Detention Home

Arbitration Filed on Sick Time Grievance

2012-02-01T20:13:00.002-06:00

Today our attorney Robert Fowler filed for arbitration over the sick time grievance.

As you know this has to do with the Sheriff's Office making a policy June 1st limiting sick time use to 96 hours a year. Then going back and auditing us back one year and then placing people on monitored sick time retroactively for time used BEFORE the policy existed!

Our contract language does not recognize the amount of time used. Only what it can be used for.

MNPEA Member Rights

2012-01-28T22:03:00.001-06:00

Garrity

2012-01-28T14:37:00.001-06:00

Weingarten Rights

2012-01-28T14:35:00.002-06:00

Corrections News & Views 2012, vol. #1

2012-01-02T11:44:00.004-06:00

Contents: Representation, Contract Negotiations, Shift Differential Grievance, Steward Elections, Staffing Cuts, Stewards Banned from I.A. and the Pension

DUES NOTICE

2011-12-22T12:56:00.002-06:00

Minnesota Public Employees Association Notice:

This Notice is to provide you required information (although you all are likely already aware of this information) regarding fair share dues, should any of you elect to become fair share rather than full members. Also, this is a friendly reminder to turn in your membership cards and the $25 set up fee check if you have already not done so. Until your card is turned in, the County is considering you a fair share member.

You must be a full share member and pay your set up fee before your legal defense coverage becomes effective.

Regular dues are $39 per month. Fair Share dues are $29 per month. The fair share dues are set at this figure because only regular full share members receive the MNPEA legal defense plan, which costs $10 per month. The remaining $29 covers $8 per month per member for labor legal services, and $21 to the MNPEA arbitration and operating fund.

An employee may challenge this assessment by filing a challenge with the Bureau of Mediation Services within 30 calendar days after receipt of this notice. The challenge must specify those portions of the assessment being contested and the reasons therefor, and copies of the challenge must be sent to your employer and this organization. The Public Employment Labor Relations Act requires a fee for filing challenges. Forms for challenges and a copy of the rules governing them are available from the bureau without charge.

The mailing address for the Bureau of Mediation Services is:

BMS

1380 Energy Lane, Suite Two

St. Paul, MN 55108

Fowler Law Firm / Minnesota Public Employees Association

1700 Highway 36 West, Suite 550

Roseville, MN 55113

Ph: 612-367-6673

December Update

2011-12-22T12:50:00.002-06:00

GRIEVANCE

Re: Det. Tech Bentzen's grievance regarding unpaid night shift differentials. The County has agreed to restore paying night shift differential for the entire shift worked and admitted they should not have discontinued the practice. This will be reconciled in January. Regarding the FLSA overtime differentials based on stability pay, the county will pay this only at the end of each year because an employee who quits prior to receiving the stability pay would have been ineligible for that differential.

CONTRACT:

The County's initial proposal to MNPEA is:

No increase in wages for 2012 or 2013

No steps increases for 20112 or 2013

Insurance: 2012 Singles pay $60 mo. effective 12/01/2012

Family stays the same

2013 Singles pay $75 mo. effective 12/01/2013

Family the same as 2012.

All insurance had increases in deductibles, especially for not filling out health assessment.

We did not accept this offer and will be going to Mediation as the next step.

STEWARD ELECTION:

Ballots were counted at the Fowler Law Firm on 12/22/11

Dave Deal, President of MNPEA counted the ballots.

The stewards elected were:

Brian Peterson, Phil Miles, Mike Smith, Wade Laszlo, Jodie Hanning, Mike Hendrickson and Jason Herlitz.

My Sentiments

2011-12-15T17:07:00.001-06:00

There is a great article from Labor Notes entitled, No-Strike Clauses Hold Back Unions. While you may disagree with the Occupy Movement shutting down the West Coast Ports this article outlines the weakness of current labor contract, "no strike" clauses.

Some highlights are:

"For more than 75 years, the labor movement has been enclosed by law and custom by collective bargaining, whose goal is to achieve a contract that seals in wages, benefits, a grievance procedure, and work rules. In return, workers and their union agree, crucially, to surrender their right to withhold their labor.The penalties for violation are often severe: stiff fines and imprisonment of union officials."

and

"...Of course, management regularly bypasses or brazenly violates the contract. To remedy these infractions, the union can grieve and finally arbitrate. Although arbitration is heavily weighted on the employers’ side, workers have no other recourse, under the law of the contract.."

READ FULL STORY

Contract News and updates

2011-12-13T12:31:00.001-06:00

Steward election ballots are in your mailboxes. Pick up to seven names and mail them in. Ballots will be counted at the Fowler Law Office on Dec. 22nd. You are welcome to watch the count.

Negotiations were held today.

See our proposals to the county on the uploaded documents file of our e-group.

The main money we asked for was a 4% raise and steps to be paid in 2012-2013.

We also discussed the shift differential grievance and several outstanding grievances.

Also addressed were staffing levels and the Sheriff's policy of not allowing stewards with you in IA unless you are the focus (this will be the focus of another post).

Of special note: Blue Earth County Corrections voted unanimously to join MNPEA today. Welcome aboard.

AFSCME settles/caves

2011-12-09T20:29:00.007-06:00

Today, as usual, AFSCME settled with Hennepin County for next to nothing.

In a year when Hennepin County at their Truth in Taxation hearing is predicting a surplus in 2012, AFSCME settled for NO STEPS or COST OF LIVING INCREASE FOR 2012.

This from their website:

Six Hennepin County AFSCME Locals – 34, 552, 1719, 2822, 2864 and 2938 (Essential Unit and Legal Unit) – all voted to accept the contract proposal for 2012-13. Ballots were counted December 9th and the contract was accepted by the members who voted.

The wage increase, effective 2013, is as follows:

Local 34 2.5% across the board - no steps
Local 552 1.5% across the board with steps
Local 2822 2.5% across the board - no steps
Local 2864 2.5% across the board - no steps
Local 2938 (Legal) 2.5% across the board - no steps

Note that Local 1719 and Local 2938 (Essential) had the 1.5 percent across the board with steps as part of their contract proposal from the Employer's last and final offer.

Even our fellow corrections officers at the Hennepin County Workhouse accepted this. That's right, the essential groups. I'm surprised they settled for this pile of excrement rather then insisting that AFSCME take this to arbitration. Surely with the exorbitant dues they pay, AFSCME could have afforded an arbitration.

Contrast this to the raise that our Attorney Rob Fowler got for the Hibbing Police Federation just last month, 2% for 2011 and 2% for 2012!

It never ceases to amaze me that BIG LABOR UNIONS with big money, charging their members twice what MNPEA dues are encourage their members to settle for slop. Exactly what are they getting for their money?

No steps are unacceptable!

Correctional Officers Bill of Rights

2011-12-05T19:36:00.006-06:00

MSS 241.026 CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES.

Subdivision 1.Definitions.

(a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings given them.

(b) "Correctional officer" and "officer" mean a person employed by the state, a state correctional facility, or a local correctional or detention facility in a security capacity.

(c) "Formal statement" means the questioning of an officer in the course of obtaining a recorded, stenographic, or signed statement to be used as evidence in a disciplinary proceeding against the officer.

Subd. 2.Applicability.

The procedures and provisions of this section apply to state and local correctional authorities.

Subd. 3.Governing formal statement procedures.

The formal statement of an officer must be taken according to subdivision 4.

Subd. 4.Place of formal statement.

The formal statement must be taken at a facility of the employing or investigating agency or at a place agreed to by the investigating individual and the investigated officer.

Subd. 5.Admissions.

Before an officer's formal statement is taken, the officer shall be advised in writing or on the record that admissions made in the course of the formal statement may be used as evidence of misconduct or as a basis for discipline.

Subd. 6.Disclosure of financial records.

No employer may require an officer to produce or disclose the officer's personal financial records except pursuant to a valid search warrant or subpoena.

Subd. 7.Release of photographs.

No state or local correctional facility or governmental unit may publicly release photographs of an officer without the written permission of the officer, except that the facility or unit may display a photograph of an officer to a prospective witness as part of an agency or unit investigation.

Subd. 8.Disciplinary letter.

No disciplinary letter or reprimand may be included in an officer's personnel record unless the officer has been given a copy of the letter or reprimand.

Subd. 9.Retaliatory action prohibited.

No officer may be discharged, disciplined, or threatened with discharge or discipline as retaliation for or solely by reason of the officer's exercise of the rights provided by this section.

Subd. 10.Rights not reduced.

The rights of officers provided by this section are in addition to and do not diminish the rights and privileges of officers that are provided under an applicable collective bargaining agreement or any other applicable law.

Detention & Radio Positions to be cut

2011-12-04T16:13:00.045-06:00

These are the LOW LIGHTS of the November 29, 2011 Hennepin County Board Meeting.

The County Board's original proposal was to cut 20 FTE's (full time employees) from the Sheriff's Office, 10 Licensed Deputies and 10 Detention Deputies. At the Sheriff's request, Commissioner Callison made an amendment to cut no licensed deputies, but instead to cut 5 Detention Deputies, 6 Identification Clerks, 2 OS III's and 1 Telecommunicator.

