-2249 – HSB - 960
Members-At-Large:
Ibrahim Adam
348-2313 – HSB 961
Angel Alexander
596-1863 – CP - 630
Jacquelin Poole
348-4246 – HSB - 961
Jacqueline Coleman
543-2605 – NP - N706
Vacancy – to be filled at October E-Board Meeting
Stewards:
Zachary Rice
348-2274, Century Plaza 1
Nancy Scarlotta
348-9452, Century Plaza 2
Fatuma Kassim
596-8457, Century Plaza 2
Jamoda Williams
596-8948, Century Plaza 4
Shaletha Thomas
596-8954, Century Plaza 4
Laura Wright
596-8874, Century Plaza 4
Lynne Kincaid
596-8716, Century Plaza 4
Shawnice Reid
543-2699, NorthPoint Medical
James Stevenson
596-9220, STS
Jim Edin
763-221-4443, STS
Phillip Gray
348-5771, Juvenile Justice Ctr
Terry Grace
348-7308, Juvenile Justice Ctr
Aboubker Ouassaddine
543-0373, Family Justice Ctr
Kathy Kelly
348-6593, Family Justice Ctr
Dana Meyer
596-0214, Family Justice Ctr
Miguel Salazar
348-6800, Family Justice Ctr
Susan Frame
348-0293, Govt Center A15
Monica Jochmans
348-4192, HSB 5
Penny Wile
348-7133, HSB 9
Nafisa Farah
596-1705, 6601 Shingle Creek
Kristine Heckler
752-8332, Crystal Drop-in Ctr.
Elena Izaksonas
521-3056, 4th Precinct Station
Ed Kusleika
612-919-2884, ACF – HomeMonitor
Pamela Shones
763-413-3113, 1800 Chicago
Maureen Glover
348-4492, 1800 Chicago
Dennis Moore
879-3560, 1800 Chicago
Jeff Meyer
348-5880, 1800 Chicago
Sheila Lipsco
348-4204, 1800 Chicago
Mara Hill
596-7161, 1800 Chicago
Martha Dille
612-964-1778, Grain Exchange
Trustees
Audie Lussier, Osman Farah, Vacant
Delta Dental Trustee
Monica Jochmans
Local 34 Banner
How to Create an Agreement That's Worth Something...
by ROWE Internal Change Agent – and new Local 34 Chief Steward Carolyn (Johnson) Vreeman
I've heard individuals and teams talk about how difficult it is to develop a team agreement.
People talk about feeling unheard, disliked, disorganized, chaotic, and humbled by this task. I
say, "Good job!"
Working as a functional team is hard work.
It takes dedication, loyalty, respect,
communication, and a strong investment in the goals of the team. If you're starting to develop
those team agreements and you're feeling "normal," something is wrong! If you're feeling any
of the negative feelings stated above, talk about it with your team! WHY are you feeling this
way? WHAT can you, as a valued member of the team and department, do to change what is
happening in your unit?
A ROWE doesn't take the personalities out of the workplace (we need those to build character),
a ROWE VALUES our differences and gives us the opportunity to work together as a team to get
the job done. Make yourself valued in the team. Do your part!
Recently, a team asked me if people in a ROWE are allowed to judge how others spend their
time. They were developing a team agreement for providing coverage when someone was ill they were judging each other for not stepping in at the last minute...which was forcing people to
use socially acceptable excuses! Are we going back to that??
Here is the deal: if someone says, "I can't work that shift," we need to assume that they are A)
Dedicated, B) Loyal, C) Respectful, D) Communicative, and E) have a Strong Investment in the
work. They are saying that they can't cover that shift because they CANNOT. It doesn't matter
WHY. It's painful to spend quality brain power sludging them about how they spend their time,
and it's unproductive. Now, if everyone on the unit decides that they also cannot cover that
shift, who is responsible? The ENTIRE TEAM! The whole kit and caboodle of your team should
be held responsible for work that is not done because the entire team is responsible for doing
the work. So, go back to the drawing board. Figure out what would work for your team in the
future to provide coverage in this situation, and remember to assume that each person has the
best intentions in everything you do. It's less painful. I guarantee it. Take responsibility and Be
Kind to One Another.
We all have those underachievers in our midst...those people we believe don't do a lick of work
and get paid for it, but as you transition to a true ROWE at Hennepin, you will start to
understand what "underachieving" and "overachieving" really means! It's different in a ROWE!
So, it would be in your best interest to wipe that slate clean...you know, the one that has the
underachievers listed in one column and the overachievers listed in another... wipe that clean
and work together to figure out who has strengths in what areas and how you all, as a team,
can provide the best service for your part of the Mission. We're not here working in HSPHD to
shame each other for having different strengths. We are here to capitalize on those strengths
to better achieve our team goals and do our part to achieve our mission.
Finally, the conundrum that we have identified: we have teams: great, effective, productive,
functional teams, who are struggling to create an effective team agreement. Here is why: you
are missing information. You are leaving your supervisor out of the team agreement, which
means that the information that is in your supervisor's brain is not involved in the agreement.
It's like making a cake without the recipe! If you don't have all of the information laid out in
front of you, you might forget the sugar! Your supervisor has valuable information that you
need in order to create a team agreement that is worth something. They are a valuable part of
your team!
Let me share an example that has occurred recently: a team decided to create an agreement.
They went to all lengths to focus on the best client service they could offer and develop a plan
that would allow them to focus all of their time and energy on awesome client service.
However, they were missing a piece. They were not aware of an agreement with the state that
dictated certain tasks that were directly related to funding for their program. They didn't know
that what they considered a waste of time was actually securing the funding for their clients.
Guess who knew? So, when they invited their supervisor into the conversation, they were able
to develop a team agreement that made sense to everyone for now, AND they went the extra
mile to propose changes to agreement with the state that would help them better serve their
clients and receive the funding they need to stay in business. Let's always remember as we
make these agreements: they are for now. Next week, next month, next year, in 10 years, they
will be different.
Now, HSPHD has incredible, hardworking, loyal, dedicated, caring individuals working here. If
this describes you, raise your hand. No one needs to see you at this very moment. Your work
speaks for you, and your team already knows it.
October 2010
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Local 34 has a Member-at-Large Vacancy on the E-Board. YOU can represent our membership! A new officer will be chosen at the October 18 meeting.
Council 5 Business Representative:
Matt Nelson
651-287-0578
e-mail Matt at:
matt.nelson@afscmemn.org
Council 5 Contact Information:
300 Hardman Avenue South,
South Saint Paul, Minnesota 55075-2469
(651) 450-4990 Fax: (651) 450-1908
To Contact the Newsletter Editor:
Call or e-mail—
Wesley Volkenant - 612-348-9592
For Distribution concerns, contact:
Rhonda Griffin at 612-543-0353
Internet Web Site Developer:
John Herzog – 952-492-5233
UPCOMING LOCAL 34
MEETING SCHEDULE
October
6th General Assembly - HSB 110
20th E-Board – HSB 917 – 5:30pm
November
3rd General Assembly - HSB 110
17th E-Board – HSB 917 – 5:30pm
October 2010
S M T W T F S
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November 2010
S M T W T F S
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27
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Upcoming AFSCME Training
Basic Steward Training ($50)
October 12-13, South St. Paul Office
Highlights from the September General Assembly—September 1, 2010
Officers attending were: Wes Volkenant, Patrick Regan, Cathy Cowden, Kela Williams, Vicki Moore,
Rita Salone, Angel Alexander, Andrea Lazo-Rice, Sabrina Denson, Jacqueline Coleman
and Jacquelin Poole
Excused Absence: Jean Diederich, Cathy Cowden, Carolyn (Johnson) Vreeman Absent: Ibrahim Adam
A motion was passed to send $300 to the family of Chalmers Davis as a memorial gift and
to help defray costs associated with his funeral in Minneapolis
Tigger Lunney gave a Council 5 presentation on the need for phone bank assistance in this
year’s campaign. Local 34 agreed to send people specifically on Thursday, September 16
at Council 5 and Thursday, October 14 at the Council 5 office in South St. Paul.
