CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS …At the time of this writing, bargaining teams are
meeting and reviewing a new proposal that the employer has put on the table as
of 5-19. This proposal shows a change in position from earlier proposals. Teams
are carefully reviewing this new position to determine whether or not
resolution can be reached on these contracts. Until there is either something
of substance to report, or a specific decision by bargaining teams, you should
continue to review the Council website for breaking information.
We are also asking the bargaining teams for
the 05-07 contract meet next week to begin review of all issues submitted by
the membership in preparation for the 05-07 negotiations (if they ever occur).
Stay tuned…
STATE BUDGET…As you’ve probably noted from the last couple of
legislative reports, we have met with some success in modifying and amending
the Governor’s budget proposal. We cannot urge you enough to make contact with
your legislators, especially those on the Joint Finance Committee, and convey
the message to them that they should not tamper with, amend, or reduce the
compensation line item in the Governor’s budget. The compensation line item not
only contains money for wages and benefit increases, but also contains a
significant amount of money for market adjustments and class reallocations.
This is important to all of us for the 05-07 period.
We thank those who have already made these contacts, and ask that you do it
again. For those who have not – destiny is in your hands.
CONVENTION CALL…The annual convention call was mailed this week to
all local presidents and secretaries. Please watch for it in your mail and
return credentials at your earliest convenience. Next week we’ll run down all
the deadlines. This year’s convention takes place July 22-24 in
JERRY CLARK MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP…A scholarship in the amount of $10,000 awarded annually
to one student majoring in political science for his/her junior and senior
years of study. Winner will be selected by lottery from all eligible
applicants. Open to sophomore students, and renewable
for the senior year of study, provided the student remains eligible. Application deadline is 7-1-05. Further info: www.afscme.org <http://www.afscme.org/>
SUMMER INSTITUTES FOR WOMEN…dates have been announced for this annual event co-sponsored
by the AFL-CIO and the United Association for Labor Education to provide women
the opportunity to learn and hone their leadership skills, and network with
others from labor. The Midwest Women's School is 7-28 to 7-31 at the
BASIC STEWARD TRAINING…5/24 and 5/25; Appleton, Budgetel,
ADVANCED STEWARD TRAINING…6/13 and 6/14; Appleton, Budgetel,
COMMITTEE MEETINGS…LTE Abuse, 6/6; Organizing, 6/17; 10 a.m.
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING…Friday, 5/27, 10 a.m.,
State Employee Compensation Reserved
“Raid” On the Horizon? - AFSCME’s
legislative representatives urge activists to contact legislators to urge them
to oppose any effort to tap into the state’s Compensation Reserves to close the
state’s $1.6 billion budget gap. While there is no plan on the table at this
time, anything can happen during the Legislature’s budget deliberations. Call
or email your legislators; tell them “Protect the Compensation Reserves!”
Call 1-800-362-9472 or email via
www.legis.state.wi.us <http://www.legis.state.wi.us/>.
Budget Update:
This week the Joint Finance Committee voted on
the following items of interest to AFSCME members:
Veterans: Approved 33 new positions for the Veterans Home at King; 21 positions
for Union Grove Veterans Home and rejected a directive to take $25 million from
the Veterans Trust Fund to the state’s general fund. The committee also
approved an amendment to spend $200,000 to hire a consultant to look into ways
to find efficiencies in food service between the two homes.
Medicaid Funding: Voted down the proposal to take $180 million from
the Patients Compensation Fund to pay for Medicaid health care provider payment
increases and sidestepped a proposal to raise the cigarette tax and earmark the
revenues for Medicaid.
BadgerCare: accepted an amendment by Rep. Pedro Colon to impose
a forfeiture on employers who fail to return health
insurance verification forms on behalf of BadgerCare
applicants.
Bureau of
The committee is expected to take up W-2, UW
System and Department of Workforce Development matters yet this week. Shared
Revenue, Corrections, Medicaid, and nursing home funding are some of the
big-ticket items of interest to AFSCME members that have not yet been addressed
by the committee. We urge you to call your representatives and inform them of
your views on these issues.
Economy Looking Good; State Revenue
Projections Are Up - The Legislative Fiscal Bureau reported this week that
state tax revenues will be $350 million higher by the end of the 2005-07
biennium (that is, June 30, 2007) than previously anticipated. The projected
increase is based on new national economic indicators. Lawmakers on the Joint
Finance Committee urged colleagues not to celebrate prematurely given the $1.6
billion deficit that must be addressed before budget deliberations end in June.
Public Employee Protective Status Bills
Get Attention - County corrections officers came to the Capitol this week to
urge lawmakers to add them to the ranks of those who have protective occupation
status under the
A related bill (AB 233) would add librarians
in correctional institutions, social workers and certain teachers to the
protective ranks. AFSCME is asking lawmakers to amend the bill to cover anyone
who works in a secured facility under the protective occupation status
umbrella. Call or email your
state legislators and tell them: Pass AB 225 and AB 233 (if amended)!
Corrections Issues Get Hearing in Capitol
- This week a team of corrections officers and a probation and parole agent
from various locals across