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Long-time Michigan Union President Alan Walton has
resigned from the Plan effective 9-9-05.
He intends to go into private bankruptcy practice in Flint, MI with
his daughter. Alan has been the Michigan Local President for nearly
20 years and has been active in Plan - Union matters, including activities
with our Local, for many years. 02-05-05 The Plan has downsized at least 3 offices - Milwaukee, Janesville, and Rochester, NY by eliminating a full-time attorney slot and replacing with a part-time slot. 02-05-05 Benefit enrollment for same-sex domestic partners is available through the Personnel Office in Detroit. Criteria and requirements are available here. 11-30-04 The Plan has confirmed that the additional orthodontic benefit that was negotiated in the 2004-2008 CBA will be effective January 1, 2005. The maximum benefit per person will now be $2,000 versus the previous $1,000. 10-20-04 AFSCME 3357 Famous in Hawaii: From the University of Hawaii's Center for Labor Education and Research's Clear Newsletter: Denial of Paid Sick Leave Challenged in FMLA Situation An employer improperly denied an employee the use of paid sick leave for time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act, said arbitrator Robert E. Allen. An attorney working for the United Auto Workers Legal Services Plans in St. Louis took time off under the FMLA to care for her ill husband. She attempted to claim two weeks of paid sick leave for the time off, but the employer charged two weeks of annual leave instead. The attorney was represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which grieved over the leave substitution. AFSCME Local 3357 cited a contract provision stating that when "a staff attorney's spouse or dependent child is ill or disabled and requires the care of the staff attorney, the staff attorney can use sick leave to provide care." The employer argued that the use of annual leave in such situations was a longstanding past practice to which the union had acquiesced. Calling the collective bargaining agreement's language about the use of sick leave in such situations "clear and unambiguous," Allen upheld the grievance. As for the past practice claim, the employer's own defense of its policy cited eight similar FMLA leave requests. In two cases, there were grievances, and in two others, managers ignored the annual leave policy. Given this evidence, Allen said he found it "difficult to conclude such a practice was mutually accepted" or "consistent" (UAW-Legal Services Plans, 119 LA 1217 (Allen, 2004)). [CLEAR Source: BNA's Union Labor Report (7-30-04), p. 127] CLEAR Newsletter -- Posted by Steve to AFSCME 3357-HOF'S BLOG http://afscme3357.blogspot.com/2004_10_01_afscme3357_archive.html#109812223749820936 at 10/18/2004 01:57:17 PM 10-12-04 The Local held a general membership meeting in Memphis October 8-10. Approximately 25 persons were in attendance, including officers, Area Reps, Trustees, and grievance committee members.
First-time Area Reps included Mike Freda (Columbus/Dayton, OH); Latanya Wilson (Defiance, OH); Mike Forbes (Louisville/Ft. Wayne, etc.); and Deborah Scott (St. Louis, MO). Some highlights:
Keep checking here for a new President's Report and a photo gallery of Memphis-related activities and events. 9-29-04 Talitha Kates has won a runoff election for the Area 20 Representative position by a count of 4-2 over Brenda Roper. 9-21-04 Attorney Salary information is available at this site: NALP's Public Sector and Public Interest Salary Survey. UAW-LSP salaries are competitive, and above average when it comes to entry-level positions. At the high end things fall off, but I have a hunch that when benefits are considered, they are still competitive. NALP - 2004 Public Interest Attorney Salaries http://www.nalp.org/press/pi_sal04.htm
-- Posted by Steve to AFSCME 3357-HOF'S BLOG http://afscme3357.blogspot.com/2004_09_01_afscme3357_archive.html#109517713313369118 9-3-04 The 2004 General Election results are as follows: Vice President: Tim Holder 36 votes, Gail Breen 6, Mike Silver 6. Trustees (2 positions to be filled): Lynn Detrie 27 votes, Jamie Swisher 24, Warren Wright 20, William Schenck 11. Area 16 Rep: Mike Freda 2, Kathleen Perry 1. Area 20 Rep: Talitha Kates 2, Brenda Roper 2. The Area 20 tie situation will be addressed.
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