Jacquelin Poole and Wes Volkenant presented a proposed Local 34 Constitutional
amendment for first reading. This will change the election of officers beginning in 2011,
as the Local proposes moving to staggered terms. In 2011, some positions will be filled for
two years, while the other half of the offices would then be up for re-election in 2012, and
begin two years terms at that time. The second reading and vote for – or against – will be
at the October GA meeting.
Discussion was lively on two topics: local union restaurants (see page 5) and engaging our
membership and how mapping the Local in 2011 would help.
The Local approved renewing our NAACP membership at $100.
Highlights from the September 15, 2010 E-Board Meeting
The Board approved placing a 1/6 page ad in the special election issue of the Minneapolis
Labor review at a cost of $346.50.
As noted in President Diederich’s column, the Board approved purchasing two $175 tickets
to the 27th Annual Human Rights Day Conference & Forum on December 3, 2010, and to
cover lost time, parking and mileage, with attendees chosen at the November GA meeting.
The Board approved a $66 purchase of two adult and two child tickets to the 17 th Annual
Tubman Wing Ding event on September 30, with the President sending out notice for
volunteers to attend – it coincides with the Council 5 Convention in Bloomington.
President Diederich updated the Board on the Council 5 Convention schedule and on
upcoming updates to APEX shared by HR’s Rafe Viscasillas.
The Board approved three PEOPLE motions: $100 to Commissioner Peter McLaughlin’s
September 27 fundraiser at Kieran’s Pub; $250 to Representative Lyndon Carlson of
District 45B, and $250 to the DFL Senate Caucus fundraiser on September 22, 2010.
Matt Nelson reported that the County expects to hold Families premiums flat for 2011 – a
$0 increase. Singles premiums are still expected to increase, per the contract, by $7.50 in
December 2010 to $32.50 per month. Discussion of the Preferred One claims
administration selection followed – which President Diederich discusses on Page 12.
Next Wave Labor Movie Night: "At the River I Stand"
What: This empowering movie shows Martin Luther King Jr.'s support for AFSCME sanitation
workers in Memphis and the climax of the civil rights movement, including his tragic death.
When: 10/26/2010 at 7:00 PM
Where: Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, 312 Central Ave SE, Minneapolis - Room 216
**Free pizza and pop**
Thank You Notes
Dear Eliot and Staff:
Who We Are
AFSCME’s 1.6 million members provide the
vital services that make America happen. With
members in hundreds of different occupations
— from nurses to corrections officers, child
care providers to sanitation workers —
AFSCME is the voice of the dedicated workers
who take care of America, and is a leading
advocate for all working families.
This thank you is long overdue, however, writing this note has been a difficult task; I have
started and stopped many times. First, thank you for your generous memorial gift in Mark’s
name, and for the beautiful floral bouquet sent for his memorial service. Most of all, I know
that Mark would want me to thank you, on his behalf, for the opportunity to work for the
AFSCME organization. He took great pride in being a part of the AFSCME family and truly loved
his work and the people he worked with and for.
Right now, I can’t imagine a world without him, but I know that his spirit lives on in your mission
to better the lives of working people in Minnesota, a cause Mark believed in with all his heart. I
am grateful for your kind expressions of support and friendship, and I wish you great success as
you continue to fight for a better quality of life for all Minnesotans.
Betsy McAfee
The Local also received a thank you for our $300 quarterly gift to Alliance Housing Inc.
Local 34 Banner
October 2010
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Are You New to the County?
Just transferred into Local 34?
To sign up as a union member or to get answers to
questions about AFSCME and membership benefits,
please complete this form and send it to:
Kela Williams, Membership Secretary
CP – mail code 630 – 612-596-0954
Name
_______________________________
Job Title
____________________________________
Work Location
____________________________________
Mail Code _________
Phone _________________
I’m especially interested:
□
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I want to sign up as a member
I want to sign up for Delta Dental
To receive Delta Dental Insurance
information: contact Cindy Pince at
Council 5– 651-287-0564
Are you interested in setting the Local 34 website
as your Microsoft Explorer home page? If so, go to
the website address listed on the front page. Click
on “Tools” in the menu bar at the top of your page.
Select “Internet Options.” Under the “General”
tab, find the option for Home Page, and copy the
Local 34 address there. The next time you bring up
your Internet connection, the website will be your
new Home Page.
Do You Have Friends Who Would Like to
Receive Our Newsletter?
There is now a quick and simple way for you to become
informed on a wide variety of issues concerning
AFSCME Local 34. Just sign yourself up for our free
on-line newsletter! Please follow the directions below…
 Send an e-mail to the following address:
cwvolkenant@msn.com
 In the Subject Line or Text, state “Subscribe to 34
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 You will receive a confirmation e-mail within a week; you
should have the latest issue attached, so you can
determine if you will be able to receive – and read – the
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Note: if at any time you want to stop receiving these
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the most recent version. You can also access us from our
Local 34 Website at: http://www.afscmelocal34.org
Local 34 Banner
For Our Stewards and Members Who Need Assistance:
WHAT IS A UNION STEWARD?
A union steward is an employee just like you. They
have a job to do every day, and they answer to the
same management that you do.
The key difference, though, is that a union steward has
the training, the tools, and the protections to help you
and other employees solve problems at work!
If you think you have a problem, then perhaps your
steward can help you. He/she has been trained by the
union and has special legal protections to enable them to stand up for employees
when management isn't being reasonable.
You have employment rights, not only through laws, but also through your collective
bargaining agreement. A union steward helps you understand those rights. Their
primary role is to communicate with you and your co-workers.
A Union Steward is a Communicator, Organizer, Representative, and Leader. They
make themselves available to answer questions and assist employees with Union
issues in the workplace. Stewards are also problem solvers.
Communication
Your steward will make sure to inform members about what's going on in the union
- by handing out newsletters and flyers, putting information on the union bulletin
board, and by simply talking to people. Your steward also plays the role of feeding
your ideas and issues back into the other parts of the union, such as the staff and
the Executive Board.
Organizing and Mobilizing Members
This is considered the union stewards' #1 job. The strength of our union at any point
in time is simply the total energy and support of the members who can be
mobilized. When more members get involved, we can accomplish more - at our
workplaces as well as statewide. All the other work stewards do - representation,
communication, and education - is done with an eye to strengthening and increasing
involvement in the union.
Representation
When you think you're in trouble: If you have a meeting with management that you
believe is an investigatory interview with the possible purpose of taking disciplinary
action against you, you have the right to have your union steward at the meeting.
This is also known as your "Weingarten Rights."
When you have a problem that needs solving: A term you may be familiar with is
"filing a grievance." A grievance is an allegation that management has violated the
terms of the contract. Not every problem is a violation of the contract, and not every
problem requires a grievance. Your steward may have other ways, both formal and
informal, for solving problems.
