Over the past week, I have been in contact with many members of our Union who expressed concerns regarding City Management's recent city-wide emails and outreach involving our ongoing contract negotiation. These communications are misleading at best and seek to disrupt our membership's solidarity during our current strike authorization vote.
First and foremost, we are alarmed by reports of supervisors instructing members not to vote, or that they were ineligible to vote in our proceedings. Let's be clear here: if you received your electronic ballot from ElectionBuddy informing you of our strike authorization vote, you are able to vote. If you have not yet received your ballot or are unsure of your membership status, please reach out to [email protected].
We appreciate City Management's recognition that it is unlawful to interfere with collective bargaining rights, and we shall see that these rights are vigorously defended.
Second, I need to address the updated proposal that Management sent to all City emails yesterday.
Let's dig into their updated offer point by point:
"A one-time $3,000 bonus"
While twice their original offer, this comes at the cost of 38 of our targeted increases, NO across the board increase, and NO longevity pay. Notably, Multnomah County gave $1,500 to its workers out of respect for their efforts throughout the pandemic. This seems an attempt to buy us off, likely using Federal funds meant for workers, as a bargaining chip. Meanwhile their proposal would have us continue to fall behind the rest of the labor market.
"A 6.6% increase to base wages in the first two years"
Here they're trying to dress up a 1.6% increase for half the year this year with all of next year's COLA to make it appear better than it is. The 5% increase they mention for this summer is not only already provided for by our contract, it is less than the predicted rate of inflation. Even their best efforts at damage control results in a functional pay cut for every union member.
"1800 hours of City-paid union time per fiscal year (up from an earlier proposed 1560)"
This is perhaps their most brazen attempt to confuse our membership, since there currently is no limit on City-paid union time per fiscal year, and the proposed 1560 hours was their earlier, worse proposal.
That’s as far as their new offer goes, but we should address some of their previous "offers":
A targeted wage increase ... for 14 of the 49 classifications put forward by the union, affecting roughly 60 members across the city.
An increased tool allowance ... that they insist will expire at the end of this contract.
With the COVID-19 coronavirus and its variants continuing to impact New York City and the U.S., AFSCME Retirees is sharing important information for older Americans about how to stay safe, healthy and informed. The coronavirus can be more dangerous to older adults [age 60 and over] and people with serious health conditions and/or weaker immune systems. The AFSCME fact sheets below, along with the other links and resources, will provide basic information about how to better protect yourself -- along with updates about the COVID-19 vaccines, boosters, free home-tests, and the NYC Test & Trace Corps.
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With the COVID-19 coronavirus and its variants continuing to impact New York City and the U.S., AFSCME Retirees is sharing important information for older Americans about how to stay safe, healthy and informed. The coronavirus can be more dangerous to older adults [age 60 and over] and people with serious health conditions and/or weaker immune systems. The AFSCME fact sheets below, along with the other links and resources, will provide basic information about how to better protect yourself -- along with updates about the COVID-19 vaccines, boosters, free at-home tests, and the NYC Test & Trace Corps.
With the COVID-19 coronavirus and its variants continuing to impact New York City and the U.S., AFSCME Retirees is sharing important information for older Americans about how to stay safe, healthy and informed. The coronavirus can be more dangerous to older adults [age 60 and over] and people with serious health conditions and/or weaker immune systems. The AFSCME fact sheets below, along with the other links and resources, will provide basic information about how to better protect yourself -- along with updates about the COVID-19 vaccines, boosters and the NYC Test & Trace Corps.
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With the COVID-19 coronavirus and its variants continuing to impact New York City and the U.S., AFSCME Retirees is sharing important information for older Americans about how to stay safe, healthy and informed. The coronavirus can be more dangerous to older adults [age 60 and over] and people with serious health conditions and/or weaker immune systems. The AFSCME fact sheets below, along with the other links and resources, will provide basic information about how to better protect yourself -- along with updates about the COVID-19 vaccines, boosters, free home-tests, and the NYC Test & Trace Corps.
COVID-19 & Vaccines: What AFSCME Retirees Need to Know
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COVID-19, Vaccines & Tests: What AFSCME Retirees Need to Know
Changes to Body
*FREE AT-HOME COVID-19 TESTS*
*FREE AT-HOME COVID-19 TESTS*
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Every home in the U.S. can soon order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests will be completely free—there are no shipping costs and you don’t need to enter a credit card number. Ordering begins January 19, 2022 at *COVIDtests.gov* [16]
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Every home in the U.S. can soon order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests from the federal government. The tests will be completely free—there are no shipping costs and you don’t need to enter a credit card number. Ordering begins January 19, 2022 at *COVIDtests.gov* [16]
*NYC TEST & TRACE CORPS*
*NYC TEST & TRACE CORPS*
The NYC Test & Trace Corps is a public health initiative to fight the threat of COVID-19. The Corps is a group of doctors, public health professionals and community advocates working to reverse the COVID-19 outbreak and protect NYC residents. Visit the Corps website or call the hotline below for info on testing, tracing and support services for those who test positive for Covid 19.
The NYC Test & Trace Corps is a public health initiative to fight the threat of COVID-19. The Corps is a group of doctors, public health professionals and community advocates working to reverse the COVID-19 outbreak and protect NYC residents. Visit the Corps website or call...
AFSCME will host an important webinar on Wednesday, January 19 at 5 p.m to find out how our union members can qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
This members-only webinar will provide guidance on how to apply for PSLF and how to take advantage of the temporary changes.
AFSCME will host an important webinar on Wednesday, January 19 at 5 p.m to find out how our union members can qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
This members-only webinar will provide guidance on how to apply for PSLF and how to take advantage of the temporary changes.
AFSCME will host an important webinar on Wednesday, January 19 at 5 p.m to find out how our union members can qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
This members-only webinar will provide guidance on how to apply for PSLF and how to take advantage of the temporary changes.
AFSCME will host an important webinar on Wednesday, January 19 at 5 p.m to find out how our union members can qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
This members-only webinar will provide guidance on how to apply for PSLF and how to take advantage of the temporary changes.
AFSCME will host an important webinar on Wednesday, January 19 at 5 p.m to find out how our union members can qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
This members-only webinar will provide guidance on how to apply for PSLF and how to take advantage of the temporary changes.
AFSCME will host an important webinar on Wednesday, January 19 at 5 p.m to find out how our union members can qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
This members-only webinar will provide guidance on how to apply for PSLF and how to take advantage of the temporary changes.
AFSCME will host an important webinar on Wednesday, January 19 at 5 p.m to find out how our union members can qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
This members-only webinar will provide guidance on how to apply for PSLF and how to take advantage of the temporary changes.
AFSCME will host an important webinar on Wednesday, January 19 at 5 p.m to find out how our union members can qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
This members-only webinar will provide guidance on how to apply for PSLF and how to take advantage of the temporary changes.