While I'm thankful that we are not losing 10 Detention Deputies, I find it amazing that while the jail as an institution has minimum staffing requirements, all that can be performed by Detention Staff, the Sheriff chooses to staff the jail with the more expensive licensed staff and decrease the number of less expensive Detention, Clerks and Telecommunicators.

Watch this short clip of the meeting. Commissioner McLaughlin was the only one to vote no.

See my clip from last years budget meeting that outlines the fact that we are 1/2 million dollars a year already overstaffed with Licensed Deputies in the jail. The Sheriff's own staffing analysis says they only need 24 Licensed Deputies in the jail, they currently have over 80. Clearly that's where the savings are to be found.

and they want to freeze your steps?

2011-12-02T18:49:00.001-06:00

Hennepin Co. Commissioners Give Themselves Healthy Perk

Commissioners voted 4-3 to approve a perk that could reimburse them up to $2,000 a year for health and fitness. The offer is also extended to the county's other two elected officials, the County Attorney and County Sheriff.

FULL STORY KSTP

The illogic of the sick time policy

2011-12-01T13:32:00.002-06:00

As you all know the HCSO has implemented a new sick time policy that began June 1, 2011 basically stating that if you use more then 96 hours a year of sick time you are in violation of the HCSO sick time use policy (which I believe violates the contract and have grieved), will be put on monitored sick leave and are subject to discipline.

Why did they do this? Why to reduce sick time use of course and save money.

Does this work? Well let's see.

I have a recurring back problem with a disc that flares up occasionally causing me to miss a day or two of work. Because of the new sick time policy I was put on monitored sick leave. Subsequently I had my doctor put me on intermittent Family Medical Leave (FML) to keep from being disciplined when this occurs.

A couple of days ago I aggravated my back changing a tire and missed two days of work on FML. But I can't go back to work per the employer until I get a note from my doctor who can't see me until 1 PM tomorrow!

What does this mean? The HCSO will have to cover my shift tomorrow with overtime, they will pay me another day off at straight time and because they are now self insured they will pay my doctor to see me.

I can see the savings already! No wonder they want to raise our health insurance premiums again.

Vital Information

2011-11-16T16:37:00.000-06:00

Remember to fill out the Dues Authorization Card and return it to payroll ASAP so full dues can be deducted for MNPEA, otherwise the county will automatically deduct only fair share and you will not have the legal coverage as fair share.

Also be sure to mail your $25 initiation fee to MNPEA or get it to a steward to mail it.

There was some confusion on the Dues Authorization Card, because it says to take $64 the first check and $39 for checks after that. That's because MNPEA wanted to save you the trouble of mailing the initiation check and just have it come out payroll deduction. Unfortunately Hennepin County will not do this, yet every other City and County MNPEA has was able to do this.

New MNPEA members

2011-11-16T16:27:00.001-06:00

Today the University of Minnesota Police left LELS and became MNPEA members. Welcome U of M Police.

Last Thursday, November 10, 2011 the City of Owatonna essential supervisors voted to be represented by MNPEA. Welcome.

Hennepin County Offer to AFSCME

2011-11-16T16:19:00.001-06:00

This is Hennepin County's Offer to AFSCME for their members to vote on:

The bargaining team agreed to be "neutral" on the settlement.
In place of the strike training on November 21st. There will be a master
committee meeting on November 21st 5:30 PM at the Minneapolis Central Labor Union
312 Central Ave SE in Minneapolis. All dues paying members are eligible to attend
this meeting. Table team members will answer questions about the settlement.

Below is a summary of the settlement from Hennepin County:

$500 Lump sum payment to all benefit earning employees the first pay period of 2012

We as a bargaining unit have to decide if we want 1.5% COLA and steps for 2013
or everyone gets a 2.5% COLA for 2013.

Stability pay remains intact.

Single health insurance will remain at $40 per month until December 2012 at which time
it will go to $60 until December 2013 at which time it will go to $75.

We had a lot of improvement of meet and confer language.

Health Partners, Children's, and North Memorial will remain in "tier one" for 2012.
In 2013, the county and Preferred One will review the tiers and make changes after
consulting the Labor-Management Health Care committee.

Tier 2 and Tier 3 providers will have deductibles in 2013, but the deductibles will be offset
by the co-pays going down $5.

The entire settlement should be available online at the council 5 website as soon as
they are able to get it on there.

552 members are welcome to call me, Patrick Guernsey @612-596-0493 with questions.
Other AFSCME Members should call their union representatives.

Patrick Guernsey
President
AFSCME Local 552
HCPC

Grievance Filed

2011-11-05T04:56:00.000-05:00

A grievance has been filed regarding the unpaid night shift differentials on overtime.

See egroup files to view grievance.

Meeting

2011-11-05T04:54:00.000-05:00

MNPEA MEETING(S)

NOVEMBER 10, 2011

ROOM C-2350 HENNEPIN COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER

DOGWATCH TIME: 6:50- 8:00 AM

MIDDLESHIFT TIME: 12PM – 1:10 PM

DAYSHIFT TIME: 2:50 PM – 4:00 PM

MNPEA Update

2011-10-31T15:53:00.003-05:00

I met with the MNPEA board today. Here's the scoop.

The County is being emailed a list of the stewards. I'm restored as Chief Steward. This is in effect until a steward election is held. A nomination sheet will go up within a week.

They will have meetings with the members ASAP

I passed on the following as important issues for our group. Feel free to add more when they meet with all of us.

1. Steward Elections
2. Contract
3. Sick Time
4. Night Shift differentials
5. 28 day schedule issues
6. Unresolved past grievances

By weeks end they will be dropping off grievance forms. Cards are being printed with important numbers for members.

In solidarity,
Wade Laszlo
Chief Steward

P.S. All Detention Deputies and Techs are being considered members and were covered by the MNPEA Legal Defense Plan effective Saturday July 29th. Click on the link and familiarize yourself with it. You now have on and off duty protection. You are also entitled to bring our attorney with you to I.A.

Message from MNPEA

2011-10-28T20:35:00.002-05:00

Hello All & Congratulations on today's victory! Thank you!

This email is to inform you and the members that as of Saturday you are covered by both MNPEA as your union and our Legal Defense Plan with the Robert Fowler Law Firm. Please call me if you need a Business Agent or call Rob Fowler if you need to speak with our Legal Counsel. Also we plan to reinstate all of the current stewards on Monday Oct. 31st and then have steward elections when we have the mailing list in November. I am meeting with Hennepin HR this coming Tuesday to work out the dues collection. We are also preparing to have a Unit Clarification Hearing at the BMS to try and separate out the Dispatchers into their own bargaining unit and will update you on when we can get a Hearing Date and have a pre-meeting with the Dispatch members to help us prep for the hearing.

Mike Golen

Director

Rob Fowler

Legal Counsel

MNPEA Overwhelming Victory

2011-10-28T18:38:00.002-05:00

Our new exclusive representative is MNPEA .

The official tally at the BMS was 110-1 http://www.bms.state.mn.us/documents/electionresults/12PRE0198.pdf

In addition to us so far today Washington County , the City of Albert Lea , and Freeborn County have decertified Teamsters Local 320 for MNPEA.

There are other groups still in the process. Congratulations to everyone on a new beginning.

Freeborn County, First MNPEA Victory

2011-10-14T21:47:00.002-05:00

Congratulations Freeborn County Sheriff's Patrol Sergeants!

On October 13, 2011 the Freeborn County Sheriff's Patrol Sergeants became the first group to become members of MNPEA!

There are more then a dozen other groups poised to do the same in the next few weeks!

MNPEA Ballots Coming

2011-10-14T18:27:00.000-05:00

On October 17, 2011, the Bureau of Mediation Services will be mailing the ballots out to determine who will be our exclusive representative.

I urge you to vote for MNPEA.

A vote for MNPEA is a vote for dues of only $39 a month.

The best labor attorney in the State, Rob Fowler.

A superior Legal Defense Plan, covering on and off duty.

And real representation on the job.

Letter from the FOP regarding Teamster attacks on MNPEA attorney Rob Fowler

2011-10-12T17:12:00.002-05:00

Members Of The Minnesota Fraternal Order Of Police:

As some of you know, our general counsel Robert Fowler has been working hard to add membership to our organization. He is general counsel to a new labor union, MNPEA, that will bring roughly 250 officers into the FOP and our Legal Defense Plan (LDP) this year alone. MNPEA is not officially affiliated with the FOP - we remain unaffiliated with any labor group, but MNPEA will be offering to it's sworn law enforcement members the FOP's LDP. Many of the bargaining groups being brought into MNPEA are from the Teamsters.

Recently, bulk emails were sent out by a group sponsored by Teamsters 320 that is trying to discredit MNPEA's Business Agents and our own FOP Attorney. The emails state Mr. Fowler was fired from his previous employer and has been accused by the MN Attorney General's Office for stealing money from the FOP. I understand that any labor group has a right to maintain their membership numbers, but I take exception to this false accusation. Fowler's contract with the FOP started in 2005.

