AFSCME Local 3331

Meeting for Full Share Members

2012-02-22T08:11:00.002-06:00

Meeting set for Thursday, March 15th
4-6 P.M. at the EREA building in Elk River

Topics include negotiations, new t-shirt ideas, Executive Board for next year, Scholarship clarification and more.

Please spread the word!

2012-01-05T18:42:00.003-06:00

Minnesota School Employees Association,

SEIU Local 284,

and

AFSCME Council 65

present a member opportunity

Why come to this workshop?

If you are a union member with an interest in recognition for the training you have already participated in, and in pursuing future educational opportunities, come to this half day workshop to help explain what the new state credential is and how it works. The first open credentialing window is fast upon us, this is an opportunity to improve ourselves and bolster our work as an industry.

Paraprofessional Credentialing Informational Workshop
January 21, 2012
Location: Hassan Elementary
14055 Orchid Avenue
Rogers, MN 55374

8:30 Registration, Conference begins promptly at 9 am through noon.
Coffee and light refreshments served.

AGENDA

8:30-9AM: Registration, coffee and light snack

9-9:30: How did we get here? The history of para credentialing.

9:50-11:15-What do I have to do to be qualified?

11:15-11:30: What about districts?

11:30-noon: How do I move forward-next steps.

Registration Information

AFSCME Council 65: Go to http://www.afscmecouncil65.org/, click on the PARA Credentialing Workshop link, register for the event.

Meeting October 17, 2011

2011-10-03T19:15:00.002-05:00

We will be having a meeting on Monday, October 17 2011 at the EREA building (teachers union building in Elk River) at 4 P.M.

Let your fellow members know. We need ideas and votes on important issues.

See previous posts for meeting location or if you have questions, email me at president3331@hotmail.com.

LOCATION CHANGED FOR MAY 18th MEETING

2011-05-14T17:29:00.002-05:00

The location has been changed to the little theater in Elk River High School. The ability to blog on this site was shut down for four days, since the day we were notified we could not use the planned meeting site.

Please let others know of the changed location. Same time, different place.

We hope for a big turnout for the last meeting of the school year!

VOTE AND MEETING

2011-04-28T15:17:00.002-05:00

We will be having a meeting on Wednesday, May 18th at the EREA building in Elk River. (The teachers union building, see previous posts for directions) The meeting will start at 4, with voting for Executive Board officers going from 2:30 until 5:30.

This will be the last meeting of the school year. Please plan on attending and voting.

VOTE ON CONTRACT PASSES

2011-03-24T20:10:00.002-05:00

Our contract vote passed by 89% favorable vote. Be sure to attend insurance meetings scheduled for Friday 3/25/11 if you want to change insurance plans. They are at the district technology center in Elk River at 10:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30.

Thank you for voting!

VOTE IS SET FOR THURSDAY, 3/24/11

2011-03-23T13:52:00.002-05:00

Voting will happen at the same place and time, just different day.

2:30-5 P.M.

Little Theater at Elk River High School

Please urge fellow members to attend, ask questions and vote.

3/23/11 Vote Postponed

2011-03-23T06:13:00.001-05:00

Due to our district closing for the day, the scheduled vote has been postponed. I will try to get a new date up as soon as possible.

Cost Calculators/District meeting 3/25

2011-03-17T08:03:00.003-05:00

The district will be emailing members cost calculators to use to help them decide insurance questions. Our district website also has cost calculators on it's site.

The district will be holding a meeting on Friday, 3/25/11 to help finalize members paperwork who are changing plans. I will post the time and place when I receive it.

Paperwork will need to be handed in to the district on Monday, 3/28.

DISTRICT FINAL PROPOSAL FOR VOTE

2011-03-16T19:09:00.003-05:00

AFSCME Local 3331 Members
Thank you for your patience in this long and overdue contract process. Please take time to thank your Negotiating Team members for all of their hard work over the last many months. They have given up summer afternoons, evenings, and even Holidays to try to get a decent settlement for your local.

