Summary of the May's Union meeting

The May Union meeting was held on Tuesday, May 13th. There were only three (3) Union members in attendance.
Topics discussed;
Courtemanche arbitration.
Union member Erin Medeiros had a baby girl.
Congrats and good luck Erin.
Changing the time of the meeting to get more Union members to attend.
The winner of the J & D gift certificate was Peter A DelFino.

We will not be having another meeting until September 2008.
If any changes come up having the do with the contract we will hold a Summer meeting.
See you in September, I HOPE!!!!!

Summary of April's Union meeting

Some of the topics discussed at the April Union meeting were as follows:

Proposed changes in the age of retirement for Municipal Employees.
!!! This new law, if passed, would only affect employees who are not vested as of July 1, 2008.
The changes would be
1 Must be age 59 with 29 years of service.
2 Must be 65 with less than 29 years of service.
THERFORE, you could no longer retire at 58 with 10 years on the job, you must now work till the age of 65.

Job openings in the Town.

The hiring of Part time employees.

The 32 Annual AFSCME convention.

The raising of our Union dues to meet the minimum set forth by AFSCME.
Dues will be going up as of July 1, 2008.

The filing of IRS forms for Unions who have less than $25,000.00 in the bank.

Our Union's EIN ( Employee identification number).

The winner of the gift card to J & D's was Arlene Morris.

Proposed changes that WILL affect Union members

There are several proposed laws that are in session at the State house at this time here is a break down of them:

FY08 Budget Article #5
To remove Health care from the Municipal scope of bargaining. Removes Health care as a collective bargaining subject for Municipal Employees, Teacher, Firefighters and Police Officers. Contracts that laps after June 30, 2008 would receive benefits under the State procured care contract.

H-7799 & S-2664
Governor's Municipal & Fiscal Accountability Act-Briefly this increases the retirement age of members WHO ARE NOT VESTED as of July 1 2008 to age 59 with 29 years of service, or age 65 with less than 29 years of service.........

H-7108,H-7726 & S-2429
Prohibit the naming of a Specific Health Insurer in the contract.


I URGE YOU TO CONTACT YOUR REP OR SENATOR TO TELL THEM YOU ARE AGAINST THE ABOVE LAWS....

32nd Annual AFSCME-AFLCIO Convention

It was a pleasure to be the Delegate,once again, for Local 1491 to the AFSCME-AFLCIO Convention. The Convention was held at the Providence Biltmore. Some of the Political speakers included; Senator Jack Reed, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse , Representative Langervine, Secretary of State Mollis and Attorney General Patrick Lynch. There were numerous speakers from our Union.
Some of the topics discussd were;
State retirement systerm.
The Governor's proposed cuts against Unions in this State.
The backing of Hilary Clinton by our Union for President.
SEE my next blog entry for the Governor's proposed changes that will affect Union members!!!!!!!
After the Convention the Biltmore put on a wonderful dinner which was held on the 17th floor banquet room.