Local Stewards build the Union by helping workers empower themselves. They
encourage involvement so that the Local Union can demonstrate strength and
solidarity in order to bargain better contracts and make positive changes for
workers.
Some AFSCME locals appoint stewards (as Local 34 does) while in other locals they
are elected by the membership. AFSCME Council 5 provides training for stewards. If
you have any interest in becoming a steward or know a co-workers that would make
a good Union Representative, contact your local President or Chief Steward.
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http://www.seiu1984.org/onthejob/What_is_a_Union_Steward_.aspx
http://afscmemn.org/afscme-stewards
October 2010
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Good and Welfare
The Good and Welfare Committee was
established to send remembrances to dues
paying members at times of happiness or
sorrow. This includes marriages, the birth or
adoption of a child, prolonged illness or
hospitalization, or the death of a member,
immediate family member or significant other –
as defined in the Contract.
As requested at the September GA meeting, we’re printing a list of area Union
restaurants, per Unite Here Local 17:
http://uniteherelocal17.org/Home/UnionRestaurants
Basil’s
701 Marquette
Minneapolis, MN 55402
612/376-7404
DO NOT PATRONIZE
 Murray’s Restaurant
 Red’s Savoy Inn
 Grand Hotel
River Gardens
2500 Marshall St. NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
612/789-9728
In the case of surgery or prolonged illness,
or for the birth or adoption of a child, flowers
or plants can be sent to a member.
The Saint Paul Grill
350 Market Street
St. Paul, MN 55102
651/228-3870
Mac’s Industrial Bar
312 Central Ave. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
612/379-3379
Jimmy’s
1828 4th Street NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
612/788-1383
In situations involving the death of a member
or a death in the family of a member,
memorials can be sent. (“Family” is defined the
same as in Article 16 – Funeral Leave – in our
contract; it includes:
Cosmo’s
601 1st Avenue N.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612/312-1168
M Street Café
350 Market Street
St. Paul, MN
651/228-3855
Bradstreet
601 1st Avenue N.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-312-1168
Mancini’s
531 W. 7th Street
St. Paul, MN 55102
651/224-7345
Jax Cafe
1928 University Ave.NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
612/781-8300
Schooner Bar
2903 27th Ave. So.
Minneapolis, MN 55406
612/729-4365
Pazzaluna Urban Trattoria
360 St. Peter Street
St. Paul, MN 55102
651/223-7000
FireLake Grill House
31 So 7th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402
612-216-3473
Minneapolis Club
729 2nd Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN 55402
612/332-2292
Commercial Club
938 South Robert
St. Paul, MN 55118
651/451-4070
David Fong’s
9329 Lyndale Ave. S
Minneapolis, MN 55420
952/888-9294
HMS HOST
Minneapolis/St. Paul
International Airport
Nye’s Polonaise
112 E. Hennepin
Minneapolis, MN 55414
612/379-2021
Broadway Pizza
2025 W. River Road
Minneapolis, MN 55411
612/529-7666
Skywater
1001 Marquette
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612/397-4927
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spouse,
child,
significant other,
aunt/uncle,
father/mother,
sister/brother,
grandparent/grandparent-in-law,
grandchildren,
niece/nephew, or
a person regarded as a member of the
member’s immediate family).
In the event of members getting married,
retiring, gaining U.S. citizenship, or for a
death in the family of a member or in the case
of the death of a member, a card can be sent to
the family.
Please send all requests for remembrances to
the co-Chairs for the Good and Welfare
Committee - Lisa Durkot (MC 965) or Merry
Brigham (MC L890). The referrals must include
the name of the member and the reason for your
request. If the request is for a plant or flowers,
you will also need to include the person’s home
phone number for delivery purposes.
Sign Up for the PEOPLE Fund
The AFSCME People Fund is AFSCME’s political
action fund, and is used to support our
endorsed candidates. If many members
voluntarily pledge as little as $2.00 a payroll
period, our ability to get our endorsed
candidates elected, will be greatly enhanced. At
$4.00 per pay period, a contributor receives an
AFSCME green jacket. Please contact
Jacqueline Coleman at 543-2605 to sign up now!
Barack Obama: “Equal pay is by no means just a
women’s issue – it’s a family issue.” 1-29-2009
Local 34 Banner
How the DFL and GOP Differ on the Economy
In a debate question about JOBZ (Tim Pawlenty’s failed tax incentive program), Mark
Dayton said that the program itself was flawed, but that he was behind providing
incentives to bring new businesses to Minnesota. Tom Emmer, in response, said that
he doesn’t agree the government can ever create jobs — only kill jobs.
That’s really quite a shocking position for Emmer to take. Dayton was making what I
thought was an uncontroversial statement: That incentives for businesses sometimes
make sense. Emmer, though, doesn’t believe government can ever do anything to
spark business growth or innovation.
That amazes me, because I can think of so many ways that our government provides
value for businesses. Infrastructure helps businesses move their products. Our
education system creates an effective workforce. Even our social safety net — which
the Republicans have been trying to undermine — is crucial. How many entrepreneurs
would be willing to take risks if failure meant a lifetime of poverty they couldn’t climb
out of?
Dayton, for his part, believes that many of the things our government does are
good for business. He pointed out that Minnesota’s GDP growth exceeded South
Dakota’s for decades, until we slashed our income tax rates. One would expect that,
given Tom Emmer’s economic theories, our economy should have taken off when
taxes were decreased. So what happened?
http://mnpublius.com/post/1009347510/the-big-difference-between-the-dfl-and-gop-on-the
October 2010
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More from the 2010 AFSCME International Convention
Post-Convention Fallout (from Danny Donohue)
Dear AFSCME Brothers and Sisters:
If you attended the recent International Convention-or got a
report on it-you know that the election for SecretaryTreasurer was exceptionally hard-fought. Lee Saunders
ended up prevailing by only the smallest of margins (less
than 1% of the votes cast). The convention was not just
about an election, though. It was also about the birth of a
movement to reclaim our union for the members, to insist
that the democracy that has always been our hallmark be
preserved and strengthened, and to refocus the resources
of the national union on the unprecedented fights AFSCME
members are waging every day. When the convention
ended, many were disturbed-even angry-at what they had
witnessed-a shocking lack of balance and fairness in the
conduct of the election. I pledged that I would bring these
concerns to the International Executive Board and propose
an independent review of the entire election. And I did just
that at the IEB meeting that immediately the convention.
It pains me to have to tell you that President McEntee began
that meeting by attacking those who dared to question the
conduct of the election and demanding that any attempt to
review the election process be rejected out of hand. Bowing
to his insistence, a majority of the IEB voted down any form
of review, even one conducted by an internal committee
appointed by the president. We were stunned by this utter
indifference to the genuine concerns so many delegates had
expressed. My campaign was about restoring our union to
the members-and making the battles we confront at the
grassroots level everyday the International Union's first
priority. Though that campaign is over, its cause is clearly
more urgent than ever. Since the Board meeting there
have been further signs that power plays and petty
politicking continue to drive many of the decisions coming
out of International headquarters. Here are some examples:
 Jerry McEntee and Lee Saunders sent a letter to AFL-CIO
President Rich Trumka alleging that Bill Lucy is not an AFSCME
member and demanding that he be immediately removed from
his position on the AFL-CIO Executive Council--even though his
term does not expire until 2013. President Trumka did not bow
to their demand and Bill remains on the Executive Council.