The following is a summary of the elements of the District Proposal. Your Negotiating Team is bringing this forth for the vote on March 23rd. Please review this, and bring your questions on the 23rd.

District Proposal

Full-time Status for Layoff/Bumping Rights will change from 7 hours to 6 hours

Impact: This means that a person who is 6 or more hours shall not be reduced below 6 hours, unless they are the least senior in the classification, or turn down a position.

***Group Insurance Singles*** 2010-2011

$25 Copay/Double Gold Plan (DG) – same language, cap is $562 for premium contributions

Impact: No change, but please use the cost calculator to determine cost based on FTE & pro-ration

$500 Deductible CMM Plan - one time cash payment incentive of $300 in addition to current language, cap is $620 for premium contributions

Impact: Please use the cost calculator for premiums up to $620, and $300 cash incentive

HSA - New offering of the High Deductible plan. The premium contribution will be capped at $620, with up to $229.16 per month placed in the HSA Account in the Employees name.

Impact: This premium is significantly lower (please use the cost calculator) and the remaining prorated portion above the premium, up to $229 will be placed in the savings to offset the high deductible.
*Hardship clause & Indemnity (see page 2 of insurance language below)

***Group Insurance Family*** 2010 -2011

$25 Copay/Double Gold Pan (DG) – same language, cap is $930 for premium contributions

Impact: Please use cost calculator to determine premiums & contributions

$500 Deductible CMM Plan – Pro-ration cap increased to $1005.00 per month, one-time 7 month credit of pro-rated $75 per month either toward future premiums or as a cash payment

Impact: Please use cost calculator to determine pro-rated premiums. The credit equal roughly $308 for a 6.5 hour employee

HSA – New High Deductible Plan Offering. Pro-ration cap increased to $1005.00 per month, and, one-time 7 month credit of pro-rated $75 per month either toward future premiums or as a cash payment

Impact: Please use cost calculator to determine pro-rated premiums. The credit would equal roughly $308 for a 6.5 hour employee.

Wages – Employees who achieved Step 3 prior to July 1, 2009 will be eligible for a pro-rated $400 cash payment.

Impact: This will be pro-rated off of an 8 hour day. (i.e. a 6 hour person would receive 75% of $400, which = $300

Issues that will not be contract language but are important to the members:

General Assistants equal pay for equal work effective the first day of the 2010-2011 School year

Impact: The Union and the Employer would enter into an LOU for all General Assistants to be paid at Grade 2, instead of Grade One. We currently have workers side by side doing the same job but being paid less. The LOU will stay in place until the issue is resolved.

Typing tests not required for current Employees.

Impact: The District will honor the April 30, 2009 letter indicating they will not require internal candidates to complete typing tests.

Compensation for all required work activities

Impact: Required work activities must be approved by the supervisor, and are then must be paid activities.

INSURANCE: PREMIUMS & CONTRACT LANGUAGE

2011-03-16T18:50:00.003-05:00

As we prepare for the vote on Marh 23rd, please consider the following total premiums (which become prorated) and the attached language below.

Premiums: Total Monthly Premium SINGLE (S) FAMILY (F)
$25 Copay/Double Gold $562 (s) $1616 (f)
$500/$1000 Deductible CMM $460.50 (s) $1322 (f)
$2750/$5500 Deductible HSA $349.50 (s) $1004.50 (f)

CONTRACT LANGUAGE

8.1 Health and Hospitalization Insurance

8.1.1 Except as otherwise noted in Sections 8.1.3.b. and 8.1.3.c., Tthe School Board shall contribute a sum of not to exceed nine hundred thirty and 00/100 dollars (930.00) per month pursuant to the insurance benefit schedule described in Section 8.7., toward the premium for single or dependent coverage for each employee regularly scheduled to be employed by the School District forty (40) hours per week and twelve (12) months per year and who qualifies for and is enrolled in the School District group health and hospitalization plan. Any employee who qualifies for and is enrolled in the School District group health and hospitalization plan and who is regularly scheduled to be employed by the School District a minimum of twenty (20) hours or more per week shall receive a prorated contribution from the School District towards such coverage. The proration shall be based on two thousand eighty (2080) hours per fiscal year (July 1 through June 30).