We have always had a system in place where we pay Mr. Fowler a flat rate for each LDP member, plus an annual vehicle allowance that started several years ago. He has never had access to our bank accounts or finances. Paul and I can say with absolute certainty that Rob Fowler has never stolen money from our organization - that would be impossible.

As your President, I contacted the AG's Office and even though they could not comment directly on this accusation, I was told that their office "would not investigate this type of complaint". I can also state with certainty that Mr. Fowler was not fired from his previous law job with Pat Kelly's Office, this was acknowledged during the bidding process for the FOP contract.

We are concerned because these false emails could cause our own members to question whether our organization or legal defense plan are worthwhile. Our legal defense plan and the services offered by our attoney are without question invaluable, and Mr. Fowler has always maintained high integrity. Please forward this out to your fellow lodge members and correctly inform anyone in your workplaces who may have heard this type of false misinformation. Let them know that the accusations are false.

As President, I also feel that you should know that there is a new labor union option out there. Mr. Fowler is MNPEA's general counsel so you will be assured quality legal representation. We have had some issues in the past with Teamsters coming close to crossing the line into FOP matters, and I feel that this latest attack clearly does cross that line. I feel you should question whether representation by Teamsters is appropriate for you, as law enforcement officers, when such clearly false and defamatory accusations are being made against our FOP attorney.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and feel free to contact Treasurer Dooley or myself if you have questions.

Gary Cayo
MN FOP President

Paul Dooley
MN FOP Treasurer

Vote for Fred Gegare this week!

2011-10-02T18:20:00.003-05:00

You should receive a ballot from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters this week for the general election. I encourage you to vote, and to vote for the Fred Gegare slate. I was a delegate to the 2011 Teamsters Convention and fully support him and his entire slate.

My, our beef, is with Teamsters Local 320 not the International. Yes, we are in the process of decertifying 320, they won't have a local election for two years and we can't take another two years of their abuse. Give a gift to our brothers and sisters in the labor movement, vote in someone who wants to return the power of the Teamsters to the members. Hoffa needs to go!

By the way, thank you Teamsters local 320, because you "protested" the list of names provided to the Bureau of Mediation Services we will all still be able to vote in the Teamsters General election!

Removed as Union Steward

2011-09-21T00:03:00.005-05:00

Today I received a letter from Teamsters Local 320 Principle Officer Sue Mauren, removing me as a union steward. I want to thank all of you who have elected me to represent you as a union steward for over 12 years and most recently as a delegate to the 2011 Teamsters Convention.

I have worked hard all these years to represent you and to improve our profession.

I look forward to running as a union steward again under the Minnesota Public Employees Association.

In solidarity,
Wade Laszlo

320 Begs You to Stay

2011-09-13T14:37:00.006-05:00

MAINTENANCE OF STATUS QUO ORDER

2011-09-08T21:29:00.003-05:00

Decertification Video

2011-09-07T15:10:00.004-05:00

NOTICE

2011-09-07T10:36:00.004-05:00

On September 6th, 2011

CARDS WERE FILED WITH THE BUREAU OF MEDIATION SERVICES TO DECERTIFY TEAMSTERS LOCAL 320 AS THE EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HENNEPIN COUNTY DETENTION DEPUTIES, TELECOMMUNICATORS AND DETENTION TECHS AND TO CHOOSE THE MINNESOTA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (MNPEA) AS THE EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIVE.

*The number of cards filed was an overwhelming majority.

Happy Labor Day

2011-09-04T19:52:00.006-05:00

Labor Day is the day the United States honors it's workers. In 2011 things seem to have gotten worse for U.S. workers. Our right to collective bargaining is under attack, things as basic as sick time use are under attack and the very Unions born out of the last century's labor struggles have grown into large corporate style behemoths too often in bed with the government, corporations, and employers that have forgotten their roots and too often only view their members as a source of income for their overblown salaries.

Let's remember our roots this Labor Day and take back the Labor movement that is rightfully ours! We are the Union, in solidarity we stand!

1934 Minneapolis Truckers Strike pt. 1

pt 2

pt 3

In solidarity,

Wade Laszlo

Contract Proposals

2011-08-21T01:32:00.014-05:00

Today I (and you) received a letter asking for contract proposals from our Business Agent of 5 months, Mike Carey.

Even though he has never come out to meet the rank and file members he did meet with all of the Stewards on May 4th. We were very straightforward.

At that meeting we asked that a copy of the contract be mailed to all of the members. He said it would be. It has not, yet you are now asked to make proposals on a contract many of you don't have a copy of.

On May 4th we also discussed the very contentious 28 day schedule and the shift survey we filled out. He told us that overwhelmingly 6/3 was the choice and he'd be sending a letter out to the members. That has not happened either.

At the end of the meeting Mike Carey said to me, "We have to make this work." When I got home a message about me was posted on the Internet (under one of 320's many aliases): LASZLO, JENSON AND DEAL CAN GO FUCK THEMSELVES! Posted at 1:29 PM, right as we were leaving the building.

On August 9th there was a step 2 grievance hearing with Hennepin County Labor Relations regarding the monitored sick time issue. Mr. Carey was not there.

He has however found the time to meet several times with management about the new dispatch center.

On August 4th I wrote him a very detailed letter asking several questions. He has not responded.

At the Teamsters Convention right before the State shutdown, Ed Reynoso our DRIVE representative (lobbyist) told me, one of your elected delegates, "Fuck You Wade" every time he saw me for the first three days of the convention. He never left the convention even when the State shut down! However he did write a full page article in the Joint Council 32 magazine about the shutdown as if they gave a rats ass.

Maybe the folks we pay to represent us should find the time to mail out copies of the contract, address the shift preference survey, and answer the questions asked in the letter. Unless of course they are too busy attacking members on the Internet.

You cowards like to hide behind fake ID's on the Internet, I challenge you to answer this using your real names.

Teamsters had a big drive this summer to "Stop the War on Workers." Maybe Teamsters Local 320 should stop the war on its' members.

You can reach your Business Agent Mike Carey at mcarey@teamsterslocal320.org or call him at 612/378-8727

August Updates

2011-08-04T10:43:00.003-05:00

1. A grievance has been filed regarding the crackdown on sick time use. More specifically the use of monitored sick time without any previous warning to members.

2. Lexipol . What you say? Yesterday Lt. Mathison and Sgt. Hughes gave myself, stewards from the AFSCME clerical unit, HCSDA and the Detention Sergeants an overview of our new policy and procedures. They've contracted with a Risk Management Company calledLexipol and redid the Policy and Procedure Manuel and in the process DOUBLED the amount of P&P's we have. It's all about risk management through better P&P's. Of concern is that they pay a per employee cost, I hope they don't try to consider this an employee cost come contract negotiations.

One of it's features is that our P&P Manuel will ONLY be accessible via the Internet and we will be getting Daily Training Bulletins (DTB's). That's right 30 a month, but we will only have to complete 5-10. I was quick to point out the Jail has no Internet access. It's a problem they will have to address. I also pointed out it's been a problem for completing the Health Care questionnaires for lower co-pays. Maybe some benefit will come to us.

See our e group for more 'private' matters. As we continue to do more with less.

In solidarity,

Wade

A greeting to us from Henry Perry

2011-07-26T18:23:00.001-05:00

Teamsters Local 320 Delegates at the IBT Convention

2011-07-07T18:33:00.010-05:00

Last March the Teamsters Local 320 members elected the Anyone But Hoffa slate of delegates to represent our local at the 2011 IBT Convention. The mandate was clear, we were to get other Candidates on the Ballot for the October IBT elections to unseat Jim Hoffa. We succeeded.

People said we couldn't beat the Sue Maren slate, but we did.

People said that Fred Gegare and Sandy Pope didn't have enough delegates to get on the October ballot, but with our help they did!

Hoffa's supporters are saying it's a waste of Union money to hold an election because Gegare or Pope can't win.

With your, the member's votes, we can get a new General President elected this fall. One that remembers the members are the union, not the hierarchy.

Watch these videos and smell the victory. When Hoffa's supporters saw that Fred Gergare had enough delegates to be on the ballot the Hoffa delegates walked out rather then listen to an opposing view.

Watch their immature behavior as they try to boo down Fred Gegare's nomination and Sandy Pope's. They didn't even want other candidates nominated.

Then watch Gegare and Pope's acceptance speeches and make up your minds. I support Fred Gegare, but each Teamster has one vote, use it wisely and let's get some change.

In solidarity,
Wade Laszlo

Thank You 320 members

2011-07-02T22:05:00.004-05:00

I just want to take the time to thank the Teamsters Local 320 members for electing the Anyone But Hoffa slate to represent 320 at the 2011 Teamsters Convention.

Through much adversity we succeeded in getting both Fred Gegare and Sandy Pope on the ballot for the October elections. This means there will be a choice to Hoffa and an election.

The members spoke and we did what you elected us to do!

I will post more in the near future including video.