 McEntee and Saunders continue to seek Bill Lucy's removal
even though Lee has been added to the Executive Council and
Jerry, of course, remains on it. Councils that did not support
Saunders have had their grants cut and/or withheld. In some
instances, these councils are being bypassed, and political
contributions to legislators in some states are flowing directly
from the International Union to state legislative candidates.
In our continuing coverage of the resolutions adopted by the AFSCME International
Convention, in Boston, in June and July 2010, we move on to of the Committees with
a number of resolutions considered. The Legislation Committee considered eleven
resolutions, one of which was referred to the International Executive Board
(Commercial Drivers License Suspensions) and two were not brought forth before the
Convention for our consideration (Honoring All Veterans with a Day Off of Work and
AFSCME-Supported Lawmakers to Strive to Keep America First).
Nine of the Health Care resolutions were adopted; they dealt with: Federal Operating
Assistance for Public Transit (AFSCME should work with Congress to pass legislation
in Congress to provide federal operating assistance to public transit agencies without
regard to size); Child Nutrition Expansion (AFSCME calls on Congress to improve “The
Access to Nutritious Meals for Young Children Act of 2009” to include improvements
in Child Nutrition Reauthorization and invest an additional $1 billion prer year in child
nutrition programs); TANF Reauthorization (AFSCME urges Congress to recognize
reduction of povert as the primary goal of TANF and to reject the current “Work First”
emphasis at the expense of education, training and subsidized employment. AFSCME
encourages Congress to increase the TANF state block grants and extend the extend
the Emergency TANF fund beyonfd its scheduled expiration, while strengthening TANF
non-displacement protections and giving the federal government authgority to enforce
worker protections); Paid Parental Leave (AFSCME will promote federally-mandated
parental leave and lobby the White House Council on Women and Girls to establish
policies balancing work and family); Protecting Public Housing – as amended
(AFSCME will lobby for significantly-increased funding for the maintenance,
weatherization and repair of existing public housing and the construction of new
public housing developments); Supporting 45 Years of the Head Start Program
(AFSCME will fight for the recommended $986 million proposed for Head Start in
2011, and will continue to organize unorganized Head Start and other child care
workers); Strengthening the Wagner-Peyser System (AFSCME urges Congress – as
part of the Workforce Investment Act – to support innovative funding designed to
strengthen and upgrade the career counseling capacity of state employment
agencies); Supporting Children and Families Nationally Through Federal Grants
(AFSCME calls for a $1 billion increases for the 2011 Child Care and Development
Block Grant and the Child and Adult Care Food Program); and Strengthening the
Financial Integrity of the Unemployment Insurance Program (AFSCME urges Congress
to raise the federal taxable wage base, index it and establish a new federal solvency
standard for state Unemployment Insurance trust funds. AFSCME supports
government investment in detecting and prosecuting independent contractor abuses
and urges Congress to provide increased funding for state unenmployment insurance
agencies to upgrade and modernize state computer systems).
The Resolutions Committee took up 33 resolutions, several of which were not brought
to the Convention for consideration. They included: Recognizing Contributions of First
Generation Immigrants (AFSCME will welcome immigrants to our union), Co-Operative
for International assistance must filter through the regional
directors who were the key political operatives in the Saunders
(support for union-friendly co-ops), Child Care (called for increasing the number of
campaign rather than to the appropriate department directors
people who can receive subsidized child care), Build the Movement to Defend Public
who previously responded to calls for help.
Education (supports a September 26, 2010 national Rally for Public Education), Build
 The problems that confront AFSCME members in this era of
the Movement to Defend Detroit (take a stand to defend Detroit against organized
budget-tightening, layoffs, pension cutbacks and service cuts are
efforts to depopulate the city, dismantle its schools and degrade its public workers),
far too serious to take a back seat to such internal politicking.
Scholarships for AFSCME Adult Members (develop an AFSCME Members Adult
We learned at the Convention that when we stand together, we
Scholarship/Grant Program), Support the Troops, Bring Them Home, Rebuild America
have the potential to make real change. There will be another
International election in just two years-and in the interim there
(called for immediate end to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, bringing troops home and
will be dozens of vital challenges and decisions that will
redirecting war funds to national rebuilding), Supporting Organized, Safe, Quality and
confront our union. So in the coming weeks, we will be reaching
Affordable Center-Based Child Care in New York City, Honoring AFSCME Local 1598
out to everyone who has expressed support for a new direction
(celebrated its 50th Anniversary in October 2008), and Establish the William Lucy
to talk about how we can continue to work together to ensure
that AFSCME can meet the grave challenges that lay before us. Labor Scholarship Fund (with $50,000 seed money from AFSCME, and contributions
from councils and locals).
Danny Donohue President - CSEA/AFSCME
 McEntee and Saunders have advised affiliates that all requests
Local 34 Banner
October 2010
-6-
Closing in on Election Day 2010 – This Governor’s Race Matters!
AFSCME Members Need a Governor Who Supports Us –
and the Work We Do!
Emmer’s Budget Plan
http://afscmemn.org/emmer%E2%80%99s-budget-plan
Tom Emmer wants to be governor, but for
months he has failed to produce a plan to fix the
state’s $5.8 billion budget deficit. First, he buried
his head in the sand and ignored the problem.
Then, he increased the deficit by proposing new
corporate tax breaks we can’t afford. Finally, on
Sept. 14, he released his long-awaited plan to
destroy Minnesota. His fix would slash our jobs,
hurt our schools and increase our property taxes.
Read reaction from the Dayton campaign and
from the mayors of St. Paul and Hibbing:
Dayton’s spokesperson, Katie Tinucci; “Rep.
Emmer's plan will cut funding for higher
education by 14 percent, K-12 education by 14
percent, and Local Government Aid by 33
percent. He will thus cause huge increases in
property taxes, higher college tuitions and
seriously damage the quality of education
throughout Minnesota. Furthermore, his drastic
cuts in funding for health and human services will
restrict access to essential health care for those
most in need."
Why Vote for Mark Dayton?
“I believe that good public services are essential.” – Mark Dayton
“I will cut government by a third.” - Tom Emmer
Why You Shouldn’t Vote for Tom Emmer:
Tom Emmer wants to eliminate our defined benefit pensions.
Mark Dayton will protect our public pensions so we can retire
with dignity.
From afscmemn.org:
Governor-wannabe Tom Emmer says
public employees have it too good. He recently told business
leaders that he’d eliminate our defined benefit pensions: “They
[public employees] get the guarantee of their secure future,
while the rest of us, if we’re lucky enough to have a 401k plan, are watching it ride the
rollercoaster of the market and we’re either delaying retirement or wondering if we’re ever
going to be able to retire.”
AFSCME-endorsed Mark Dayton jabbed back: “They bargain for those benefits. To denigrate
people because they want retirement security is really misguided.” We’ve sacrificed wages for
better benefits and we won’t let Tom Emmer take them away.
http://afscmemn.org/emmer-attacks-our-pensions
Why Vote for Mark Dayton?
Mark Dayton understands and supports our work. He was a good boss at three state agencies.
He’s been a public employee, as a NY City teacher, and as a social worker.
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman: "Tom Emmer’s
budget plan is a continuation of the last 8 years
under Tim Pawlenty’s disastrous fiscal
management, which has left Minnesotans
struggling in the face of the largest property tax
increase in a generation. The Emmer plan will
result in huge tax increases, severe cuts to core
public safety services and drastically change the
quality of life our residents want and deserve.”
