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.

Shift bid? The Contract? Just another management tool?

Today, February 27th, the shift bid finally became available. The Contract states it's to be out on or about February 15th. Typically that meant if the 15th fell on a weekend they got a couple of extra days. Big f'n deal to this administration. It took several complaints to management and a grievance being filed on the 24th for the bid to come out.

These are some points I made in an email to an administrative lieutenant:

Getting the shift bid out late creates several problems for our members and their families

1. Their families don't know what shifts they'll be working.

2. Prime Time Vacation Requests must be in by April 1st. This will leave employees little or no time to make vacation plans.

3.The 28 day schedule can't be posted until the shifts are determined, therefore people will not even know their days off until this is settled.

I don't know why it was posted so late IN VIOLATION OF THE CONTRACT. I only know that it was, and no one in the administration bothered to give either MNPEA or the HCSDA a heads up, or even an explanation or communication as to why.

By contrast, this administration uses contract language to bludgeon members.

When our members are late putting in shift bids they are forced onto middle shift.

When our members don't get their Prime Time Vacation requests in by April 1st they don't get a vacation.

When the members complain the answer always is, "read your contract."

The contract is owned by both parties, if the administration wanted to do something different, like change the dates for the bid, the time was at the negotiating table!

Unfortunately, to this administration the contract seems to be just another thing to be ignored, unless they need a tool to keep us in line.

Just more typical Stanek administration dealing with labor.

General Membership Meeting

MNPEA General Membership Meeting

March 8th, 2012

6:00 PM

Meet & Greet 5:30. Come early for hot dogs, chips and pop.

Location:

2233 Hamline Ave. N.
Suite 603
Roseville, MN

Meeting in lower level conference room.

Corrections News & Views 2012, vol. 2

MNPEA Members Reject Hennepin County's Offer

Ballots were counted today, February 21, 2012.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Detention Deputies, Techs, Telecommunicators and Evidence Specialists represented by the Minnesota Public Employees Association (MNPEA) have overwhelmingly rejected the Contract offer made by Hennepin County for 2012 and 2013.

What happens next?

The current contract remains enforce.

The State Mediator will call both sides back to the bargaining table where if an agreement isn't reached we can file for arbitration.

Ballots are coming!

Arbitration Filed on Sick Time Grievance

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

Garrity

Weingarten Rights

Corrections News & Views 2012, vol. #1

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

DUES NOTICE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

See egroup files to view grievance.

Meeting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

MAINTENANCE OF STATUS QUO ORDER

Decertification Video

NOTICE

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

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

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

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

Teamsters Local 320 Delegates at the IBT Convention

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

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

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

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

The Front

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

Thank You Department of Labor

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

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

"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

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

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

Anyone But Hoffa Slate to Represent 320 at the IBT Elections

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

VICTORY: ANYONE BUT HOFFA!

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