A comment was submitted by a member:
Hi, although I am a union member and generally support it, my experience in my department is that the most vocal advocates for the union are the laziest employees; those avoiding responsibility and simply going from one paid leave of absence to another, looking for more ways to get paid w/o doing their job. They fail trainings and probationary periods because they make no effort to learn the material given them.
Our managers are unable to hold employees accountable because pay is not linked to job performance as it should be and when issues arise employees simply claim discrimination knowing the union will fight for them. Employees who fail trainings and probationary periods aren't held back, instead other employees do their share of the work the rest of their career. Please remind union members that being in a union doesn't just mean scamming the system and that union leadership expects them to contribute productively to their team; taking notes during training, studying materials etc. Our union employees create a glut of dead weight staff in our area that managers are powerless to mitigate because all the tools to shape a productive team have been taken away through contract negotiations.
The response from our President:
I hear your frustration and understand as I’ve been in similar situations at OHSU and management is not powerless. The agreed upon contract by OHSU and AFSCME provides us with protections to assure a fair process. Management simply needs to follow the process we’ve both agreed on & they’re more than able to issue directives and discipline. Often times they choose to just ignore the issue, and that’s unfortunate for everyone. Sounds to me like your co-workers may not be happy in their jobs & should seek another position. We have many resources to help direct them to a job they might enjoy. I would introduce them to the new Labor Management Center formerly Career Development Center.
Thank you,
Jaimie Sorenson ,
President AFSCME Local 328
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
A question was submitted:
I am an OHSU AFSCME employee. When is the Healthcare coverage for children up to 26 years old going to go into effect at OHSU? They will no longer be required to be a full time student, correct?
Answer:
Thank you for your inquiry. The new health care law states employers must be compliant by January 2011. OHSU plans to implement this for AFSCME represented members in Jan. 2011. And yes, that is correct about the student status.
I am an OHSU AFSCME employee. When is the Healthcare coverage for children up to 26 years old going to go into effect at OHSU? They will no longer be required to be a full time student, correct?
Answer:
Thank you for your inquiry. The new health care law states employers must be compliant by January 2011. OHSU plans to implement this for AFSCME represented members in Jan. 2011. And yes, that is correct about the student status.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
My Report from SIUW
My core Class was Politics Matter: What’s at stake for Union Women
I have to say that I took this class last year when we went to UCLA, and this year’s class was so much better! The Instructor’s were great, Felisa Hagins has been a member and Political staff for SEIU for the last 7 yrs and Dayan Sykes is the Director of Human Rights and Young Workers at the BC Federation of Labor..
These two had only met the night before, and they worked like they had been friends for years…. They had us working on a Campaign and what needs to happen if you want to run for office or if you want to help someone run ! The handouts that they gave us were wonderful!
My core class was everyday during SIUW: from 9am to noon
My six hour workshop was: Singing for the Union and was on Wednesday & Thursday from 2-5pm (sorry I missed the 1st day of this one as I needed to go home and sleep, I worked the night before) I had taken this class in BC the 1st year that I had gone to SIUW. This workshop was as good as it was in BC and the Instructor was Sarah Laslett, she was who was in BC 2 yrs before!
Now on Friday we went to our core classes in the morning and in the afternoon we went and did a Solidarity Action with JWJ. This was in Oregon City at the Fred Meyers! There were two groups, one inside and one outside! I was with the one on the inside: we sang Union songs going thru out the store! That was the 1st time I have ever done anything like that before! I had my i Phone with me and I did record us in the store and on the bus going to the store.
I just want to say thank-you for letting me go to SIUW once again this year. And I got to meet up with a woman I met in BC & UCLA! Next year SIUW will be in Honolulu, Hawaii sometime around the 16-20 of June2011
Theresia Lloyd-Siemer
My core Class was Politics Matter: What’s at stake for Union Women
I have to say that I took this class last year when we went to UCLA, and this year’s class was so much better! The Instructor’s were great, Felisa Hagins has been a member and Political staff for SEIU for the last 7 yrs and Dayan Sykes is the Director of Human Rights and Young Workers at the BC Federation of Labor..
These two had only met the night before, and they worked like they had been friends for years…. They had us working on a Campaign and what needs to happen if you want to run for office or if you want to help someone run ! The handouts that they gave us were wonderful!