Tom Emmer, the Delano attorney representing insurance companies and self-insured entities,
would cut $20 billion in vital public services and eliminate 14 state agencies and thousands of
AFSCME jobs.
Hibbing Mayor Rick Wolff, President of the
Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities: “Under
Tom Emmer’s plan, we’ll all feel the pain when
we dig deeper into our wallets to pay more for the
services that keep our communities strong:
police, fire protection, libraries, parks, snow
plowing, senior centers and more.”
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For More on the Emmer Budget:
 http://www.minnpost.com/marylahammer/2010/09/
15/21453/emmer_releases_final_phase_of_his_bud
get_plan_filled_with_hope_and_frustration
 http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2010/09/10/21327
/part_2_of_tom_emmers_budget_plan_overshado
ws_todays_education_debate
 http://capitolchat.areavoices.com/2010/09/14/dayto
n-tax-plan-nearly-100000-taxpayers-would-pay-1-9billion/
 http://www.mndaily.com/2010/09/14/emmer%E2%8
0%99s-budget-plan-would-cut-400-mil-higher-ed
 http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentary/1
03101464.html
Local 34 Banner
Why You Shouldn’t Vote for Tom Emmer:
Tom Emmer voted against HF 2695 in the 2010 legislative session – a “jobs creation” bill that
would have included:
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An investment credit for “angel” type venture capital investments
A refundable historic structure rehabilitation credit
Authority for local governments to finance energy conservation improvements and collect repayments
as special assessments (at the request of the property owner)
Authority of the Public Finance Authority to issue revenue bonds for city transportation projects
Compact development tax increment financing districts
Expanded authority to temporarily use TIF for economic development
Expanded authority to use excess TIF revenues for construction of new private development
Provision of modified JOBZ benefits to the Ford Motor Company site in St. Paul, if certain conditions
are met
Expanded authority for several cities to use TIF for housing replacement
Additional flexibility for the city of Bloomington to develop the Mall of America site
An appropriation for additional tax compliance activities expected to result in new general fund
revenue beginning in fiscal year 2011
Distributions to taconite cities and townships for public works projects (from taconite production
revenue) and makes other miscellaneous mineral changes
As Commissioner of Economic Development, Mark Dayton brought thousands of new jobs to
Minnesota with good wages and benefits.
Why Vote for Mark Dayton?
The richest Minnesotans pay only two-thirds of their fair share of state and local taxes. Mark
Dayton supports raising taxes on the rich – not on the rest of us.
Not Tom Emmer, who plans to gut public services and cut AFSCME jobs in order to protect tax
breaks for the rich, and for his friends in large corporations.
And Tom Horner, the Independence Party candidate… he wants to extend the state sales tax to
clothing and services like haircuts, while reducing the tax a penny. Although Horner calls for a
sales tax credit for low income families, Dayton notes the regressive tax will fall
disproportionately on the poor.
October 2010
-7-
2010 Endorsements
STATE RACES
(Minnesota AFL-CIO endorsements)
District 62A
Jim Davnie
This list last updated 8-11-10
Minnesota House
LOCAL RACES
District 19A
Barrett Chrissis
District 62B
Jean Wagenius
Minneapolis Regional Labor
Federation, AFL-CIO
Anoka County Board:
1st District
Natalie Steffen
District 19B
Chris Brazelton
4th District
Jim Kordiak
District 32B
Katie Rodriquez
Brooklyn Center City Council:
At-Large
Daniel Ryan
District 34A
Leanne Kunze
Brooklyn Park Council:
Central District
Rich Gates
Carver County Board:
3rd District
Randy Maluchnik
Crystal City Council:
Ward 2
Joe Selton
District 40B
Ann Lenczewski
District 41B
Paul Rosenthal
District 43A
Audrey Britton
District 43B
John Benson
District 44A
Steve Simon
District 45A
Sandra Peterson
Hennepin County Board:
3rd District
Gail Dorfman
District 45B
Lyndon Carlson
Minneapolis School Board:
At-Large
Richard Mammen
1st District
Jenny Arneson
3rd District
Hussein Samatar
5th District
Alberto Monserrate
Otsego City Council:
Douglas Schroeder
Richfield City Council:
At-Large
Sue Sandahl
Local 34 Banner
District 34
Laura Helmer
District 45
Ann Rest
District 46
Linda Scheid
District 47
Leo Foley
District 49
Paul Meunier
District 51
Don Betzold
District 59
Larry Pogemiller
Hennepin County Attorney:
Mike Freeman
4th District
Peter McLaughlin
Minnesota Senate
District 46A
Michael Nelson
District 47A
Denise Dittrich
District 47B
Melissa Hortman
District 60
Scott Dibble
District 63
Ken Kelash
Minnesota Governor/Lt. Governor
Mark Dayton/Yvonne Prettner Solon
Minnesota Secretary of State
Mark Ritchie
Minnesota State Auditor
Rebecca Otto
FEDERAL RACES
District 50A
Carolyn Laine
U.S. Congress
(Minnesota AFL-CIO endorsements)
District 51A
Zak Chlebeck
3rd District
Jim Meffert
District 58A
Joe Mullery
District 60A
Marion Greene
District 60B
Frank Hornstein
October 2010
5th District
Keith Ellison
6th District
Tarryl Clark
-8-
AFSCME Family Scholarship
Knowledge Is Power
Looking for financial support for college? Each
year the AFSCME Family Scholarship Program
provides ten $2,000 scholarships to high school
seniors that will be renewed for $2,000 each year
for a maximum of four years, provided the
student remains enrolled in a full-time course of
study. The scholarship may be used for any field
of study.
Are You Eligible?
To be eligible, you must:
o Be a graduating high school senior
o Be a daughter, son or financially dependent
grandchild of an active or retired, full duespaying AFSCME member.
o Be an applicant to an accredited college or
university and subsequently accepted as a
full-time student in a four year degree
program.
How to Apply
To apply, you must meet all eligibility
requirements as identified above. Make sure your
complete application, with all support
documentation (essay, transcripts, letters of
recommendations, SAT or ACT scores, proof of
AFSCME membership, etc.), is mailed together
in one envelope, POSTMARKED NO LATER
THAN DECEMBER 31, to:
AFSCME Family Scholarship Program
Attention: AFSCME Advantage
1625 L Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
If you have any questions, please call us at (202)
429-5066.
PARISI SCHOLARSHIP FOR LABOR LEADERS
The Joey Parisi Memorial Scholarship has been
developed to fit the needs of union leaders who want
to earn a degree in labor studies, but who are unable
to attend classes regularly in traditional colleges. An
essay is required as part of the application process.
The deadline for applications is October 31st of each
year.
