CSEA Unit 7400 : Contract Process Continues

Well known Arbitrator Douglas J. Bantle has been appointed by the Public Employment Relations Board to be the Fact-finder in the negotiation between CSEA Unit 7400 and Monroe County. Currently the chief negotiators are working with Arbitrator Bantle to establish the dates for the actual fact-finding. Fact-finding is an intense process that will take a great deal of work from all involved. The Chief Union Negotiator Robert L. Leonard stated "I still hold out hope that the County and the Union can reach a fair agreement", Leonard added "regardless of fact-finding the County and the Union can meet at any time in an attempt to reach a fair agreement at any time". Keep your eye open for future "BLASTs" for the most current negotiation updates.

“We are really working hard to have a perfect argument for the Fact-finding”, said CSEA Unit 7400 President Cris Zuffuto. She added, “We’re looking to have all bases covered and appreciate the help the membership has provided”.

While fact-finding work continues, Unit 7400 leaders continue to urge members not only to attend the legislative meetings, but we want members to speak with regard to the services they provide and take the time prior to the start of the session to make yourself known and introduce yourself to your legislator, it’s important they know that you are not happy about the lack of progress on the contract and that you are willing to make your family, friends and neighbors aware of the problems in your area.

We also are taking all avenues to make these issues visible to the community. If you have a facebook account, please remember to join the "CSEA Unit 7400 cause" page to show support of your negotiation team. Once you sign into your facebook account, simply enter "CSEA Unit 7400 cause" in the search box at the top of the facebook page and join "the cause".

Important date to remember:

Tuesday, June 14th, 5:45 - Monroe County Legislative Meeting, Monroe County Office Building

Thursday, June 16^th, 5:30 – Mobilization Taskforce Meeting, Rochester Satellite Office

PLEASE CALL 328-5250 TO CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE

The CSEA Unit 7400 Leadership thanks all members for their continued involvement and will continue to keep all members up to date on the contract situation. Reminder: Get up to date info at the Unit 7400 Blog at http://unit7400.blogspot.com

CSEA Unit 7400 Members: We Cannot Remain Silent

CSEA Region Director speaking at the Unit 7400
Membership Meeting on 5/12/11

On Thursday night, CSEA Unit 7400 members attended the bi-monthly General Membership meeting to get information on the current situation with contract negotiations. However, they not only got an update, they received info from a presentation describing the current issues facing the labor movement and the affect nationwide and statewide issues can and are having can be seen here in Monroe County as well.

Region President Tripi and President
 Zaffuto discuss the mobilization.

CSEA Region 6 Director, Roger Sherrie, gave a presentation about the current situation facing public unions across the country. The focus is how Corporate America took advantage of discouraged voters and by pouring millions of dollars into campaigns, elected anti-union governors and state Legislators in more than half of the states across the nation. Their agenda is not only to weaken public union worker influence, but to downgrade the working class and increase corporate incentives from government resources and strengthen the status-quo. The key to end public unions is to end the ability for collective bargaining and they are doing this in Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire and Maine. In New York, the attack is on the Triborough Amendment, which is the law that allows public employees to retain their benefits after a contract expires and continue under the rules of that contract until a new one is negotiated and ratified. Legislation that would end Triborough has been introduced and we need to do all we can to make sure this does not happen. Members need to confront every attack on public employees and have “courageous conversations with their relatives friends and neighbors to educate them on the truth behind these corporate attacks.

CSEA LRS Robert Leonard gave an update of contract negotiations. We are in the Fact-finding process and working on a presentation of our proposals and statistical support to illustrate to the state appointed Fact-finder that the County has always had the economic ability to comply with our conservative proposal, but just lack the political will to do the right thing and creating a fair contract that benefits the workforce and does not burden the public.  

Mobilization Specialist Michael Ottaviano calls
for more member participation.

CSEA Unit 7400 President Cris Zaffuto said, “I’ve told the legislators and the administration that it is time to stop playing politics, but it is also time for the entire membership to reach out to their legislators and the county executive to make their point known that they are not at all happy with the status quo, that a fair contract is needed now…no more games about it, we have to take action, we can’t afford to remain silent anymore”.