8.1.2 Single Coverage

a. Effective with the employee’s 2010 – 2011 insurance year (as described in Section 8.7 Insurance Benefit Schedule), the School Board contribution towards the single coverage of the Open Access Choice $25 Copay Plan or its equivalent shall be up to, but not to exceed five hundred sixty-two and 00/100 dollars ($562.00) per month. Any additional cost of the premium shall be borne by the employee and paid by payroll deduction.

b. Effective with the employee’s 2010 – 2011 insurance year (as described in Section 8.7 Insurance Benefit Schedule), the School Board contribution towards the single coverage of the Open Access $500 Deductible Plan or its equivalent shall be up to, but not to exceed, six hundred twenty and 00/100 dollars ($620.00) per month. Any additional cost of the premium shall be borne by the employee and paid by payroll deduction.

Effective April 1, 2011, for any employee who was enrolled in the Open Access Choice $25 Copay Plan or its equivalent and enrolls in the Open Access $500 Deductible Plan, the School District shall provide a total one-time cash payment of three hundred and 00/100 dollars ($300.00). The one-time cash payment amount of three hundred and 00/100 dollars ($300.00) shall not be prorated for part-time employees.

c. Effective April 1, 2011, the School Board shall provide a high deductible plan with a health savings account (HSA). For any employee who enrolls in the single coverage of the high deductible Empower HSA plan or its equivalent, the School Board shall contribute a sum up to, but not to exceed, six hundred twenty and 00/100 dollars ($620.00) per month. The calculated benefit amount, which shall be prorated for part-time employees in accordance with the proration formula described in Section 8.1.1, shall first be applied towards the cost of the premium with any remaining amount up to, but not to exceed, two hundred twenty-nine and 16/100 dollars ($229.16) per month contributed to a HSA in the employee’s name. Any additional cost of the premium shall be borne by the employee and paid by payroll deduction.

Hardship: If an employee incurs one or more claims for a qualified health expense that exceeds the employee’s current HSA account balance, the School Board may, at the request of the employee, accelerate its prorated contribution to the HSA for that insurance benefit year to the extent necessary to reimburse the employee for the claim or at the School Board’s discretion, an amount up to, but not to exceed, the full HSA contribution amount to which the employee would otherwise be entitled to receive during the insurance benefit year. If an employee leaves the District prior to the end of the employee’s insurance benefit year, any unearned contribution will be paid back to the District.

April, 2011 through June 30, 2011 indemnity: If an employee’s incurred deductible expenses exceed six hundred eighty-seven and 50/100 dollars ($687.50), the School Board shall indemnify the employee for qualified deductible expenses up to, but not to exceed, one thousand one hundred forty-five and 00/100 dollars ($1,145.00). The calculated indemnity benefit will be prorated for part-time employees in accordance with the proration formula described in Section 8.1.1.

8.1.3 Family Coverage

a. Effective with the employee’s 2010 – 2011 insurance year (as described in Section 8.7 Insurance Benefit Schedule), the School Board contribution towards family coverage of the Open Access Choice $25 Copay Plan or its equivalent shall be up to, but not to exceed, nine hundred thirty and 00/100 dollars ($930.00) per month. Any additional cost of the premium shall be borne by the employee and paid by payroll deduction.

b. Effective with the employee’s 2010 – 2011 insurance year (as described in Section 8.7 Insurance Benefit Schedule), the School Board contribution towards family coverage of the Open Access $500/$1,000 Deductible Plan or its equivalent shall be up to, but not to exceed one thousand five and 00/100 dollars ($1,005.00) per month. Any additional cost of the premium shall be borne by the employee and paid by payroll deduction.