Hoffa's Corrupt Campaign

2011-04-30T17:10:00.014-05:00

This is page 32 of the April/May Teamster Magazine. Click on the image and at least read the highlighted parts. Hoffa offered jobs as bribes for support. This behavior is rampant among Hoffa Supporters. Including our own pro-Hoffa Sue Mauren who was found guilty of taking an illegal contribution:

Richard W. MarkElection Supervisor

The Election Supervisor has found that Sue Mauren and the Mauren slate violated the Election Rules by accepting web design and hosting services for the Mauren website from Razworks LLC, a commercial web design and hosting service. Campaign contributions from non-members are strictly prohibited by the Rules. The Election Supervisor has directed Mauren to pay Razworks its usual and customary charges for the services provided and to cease using non-member contributions to campaign.

The Election Supervisor has issued this decision in Laszlo, 2010 ESD 87 (January 27, 2011). You may read this decision at http://www.ibtvote.org/protests/2010/2011esd087.htm.

As many of you know the Anyone But Hoffa Slate (ABH) won the election over the pro-Hoffa Sue Mauren Slate in the Teamsters Local 320 Delegate Election. Rather then accept that we are the elected delegates to the Teamsters Convention and being good sports, these sore losers continue to attack the elected delegates. Check out this website they created to attack me: http://www.youtube.com/user/WadeLaszlo1satanist

Rather then debate the issues of stacked salaries, bribes, wasted member money and cronyism they can only create websites like this!

As a delegate, I will be at the Teamsters Convention in support of Fred Gergare for Teamster General President. I believe the Union should represent the members, not the other way around. Fred Gergare thinks likewise.

You can also watch the video, I Am A Teamster I made in response to one of their many childish attacks.

To keep up on the facts go to AnyoneButHoffa.com

In solidarity,
Wade

Business Agent Tom Perkins Leaving

2011-04-13T18:08:00.002-05:00

Tom Perkins is leaving us as our Business Agent. Who ever replaces him has big shoes to fill. History: Tom Perkins took a 6 month unpaid leave of absence in the late 1990’s to get us our 55 retirement. Tom Perkins fought to get us the Blood Borne Pathogens Bill (forced inmate blood draws), and just last month Tom Perkins went to the legislature and saved us from cuts to our pension. Tom was available in the middle of the night and on weekends for us, even though he was Monday through Friday on paper. Tom will be greatly missed and the void damn near impossible to fill.

We Are One Rally-St. Paul, MN

2011-04-05T17:48:00.002-05:00

The Front

2011-03-31T15:02:00.004-05:00

The bill HF813, that would have required us to pay 3% more into our pension and the employer 3% less has died in committee. It will not be part of the budget. Special thanks to our B.A. Tom Perkins who had representative Hackbarth ready to amend it to exclude the Corrections pension. Next, please attend the rally on April 4th if you can. We need to show strength and solidarity as Public Union members. Our right to organize and pensions are under attack.

April 4th Labor Rally

2011-03-30T16:57:00.001-05:00

Thank You Department of Labor

2011-03-21T10:14:00.003-05:00

Last Friday you should have recieved your overtime augment backpay. We've been fighting for this since last July.

Thanks to Bill Buckingham at the Department of Labor for all of his hard work to get us the long overdue back pay!

Also thanks to Dave Bentzen for discovering the County's mistake!

Pension Alert

2011-03-17T00:57:00.009-05:00

Source: PERA website http://www.mnpera.org/

"Senate bill calls for pension funding shift PERA Coordinated and Correctional members would effectively pay 50 percent more for their pensions under a bill introduced Monday, March 14, by Sen. Mike Parry, Waseca, and Sen. Gretchen Hoffman, Vergas. Employer contributions to the plans would drop a similar amount under Senate File 813.

The 3 percent of pay increase would mean a contribution rate of 9.25 percent for Coordinated members and 8.83 percent for Corrections officers as of July 1. Employer rates would drop to 4.25 percent and 5.75 percent, respectively. The bill does not affect the Association's Police & Fire Plan.

......Unlike Wisconsin, where, until this month pension funding has been primarily an employer responsibility, PERA members and employers have traditionally split pension costs. Both members and employers pay about 50 percent each for the General Plan and divide the costs 40%/60% for the public safety plans."

I must ask why pick on Corrections officers and leave Police and Fire alone? When Tom Perkins got us the 55 retirement the main selling point to the Minnesota Legislature was the fact that Corrections Officers have higher injury rates and lower life expectancy then cops. If you go to the PERA website or read the mailing you got from PERA you'd see that the Corrections Plan is at 97%, Fully Funded! Should you take a 3% paycut for a fully funded pension?

Call Joint Council 32 DRIVE at 612-331-5514. Tell them you want our lobbyist in St. Paul on this ASAP. (You pay the DRIVE lobbyist $105,000 a year with your dues).

Call your State representatives.

You might find this info useful when talking to your reps: Myths vs. facts on PERA

DON'T LET MINNESOTA BECOME WISCONSIN!

Bad News for Wisconsin Unions

2011-03-09T21:37:00.001-06:00

"In 30 minutes, 18 state senators undid 50 years of civil rights in Wisconsin," Democratic Sen. Mark Miller said in a statement. "Their disrespect for the people of Wisconsin and their rights is an outrage that will never be forgotten."

Full Story

Support Fred Gergare & Brad Slawson Sr. 2011

2011-03-09T09:58:00.007-06:00

I support Fred Gergare & Brad Slawson, Sr. in the 2011 Teamsters General President Elections. I urge all of you to vote for him in the October elections.

I can't thank you enough for supporting the Anyone But Hoffa Slate in the Teamsters Local 320 Delegate elections, but we're only half way there. The next step is to elect a General President worthy of that title. I believe that man is Fred Gergare and his running mate Brad Slawson, Sr.

In Solidarity,

Wade Laszlo

Congratulations Letter from Sandy Pope

2011-03-08T19:14:00.001-06:00

Congratulations Letter from Sandy Pope.

March 7, 2011 in ABH

Dear Members of the Anyone But Hoffa Slate:

Congratulations on a well-deserved victory in your Convention Delegate
election. Our union and our country needs your activism and
leadership more than ever!

Politicians across the country are coming after public sector workers’
wages, benefits, and union rights. It’s the fight of our lifetimes.

Corporate politicians are trying to divide us and turn public and
private sector workers against each other. Our real enemies are the
reckless Wall Street bankers who drove our economy over the cliff—not
the fire fighters and teachers and Teamsters who provide the public
services we need.

Public employees have power and can be a tremendous force for change
when we get active and get involved. That’s the lesson of
Wisconsin—and that’s the lesson of your victory in Local 320.

I congratulate the “Anyone but Hoffa Slate” and Local 320 members for
standing up for change.

Your successful campaign to win this delegate election is a model for
what it will take to turn our union around. You reached out to your
brothers and sisters, member-to-member, talking face-to-face and on
the phone about what it will take to turn around our union.

That kind of grassroots activism is what my campaign is all about.
That’s why I was honored to back your slate.

I look forward to working with you to stand up to corporate
politicians, defend working families and rebuild our union’s power.

In solidarity,

Sandy Pope

Reposted fron the Anyone But Hoffa Site

Corrections News & Views, vol. 9

2011-03-07T09:34:00.001-06:00

Anyone But Hoffa Slate to Represent 320 at the IBT Elections

2011-03-05T16:02:00.000-06:00

March 5, 2011 in ABH

The Anyone But Hoffa Slate won the Teamsters Local 320 Delegate Election by a nice margin. You can see the vote count here and it will also be posted early next week on the Election Supervisors site, IBTVote.

We thank all of those that assisted us with getting the word out.

Without your support and feedback, we would not have been able to focus our efforts and our campaign would have been less effective. We now need to focus on the Delegate Convention and getting the word out to more members to vote this fall in the IBT election. As you can see from the number of ballots in this election, only about 25% of the membership returned a ballot. We need to get ALL of our members involved and voting so that their voice is heard. We, the members, ARE the Union. Let no one take that away from you, misrepresent you, or use your resources against you.

(Reposted from the Anyone But Hoffa site)

Fred Gergare Congratulates, Anyone But Hoffa Victory

2011-03-05T11:43:00.003-06:00

VICTORY: ANYONE BUT HOFFA!

2011-03-04T20:42:00.002-06:00

The Anyone But Hoffa Slate has WON the Teamsters Local 320 delegate election.

THANK YOU all for voting. We will do our best to bring the Teamsters Union back to you, the members.

Anyone But Hoffa

Public Employees: Myths and Realities

2011-02-28T21:01:00.001-06:00

Public Employees: Myths and Realities

A must read from Labor Notes!

Police won't arrest Wisconsin protesters

2011-02-28T07:49:00.002-06:00

MADISON, Wis. — The occupation of the Wisconsin Capitol by protesters fighting efforts to strip public workers of union bargaining rights carried on Sunday after police decided not to forcibly remove demonstrators and end a nearly two-week-long sit-in.

Full Story

Solidarity!

A Joke from Facebook

2011-02-27T21:40:00.002-06:00

‎"A public union employee, a tea party activist, and a CEO are sitting at a table with a plate of a dozen cookies in the middle of it. The CEO takes 11 of the cookies, turns to the tea partier and says, 'Watch out for that union guy. He wants a piece of your cookie."

A Comment on our Wisconisn Union brothers & sisters

2011-02-18T21:23:00.011-06:00

I support our Union brothers and sisters in Wisconsin. Two days ago I listened to Rush Limbaugh refer to Wisconsin's Public Union Protesters as 'Pariahs,' and referred to Public Union member benefits as 'Welfare.'