NADRA FLOYD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP &
NATIONAL LABOR COLLEGE DEGREE PROGRAM
A dedicated trade unionist committed to her union, her
family and the civil rights movement passed away in
November 2001. To honor her memory, the Nadra
Floyd Memorial Scholarship was established and
continues today as a tribute to her legacy of
commitment to the labor movement. Application
deadline is December 1.
http://afscmemn.org/afscme-council-5-2007-scholarships
Local 34 Banner
View from the Cheap Seats
Vicki Moore, Local 34 Vice President
The election in November is a very important election. I know that I always say that. It is
always true. Minnesota is faced with a very large budget deficit. Whoever is elected Governor
will have a lot to say about how it is resolved. Whoever is elected as a Representative or
Senator will be important team members. The stress between revenue and services and
property taxes really has to be resolved. Please take the time to educate yourselves on the
issues. Ask yourself what is in your best interests as a person, family member, social service
professional and community member. The information is out there. It is possible to see
through the spin. I know that each of you can do this work and come to a conclusion so I am
not going to tell you who to support and who not to support. It is equally important that you
share your knowledge of the issues with your friends, family and neighbors and take the
personal responsibility to make sure that they get to their polling place to vote. As we well
know, every vote counts. Local 34 members have friends, family and neighbors who are
putting themselves in harm’s way to guarantee that people in other countries have the right
to vote. Don’t squander this opportunity to make your voice heard.
No matter who gets elected, we will need to continue to engage the process. How will the
State budget be balanced? As front-line workers, we all have important experiences to share
with those elected to represent us. You can do this on your own or you can do this as a
member of Local 34. What is important is that you do it.
A few months ago, I wrote a column on a policy in the Child Support area of HSPHD. The
column was aimed at a policy. It was not aimed at any particular supervisor. However, I am
hearing that several supervisors believe that it was all about them. I have also heard that
disparaging comments have been made about me. Quite frankly the comments fall way
outside of Hennepin County’s Dignity and Respect Policy. It is unfortunate that some
supervisors believe they are exempt from that policy. It is equally unfortunate that a few
supervisors tarnish the work of the vast majority of supervisors and lower worker morale
rather than that utilize the strength-based tools they are trained to use when they were
trained to be supervisors. A few of my younger colleagues have suggested going TMZ on the
offenders. I’m not sure that would resolve anything other than to escalate those who need
coaching and not embarrassment. So to be clear I am not now or in the past imagining
particular supervisors as I write this column. I am interested in policies and not personalities.
If anyone wants to have a direct conversation with me, please do so.
And finally a few words on self-insurance. This can be a good thing. It has worked for the
State of Minnesota and for Scott County. It is possible that we will have more control over
premiums. Perhaps with P1, it will be possible to have a more flexible approach to our health
care. I believe that there will be a greater emphasis on wellness. With all of the change that
we are experiencing from ROWE to CSDM to Regionalization, one more change may seem
like one too many. Your Local 34 representatives will continue to participate and provide
feedback on the shape self-insurance takes. You will have a voice. Let us hear from you.
And that’s the view from the cheap seats for this month. One more thing – I have enjoyed all
the people who came downtown for a Twins games. My experience of them has been similar
to walking to a Gopher’s game when I was in college many decades ago. Bringing people
together is a good thing!
AFSCME Local 34 is on Facebook! Become Facebook
friends with us by visiting our page and making a friend
request. And visit Next Wave Minnesota on Facebook, too!
38:
Hours – the amount of time per week a significant percentage of office
workers said they devote to work before they have a hard time managing the
competing demands of job and home.
57:
Hours – with a flexible schedule, including the option of working from
home, the same percentage of employees can put in 19 more hours before
reporting high work/family stress.

Good Housekeeping, October 2010 – survey of 24,000 IBM employees…
October 2010
-9-
Thank You Notes
Steve, Matt, Jean –
Thank you so much for the gift certificate to Jax. How
did you know I was such a traditionalist and just love
that place, especially for Sunday brunch?
I’ve really ewnjoyed working with you and the Labor/
Management Health Care Committee; it’s been very
gratifying that in this forum we’ve all learned together
(and I’m not just talking about learning about selfinsurance in the last year or two, but ALL the years,
and we know HOW far back that goes!).
Here is hoping that you all do well, truly, and please
pass on my thanks to all.
Valerie Tetzlaff
Retired Human Resources Benefits Manager
Dear Sister Diederich:
Let me convey my sincere thanks to you and the
members of Local 34 for your kind words and wishes
upon my retirement as International SecretaryTreasurer. Let me also thank you for the contribution
to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Foundation in
my name. I will forward this to the Foundation to aid
in completing the Memorial.
Again, my sincere thanks for your thoughtfulness.
William Lucy
Retired International Secretary-Treasurer
Dear Ms. Diederich:
On behalf of the Executive Leadership Cabinet and
the Board of Directors of the Washington DC Martin
Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation,
I extend my sincere gratitude to you for your support.
Thank you for the donation of $300 made on April 20,
2010 in honor of the retirement of William Lucy from
his position of International Secretary-Treasurer. This
brings AFSCME’s total donation to $1,063,183.64.
Harry E Johnson, Sr.
President & CEO, Martin Luther King, Jr.
National Memorial Project
Brothers and Sisters,
We want to thank you for your recent contribution of
$134 to the Twin Cities Labor Chorus and for your
ongoing support as we expand our presence in the
local labor movement. Please let your members know
they are always welcome to join us. Some ability is
important, but commitment and attitude are more
important. We rehearse every other Tuesday night in
St. Paul.
John Whitney-Wise, Director and
Michael Kuchta, Business Manager,
Twin Cities Labor Chorus
Dear Sisters & Brothers of AFSCME:
Thank you so much for your generous contribution to
North Memorial Hospice. They were very kind to my
sister. They are an excellent caregiver. Your
kindness and thoughtfulness means the world to me
and my family. During this time you need friends.
Thank you.
Judy Corrao, Local 34
Local 34 Banner
The end of summer has been bringing a wealth of interesting articles on a variety of
topics. Due to space considerations, some topics will be looked at in future newsletters,
including much discussion comparing private and public worker wages. In this issue, the
discussion is on property taxes and whether the rich are over-taxed.
Key Resource Articles – Highly Recommended for Your Reading:
“Minnesota’s
Property
Taxes:
Where
Democracy
Gets
Personal
and
Gritty”
http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2010/09/09/21246/minnesotas_property_taxes_where_democracy_gets_personal_and_gritty
“Do the Wealthy Pay Too Much in Taxes? A Basic Illustration
http://tc-imc.serve.com/2010/sep/do-wealthy-pay-too-much-taxes-basic-illustration-revised-and-expanded-version
Property Taxes: With this particular tax, the buck never seems to stop. Cities and counties point
to the State Capitol, saying that cuts in aid to local governments have left them with little
choice but to bump up property taxes. Gov. Tim Pawlenty and his supporters point right back,
insisting those local entities should slash spending instead. There are so many pieces of
Minnesota's property-tax system, so many different levels of government involved, and so many
important functions — from schools to parks to police — supported by the tax. Still, it accounts
for a big chunk of the total taxes we pay in Minnesota — about $8.3 billion this year. Of our Big
Three Taxes, it ranks ahead of the sales tax and roughly equal to the personal income tax.
Almost every Minnesota household pays property taxes: Homeowners pay, of course, and cabin
owners too. Renters pay, but their landlords also pick up a big share of the tax for their
buildings. Without the property tax refund, the burden would fall severely on the lowest income
Minnesotans. Even with the refund and a class adjustment for high-value homes, it's regressive,
according to the Minnesota Department of Revenue's latest Tax Incidence Study.
In 2006, the effective tax rate for the 10 percent of Minnesotans with the lowest household
incomes ($9,782 and under) was 4.2 percent. The rate was just 1.3 percent for taxpayers at the
top of the income ladder ($123,938 and higher). There's a regional component to the who-pays
question. If you live in a metro area, you are paying for more of your local government services
through the property tax than residents of greater Minnesota. As for businesses, property taxes
are the largest single burden of all state and local taxes. But business owners are partially
shielded from local property tax increases because the state levy accounts for the bulk of their
bill and it isn't rising in tandem with local taxes.