My core class was everyday during SIUW: from 9am to noon
My six hour workshop was: Singing for the Union and was on Wednesday & Thursday from 2-5pm (sorry I missed the 1st day of this one as I needed to go home and sleep, I worked the night before) I had taken this class in BC the 1st year that I had gone to SIUW. This workshop was as good as it was in BC and the Instructor was Sarah Laslett, she was who was in BC 2 yrs before!
Now on Friday we went to our core classes in the morning and in the afternoon we went and did a Solidarity Action with JWJ. This was in Oregon City at the Fred Meyers! There were two groups, one inside and one outside! I was with the one on the inside: we sang Union songs going thru out the store! That was the 1st time I have ever done anything like that before! I had my i Phone with me and I did record us in the store and on the bus going to the store.
I just want to say thank-you for letting me go to SIUW once again this year. And I got to meet up with a woman I met in BC & UCLA! Next year SIUW will be in Honolulu, Hawaii sometime around the 16-20 of June2011
Theresia Lloyd-Siemer
Reflections on the AFSCME international convention in Boston:
It’s been said that AFSCME is a member driven, democratic organization. Based on some of things that I witnessed in Boston, I don’t think that statement has ever been truer of AFSCME.
Over several days I was part of the delegation that was sent to represent local 328. There was standard convention fare; workshops, delegate receptions, inter-council events and so on. But -like any good convention- the important matters took place on the floor.
Our beloved secretary treasurer William (Bill) Lucy decided to retire in the middle of his four year term. However, he timed his retirement announcement so that his successor would be elected at 2010 convention, rather than be appointed directly by the international president.
I’ve attended several conventions, both at the state and international level; however I’ve never seen a floor fight like the one that ensued during nominations. Bill Lucy was supporting member leader and CSEA president, Danny Donohue. Gerald McEntee the international president was supporting Lee Saunders, his executive assistant, who oversaw district council 37 when it was put into receivership.
To say that there was a lot of passion in the room during the nomination portion of convention would be putting mildly. Each side had passed out various forms of noisemakers (whistles, plastic hand clappers, and inflatable cheer sticks) that were utilized by either side throughout the process.
There was some intense debate regarding the manner in which the elections would be conducted. A heated moment in particular occurred between international vice president Henry Bayer (from district council 31 in Chicago) and acting secretary treasurer Tony Caso (from council 93 in Boston). As they debated back and forth, I think it whipped the delegates up to be more and more vocal about their feelings. From the floor it appeared that there was an even split of support between the two candidates.
As the nominations progressed, the chair started losing control and at one point proclaimed: “I can wait all day!” … To which half the delegates started chanting/screaming: “SO CAN WE! SO CAN WE!” Eventually, they had the delegates recite the pledge of allegiance to restore order.
At the last minute, there was also a dark horse candidate who no one had ever heard of who threw his hat into the race.
When the dust settled on the day of the elections, Lee Saunders had the most votes, but only by an exceedingly small fraction. (2/10th of a percent) The dark horse candidate had picked up a negligible amount of votes, but there were also some questions as to whether or not Lee had won by an outright majority. (This is required by the international constitution to be certified the winner)
Putting to bed any questions about the election, Danny graciously conceded and the matter was settled. That being said- with Lee being elected midterm to replace Bill Lucy, the secretary treasurer race will be held again next international convention in 2012. President McEntee’s term will also expire at that time, and there’s speculation if he’ll run again which could create two dynamic races.
In addition to the secretary treasurer’s race, there were also some controversial resolutions that were hotly debated- both of which related to immigration. One resolution called for universal health care for all, regardless of citizenship. The other strongly condemned the new Arizona law and called for an AFSCME boycott of the state until its repeal.
While my personal preferences for these resolutions didn’t come to fruition, I can assure you that all points of views were heard from through intense discussion and each resolution was democratically voted on by the body. All in all, we voted on over 50 resolutions.
In closing, I’d like to say that I feel this convention contained some of the most democratic, member driven moments in AFSCME history. Democracy isn’t a pre-scripted event where everyone nods in agreement after their leaders have stated what should happen. People have different points of view and things can get messy. When everything is said and done, the membership made tough decisions and gave the international union direction about where it should be headed over the next few years.
I can’t stress how important it is to send a full delegation and to make sure that each local 328 member is represented during the convention proceedings. I’m sure that that we’ll be back in full force in 2012 with enthusiasm, passion, and a commitment to transparency and democracy.
Thanks for sending me a delegate.