Any adult can see money is tight for government. However, any cuts, increases in member contributions, etc should be made at the bargaining table at contract negotiations, not by executive order. We, at the bargaining table have agreed to wage freezes, increased health care contributions, increased pension contributions, etc. We've done our part.

If you have cable television there are several packages. There's a premium package with all of the movie and sports channels, a mid-range package and then basic cable. These assholes are saying, look we can't afford the premium package price. So we're going to pay basic cable rates but we want the same premium service.

All Union contracts have provisions for lay offs. While no one wants lay offs, if you can only afford 30 snowplow drivers and you have 35 you may have to lay off 5 and take longer to clear roads for the public. Public workers deserve a livable wage. Wisconsin just wants to cut everybody's pay, lay off no one and get the same level of service for cheap.

The bottom line is public employees didn't cause the housing bubble and didn't speculate oil prices through the roof. We are not to blame. When the private sector was getting 10% raises we were getting 2-3%. Most of us are experiencing wage freezes yet again. We don't get rich in public service.

The economy will only pick up when the private sector does. If we have to have less government and less workers in the mean time then so be it. Those provisions are already in our contracts. Public workers deserve honored contracts, and a living wage, and that wage must be negotiated, not ordered.

These politicians fail to realize that government doesn't give us the 'right to strike.' A strike is what happens when people get fed up. It's shutting things down to show our strength and value. The strikes in the 1930's that gave us the National Labor Relation's Act came after workers walked off of jobs, picketed and violently forced replacement workers away. They didn't need permission! History can and does repeat itself. Minnesota is trying to freeze teacher pay and make Minnesota a 'Right to Work' state. They think that because unemployment is high, people will fear for their jobs and do what they're told. The Union organizing and strikes that took place early in the last century happened during the Great Depression! When you take advantage of people they push back.

Imagine if public workers went on strike, governors ordered then back to work and they refused, and then the cops refused to arrest them and the jailers refused to book or hold them?

Solidarity!

The fight is in Wisconsin

2011-02-17T21:37:00.000-06:00

HUDSON, Wis. - AFSCME Council 5 is urging members to join a Rally for Union Rights Saturday, Feb. 19, in Hudson, Wis.

The rally begins at 10 a.m. at the Carmichael Road bridge over Interstate 94. (It's the second exit heading east on I-94, after you cross the St. Croix River from Minnesota.)“Unions have been part of every struggle for civil rights and economic justice,” said Eliot Seide, executive director of Council 5. “We won’t be destroyed by Gov. Walker. Minnesota Council 5 stands in solidarity with our union brothers and sisters in Wisconsin. We will fight until we win.”Council 5 represents 43,000 workers in Minnesota, including 1,300 members who live in Wisconsin.

Fred Gergare endorses 'Anyone But Hoffa'

2011-02-15T21:44:00.002-06:00

Click to enlarge:

Mike Golen on Anyone But Hoffa

2011-02-06T20:59:00.000-06:00

A message from Anyone But Hoffa

2011-02-05T16:32:00.004-06:00

We checked where Local 320 has their credit cards and they informed us that there are Rewards on each card held by the the Officers and Agents. We then asked if the Officers and Agents are keeping the Rewards. They replied that ALL OF THE REWARDS GO TO SUE MAUREN! Apparently for at least the last 14 years! Why wouldn't the Rewards be turned into cash and applied to the monthly bills? The Teamsters Union is a sinking ship and the Rats At The Top Are Stealing Us Blind On The Way Out.

Support the
Anyone But Hoffa Slate
It's your slate, not theirs!

Who would support the Sue Mauren slate?

2011-02-01T08:12:00.007-06:00

On her website Sue Mauren says, "Experienced, Proven Leadership You Can Trust."

But right below that is a notice from the OFFICE OF THE ELECTION SUPERVISOR
for the INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS declaring she violated the election rules! Go to her website and see for yourself: http://suemauren.com/

What other rules does the Mauren Slate violate? United States Copyright Laws! Brett Ohnstad, a delegate on the Sue Mauren Slate has violated Copyright laws against me by illegally uploading music and/or videos of mine and against Mike Golen of our slate. Here's the links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haxF7HPzpAw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC_9aMc7nvY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQXdLddcFco

The Sue Mauren Slate also launched a bigoted campaign against me on religious grounds. See my video response to another one of their videos pulled by YouTube for Copyright violations. My YouTube response video is "I Am A Teamster."

In short the Sue Mauren Slate violates election rules, Copyright Laws and is willing to launch attacks on members who hold different religious philosophies then theirs. Is this the Experienced, Proven Leadership You Can Trust?

The Sue Mauren Slate is supporting Hoffa in the IBT elections. Teamsters Election Supervisor: Hoffa Lied to Cover Up Bribery Attempts Birds of a feather!

I am running as a Delegate on the Anyone But Hoffa Slate. You deserve better leadership.

Sue Mauren Slate found in Violation of Election Rules

2011-01-27T16:45:00.008-06:00

The Election Supervisor has found that Sue Mauren and the Mauren slate violated the
Election Rules by accepting web design and hosting services for the Mauren website from
Razworks LLC, a commercial web design and hosting service. Campaign contributions from nonmembers are strictly prohibited by the Rules. The Election Supervisor has directed Mauren to pay Razworks its usual and customary charges for the services provided and to cease using non-member contributions to campaign.

The Election Supervisor has issued this decision in Laszlo, 2010 ESD 87 (January 27, 2011).
You may read this decision at http://www.ibtvote.org/protests/2010/2011esd087.htm.

A message from Mike Golen

2011-01-24T19:54:00.002-06:00

Mike Golen was the business agent that got us our paid holidays!

Union Members. Watch Your Back!

2011-01-23T07:07:00.010-06:00

ST. PAUL - A Republican representative has introduced legislation to make Minnesota a “right to work” state. -Workday Minnesota

Listen to the radio, read the news. The constant drum beat you hear is that Labor Unions are the cause of this country's deficits. They are the reason companies are leaving the U.S., our excessive wages and pensions are to blame for bankrupting States, it goes on and on.

Now, in a Labor friendly state like Minnesota, State Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, introduced a Right to Work bill.

What does that mean? It means if a company or shop is unionized there can be non-union workers doing your job, weakening the contract.

On average, workers in “right to work” states earn $5,000 less per year than those in more unionized states like Minnesota. -Workday Minnesota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median weekly earnings for union members — $917 — remained higher than the $717 in earnings for workers not in unions. -The New York Times

According to Brad Slawson Sr, "One of the most important fights we have coming up in the next year is beating back this Right to Work legislation that is showing up across the country."

Brad Slawson Sr. is a Candidate on Fred Gergare's Fighting for the Member's campaign.

The Anyone But Hoffa Slate supports them. While Hoffa is busy paling around with CEO's , and offering bribes, Fred and Brad are fighting for our jobs.

What can you do to protect your job, wages and benefits? Call your State representatives and tell them to vote no to bill HF 65 .

Then Vote for the The Anyone But Hoffa Slate when you get your ballot in February.

Fred Gergare News

2011-01-22T07:58:00.003-06:00

The Candidate I support for IBT President is Fred Gergare. This is news from his site you will find enlightening over the corrupt Hoffa Slate.

Fred Sweeps 5 Delegate Elections
Updated On: Jan 20, 2011 (10:02:00)
Fred Gegare and the "Fighting for the Members" campaign continues to fire on all cylinders by winning delegate elections at five local unions (89, 327, 651, 662, and 783). As Fred's convention delegation grows by the day, Teamsters are sending a clear message that James Phillip Hoffa's reign is coming to an end. See below to find out how to become a Gegare Delegate and to get a Fred campaign leaflet.

Teamsters Election Supervisor: Hoffa Lied to Cover Up Bribery Attempts
Updated On: Jan 21, 2011 (19:51:00)
An official investigation by IBT Election Supervisor Richard W. Mark intocorruption charges against James Phillip Hoffa, his campaign staff and three of his Vice Presidents, including his running mate Ken Hall, revealed "a culture, or mindset where elected union officials do not clearly distinguish between their fiduciary responsibilities to the union and their separate politicalobjectives of achieving election."
In addition, the investigation uncovered "conduct that showed no recognitionthat campaigning cannot be conducted through and using the union structureitself."
FULL STORY

I am running as a delegate on the Anyone But Hoffa Slate. Our slate members support Fred Gerage and Sandy Pope, anyone but Hoffa!

A message from the Anyone But Hoffa Slate

2011-01-16T20:18:00.004-06:00

Dear Local 320 members,

On Februaury 12th, ballots will be mailed to Local 320 members' homes to elect 13 delegates and four alternates to send to the International Teamster Convention that will be held in the last week of June in Las Vegas. The convention will nominate candidates to run for International Teamster President. That election is held in October of this year. The convention can also make changes to the International Constitution.