All members are urged to attend the June 14^th legislative meeting. Members should introduce themselves to their legislator prior to the beginning of the meeting. Members who wish to speak with regard to the work they do and how it affects the community should call before the meeting to sign-up at 585-753-1950. The County needs to know the “politics” need to end. The time for a fair contract is now.

Important date to remember:

Tuesday, June 14th, 5:45 - Monroe County Legislative Meeting, Monroe County Office Building

Print of a copy of the "BLAST" for your co-workers: CLICK HERE

Photos by Robert L. Leonard, LRS

CSEA Unit 7400 to Legislators: “A Fair Contract is Well Overdue"

On Tuesday, May 10^th, CSEA Unit 7400 member-activists filed into the Legislative chambers once again to show their persistence, frustration and disenchantment with the lack of any legislative input into creating positive negotiations between the appointed administration and the workforce. Many “first-time” members showed up this night to make the point to the legislators that they are tired of the rhetoric and want to get to the real business of negotiating a fair contract. Members of CSEA continue to call on the legislators to become involved with the negotiations process, force the administration to bargain in good faith and create a positive contract that benefits all involved parties.

“I was glad to hear the County Executive give praise to all the department heads yesterday, however, it is well overdue that the workforce which runs this County get recognition in the form of a fair contract”, declared CSEA Unit 7400 President Cris Zaffuto. “It is time to stop playing politics and give the workforce the respect they deserve, as many of you [legislators] know the work we do makes you look good too”.

Other members went to speak at the podium as well. Todd Wersinger, CSEA Probation Section President spoke to the legislature on the fact that the same amount of probation officers work the specialized duty of sex offender cases as did twenty years ago even though the case amounts have tripled since and new technology and more in depth processes have been implemented by probation. Wersinger said, “We work to keep this community safe for your mothers, sisters, daughters and sons and as disheartening as this work sometimes is, we’ll continue because everyone deserves to live in a safe community”.

Camille Julian, Nutrition Assistant, spoke to the Legislators about the services she and her fellow members provide as well. She told the Legislature that CSEA has been good for Monroe County and the workforce doesn’t deserve to be shunned. “CSEA is not a four lettered word” stated Julian. “My co-workers and I do a great job for this County, I’ve received a lot of positive feedback from the community and I am proud of the work I do, proud to be a County worker and proud to be part of CSEA”.

Lack of any positive agreement has caused the CSEA team to declare to go to the Factfinding and work towards that process is ongoing. However, CSEA Unit 7400 continues its pledge to meet with the County at any time if the County wants to fairly negotiate.

Important date to remember:

Tuesday, June 14th, 5:45 - Monroe County Legislative Meeting, Monroe County Office Building

CSEA LOCAL 828 WOMEN'S COMMITTEE HOST "AWESOME" WORKSHOP AT MONROE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

AWESOME WOMEN TELL THEIR INSPIRATIONAL STORIES


Rochester, N.Y.--  On Saturday, April 30, three dozen men and women from the Rochester area gathered at Monroe Community College for a workshop discussion titled, "Awesome Women:  Past, Present and Future."  The event was sponsored by the CSEA Monroe County Local 828 Women's Committee. 

AWESOME WOMEN TELL THEIR INSPIRATIONAL STORIES
Presenters were left to right:  MCC President Dr. Anne Kress,
 Monroe County Medical Examiner Dr. Caroline R. Dignan, 
CSEA Local 828 Women's Committee Chair Angela Muscianese, 
Senior Extension Associate Cornell ILR Linda Donahue and
President of the Associate Board for Gilda's Club of  Rochester Erin Julian.
photo:  Ove Overmyer 

Speakers at the workshop included Dr. Anne Kress, Monroe Community College; Linda Donahue, Cornell ILR; Dr. Caroline Dignan, Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office; and Erin Julian, Gilda’s Club of Rochester.  All these women told very poignant and inspirational stories of the trials and tribulations they experienced while balancing a professional career, family and personal interests.