From 2002 to 2010 Minnesota's property taxes jumped by 26.8 percent in inflation-adjusted
dollars, a faster average annual growth than had been seen in at least a generation, says the
report by Jeff Van Wychen. He has worked as a fiscal analyst for the city of Minneapolis and the
League of Minnesota Cities. Homeowners have shouldered a hefty share of the increase. And
their burden would grow even heavier next year as school districts across the state bid for a new
round of levy increases. The added weight in your property tax bill can't be explained by
extravagant spending increases in schools, city halls and county board offices. In the last eight
years, state aid to local government declined by $2.6 billion in constant 2010 dollars, the report
said. And local property taxes replaced about two-thirds of that loss. In other words, cities,
counties, schools and other local entities closed a significant share of the gap on their own by
spending down reserves, cutting services and learning to operate more efficiently.
Too Much Taxes?: Local blogger Paul Udstrand has written a wonderful primer on how the tax
system works – this small space can’t do it justice. “Small government and reduced tax
revenue have never yielded the promised results.” Udstrand asks this basic question, “Does the
amount of money the wealthy pay in taxes indicate they’re being unfairly taxed?” Using a
simple imaginary town with 10 residents, each representing a 10% decile of the real public,
Udstrand quickly demonstrates that the wealthiest earn more than the lowest deciles
combined, and pay more accordingly. The answer is No – they’re not unfairly taxed; in fact, in
Minnesota there is extreme disparity of wages.
After explaining how tax cuts and balancing budgets through efficiencies are never the solution
to solving budget issues and taxing fairly, Udstrand demonstrates all the value that the rich
derive from government, even when it isn’t in the forms of public assistance that the lowest
income receive far more visibly. He concludes: If you really want to drive “small government”
Republican nuts, talk about using taxes not just to pay for government but to actually
redistribute wealth! Our constitution allows for wealth redistribution, and we’ve done that quite
successfully in the past. In 1956 the US had a 92% tax bracket. Turns out that that disparity
we’ve talking about is actually bad for the economy. You reach a point where the wealthy are
pulling so much capital out of the economy that it becomes unsustainable. Henry Ford realized
this (with the help of labor unions) when he decided to pay workers enough to buy his cars. But
that’s a discussion for another time.
October 2010
-10-
- Wes Volkenant
In Remembrance:
Chalmers Davis, Age 65
Chalmers was a long-time activist and officer
of Local 34, serving most familiarly as
Member-At-Large, Recording Secretary and
Sergeant-At-Arms. He and Andrea Lazo-Rice
frequently teamed up to take care of the Local
for our General Assembly ‘buffets’ twice a
year. And, Chalmers was frequently elected
to represent the Local at the AFSCME
International Conventions, going for the last
time to San Francisco in 2008.
I provided this summary of our August Meet & Confer to the GA on September 1 st:
1. Discussion of the hiring of a Limited Duration Social Worker in the Mobberly Front Door Unit.
We were concerned that a person hired as a Chemical Health Counselor was being slotted in
as a Social Worker instead, without the position being posted. Because of the Limited
Duration status, Mark Lee of HSPHD and Bob Smutka from HR confirmed the County was
able to do this. Matt Nelson and Jean Diederich expressed strong opposition. We agreed
that communication was very poor in this situation, and Rex Holzemer will be looking into
concerns that a possible conflict of interest may exist, as well as odd scheduling restrictions
that make the hiree’s availability questionable for key parts of her new job.
2. Bob Smutka clarified the County’s policy on salary adjustments in 2011 – and the
exceptions. There are no general wage adjustments in 2011, nor are there merit increases in
2011 for performance reviews due January-December, 2011; no special reviews can be done
in 2010 to make up for the lack of merit increases in 2011. However, 2011 merit increases
will be granted to employees completing probation (both new hires and promotions). And,
employees who transfer to a higher-paying job class, who promote in a junior/senior
classification, or who take either an acting or mobility assignment to a higher-paying job
classification are entitled to 5% pay increases – or to the range minimum.
3. Budget: The Board has been given a 1% max property tax levy recommendation this year,
after the City of Minneapolis came forward with a 6.5% request. We should see if the Board
accepts this, or decides to do no increase, or even to decrease the levy. {The Board voted on
September 7 to adopt no increase – 0% - for 2011.}
4. Supervisors blocking SLWOP requests. This year, SLWOP does not have to be approved for
all requests. Because the County’s goal this year is half of last year’s, there is more
discretion for Supervisors this year. However, Deb Truesdell offered that from a ROWE
perspective, we shouldn’t have to “request” the time off. The results are what matters, and
she was also troubled that some Supervisors still play favorites when giving time off in units.
From Todd Monson, his former Area Director:
It saddens me to share the news that Chalmers
Davis, a former employee, passed away from a
brain aneurysm on August 24.
5. HSR Series Meet & Confer – we will look for a date to resume in October. Rex Holzemer will
bring this to the Executive Committee, which has not had this as a priority item. Jean
Diederich stressed that it has been a huge priority for us because the HSR series simply
doesn’t work right anymore. Angel Alexander, Lynne Kincaid and Fatuma Kassim have
volunteered to join Matt Nelson and me when those Meet & Confers resume.
Chalmers started working with Hennepin County
in 1979 in Finance and Tax and throughout his
years with the county worked in Economic
Assistance and Community Services. Chalmers
and his wife moved to Texas in January of 2010
when he retired from the county.
6. HCMC Unit HSRs. Sherry Krueger is coming in as their new Program Manager. She is going
to be looking for a pro-ROWE Supervisor {Clifford Gibson was hired in September.}. The
contract with HCMC is up in January, and will be looked at with ROWE in mind. Carolyn
Vreeman addressed the broader issue of holding Supervisors and Managers accountable.
Deb Truesdell said the ROWE team will take this on with Upper Management support, and
address it as a leadership accountability issue.
Chalmers had multiple positions within Hennepin
County, and when he retired was a Child
Protection Social Worker in Community Based
First Response. He was dedicated to the county
and enjoyed working with his clients and fellow
employees.
Chalmers passed away in Dallas.
His
services were September 4th at Greater
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in
Minneapolis. He will be greatly missed!
An online guest book is available from the
StarTribune at:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/startribune/obitu
ary.aspx?n=chalmers-l-davis&pid=145064829
Local 34 Banner
I will not be available on Fridays from now through the election – though I will be
checking and responding to e-mail. I am a candidate for Andover City Council, and
will be using vacation time to engage in campaign activities. I am now on Facebook,
and I have created a Blog page at http://wesvolkopinion.blogspot.com. I will also be
representing you at the Council 5 Convention, September 30 - October 2.
I participated on September 21 in the quarterly Steward training and retreat, led by
Chief Stewards Cathy Cowden and Carolyn Vreeman. We covered a number of topics,
from a political update/pitch for phone banking/PEOPLE recruitment by Tigger
Lunney of Council 5 to a PEPSA pension update from Carolyn Vreeman to an overview
of Council 5/Local 34 Next Wave activities, as introduced by Heather Hemmer. There
is a new Next Wave Minnesota Facebook page that is aimed at the Under-35
membership, but is open to all Next Wave friends. The Stewards are again addressing
the need to “map” the Local – Lynne Kincaid is the new Mapping Coordinator. And,
how to improve internal organization of Steward activities and tracking contacts with
the membership was at the forefront of discussion. Congratulations to stewards Terry
Grace, Ed Kusleika, Maureen Glover and Nancy Scarlotta who volunteered to lead a
pilot effort of coordinating steward representation and tracking of member contacts.