Effective April 1, 2011, for any employee who was enrolled in the family Open Access Choice $25 Copay Plan or Open Access $500/$1,000 Deductible Plan or its equivalent for the 2010 – 2011 insurance year, the School District shall apply a credit of up to, but not to exceed, seventy-five and 00/100 dollars ($75.00) per month prorated over a per-pay-check basis towards the future premium cost of the Open Access $500/$1,000 Deductible Plan for the remainder of the 2010 - 2011 insurance year. As an alternative, the School Board may, at the request of the employee, provide the owed credit to the employee as a cash refund.

c. Effective April 1, 2011, the School Board shall provide a high deductible plan with a health savings account (HSA). For any employee who enrolls in the family coverage of the high deductible Empower HSA plan or its equivalent, the School Board shall contribute up to, but not to exceed, one thousand five and 00/100 dollars ($1,005.00) per month. Any additional cost of the premium shall be borne by the employee and paid by payroll deduction.

Effective April 1, 2011, for any employee who was enrolled in the family Open Access Choice $25 Copay Plan or Open Access $500/$1,000 Deductible Plan or its equivalent for the 2010 – 2011 plan year and enrolls in the family coverage of the high deductible Empower HSA plan, the School District shall apply a credit of up to, but not to exceed, seventy-five and 00/100 dollars ($75.00) per month prorated over a per-pay-check basis towards the future premium cost of the high deductible Empower HSA plan for the remainder of the 2010 - 2011 insurance year. As an alternative, the School Board may, at the request of the employee, provide the owed credit to the employee as a cash refund or deposit the owed credit in the employee’s HSA.

8.1.3 4 Upon termination of employment or loss of insurance eligibility, the employee will be offered an extension of insurance coverage according to the provisions of applicable state or federal law.

Information for meeting 3/23/11

2011-03-14T20:15:00.002-05:00

Thank you to members who have emailed about the upcoming meeting. I wanted to post a few things until the detailed information gets posted, hopefully tomorrow. Negotiating team members will be available to take questions before you vote. The main issue is on insurance, with the acceptance of the proposal setting up an enrollment for those seeking HSA. Some other issues are 6 hours being full time across our contract being denied by the district, along with adding to longevity pay. The district withdrew it's request to sunset vacation for new hires. The district is also offering a one time payout for agreeing to the contract, on a pro rated basis for those who did not receive a step increase in the 2009/10 and 2010/11 school year. When training for our members before the school year begins was proposed, the district offered to do so if we use vacations days. Other issues involved contract language for leaves of absence, Grade I pay and representation on committees.

The contract you will be voting on ends at the end of this school year, then we are back to negotiations again.

Look for more to follow and thank you for your concern in our union!

Information on blog/Seeking nominations

2011-03-14T19:59:00.006-05:00

I apologize to those who have came to the blog looking for information and have not found what they are looking for. Remember, my email is president3331@hotmail.com. Please let me know of questions or concerns. I will also post a note on how to leave comments here on the blog. It was created as a way to convey or get union information at any time, without posting so much that it would be ignored.

REMINDER: We are looking for nominations for the executive board seats of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Any involvement in your local benefits everyone.

Thank you to those who have served and to members who care about the present and future of our union!

VOTE SET FOR WEDNESDAY 3/23/11 ON CONTRACT

2011-03-08T11:32:00.002-06:00

We will be having a vote at Elk River High School on Wednesday, March 23 from 2:30 until 5 P.M.
in the little theater. Please spread the word and watch for more information to follow.

VOTE CANCELED

2011-02-18T11:23:00.002-06:00

Due to changes in the district proposal, we have canceled the vote. The negotiating team hopes to have more changes soon.

CONTRACT PROPOSAL VOTE SET FOR 2/22/11

2011-02-07T19:42:00.003-06:00

The school district has a proposal for a contract our negotiating team will present on Tuesday, February 22, 2011. We will give our opinions on why you should or should not accept the proposal and we will take questions from members. The time will be 4:15, with the site to be determined. This blog will also have details of the proposal to consider before voting.

