8033 Excelsior Drive, Suite C,
608/836-0024 www.wseu-24.org
7/7/06 Weekly
Summary
PSS RATIFICATION…The ratification ballots were counted on Wednesday,
7/5. Approximately 97% of the ballots cast were to ratify the contract. This
was a strong showing of support for the efforts of the bargaining team. The
contract now proceeds to the legislature on 7/12, where a Joint Committee on
Employment Relations hearing is set for 9:00 a.m. After this hearing, the
contracts will be placed on the agenda in both legislative houses for action
that same day. At this time there appear to be no problems or issues with legislative
ratification of this agreement. Plans are now being made to have the Governor
sign the contract on either 7/13 or 7/14. Thanks to all of the members of this
unit who patiently supported their bargaining team through this process.
COUNCIL CONVENTION…Council 24’s convention (7/21 to 7/23, Regency Suites,
MORE COUNCIL CONVENTION…please note that in order for delegates to be seated
at this convention, the JUNE per capita must be paid. Please check in with
local treasurers to make sure your local is current to avoid any problems at
registration.
WELCOME BACK…Assistant Director Weaver has returned from her stay at the Harvard
School of Government. She is full of new ideas and innovations! Welcome back,
Jana.
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION…8/6 to 8/11,
If your local is not attending, please forward your blank credentials on to
Council 24. We have some locals who can use them as replacements. ALSO – PLEASE
LET US KNOW here at Council if your local is sending delegates, and who those
delegates are; and,
Lastly, please note: in
cooperation with Councils 40 and 48, we are currently looking into the possibly
of renting coach buses to transport delegates to Chicago for the convention’s
opening, and then back home again on closing day. Please let Marty Beil know (
STEWARD TRAINING…Wednesday, 7/26,
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING…Thursday, 7/20, Regency Suites,
COMMITTEE MEETINGS… SEPAC, 7/14 (note corrected date), Contracting Out, 8/18;
LTE Abuse, 8/17; Council 24
Legislature
to meet briefly on state employee contracts on July 12
senators face re-election. Senators have four year terms. This fall
election cycle focuses on all the odd-numbered senate seats. State lawmakers
will return to
July 11 is the deadline for
those seeking state or federal office to file nomination papers to officially
declare their candidacy. On the state legislative front, all state Assembly
representatives are up for re-election this fall, while only half of state
Legislative Hearings Continue in
July
July 6: Assembly Committee on Aging and Long
Term Care will hear testimony on Senate Bill 731, relating to guardianships and
protective placements.
July 12: the Joint Committee
on Employment Relations (JCOER) will hold a hearing on state employee
contracts, including
July 13: Senate Committee on
Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long Term Care will hold a hearing on the
situation of community living for those who suffer from mental illness. It
follows a previous hearing on mental illness that was called after a
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published a series of articles on the fate of
the mentally ill in
July 26: Senate Select
Committee on Health Care Reform will hold another hearing on the same topic. Details to be announced.
Implementing Act 89: Guidelines for
Contracting Out Public Services
Earlier this year, AFSCME won a significant
victory in getting state lawmakers to pass and the governor to sign a new law
that creates new procedures and rules to follow when state agency officials
consider contracting out public services. This law was passed in response to
news stories about contractors overcharging state taxpayers for services that
had been provided cheaper and with more accountability by public employees.
Act 89 requires the state
Department of Administration to write “administrative rules” to implement the
contracting reform rules. It also requires the Department of Transportation to
write its own rules for road project contracts.
AFSCME is working with DOA
and DOT officials on the rules and has been closely monitoring the rule-writing
process. The DOT is planning to hold a public hearing on the DOT rule
August 8th at 10:00 a.m. at the
For more information about
either the DOA or DOT rules, please contact the AFSCME area office at
608-836-6666.
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