Matt Hilton
It’s been said that AFSCME is a member driven, democratic organization. Based on some of things that I witnessed in Boston, I don’t think that statement has ever been truer of AFSCME.
Over several days I was part of the delegation that was sent to represent local 328. There was standard convention fare; workshops, delegate receptions, inter-council events and so on. But -like any good convention- the important matters took place on the floor.
Our beloved secretary treasurer William (Bill) Lucy decided to retire in the middle of his four year term. However, he timed his retirement announcement so that his successor would be elected at 2010 convention, rather than be appointed directly by the international president.
I’ve attended several conventions, both at the state and international level; however I’ve never seen a floor fight like the one that ensued during nominations. Bill Lucy was supporting member leader and CSEA president, Danny Donohue. Gerald McEntee the international president was supporting Lee Saunders, his executive assistant, who oversaw district council 37 when it was put into receivership.
To say that there was a lot of passion in the room during the nomination portion of convention would be putting mildly. Each side had passed out various forms of noisemakers (whistles, plastic hand clappers, and inflatable cheer sticks) that were utilized by either side throughout the process.
There was some intense debate regarding the manner in which the elections would be conducted. A heated moment in particular occurred between international vice president Henry Bayer (from district council 31 in Chicago) and acting secretary treasurer Tony Caso (from council 93 in Boston). As they debated back and forth, I think it whipped the delegates up to be more and more vocal about their feelings. From the floor it appeared that there was an even split of support between the two candidates.
As the nominations progressed, the chair started losing control and at one point proclaimed: “I can wait all day!” … To which half the delegates started chanting/screaming: “SO CAN WE! SO CAN WE!” Eventually, they had the delegates recite the pledge of allegiance to restore order.
At the last minute, there was also a dark horse candidate who no one had ever heard of who threw his hat into the race.
When the dust settled on the day of the elections, Lee Saunders had the most votes, but only by an exceedingly small fraction. (2/10th of a percent) The dark horse candidate had picked up a negligible amount of votes, but there were also some questions as to whether or not Lee had won by an outright majority. (This is required by the international constitution to be certified the winner)
Putting to bed any questions about the election, Danny graciously conceded and the matter was settled. That being said- with Lee being elected midterm to replace Bill Lucy, the secretary treasurer race will be held again next international convention in 2012. President McEntee’s term will also expire at that time, and there’s speculation if he’ll run again which could create two dynamic races.
In addition to the secretary treasurer’s race, there were also some controversial resolutions that were hotly debated- both of which related to immigration. One resolution called for universal health care for all, regardless of citizenship. The other strongly condemned the new Arizona law and called for an AFSCME boycott of the state until its repeal.
While my personal preferences for these resolutions didn’t come to fruition, I can assure you that all points of views were heard from through intense discussion and each resolution was democratically voted on by the body. All in all, we voted on over 50 resolutions.
In closing, I’d like to say that I feel this convention contained some of the most democratic, member driven moments in AFSCME history. Democracy isn’t a pre-scripted event where everyone nods in agreement after their leaders have stated what should happen. People have different points of view and things can get messy. When everything is said and done, the membership made tough decisions and gave the international union direction about where it should be headed over the next few years.
I can’t stress how important it is to send a full delegation and to make sure that each local 328 member is represented during the convention proceedings. I’m sure that that we’ll be back in full force in 2012 with enthusiasm, passion, and a commitment to transparency and democracy.
Thanks for sending me a delegate.