Quotes and words worth remembering included but not limited to:

Linda Donahue: Quoting labor icon and feminist Rose Schneiderman right after witnessing women throwing themselves out of the ninth floor windows of the burning NYC Asch Building during the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911 that killed 146 garment workers, "Life is so cheap and property is so sacred." 

Dr. Anne Kress:  "Become part of something that is bigger than yourself.  In your personal journey, know when your opportunities exist and be prepared to ask yourself what do you want to give up? And, behind every great woman is herself."

Camille Julian:  "I always told my children that the road you take in life will always be a journey forward."

Dr. Anne Kress:  "College readiness begins before kindergarten."

Linda Donahue: When referring to the enactment of early 20th century labor laws, "Laws are often used against us as well as for us."

Dr. Caroline R. Dignan:  "I never considered the money when I decided to follow my dream to study forensic pathology."

Erin Julian:  "Everyone can make a difference in your community-- all you have to do is volunteer."

Workshop attendees listen intently to Monroe County Medical Examiner
Dr. Caroline R. Dignan talk about balencing her career and family life.
photo:  Ove Overmyer

What is Fact-Finding.......

Monroe County Local 828 - Monroe County Employees Unit 7400

The Community’s Workforce

The Facts on Fact-finding:


Fact-Finding: Discovery or determination  of  facts
or accurate information. adj. Of, relating to, or used
in the discovery or determination of facts:
a fact-finding committee

In the event that an agreement is not reached in Mediation, the process moves on to the Fact-finding stage. In Fact-finding, PERB appoints a neutral Fact-finder to meet with both parties. It is a somewhat more formal process, where both parties meet with the Fact-finder and then submit written briefs (similar to legal briefs) and research documentation supporting their positions and proposals. At the end of this stage, the Fact-finder will make a written recommendation that is given to both sides. This report is not binding and can be rejected by either side. The Fact-finder’s report is usually released publicly once both parties have had an opportunity to review it. This process can also take several months to complete. Currently, this is the stage we are in with the Monroe County Administration.

If Fact-finding fails to produce a tentative agreement between the parties, the process moves on to the third and even more rarely-occurring stage of Legislative Imposition, where the governing body for the municipality would impose a one-year contract to cover the first year following the last contact that expired. If it gets to this stage, the Legislature can only impose a wage settlement, which nine times out of ten ends up being zero percent. Everything else remains as it was under our previous contract. By the time a contract stalemate gets to this point, we’re usually more than a year working under an expired contract, which means we’re right back at the negotiating table starting from scratch for subsequent contract years. Also, the legislative body does not have to impose a settlement. They can ignore this stage and continue on negotiating. It is their option.

It’s important to note several key points about the Fact-finding process. First, at any stage during the process, we can still meet with management and talk with them, and even negotiate if we think there’s progress to be made. If, at any point, our Negotiating Team feels they have a legitimate offer to present, they’ll bring it back for your vote. The important thing to remember is that as a dues-paying CSEA member, YOU have the final say on whether the contract is approved or not.

Another key point is that during this process, we do not expect our members to just sit idly by waiting for something to happen, and wait for information to slowly drip out. Our goals are to keep you involved in your contract negotiations process, and quickly informed of what’s going on throughout. To that end, CSEA has developed a proven mobilization process that includes increasing communications and putting together a strategy for member involvement that helps build public awareness and political pressure to reach our negotiating goals. As your chief negotiator, your CSEA Labor Relations Specialist (LRS), Robert Leonard, is working with your local union leadership and other union staff members on a strategic contract campaign mobilization committee.

Also, you should know that once Fact-finding is declared, any ground rules previously agreed to with management about going to the press or publicizing what’s going on in negotiations are immediately invalid. We will utilize the media to get our message out, and there are no news “blackouts.”



Always remember: There is power
in CSEA Political Action



Finally, you need to know that the declaration of Fact-finding and the process that follows should have NO impact upon your current terms and conditions of employment, until a new contract is agreed upon and ratified by both parties. Under the Triborough Amendment of the Taylor Law, all the provisions of your previous contract, with the exception of salary increases and any language tied to a “sunset” date, will continue unchanged. You are still protected and have binding legal rights under your expired contract, and you should make sure you let your union officers know if anyone tries to change working conditions because the contract has expired or Fact-finding has been declared.