Please let your fellow members know and stay posted for more details.

Perry Ottney

President, Chief Steward of local 3331

president3331@hotmail.com

Negotiation Update

2011-01-18T07:18:00.002-06:00

The negotiating team met with the district on Monday, 1/17/11 for over 12 and 1/2 hours. We have not come to an agreement with the district. Your negotiating team and council rep. Jo have put in many hours and are trying to get a contract that is good for all members. Please keep posted to the blog for more updates.

Perry Ottney
President, Chief Steward for Local 3331

Mediation

2010-12-27T13:36:00.002-06:00

Hello AFSCME Members -

Hope you are having a safe and peaceful Holiday break!

Here is a quick update....

Mediation: We have had two sessions of mediation with the Employer & are making some progress. We have a third session for mediation on January 17th. This will be an all day meeting, so we are hopeful that we can get to a point to have something to bring back to the membership for a vote.

Grievances: We have two active grievances right now. One is a Class Action Grievance related to General Assistants that we are hoping to have a possible resolution on January 17th. The second is an individual grievance that we will need to vote on at our meeting to send to arbitration.

Mediation/ open secretary position

2010-11-09T08:01:00.002-06:00

As of today, we do not have a date for mediation set with the district.

Our executive board has the secretary position open. Patti has done a great job but will be resigning at the end of the school semester. Please let a board member know if you are interested.

IMPORTANT VOTE MONDAY OCTOBER 4, 2010

2010-09-16T07:09:00.002-05:00

We will be having a meeting on Monday October 4th, starting at 4:30P.M. with sign in at 4:15P.M. The meeting will be held at the EREA building in Elk River. (see previous postings for directions)

This meeting is important because our negotiating team is asking for a vote to seek mediation in the negotiation process with the district. Our council rep, members of the executive board and negotiating team will be on hand to answer questions and inform you before the possible vote.

I look forward to seeing everyone and please make it a point to tell your co-workers and attend the meeting.

VOTING RESULTS

2010-08-10T09:10:00.003-05:00

The vote to change full time status from 7 to 6 hours for seniority/bumping process passed last night.

Thank you to everyone who came out to vote. We even had fair share members become full share members for this vote. This makes our union more unified and stronger.

A special thank you to Julie Lange and Deb Witzman who called members and helped answer questions at the vote.

Thank you to Sandy Olson and Patti Evangelist who also volunteered to help with the process.

Jo Musel Parr, our council rep, attended and as always was helping members with concerns. Thank you Jo!

Lastly, Carol Zimmer has accepted the position of Membership Coordinator. Thank you Carol!

We will be posting information about negotiations, insurance changes and the bumping process.

Please let your fellow members know of this blog and let us know if you have questions.

Perry Ottney

President of Local 3331

2010-07-29T11:56:00.002-05:00

IMPORTANT VOTE

Monday August 9, 2010 4-6 P.M.

Full share only.EREA Building 555 Railroad Drive NW, Elk River (just off Hwy. 10 and Main ST)

The bumping process will begin in mid August. Our negotiation team is proposing a vote specific to the bumping process. We discussed changing the full time status for bumping down to 6 hours per day. The employer is willing to implement this system, but we need an official vote from the membership.

We must have a quorum of votes or the system will stay exactly as it was implemented last year. One of the major concerns last year was that people who were below 7 hours had their hours severely reduced. We are hoping this change will fix this problem and be a better seniority list for all members.

Before you vote, you will be able to look at our current seniority list and a proposed seniority list to help you make your decision. Board and negotiation team members will be available at the vote to answer your questions.

Members will be making phone calls to you starting Thursday, July 29th 2010 to notify you of this meeting.

Encourage your co-workers to come and vote.

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions! I hope to see you at the vote.

Perry Ottney, President of Local 3331email me at president3331@hotmail.com

Primary is August 10th

2010-07-29T10:10:00.002-05:00

Please remember to vote in the primary on August 10th, 2010.

