Your Community College Coalition bargaining team met with management twice this week to bargain for many improvements to our workplaces.
We showed up prepared to fight for a better future for Community College workers but didn’t get far in negotiations.
While our team worked diligently, presenting several proposals and suggesting current contract language for some proposals, management was not prepared to discuss our proposals at length, and expectations for forward movement were not met.
Your bargaining team knows your livelihood is at stake and is pushing for positive gains in these sessions. Our working conditions are our students’ learning conditions. We need to show management that they should care. Because we care.
When more voices speak out, management can no longer ignore our demands and must come to the table more prepared. We need you to show that we are united in our fight for a fair contract!
Here’s what you can do to strengthen our bargaining position and help us achieve the strongest possible contract:
Complete the bargaining survey to help us understand what you need most.
Submit a picture and quote about why you deserve a raise to help get more members fired up for the campaign.
Download the contract campaign toolkit and use the signs, Zoom/Teams backgrounds, and social media profile pics to bring attention to bargaining.
Visit the contract campaign website for all this and to learn more about the negotiation process.
Encourage your non-member coworkers to join so they can vote on our contract when it’s time and their voices can be heard.
Our team is standing strong and united. We’ll continue to be in touch as...
Media Contact: Max Hall Director, External Relations and Planning Cell: (612) 247-3725 [email protected]
AFSCME Council 5 Condemns Ban on American Indian Drum Group
SOUTH ST. PAUL, Minnesota– AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director Bart Andersen released the following statement -
"AFSCME Council 5, representing over 43,000 dedicated union workers, unequivocally condemns the Hinckley-Finlayson School Board's heartless decision to ban the native cultural drum group from performing at their high school graduation ceremony. The district's claim that the drum group is merely an 'extracurricular group' is a blatant dismissal of the rich cultural heritage and the vital presence of American Indian communities. This decision seeks to erase the history and traditions that should be celebrated and respected by all. We are in solidarity with students and community members and join together to demand a reversal of this decision.
"Our union stands in unwavering solidarity and deep love with our American Indian friends, coworkers, and neighbors We are appalled by the actions and remarks of the Hinckley-Finlayson School District, which undermine the visibility and importance of American Indian cultural practices, traditions, and heritage. We believe that every culture deserves to be honored, heard, and cherished for its unique heritage and traditions. We are all better when we embrace our cultural differences and come together to learn... that is what schools are all about, which is why these actions and words are disturbing and antithetical to our shared values.
"We extend our heartfelt support to the students, community members, and alumni of the Hinckley-Finlayson School District who are courageously fighting to overturn this decision. AFSCME Council 5 joins them and our community allies in demanding that the school district reverse its decision immediately. Together, we will fight to ensure that American Indian traditions are proudly shared with the community at the upcoming high school graduation ceremony."
### AFSCME Council 5 is a labor union representing more than 43,000 workers across Minnesota who fight for excellence in services to the public, dignity in the workplace, and opportunity and prosperity for all workers.
The Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE), AFSCME Council 28, has a long history of fighting for workers' rights and employee benefits while tackling social justice issues with passion and energy. The WFSE has operated in the state capital for over 80 years, fighting for fairness and equality. We ensure hard-working public service workers get better pay, health care, retirement, and a healthy work environment. There is more to accomplish, and we can achieve it with the right personnel. Join our team and be part of a larger mission that will make an impact for years to come. Learn more about who we are at wfse.org.
What We Are Looking For:
The WFSE is recruiting to fill a Labor Advocate position in Olympia, WA. The Labor Advocate is considered the collective bargaining “Technical Expert” of the WFSE. Incumbents are responsible for contract and mid-term negotiations and representation at higher levels of the grievance process. Labor Advocates function as the statewide liaison to employer agencies, are responsible for statewide Union Management Communication Committees (UMCCs) and perform advanced representational work for the organization.
No two days are the same, and you will be challenged to independently represent the WFSE as a Chief Negotiator in contract negotiations and represent the WFSE in mid-term mandatory subject negotiations (“demand to bargains”) with full decision-making authority. The Labor Advocate is responsible for attending and presenting representational matters related to the Personnel Resources Board (PRB) hearings. The position represents the WFSE in all aspects of grievance arbitration, including but not limited to the following: the selection of arbitrators, obtaining evidence, conducting research, preparation of pleadings, oral presentation of various cases, brief writings, and settlement agreements.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with relevant course work in labor relations, law, criminal justice, or allied field (substantial paid work experience in a related field may be substituted for education).
Experience with principles and procedures of negotiation, arbitration, and administrative hearings.
Working knowledge of general management principles, state and federal laws related to labor, public employment, collective bargaining, and Washington and Federal regulations.
Outstanding oral and written advocacy skills.
Excellent judgment and discretion and ability to compare and evaluate...