If you have any further questions about negotiations or getting involved with mobilization, please contact your Unit President: Cris Zaffuto or your CSEA Labor Relations Specialist: Robert Leonard.

Telling the Whole Story About Public Employee Pension Funds

Posted By AFSCME  - In Labor Movement, Media, Pension Security, Public Service, Retirement Security, Workers' Rights

CSEA/AFSCME is fighting back against a misleading report  released by The Pew Center on the States on public pensions entitled The Widening Gap. In a press release, President Gerald W. McEntee said that the report reflects “ancient history, distorts the true state of public pension funds and is of limited use for anyone hoping to make informed public policy.”

While our opponents are certainly going to use the report as an excuse to portray the public pension system as “broken” and in need of “reform”, the facts don’t back that up.

The Pew report provides a snapshot of public pensions from June 2009, near the very depth of the market during the recession. It simply does not accurately reflect the current state of public pensions.

The real estate and stock market crash of 2008 and 2009 took its toll on all investors. However, while individual investors are still struggling to recover from these losses, pension funds are well on their way to recovery.

Rather than rely on the stale numbers provided in the Pew report, we should instead examine the current state of public pensions in 2011. Just this month the National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems released much more relevant data in a member survey  assessing the health of public pensions. Here are some of the key findings from the survey:

In the past year, public pension fund investments have produced an average return of 13.5% and now have a 20-year average annual return of 8.2%.

Investment returns are the single most significant source of pension funding — comprising 66% of fund revenues.

The vast majority of public pension plans are managed responsibly and currently maintain strong funding levels. Public pensions are, on average, 75.7% funded and, with market recovery, that number will continue to increase.

Our opponents would also have you believe that our members are receiving lavish pensions at no cost. The reality is that CSEA/AFSCME members receive, on average, just $19,000 per year in pension benefits, while members’ contributions and investment returns pay 70%-80% of the total cost.

The Struggle For Justice Continues....

CSEA Unit 7400 Worksite Information Visits Ongoing

CSEA Unit 7400 Leadership, Negotiating Team Members, Labor Relations Specialist and Mobilization Specialist are continuing to visit various worksites around the county to meet with members and keep them

informed and up to date with regard to the current contract situation.

Unit 7400 leadership recently sent out a letter to notify all members that the team had declared to go to the Fact-finding process in negotiations. The letter also included the newest list of County proposals that were presented to the CSEA team at the failed negotiations on March 22nd. It is important to note when reading the proposals, that the County wrote them with our membership as the intended reader (and thereby added some “spin” to them) as they knew the team would distribute it to the members. This new “approach” from the County is a result from the when the team gave out the County’s proposals after impasse had been declared and the County Administration had been “mystified” by the team’s action to inform the membership as to the County demands for concessions.

It is also important to note that every action in negotiations has been driven by CSEA. The County has shown little to no interest in negotiations, yet alone coming to a fair agreement. “The County has seemingly had a lack of interest since the start of negotiations”, said CSEA Unit 7400 President Cris Zaffuto, “we have had to request every meeting, we have had to declare impasse and then we have had to call for Fact-finding. I believe the Fact-finding report will show that we’ve done everything possible to negotiate in an upfront and fair manner”.

Although all previous attempts to create a final binding contract have failed, the CSEA Unit 7400 team has pledged to meet with the County at any time during this process if the County wants to return to fair bargaining negotiations.

Important dates to remember:


Monday April 25th, 5:30 - Unit 7400 Contract Negotiations Mobilization Taskforce Meeting, Rochester Satellite Office


Tuesday, May 10th, 5:45 - Monroe County Legislative Meeting, Monroe County Office Building


Monday, May 12th, 5:30 – Unit 7400 General membership Meeting, Diplomat Party House in Rochester

CSEA Unit 7400 Leadership thanks all members for their continued involvement and will continue to keep all members up to date on the contract situation. Reminder: Get up to date info at the Unit 7400 Blog at http://unit7400.blogspot.com/

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Download a copy of the BLAST and distribute it to your co-workers. (CLICK HERE)

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