Your council, AFSCME Council 65, has endorsed Margaret Anderson-Kelliher in the race for Governor.

Margaret Anderson-Kelliher received AFSCME Council 65's endorsement after a screening with your executive board made up of AFSCME members. Each candidate was given 30 minutes to talk about their experience and plans for Minnesota. Voting records were also reviewed to ensure that the candidates votes supported our issues in the past.

After this screening, the AFSCME Council 65 Executive Board chose Ms. Anderson-Kelliher as the candidate that most closely matched the positions we support related to LABOR & PUBLIC EMPLOYEE issues.

We realize voting is a personal issue. AFSCME Council 65 encourages all Union members to exercise their vote in the primary regardless of whether you are voting for the endorsed candidate.

***AFSCME Council 65 endorses candidates and monitors legislative activity in order to ensure we are supporting candidates who support our issues...and we pass that information on to members. Current issues we are watching closely which are related to your work include: school funding, PERA Retirement, changes to the Minnesota Public Employees Labor Relations Act, 4 day school week and the impact on our members, and many more.***

****Please also remember your Union does have a Political Action Committee, called PEOPLE...Public Employees Organizing for Political & Legislative Equality. This is a voluntary program where members can donate to ensure legislative & political action by your union. We will have information regarding PEOPLE available at future meetings. Please note, many of the political mailings you receive come from these voluntary donations.***

Negotiations update

2010-07-22T17:01:00.002-05:00

Our team has a meeting with the district on July 28th. No other news to pass along.

IMPORTANT JOB POSTING INFORMATION

2010-06-04T07:24:00.002-05:00

This information has been given to those who are displaced and is important for everyone to know. Beginning Monday, June 7 2010, the district will begin posting open positions for the 2010-11 school year. When there are jobs to post, they will be posted for a period of 3 working days. Positions will be posted internally while people are displaced so access will be through your ERMA account. (internal positions do not show on the regular School District website employment page)

Jobs will be posted for the 2010-11 school year, if and when they are available, every MONDAY and WEDNESDAY through the summer. To apply, follow the on-line application process rules.

Positions posted on or after August 15, 2010, (THIS DATE MAY CHANGE TO SPEED UP THE BUMPING PROCESS) will be posted on the School district website for a period of ONE working day up until the first day of school. Positions filled pursuant to a ONE day posting on or after the above date shall be reposted (employee is displaced) prior to the 2011-2012 school year.

CURRENT/2010-2011 EXECUTIVE BOARD

2010-05-21T08:05:00.000-05:00

The following is a list of current board members until June 14, 2010:

Perry Ottney, President. president3331@hotmail.com. Elk River High School

Julie Lange, Acting Vice-President. vicepresident3331@hotmail.com. Elk River High School

Patti Evangelist, Secretary. secretary3331@hotmail.com. Hassan Elementary School

Leisha Utz, Treasurer. treasurer3331@hotmail.com. VandenBerge Middle School

Pam Westphal, Acting Membership Coordinator/Chief Steward. mccs3331@hotmail.com. VandenBerge Middle School

2010-2011 Executive Board voted on 5/20/2010, effective June 15, 2010: E-MAIL STAYS THE SAME.

Perry Ottney, President, Acting Chief Steward
Julie Lange, Vice President
Patti Evagelist, Secretary, serving second of two year term
Leisha Utz, Treasurer
Carol Zimmer, Membership Coordinator (pending acceptance of position) VandeBerge Middle School

2010-05-21T07:41:00.000-05:00

THANK YOU!

Thank you for coming to our blog! We will be posting important information regarding meetings, negotiation status, insurance information and other information for all of our members.

A special thank you to our council rep, Jo Musel Parr for getting this blog started.

Perry Ottney
President of Local 3331

AFSCME Local 3331 Meeting

2010-05-20T15:12:00.001-05:00

AFSCME Local 3331 Elk River Paras and Teaching Assistants will have a meeting tonight at 4:00! Hope to see you all there