Close to 90% of Union Members (at JFC, BJE, JBBBS, JCF) Sign Fair Contract Petition

Great turnout at last negotiations

We’ve had more members support and sign our petition than in any previous negotiations. More are signing this week. Thanks to our new Union Organizing Committee for circulating the petition.

Local 800 members are clearly letting management know we’re standing up for a fair wage and salary increase, no increase to health care premiums, a flexible work environment, and for members to keep their union representation rights, INCLUDING ALL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STAFF.

At our last negotiations on June 27, the Union’s attorney, Daniel Rojas, let management know that the IT staff are not “confidential” employees as interpreted by the National Labor Relations Board. He explained that the NLRB is the appropriate forum to deal with such bargaining unit issues -- not at the bargaining table.

Mr. Rojas also defended AFSCME Local 800’s position to maintain the right of senior employees to take up to 12 months of extended leave and offered some counter-proposals in our effort to resolve this matter.

Management counter-proposal expected on Thursday July 11 at 1 PM.

Their proposal is unchanged from our last report including:

• Wage/salaries: 2.75%/ 1.5%/ 2%

• Exclude IT staff from Union

• Reduce Extended Leave for Senior employees (+3 years) to 8 months

We encourage everyone to attend negotiations on July 11 on your non-work time starting at 1:00 PM. Keep wearing your green ribbons!

For more info, contact Bargaining Team members Lilia Arbona and Mark Machado from the Federation, Iris Rodgers from the Foundation, Local 800 President Charlie Orlowski from JVS, (corolowskivp@gmail.com), or AFSCME Union Rep/Negotiator Gary Guthman, (gary@afscme36.org)or (213) 248-0381.