October 2010
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Hennepin County Self Insurance: What will this mean to you? Hopefully, you all took the time to
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Randal Duncan, Member-at-Large, resigned from
that position effective August 31, 2010. The membership
voted to accept his resignation. Please join me in
thanking Randy for his service to our local. He provided a
voice of reason at our meetings and often served as a
counterpoint for some of our discussions on issues we
face in our daily lives. A special election will be held to
fill the vacancy created by Randy's resignation. That
election will be held at the October 20, 2010 Executive
Board meeting held in HSB 917 at 5:30 PM. If you are
interested in more information about the job duties of a
Member-at-Large or wish to put your name forward for the
election, please contact me at 612-348-0266 before 12:00
noon of October 20, 2010. You must be a member for 12
months prior to October 1, 2010 in order to be eligible to
run for office.
27th Annual Human Rights Day Conference &
Forum will be held on Friday December 3, 2010 at the
Crowne Plaza Hotel in St. Paul with registration beginning
at 7:30 AM and the program running to 3:40 PM. Coach
Herman Boone, portrayed by Denzel Washington in the
movie, "Remember the Titans", is the keynote speaker.
Workshops cover topics ranging from Sexual harassment
laws to the newly created Veterans Court to mediating
discrimination claims with EEOC, MDHR and Minneapolis
& St Paul Civil Rights to Immigration relief for children.
The local will cover one day lost time, registration costs,
mileage and parking for two members to attend this event.
They will be elected at the October 6, 2010 General
Assembly held in HSB 110 at 5:30 PM. If you would like
more information about this event or would like to put your
name forward for the election, please let me know by no
later than 12:00 noon of October 6, 2010.
Information for those of us who have elderly and/or
vulnerable parents, relatives, neighbors, clients -
too often we read or hear about elderly members of our
community who have been scammed by unethical
opportunists with a variety of get rich schemes. People
have become even more creative with the economy taking
a down turn and we see more of these schemes each
month. Thanks to Vicki Moore, who received this
information at a workshop she attended, there is a new
tool in the arsenal of weapons to fight back. The
Minnesota Fraud Enforcement Partnership, a collaboration
of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, statewide
law enforcement agencies, and several public and private
partners, has a small but effective group of folks who deal
with fraudulent lottery and sweepstakes scams and are
devoted to educating consumers about the dangers of
these scams. Visit MNSCAMS.org to learn how to
recognize and report those scams so that they can be
shut down and our loved ones kept financially secure.
Keep in mind that it is not always the elderly who get
swept up with the idea of making money. We all receive
phone calls and mailings about lotteries and sweepstakes.
The bottom line is that if you are being asked to pay to
play or pay to receive winnings, the promotion is most
likely a scam and should be reported. You can report a
suspected scam via e-mail to report@mnscams.org.
read the e-mail from County Administrator Richard Johnson, sent on September 10, 2010. This is a
brief synopsis that I crafted based on questions from members following that e-mail:
There are two distinct parts to Richard Johnson's e-mail.
 The first part pertains to self insurance effective 1/1/2011. Wes Volkenant, Vicki Moore and I
have all written about self insurance in our newsletter articles over the past several years so this
should not be something new to people. We, along with our Business Representative, Matt Nelson,
have provided updates on the process at the monthly General Assembly meetings. The four of us,
along with Doyle Juenke, another of our Local 34 members, represent our local on the
Labor/Management HealthCare Committee and were involved in a good part of the discussions
regarding the pros and cons of switching from fully -funded insurance to self-insurance and what
the ramifications of that change would be.
 The second part pertains to the selection of a Third Party Administrator (TPA) for self insurance.
The union folks received information about the proposals put forward by the groups who wanted to
be the TPA for the county's self insurance program. However, we were not part of the decision
making group as that falls in the Employer's purview.
 Their recommendation was presented to the County Board, the Commissioners were briefed on all
the reasons for making the choice, and the Board voted to go with the final recommendation of
Preferred One to administer the plan.
 You should note that County Board is the body with the authority to make the final decision on both
the switch to self insurance and which firm would be the TPA.
 As noted in Richard Johnson's e-mail, the current benefits are not going to change with the switch
to self-insurance. Whatever we have now, will be what we have next year. It will then be up to our
Table Team to work out on-going benefit sets during negotiations in 2011 for our new contract for
2012 and beyond.
 One positive thing about self-insurance is that we an opportunity to have a much stronger voice in
negotiations to look at what the benefits set will be - perhaps design something that more
accurately reflects what we need, instead of the cookie cutter choices currently available to us and
have input in how the wellness programs are structured.
 The Presidents of the six AFSCME locals meet with County Administrator Johnson on a monthly
basis. At our last meeting, we suggested that he consider dedicating his next round of brown bag
lunches to the topic of self-insurance so that employees have an opportunity to ask questions and
voice their concerns. He stated he would add that to his list of topics. Also, he let us know that
they do not plan to increase the monthly premium for 2011 insurance. This means that, per the
terms of our contract, there will be no increase in the employee's contribution for family coverage.
 Rafe Viscasillas, Director for Human Resources, noted that they will be adding a section on the
Benefits intranet site with FAQ's (frequently asked questions) and the answers to those questions
for self insurance.
I hope that answers some of the questions that you have. Please let me know if you have others.
And speaking of health insurance, have you watched the on-line video, “Health Works!” yet?
Watching the video is part of the process to earn the $15.00 discount on 2011 office visit co-pays. It
can be found at: http://hennepinmn.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=143. All employees
and their spouses, if covered by the county's insurance plan, are required to watch the video, as well
as completing the health assessment in order to be eligible for the reduced co-pays. A notice about
the health assessment should be sent out sometime around the beginning of October. You will have
until October 31st to complete the assessment and watch the video. Please consider doing both as
soon as possible to avoid that pesky last minute rush to get it done.
Phone Banks - please note that Local 34 has designated Thursday, October 14th, as our Local 34
phone bank night. We are going to do this one at the Council 5 location instead of the Minneapolis
site due to logistics and staff availability for that evening. Car-pooling from Minneapolis to the
Council office might be an option if you do not want to make the drive yourself. Also, AFSCME Council
5 continues to hold phone banks every Tuesday and Thursday evening up to the November 2nd
election. The Tuesday phone banks are held at the Council 5 office, 300 Hardman Ave S, South St
Paul, starting at 5:30 PM. The Thursday phone banks are held at the Labor Center, 312 Central Ave
SE, Minneapolis, usually on the 2nd floor, starting at 5:30 PM. You can call Tigger Lunney at 651238-6324, to let him know when you can do some calling in support of our endorsed candidates. He
will also have information about door knocks and getting locations for lawn signs. As always, if you
have a favorite candidate and want to spend your efforts supporting that person but don't know how
to do so, let me know and I will help you find out how to reach that particular campaign.
Fall is upon us - already. Pretty soon we will be raking leaves and getting ready for Halloween. Have
a wonderful October - take some time to enjoy the changing colors of the leaves against that lovely
blue sky we only see at this time of the year.
Jean
Local 34 Banner
October 2010
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