Matt Hilton
On July 2nd I returned from the 39th Biannual Afscme convention. I was honored to be elected as one of the delegates to represent Local 328. It was an educational experience in several ways. First let me say I was impressed by the dedication our delegation showed to the work that needed to be done. Our entire delegation was present for the entire day, every day of business. A number of our council brothers and sisters spoke eloquently on several important issues. In fact our local president Jamie Sorenson gave an especially moving speech to second the nomination of Danny Donahue. She definitely made a very positive impression as one of the main voices of our local. There were a number of other things that really stood out for me as the week progressed. In hearing the floor reports from other delegations on issues within their councils it gave me a deep appreciation for how well ours is run. Council 75 is impressive in that it is very much a member run council and very transparent in its financial dealings. I was also impressed that our council was willing to stand up when it was obvious that the International was attempting to manipulate the election for the Secretary Treasurer. Gerry McIntee as president of Afscme and chair of the convention conducted himself in a way that moved many voters to Danny Donahue’s camp. To say the outcome was very close is an understatement to say the least. After being widely out spent and enduring hostile manipulation of the electoral process we still came within .03 percent of winning this election. The way the election was conducted proved too many including myself there is a dire need for election reform and a change of leadership at the very top of our union. I and many others have committed ourselves to the cause of fairer elections and a leadership that is more representative of the rank and file members of this union. I heard a number of people (not of our delegation) express their disillusionment with the union based upon their experiences during the election. I felt some of that as well, however far from making me want to step aside and give up it reinvigorated me. It has made me realize how much I really love my union. How much I want to see it improve nationwide. I want the rest of the country to experience the model we have created here. A member run, transparent union that is working everyday to improve working conditions income and daily lives not only for our members but for working people and families everywhere. This vision of what we can be as union activists was voiced in Bill Lucy farewell address to the convention. He spoke movingly of his lifelong efforts in many areas from the Memphis sanitation strike where Martin Luther King was brought down to his efforts to end Apartheid all the while working of keep Afscme a voice for and of the working class people that make up its ranks. Not every vote went the way I would have liked. I wish we would have passed the resolution stating in no uncertain terms that health care is a human right no matter what you immigration status. We did not. I wish we would have passed a resolution regarding the racist law in Arizona that actually had some teeth not just words. We did not. Most of all I wish Danny Donahue had won the election. He did not. What did happen was that we sent a clear message to the powers that be that we will not be silenced, this is our union we will fight for it now and in the future and of that I am most proud.
In Solidarity
Michael Stewart.
In Solidarity
Michael Stewart.
Report on AFSCME International convention in Boston, MA
I have to say that I had an amazing time. This was the first time I have attended a convention. I expected it to be interesting, exciting, and to have some fun thrown in…but it really was an exceptional experience. I met many people from different locals and got to hear a variety of perspectives.
The most interesting thing to me was watching how the election unfolded and the manipulation of the international union. Our international secretary treasurer Bill Lucy retired at the convention. There were two candidates running for the position: Danny Donahue who is the current president of CSEA, an AFSCME affiliate and Lee Saunders who is the executive assistance for our current international president Gerald McEntee. It’s important to note that McEntee supported Lee Saunders while Bill Lucy, our much loved and respected former secretary treasurer, supported Danny Donahue. I was shocked and angered at the way the floor was run in obvious attempt to push support for Lee Saunders.
At one point when one member brought up some issues with the elections process, particularly voting by proxy, things got heated. As the debate ensued it became apparent that the international was not listening to the delegation. This resulted in an uproar. At one point when the chair was trying to restore order he shouted “I can wait here all day” and the floor responded with “so can we! So can we!” It was an amazing demand for democracy that I am proud to say I was a part of. They managed to restore order by having the delegation recite the pledge of allegiance.
Our local president Jaimie Sorenson gave a moving speech on behalf of Danny Donahue. Supporters for both nominees said their pieces with some favoritism in the amount of time given to speak to the Lee Saunders supporters which was very frustrating. After each nomination the nominee was asked if they accept. Lee Saunders was nominated first and since he was up on the dais he accepted quickly. Danny Donahue was nominated second and was out on the floor with the delegation. When it was his turn to accept Gerald McEntee seemed to not be able to find him in the crowd even though there was a group surrounding him and shouting “he’s right here”. At one point a woman who had been supporting Lee Saunders, and was wearing a t-shirt showing her support, got so upset at what was happening that she took off her shirt, leaving her in only a bra, and threw it on the ground and said “I’m sick of this sh*t!” It was a very telling action and I have to say I felt the same way.
The rest of the convention was resolutions, workshops, delegate receptions, and the like. We also had two notable guest speakers: Richard Trumka the current president of the AFL-CIO and Vicky Kennedy who is the wife of the late Ted Kennedy. I really enjoyed both speakers.
I am so glad and thankful that I had the opportunity to go to this convention. It was a wonderful experience. Thanks for sending me.
In solidarity,
Sarah Cinnamon
I have to say that I had an amazing time. This was the first time I have attended a convention. I expected it to be interesting, exciting, and to have some fun thrown in…but it really was an exceptional experience. I met many people from different locals and got to hear a variety of perspectives.
The most interesting thing to me was watching how the election unfolded and the manipulation of the international union. Our international secretary treasurer Bill Lucy retired at the convention. There were two candidates running for the position: Danny Donahue who is the current president of CSEA, an AFSCME affiliate and Lee Saunders who is the executive assistance for our current international president Gerald McEntee. It’s important to note that McEntee supported Lee Saunders while Bill Lucy, our much loved and respected former secretary treasurer, supported Danny Donahue. I was shocked and angered at the way the floor was run in obvious attempt to push support for Lee Saunders.