I am proud to running with the "Anyone But Hoffa" slate, www.anyonebuthoffa.com We are a slate that truly represents the diverse jobs across public employment in the state of Minnesota, and we have wealth of experience representing members. We are committed to representing the interests of the members, not leaders who want to continute their lavish lifestyles and disconnection from the membership. Sue Mauren received $200,000 in total compenstaion in 2009, Jimmy Hoffa, who she backs for re-election, received $ 368,000. Mauren's brother-in-law, Jeff Farmer, who works as Hoffa's organizing director, received $149,071 in salary and $173,672 total compensation in 2009. All of these overpaid unon leaders will receive very generous retirements as well.

Our slate will fight to ban multiple salaries, and have income limits for union leaders, as well stop the junkets that many officers and BAs attend that provide no value to the members. We will work to re-direct these funds to better representation, organizing new members, and better education workshops for stewards and activist members. We are also fighting to get a yearly dues break for members who have experienced furloughs and wage freezes. We will support a change to the Teamster Constitution that would allow locals to change their by-laws to allow for elected Business Agents. Currently, the constitution bans locals from making this change. We think this should be decided at the local level. We will support the nomination of alternative candidates to Hoffa, some on our slate support Sandy Pope, President of Local 805 in New York, and some support Fred Gegare, a current International Vice President. Pope is a longtime member of Teamsters for a Democratic Union, Gegare was formerly part of Hoffa's slate and has now broken away and is challenging Hoffa.

The members of our slate are listed below. We need your support in this upcoming election. You can help us by spreading the word in your workplace, and urge your co-workers to vote for our slate in this important election. It's time for a new direction in the Teamsters Union, and you can help us make it happen.

Solidarity,

Erik Jensen

Mike Golen, Business Agent and past President, Local 320
Erik Jensen, Steward and Negotiating Cmte, Senior Building and Grounds Worker
Dave Deal, Chief Steward, Washington County Corrections and Dispatchers. Corrections sargent.
Wade Laszlo, Chief Steward, Hennpepin County Detention Deputies. Detention Deputy.
Laverna Wharam, Steward, Paraprofessional Unit, Inver Grove Heights Schools District.
Pam Solem, Seventh District Judicial Support Unit
Marjie Weinberger, Steward and Negotiator. Bus Driver, Minneapolis Public Schools.
Carol Orcutt, Hennepin County Detention Deputy.
Margaret (Peggy) Sik, Grant County Social Services
Shawn Vosejpka, Probation Officer and Steward, Rice County
Neal Gale, Steward and Driver, University of Minnesota
Marv Stutz, Commander, Washington County Sheriff's Department. Past Steward.
David Kremer, Farm Eqent Operator, University of Minnesota.

Alternates:

Vicki Kloos, Grant County Social Services
Mike Mastrian, Steward and Probation Officer, Washington County.
Thomas "Odin" Brenden, Bus Driver, Minneapolis Public Schools
Dave Kosciolek, Probation Officer, Ramsey County

Sue Mauren Slate Lies

2011-01-15T21:43:00.002-06:00

Vote Laszlo for delegate, Anyone But Hoffa Slate

2011-01-14T20:51:00.002-06:00

Vote for Laszlo for Delegate, 2011

Strike Vote & other 320 News

2011-01-12T07:16:00.002-06:00

Last Nights Union meeting was quite eventful.

Strike Vote

Our Teamsters Local 320 brothers and sisters have voted to go on strike in St. Louis County, MN.

The Duluth News Tribune has an article about this:

Talks with the Teamsters, who repair and drive the county’s road graders and snowplows during winter months, are being mediated by the State Bureau of Mediation Services.
The Teamsters have informed the state they will strike as early as Jan. 19 if a new contract isn’t settled. They are the only bargaining unit in the county that has authorized a strike.

They had already agreed to a wage freeze, but St. Louis County pushed it farther and wanted them to give up seniority!

Hopefully St. Louis County will see the light before it's too late. If the strike does happen hopefully it will be shorter then our Hennepin County strike in 1981.

Proposed by-laws changes:

Two by-laws changes were put forth last night. They will be discussed at February's meeting and voted on in March.

1. (Introduced by Dave Deal) That all 320 Officer and BA salary increases must be voted on by members.

2. (Introduced by Wade Laszlo) That "Just Cause" be applied to business agents for discipline and dismissal.

2011 updates

2011-01-06T08:11:00.002-06:00

It's a new year and here's where we're at.

Overtime back pay. The Department of Labor is involved trying to get us the overtime back pay due. They contact me at least every two weeks and give me a progress report. The employer keeps changing the game, but progress is being made. It's unfortunate that payroll has no trouble immediately taking money from our checks if they feel its due, for example this Christmas Eve they took money from Veterans, last Christmas Eve it was $300 in alleged overpaid Holiday pay (Merry Christmas right?). Yet, they drag their feet to conform to Federal Law.

Pizza's coming. Our B.A. Tom Perkins will be sending in Pizza's on Thursday, January 13th for all Teamsters members on all shifts. This should ease the shut down of staff dining for maintenance for at least one day!

Shift Survey. As you know shifts are the employers right and the Sheriff has put us on the 28/8 shift. During Labor Management Meet and Confers the Chief made it clear, "This is a notification not a negotiation. You will be going to a 28 day 8 hour shift and we will consider no other options." During last negotiations we proposed several other shift options, 10 hour shifts, 12 hour shifts and 6/3. Their response was that the shift was management right and they weren't interested in anything but the 28/8. Well...negotiations begin again this summer. Our B.A. Tom Perkins will be sending out a survey in the next few weeks about shifts. The result of the survey will become a contract proposal.

Steward Election Results

2010-12-30T21:21:00.005-06:00

These are the Teamsters Local 320 shop stewards voted in by the members:

Wade Laszlo
Phil Miles
Jodie Hannig
Brian Peterson
Mike Smith
Jason Herlitz
Mike Hendricks

Thanks for voting. Thanks to all who put their names in the hat and thanks to those for their past service.

Any One But Hoffa!

2010-12-20T12:28:00.003-06:00

The International Elections are this summer. I am running to be a delegate on the Anyone But Hoffa Slate.

Our weakness is the result of weakness from the top down and it's time to put some muscle back in the Teamsters.

The delegate election is important because the delegates decide who will be running for General President. I ask for your support.

The man I support is Fred Gergare. Strong leadership makes a strong union. A strong union means better contracts and working conditions.

In solidarity,
Wade

Local 117 knows how to back Corrections Officers

2010-12-11T10:17:00.006-06:00

SEATTLE) – Hundreds of Teamster correctional workers, their families, community allies, and other Teamster members rallied on the steps of the state Capitol in Olympia today in an effort to stop the cuts that they say are endangering the lives of prison workers and our communities. Teamsters Local 117 represents more than 6,000 correctional workers throughout the state. View photos from this event. PRESS RELEASE FROM TEAMSTERS (FULL STORY)

It's stories like this that make me proud to be a Teamster. There are several points I'd like to make.

First of all, especially if you view the photos, the amount of backing they, the Local 117 members, got from their local.

Second the sheer numbers. Hundreds protesting and 6,000 corrections members!

By comparison, Local 320 has passed up opportunities to have those kinds of numbers and clout in corrections in Minnesota. At least two years ago I spoke to Brian Aldes and Sue Mauren about organizing the state corrections officers (they asked me to be Teamsters) and was told no! That would be about 2,000 more members. Now if we then organized the Workhouse and most other counties we would have a strong position to bargain from. Why no? They have a 'no raid' policy towards AFSCME. How asinine to keep a job class fractured amongst different Unions rather then united.

I must ask, where was the 320 Executive Board when the Garrity rights of one of our stewards' (and by extension all of ours) was violated? Especially where was MNTLEL? They sat on their hands while this protection was weakened for every corrections officer and cop in the country.

Why do Minnesota Sheriff's and governments feel no fear when corrections officers are placed on shifts with no overlaps that compromise safety and security? When staffing levels are often dangerously low at certain times of the day?

Because there will never be those kinds of numbers and political clout as long as we are divided. Jimmy Hoffa senior knew this fact when he united the nations' truckers under the Master Freight Agreement rather then hundreds of fractured contracts. What was true then is true now. Strength in numbers.

We need a Master Corrections agreement in Minnesota. That's my vision.

December Updates

2010-12-07T21:18:00.003-06:00

The Teamsters Membership Appreciation Meeting is Dec. 14th (Holiday Meeting). Click Here for details.

THE STEWARD NOMINATION SHEET IS POSTED

If you are interested in being a Teamsters Union Steward please self nominate on the sheet hanging on the bulletin board. You must be a full dues paying member to be eligible. Every two years when the contract is settled we insist on elections.

Duties include: Representing members in Internal Affairs and discipline hearings and contract negotiations.

The importance of health & welfare checks

2010-11-28T09:39:00.002-06:00

For the second time in a year and a half, the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) has found that Ramsey County jail staff violated state rules governing how often inmates need to be checked on. -STAR TRIBUNE

FULL STORY

Overtime Backpay Update

2010-11-16T15:06:00.003-06:00

As of today, November 16, 2010, the Department of Labor is working to get us the unpaid overtime back pay augments owed.

As you know Dave. B. discovered our overtime was being calculated incorrectly. After filing a grievance our BA Tom Perkins directed him to the Department of Labor and he successfully received his back pay last August. The rest of us, even after assurances from the HCSO and Hennepin County that it was being worked on have gone unpaid since last July.

