Contract Update: Going to Arbitration

After an overwhelming rejection of the County offer we returned to Mediation today. We will be arbitrating the 2012 Step Increases and the 2012 Cost of Living Adjustment.

Us and the County agreed on the rest of the offer, which means for Detention staff our call back will go from 2 hours minimum to 3 (effective when the new contract is settled) and for Telecommunicators they will bid their shifts by seniority in November.

Realistically, I don't expect a date for the Arbitration for a couple of months.

Contract Negotiations Renew

We return to the negotiating table for contract mediation on Wednesday, March 24, 2012.

The membership overwhelmingly rejected the County's offer.

Bottom line is the County wants the members to endure more wage freezes and the membership has rejected that. Especially in light of the County's budget surplus.

If there is no movement at the bargaining table this Wednesday we will certify items for arbitration and move on.

Goodbye Brad

Bradley Allen Berntson

August 25, 1961 - March 15, 2012

Obituary for Brad Berntson

Berntson, Bradley Allen age 50, of Bethel. Detention Sergeant with Hennepin Co. Sheriff's Dept. Survived by loving wife, Julie; sons, Ben (Vanessa), Jim Berntson; granddaughters, Melody & Lauren; parents, Bonnie & Dennis Fleigle; brothers, Brian (Denise) Berntson, Mark (Connie) Fleigle, Thomas (Melissa) Fleigle; sisters, Terri (Brad) Lien, Michele (Mike) Fodstad; grandmother, Anne Quarnstrom; also many other relatives & friends.

Mass of Christian Burial Tues., 10 AM at the Church of Saint Paul, 1740 Bunker Lake Blvd., Ham Lake. Visitation Mon., 4-9 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM all at the church. Interment Ft. Snelling Cemetery on Wednesday. Memorials preferred.

Online condolences: www.millerfuneralfridley.com Miller Funeral Home Fridley Chapel 763-571-1300
(Star Tribune)

I worked with Brad since 1990 and was shocked over his unforeseen death. Brad was always very down to earth, practical and good natured. He never forgot where he came from and treated everyone well. I will miss him.

The lie of the Freedom of Employment Amendment

The Stanek Administrations' connection to "Right to Work."

It's interesting (but not surprising) to see that the Stanek Administration has a connection to the anti-labor Right to Work Legislation. Below are the Minutes from the March 12, 2012 Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety that passed SF 1705, the so called Right to Work Bill that would disallow closed union shops. I will be posting lots more on this. 


For those who don't know, Senator Ortman is the Senator hired by the Stanek Administration as the Chief Financial Officer in 2007, she still works for the Sheriff's Office making about $90,000 a year in addition to the $40,000 a year she makes as a State Senator. She also racked up 77 hours of "overtime" (though salaried), when the 35W bridge collapsed. Although she double dips from the public trough as a Sheriff's Office Administrator and a State Senator she doesn't want any other public employees, or private ones  for that matter, to have the benefits of a Union. With her help our representation is in danger.


Way to go Senator Ortman!


Here's the minutes, see her name in RED!


Senator Jungbauer moved that S.F.1705, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Jobs Committee.
MOTION FAILED.


Senator Thompson moved that S.F.1705, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.


Senator Marty requested a roll call vote.
Ayes:
Senators Hall, Hoffman, Jungbauer, Limmer, Newman, Ortman, Thompson
Nayes:
Senators Goodwin, Harrington, Ingebrigtsen, Latz, Marty, McGuire
7Ayes, 6Nayes, MOTION PREVAILED.