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At AFSCME’s urging, the U.S. House has passed a student-loan repayment bill that will help those who provide substance-abuse treatment throughout the country. Our union is now focused on making sure the bill passes the U.S. Senate and is fully funded.

In a letter to House lawmakers, AFSCME underscored the bipartisan bill’s importance to members like Joslyn Gheen, of Portland, Oregon, who are on the front lines of treatment services in the hardest-hit communities. The letter was aimed at bolstering support for H.R 5012, the Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Act of 2018, which the House passed Tuesday evening.

Gheen, a member of AFSCME Council 75, is a treatment assistant at an inpatient program who works from 4 p.m. to midnight five days a week, helping pregnant and parenting women overcome substance-use problems. To better serve her clients and her community, she’s studying to become a certified alcohol and drug counselor, according to AFSCME’s letter.

But her dedication comes at a steep cost. Due to her studies, her student-loan debt will swell to more than $43,000, making Gheen one of thousands of behavioral health care workers struggling with tremendous educational debt. H.R. 5102, co-sponsored by Rep. Katharine Clark (D-Massachusetts) and Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Kentucky), will greatly help Gheen and others in her situation.

Under the bill, the federal government would repay loans of up to $250,000 per person as long as the recipients work full time in the substance-abuse treatment field for up to six years, according to a summary provided by Reps. Clark and Rogers.

“From social workers to addiction and mental health counselors, AFSCME members never stop working to help those who want to recover,” AFSCME said in its letter. “This isn’t just a job, it’s a calling. Nobody does this job to get rich. This work matters because it means something to help a person discover their own resilience and strength to recover. In fact, it means everything.”

The letter went on to say that the loan-repayment program would “help make sure providers are there not just today but tomorrow and into the future as well.”

Review of bargaining proposals.

LOCATION:  Labor Temple

Review of contract proposals.

LOCATION:  Labor Temple

Join your fellow AFSCME Retirees United members for a lunch cruise down the St, Croix River from Historic Stillwater.  This is an annual event sponsored by the East Met subchapter and hass been thoroughly enjoyed by past participants.

Tickets are $22.50 and can be purchased in advance @ www.stillwaterriverboats.com

For more information go to www.stillwaterriverboats.com

Do Yourself a Favor: Step Up to AFSCME Membership! 

You've heard about strength in numbers. By signing a union membership card, you are recogniziing that basic truth. Because working people standing together gain a voice on the job and a seat at the table to negotiate for fair wages, safe and healthy working conditions, better benefits and retirement security. 

If you are in an AFSCME Local Union affiliated with AFSCME District Council 36, you can sign up right now.  Simply download this membership form by clicking on the link below, fill out the PDF, and scan the completed form to Steve Koffroth at [email protected]. afscme36membershipcard_fillable.pdf

If you have any membership questions, or prefer for us to send you a card in the mail, call 213-487-9887 and ask for the Business Office.  You may also email: [email protected].

Welcome to the AFSCME Family!

Steward's Meeting will be held at 5:30 pm

Membership Meeting will start at 6:30pm

Agenda items:  President's Report, Field Representative Report and Good and Welfare

Food and Soda wil be served at 6:30pm