Enough is enough.

Teamsters Local 320 Election Result

2010-11-12T18:51:00.007-06:00

The ballots were counted today. The Sue Mauren slate has another 3 years. The Members for a Better Union slate took between 36%-37% of the vote. Not bad for the first time out, a short campaign and only spending about $1,400 compared to the Sue Muaren slate's over $10,000.

I hope the Sue Mauren slate got the message. Out of about 9,800 eligible voters only about 2,300 bothered to vote and 36% went to the Members for a Better Union slate. I'd hardly call the result a mandate.

The message is: Pay more attention to the members.

Dave Deal sums up best the reasons the slate formed and what's next.

I have to say this whole experience was eye opening. I was not running for local office yet the Sue Mauren slate took it upon themselves to attack a dues paying member for voicing an opinion. They targeted myself and Brad Slawson Sr. of Teamsters Local 120 for no apparent reason.

My sites had to become moderated because of their profanity. They had a video made about me and according to them I'm a racist and a devil worshiper. You guys won the race, but you lost the respect you need to lead. Try to remember that the members hire you to represent them, unless you want a repeat 3 years from now.

Thank you Members for a Better Union slate for having the courage to run and thanks to all of you who supported them. The election is over and it's time to get back to the business of serving the members united as Teamsters.

Thank you Veterans

2010-11-11T04:45:00.001-06:00

Thank You!

Keep Up

2010-11-02T22:45:00.001-05:00

Visit the Labor Page

Vote. Mail your ballots!

2010-10-31T18:09:00.004-05:00

Members, you pay about $50 a month in dues. The amount of backing you get depends on who's on the 320 board.

Supporters of the current board have waged a war on me just for endorsing the MEMBERS FOR A BETTER UNION slate.

Correct me if I'm wrong. I pay dues. I do not work for local 320. They are supposed to work for me (and you). Local 320 does not provide me with insurance or a pension. Hmm, I must then be paying them to provide a service. That service is to represent the members.

I have a right and obligation to vote in a board I think will best represent us.

Remember, elections are often decided by small amounts of votes.

Let your voice be heard. Mail your ballot.

Message from Brad Slawson. Sr.

2010-10-29T18:21:00.003-05:00

From: Brad Slawson Sr Sent: Friday, October 29, 2010 2:59 PMTo: 'jnack@co.wilkin.mn.us'; 'jonnylaw@loretel.net'; 'blhjelmen@yahoo.com'Subject:

TO JOSH NACK, JON KARGER, DAVID JENNEN, DAN TUCKER, CHERYL PETERSEN, BOB HJELMAN, ANN MUELLER, DION BREDMAN.

Recently you have received an e mail from local 320 business agent MERL KING about teamsters local 120 and the election at local 320. My name is BRAD SLAWSON SR and I am the secretary treasure and head officer of local 120. In MERL’S e mail he says that local 120 is trying to take over local 320 with this election at local 320. Meryl goes on to say that local 120 is broke and has lost thousands of members in the past. This e mail is a complete false hood. Local 120 has never had any conversation with any member OF LOCAL 320 about merging our two locals. Local 120 is the largest local in MINNESOTA, IOWA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA with a very strong treasury. Local 120 has not or will be interested in any merger with local 320. Both locals are very large and should stand alone for their own membership. I cannot believe that MERL would stoop this low to spread these MALICIOUS lies and grand distortions about local 120. I can be reached at my office during business hours at 763 267 6100 for any member that wants’ to verify this e mail and its contents. Please feel free to distribute this e mail.

Fraternally:
BRAD SLAWSON SR
SECRETARY TREASURER
LOCAL 120

Why are comments now moderated?

2010-10-29T17:04:00.010-05:00

As you know it's local 320 election time. There are some people who are angry because a group,
the MEMBERS FOR A BETTER UNION SLATE is running against the current board. The current board is nervous because members have a choice. Rather then engage in intelligent conversation they have engaged in a campaign of lies, intimidation and slander. I will not allow them to use my sites as a platform. Honest disagreement, as always will be allowed.

They have launched a personal attack on me spamming my sites because I support Gergare rather then Hoffa in the IBT election and I support the MEMBERS FOR A BETTER UNION SLATE.

They are spreading lies among members that those against the current board are really trying to let Teamsters Local 120 take over our local. Read business agent Merl King's email telling the lie. I've been told by members that most of the Sue Mauren slate is spreading this lie.

Teamsters Local 320 needs to remember we HIRE you as a service....to represent us.

Teamsters Testimony at HCSO budget hearing

2010-10-29T09:56:00.005-05:00

Thank you Henepin County Commisioners for the opportunity to testify. We have at least 3 allies on the board: Chairman Opat and Commisioners Stenglein and Mclaughlin. Please remember them this election day.

October Updates

2010-10-26T07:00:00.007-05:00

We lost our contract arbitration. Sadly, the county couldn't even give us some non-monetary language considering we took a wage and step freeze. Negotiations begin anew this summer.

The Department of Labor told me that the County has until November 15th to pay out the back pay on the overtime augments. After that the regional director will take action.

The grievance filed after the Sheriff's Office changed the seniority list was denied at step 2 and will be moved to step 3.

We are preparing the arbitration for the 1.5% inconvenient work schedule grievance.

The Horobin case is in court. This is the case where the HCSO released Garrity protected information.

We, (our BA and I) will address the County Board at the HCSO budget hearings on October 28th. We encourage you to attend. Location 24th floor Government Center. 1-4 PM.

Ballots are out for the Teamsters Local 320 elections. I encourage you to support the Members for a Better Union slate.

Delegate Announcement

2010-10-24T09:27:00.003-05:00

I, Wade Laszlo, am formally announcing that I am seeking to be a delegate supporting the Fred Gergare and Brad Slawson, Sr. Slate in the upcoming 2011 IBT elections.

VOTE- the ballots have been mailed

2010-10-23T08:45:00.007-05:00

VOTE- You are the Union. You can effect change.

I support the Members For A Better Union Slate.

Read their Manifesto.

Then ask yourself:

Where was the board when we had the Vote of no Confidence in Sheriff Stanek?

Where was MNTLEL, where was the outcry, when the Stanek administration violated Detention Deputy Horobin's Garrity rights and released Garrity protected statements?

We took zero's for raises and for the first time step freezes....but we were forced to arbitrate, and lose, 3 NON-MONETARY ITEMS. Consider this, 4 of 7 of the County Board members are Teamsters' endorsed by DRIVE. The County could have agreed to any or all of our requests without costing them a dime if they had any fear of losing a DRIVE endorsement.

While most Teamsters took wage freezes and some groups took cuts many on the board increased their salaries!

It's time to vote in a new board that remembers that Teamsters are about strength and backing the members.

Vote for the MEMBERS FOR A BETTER UNION SLATE. Please don't just throw away the ballot. You pay dues and have the right to vote. You deserve maximum backing for the dues you pay.

Apparently The Field Has Opened

2010-10-20T21:49:00.002-05:00

There is now a real write in candidate Linda Lachner.

In addition of course, to our friend the Facebook Kitten!

Teamsters Ballots are coming!

2010-10-20T16:29:00.002-05:00

For the local 320 elections I endorse the MEMBERS FOR A BETTER UNION SLATE.

For the upcoming International Teamsters Election I endorse Fred Gerage and Brad Slawson, Sr.

Take the time to follow the links and please vote.

Members for a Better Union endorsement

2010-10-11T09:48:00.001-05:00

Vote for the Members for a Better Union Slate!

2010-10-11T06:58:00.003-05:00

Local elections are coming up. It's time for a change in leadership.

Tired of arbitrations taking a year or more (if ever) to happen?

Tired of wage freezes while union leadership gets raises?

I endorse the Members for a Better Union Slate!

Propaganda in Shooting Straight

2010-10-04T07:40:00.008-05:00

This week's Shooting Straight with Sheriff Stanek, is commenting about the budget woes the Sheriff's Office is facing. Including a 2% cut in revenue from property taxes. All well and good until he says, "In addition we must absorb an additional $1.3 million in 2011 for increases in health care costs, step increases and pensions."

Really? Health Care costs did not increase because the County went self insured, no labor groups are receiving step increases or cost of living raises for that matter and there has been no increase to the pension contributions.

Sheriff Stanek's use as propaganda the cost of our non-existent step increases as a cost he must absorb is not only bullshit, but insulting to those of us whose wages and steps were frozen.

It's pretty ballsy to publish in Shooting Straight this outright lie for all of us to see who are taking a wage freeze and step freezes.

I clicked on the email button on his Shooting Straight page where he says he's interested in our comments to ask him about this. It led to a blank page. So I typed the email address into my work email and tried again to ask him about this (forwarding a copy home). This email to the Sheriff also bounced!

I'd say this is more of a Shooting Crooked then Straight. I'd call this propaganda. Why else would he say he had budget costs to absorb that don't exist?

Public Employees Shouldn't Be Second Class Teamsters

2010-10-02T12:35:00.002-05:00

Updated On: Sep 21, 2010 (19:05:00)

Being out of touch with everyday Teamsters is one thing. Not knowing they exist is another.