At one point when one member brought up some issues with the elections process, particularly voting by proxy, things got heated. As the debate ensued it became apparent that the international was not listening to the delegation. This resulted in an uproar. At one point when the chair was trying to restore order he shouted “I can wait here all day” and the floor responded with “so can we! So can we!” It was an amazing demand for democracy that I am proud to say I was a part of. They managed to restore order by having the delegation recite the pledge of allegiance.
Our local president Jaimie Sorenson gave a moving speech on behalf of Danny Donahue. Supporters for both nominees said their pieces with some favoritism in the amount of time given to speak to the Lee Saunders supporters which was very frustrating. After each nomination the nominee was asked if they accept. Lee Saunders was nominated first and since he was up on the dais he accepted quickly. Danny Donahue was nominated second and was out on the floor with the delegation. When it was his turn to accept Gerald McEntee seemed to not be able to find him in the crowd even though there was a group surrounding him and shouting “he’s right here”. At one point a woman who had been supporting Lee Saunders, and was wearing a t-shirt showing her support, got so upset at what was happening that she took off her shirt, leaving her in only a bra, and threw it on the ground and said “I’m sick of this sh*t!” It was a very telling action and I have to say I felt the same way.
The rest of the convention was resolutions, workshops, delegate receptions, and the like. We also had two notable guest speakers: Richard Trumka the current president of the AFL-CIO and Vicky Kennedy who is the wife of the late Ted Kennedy. I really enjoyed both speakers.
I am so glad and thankful that I had the opportunity to go to this convention. It was a wonderful experience. Thanks for sending me.
In solidarity,
Sarah Cinnamon
First of all, Boston was hot, hot, hot. We arrived on Saturday afternoon after a 5 hr plane ride. Our flight had over 100 AFSCME members. The first day we checked into the hotel getting ready for the activities of the coming week. We stayed at the Omni Parker House, the originators of the Parker House Rolls and Boston Cream Pie.
Sunday several of us went to Lawrenceville the site of the “ Bread and Roses” mill strike resulting in the death of a young woman.
The CN 75 Women’s Committee, again had items for sell. This time it was shorts and sweat pants with the phrase “Negotiate This” across the back-side. We also sold aprons ,the rest of the t-shirts, buttons and cling ons.
This year the focus of the convention was the Secretary-Treasurer election, following the retirement of long time Secretary-Treasurer Bill Lucy after 38 years. It was an ugly election, there was so much politicking, mud slinging and the International President Gerald McEntee showed his natural born a--. There were 2 candidates Danny Donahue and Lee Saunders. McEntee was for Saunders. He was very disrespectful of the members who spoke for Donahue, once even inviting the member to fight it out on the convention floor. I was so embarrassed for the first timers to see such blantant disrespect of our union brothers and sisters.
The rest of the convention was the normal resolutions and amendments.
Boston is full of history and we did a lot of sightseeing. I made the mistake of trying to keep up with Jaimie , yes I should know better by now, but I tried (smile).
All in all it was a wonderful opportunity and I was glad to have gone.
Barbara Carroll
Sunday several of us went to Lawrenceville the site of the “ Bread and Roses” mill strike resulting in the death of a young woman.
The CN 75 Women’s Committee, again had items for sell. This time it was shorts and sweat pants with the phrase “Negotiate This” across the back-side. We also sold aprons ,the rest of the t-shirts, buttons and cling ons.
This year the focus of the convention was the Secretary-Treasurer election, following the retirement of long time Secretary-Treasurer Bill Lucy after 38 years. It was an ugly election, there was so much politicking, mud slinging and the International President Gerald McEntee showed his natural born a--. There were 2 candidates Danny Donahue and Lee Saunders. McEntee was for Saunders. He was very disrespectful of the members who spoke for Donahue, once even inviting the member to fight it out on the convention floor. I was so embarrassed for the first timers to see such blantant disrespect of our union brothers and sisters.
The rest of the convention was the normal resolutions and amendments.
Boston is full of history and we did a lot of sightseeing. I made the mistake of trying to keep up with Jaimie , yes I should know better by now, but I tried (smile).
All in all it was a wonderful opportunity and I was glad to have gone.
Barbara Carroll
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