After more than a decade in office, James Phillip Hoffa doesn’t seem to realize that there are nearly 250,000 members in the Public Services Division. He recently stated:
“We’ve organized thousands of people. County employees in Florida. People you wouldn’t think we’d organize.”

Why wouldn’t we?

Unlike many people who have been organized during Hoffa’s administration, public employees have stable, good paying jobs. Plus, the public sector is a Teamster stronghold with contracts that need to be strengthened and protected.

Not only does James Phillip Hoffa deem public employees unworthy of organizing, he thinks that assigning a single IBT representative for a quarter of a million members is fair.

Not Fred. He’ll stop treating public employees like second class Teamsters and build a Public Services Division that will provide them with the representation they deserve.

REPRINTED FROM: FRED GEGARE 2007

Corrections News & Views, vol. 8

2010-09-27T10:07:00.001-05:00

Is this fair?

2010-09-25T14:55:00.006-05:00

The new licensed class COUNTS as of November 12th. Yet they have them on 5/2 through the beginning of December. Yes, the lowest in seniority will have every weekend off and the Thanksgiving and Day After Thanksgiving Holiday. Despite the fact some of you haven't been able to get a weekend or Holiday off for more than a year!

I emailed the middle shift scheduling sergeant and asked him to "correct this." His answer was no.

I just sent the following email to jail Captain W.:

Captain W.,

The new class counts on the schedule as of Nov. 12th. They are on a 5/2 schedule through the beginning of December even though it is not necessary. As you know one of the biggest complaints with the 28 schedule is the inability to get weekends and Holidays off. This is an opportunity to boost morale amongst the more senior staff who put in for weekends off and the November Holidays and were denied. Simply place the new class on the remaining weekends and Thanksgiving Holidays and allow people off with more seniority who asked for it.

Wade Laszlo
Chief Steward Teamsters Local 320

The ball is in their court. They have an opportunity to make life a little easier for some of you. They have certainly have had no trouble moving your choices to force you to work a weekend.

Survey, Double your pension!!

2010-09-22T16:16:00.006-05:00

Today you should have received a Minnesota Teamsters Correctional Officer Legislative Priorities Survey.

Please send in the survey!!

I recommend marking #4 Licensure as lowest priority. This will only guarantee more training at this time and no more money. Licensure is better saved for a stronger economy.

IMPORTANT: Under #5 any other issues write:

Merge the Corrections pension with the Police and Fire pension. The merger would bolster the flailing Police & Fire pension, giving their current members more security. This would not likely be opposed by the Counties as they would save approximately 5% of their wage/benefit budget by not having to pay in Social Security Taxes on our wages. Staff would see an increase in net pay based on this same reduction in taxes. Staff would also have a better retirement benefit.

This is a rare opportunity to make your voice heard loud and clear. You are MNTLEL!

Harsh Realities

2010-09-10T16:56:00.008-05:00

Dear members,

As you know we had contract arbitration on September 9th.

Several of you are under the impression we did not fight for step raises. We did in fact and our initial proposal was for a 2% and 2% cost of living raise, not a freeze.

By the time we hit mediation and certified our items for arbitration AFSCME and the University of Minnesota had already accepted no Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase and a step freeze for 2011 setting the pattern. In addition everyone else who did take it to arbitration lost.

Arbitration awards become case law and precedent setting. It would have been impossible to win. As seen by the HCSDA’s arbitration loss just last week.

If Teamsters Local 320 would have fought the step freeze in arbitration and lost, as the licensed deputies did, (and we would have lost) it would have set the pattern for ALL future negotiations and the County would have had an award against us. This would have affected all future negotiations with “case law” on their side every single time they wanted to freeze steps in future contracts. The contract only guarantees starting and top pay.

I’ll give an example. A few years ago both us and the HCSDA tried to get paid parking in the contract. The HCSDA against our request, took it to arbitration and lost. As a result no one in Hennepin County will ever get it and Ramsey County was able to use that arbitrators decision to take away paid parking from their employees within 6 months of that decision.

We only certified what we thought we had a chance of winning. Sometimes you have to fight another day.

There is the sentiment among some that the people at the top were not caring about the less senior members. This is simply not true. The fact is an arbitrator cannot award money if the County can show they don’t have it. The state of Minnesota has not only shorted Hennepin County of $32 million for 2011 but the County board is not raising taxes on Hennepin County’s citizens. To arbitrate a COLA or steps for 2011 would have been a precedent setting guaranteed loss affecting us for years to come. The fact is that senior members at top pay have endured a hard freeze for 4 of the last six years while less senior members got step raises. We even gave up a 1.5% raise two contracts ago to avoid step freezes for those at the bottom. This was not an option this time. Bottom line is Hennepin County has no money.

What are we doing?

Teamsters Local 320 will be at the budget hearing for the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office on October 28th, 2010. The action we can take now is at the County Board level and in future negotiations.

These tough times have been hard on all of us and we are in the same boat. We are doing what we can for you with an eye to the future.

In solidarity,
Wade Laszlo
Chief Steward

Aribitration Update

2010-09-10T07:59:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, September 9th, we held contract arbitration. I think the hearing went well. The lawyers for both sides have two weeks to submit their briefs. We should have a decision no later then October 24th.

Your Rights

2010-09-02T09:50:00.004-05:00

MSS 241.026 CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES.
Subdivision 1.Definitions.(a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings given them.

(b) "Correctional officer" and "officer" mean a person employed by the state, a state correctional facility, or a local correctional or detention facility in a security capacity.

(c) "Formal statement" means the questioning of an officer in the course of obtaining a recorded, stenographic, or signed statement to be used as evidence in a disciplinary proceeding against the officer.

Subd. 2.Applicability.The procedures and provisions of this section apply to state and local correctional authorities.

Subd. 3.Governing formal statement procedures.The formal statement of an officer must be taken according to subdivision 4.

Subd. 4.Place of formal statement.The formal statement must be taken at a facility of the employing or investigating agency or at a place agreed to by the investigating individual and the investigated officer.

Subd. 5.Admissions.Before an officer's formal statement is taken, the officer shall be advised in writing or on the record that admissions made in the course of the formal statement may be used as evidence of misconduct or as a basis for discipline.

Subd. 6.Disclosure of financial records.No employer may require an officer to produce or disclose the officer's personal financial records except pursuant to a valid search warrant or subpoena.

Subd. 7.Release of photographs.No state or local correctional facility or governmental unit may publicly release photographs of an officer without the written permission of the officer, except that the facility or unit may display a photograph of an officer to a prospective witness as part of an agency or unit investigation.

Subd. 8.Disciplinary letter.No disciplinary letter or reprimand may be included in an officer's personnel record unless the officer has been given a copy of the letter or reprimand.

Subd. 9.Retaliatory action prohibited.No officer may be discharged, disciplined, or threatened with discharge or discipline as retaliation for or solely by reason of the officer's exercise of the rights provided by this section.

Subd. 10.Rights not reduced.The rights of officers provided by this section are in addition to and do not diminish the rights and privileges of officers that are provided under an applicable collective bargaining agreement or any other applicable law.

History: 2005 c 136 art 13 s 3

Lethal force used Folsom Prison

2010-08-30T23:46:00.008-05:00

Pushing Ahead

2010-08-25T16:32:00.003-05:00

I will have forms available soon for you to add to your MNTLEL survey when it comes out. Fill out the forms and add it to the envelope. Let's have a united front and turn them in together!

*Show MNTLEL we want a merge of our pension with Police and Fire. This doubles our pension, gives Police and Fire money, saves the County money and gives us a raise because we will no longer have to pay Social Security.

*We want a seat on the PERA Board to monitor our pension.

*We want the Corrections Bill of Rights to have teeth.

Licensure may be nice, but guarantees nothing except more training, the Pension is long term.

ENDORSEMENT NEWS: THE HCSDA ENDORSED SHERIFF STANEK!

What did they gain? Nothing.

Fact: According to the County Attorney's Office with the stroke of his pen Sheriff Stanek can restore the 1.5% inconvenient work schedule pay as he promised when we switched to the 28 day schedule. Instead they and us are having to arbitrate! HCSDA what have you gained? He can now say Labor Endorsed. Please tell me what he has done for Labor? Licensed staff has been hurt just as bad by the 28 day schedule, a little solidarity would have been huge. While you didn't have to go the lengths us Teamsters did and VOTE NO CONFIDENCE, you had the power not to endorse.

Survey and Priorities

2010-08-18T21:54:00.002-05:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Teamsters MNTLEL will be sending out a survey regarding MNTLEL priorities. I recommend that you check 'other' on the survey and mark down PENSION as number one.

There are several of us that are working to merge our pension with Police and Fire. This will double your benefit, save the county money by eliminating payments to Social Security and give you a raise in the amount you currently pay to Social Security. It's been 10 years since our BA Tom Perkins worked to get our correctional pension. It's time for equality with our other MNTLEL brethren.

Remember, YOU are the Union, take advantage of this survey.

Reminder: Contract Arbitration is set for September 9th.

Wade Laszlo
Chief Steward