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Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Pima College Non-Exempt AFSCME local 449 meeting was called into session at 5:45 pm.  In attendance were:

Assistant Chair:

Rose Bolz

Recorder:

Anna B. Richards

Events Coordinator:

Maritza

Steward:

Mike Gonzales

Steward:

Walter Silva

Steward:

Bob Brodie

Steward:

David Clark

Member:

Joey Spicciatie

          

  1. AFSCME has secured AFLAC for all active members.  Representatives from AFLAC will be available to meet with member to discuss the benefits during open enrollment at the union office on September 27 and at the Downtown Campus on September 29.  Contact your campus rep or the AFSCME 449 Office for any questions.

  2. Due to medical restrictions, Bob Brodie will be stepping down as the chair of the Professional Development Fund.  We are actively soliciting members to step up and fill the vacancy. 

  3. We are endeavoring to represent Pima College non-exempt employees in every area that has been identified as significant or impactful.  Those individuals who have been chosen to represent AFSCME on a Pima College committee must regularly the scheduled meetings or forfeit their seat on that committee.

  4. All Professional Development Funds have been allocated for this year.  You may however continue to submit requests.  Requests will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis as funds become available.

  5. Members are encouraged to apply for AFSCME scholarships.

Meeting concluded at 7:10 p.m.

Anna B. Richards, Recorder

 AFSCME Local 449, PCC Division

AFSCME at PCC

With our union, we have an organization just for non-exempt staff that represents our interests which can collaborate with PCC to build the college.  Our union can make sure we don’t get left behind.  We don’t just want a voice in decisions about our jobs.  We want the power to make a difference.

AFSCME is the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the largest public service union in the country. Over 100,000 college and university staff around the country are also a part of AFSCME.   

 

Our union is a democratic organization run by and for PCC staff.  We elected a bargaining team and negotiated a legally-binding contract. It covers wages, benefits and working conditions and such matters as evaluations, promotions, classifications, special pay, hours, comp time and tuition benefits.  We're also working with campus and community groups and with politicians to support funding and advancement at PCC.

 

What about dues and initiation fees?
 There are no initiation fees.  Dues are $15 per pay period.  Dues support our organization so we can represent our interests at PCC and statewide. 

Some Frequently Asked Questions 
I heard that a union will keep us from working cooperatively with our supervisors and department heads.  Is that true?
No, we formed our union to help find more ways to solve problems and improve our workplace, not less.  Having a union gives us a collective voice at the highest levels of the administration in addition to the regular day-to-day relationship within our departments.  An important part of the meet & confer process is creating an on-going relationship with the administration to solve problems through labor-management meetings, and on other issues such as re-organization, efficiency, student services.

Can the union make us go on strike?
No, strikes are unlawful for public employees in Arizona.  Instead, we use member activism, workplace actions, community and political support to present our views to the administration. 

 Can I get fired for supporting our union?
No, under state law it is illegal for PCC to fire, discriminate or retaliate against you for organizing or supporting our union.

Can I talk about the union at work?
Yes.  You can talk about the union at any time and in any place where you are permitted to talk about other non-work activities. Union activities (meetings, distribution of literature, etc.) must be planned during non-work hours. Under the law, PCC must treat union activity the same as any other non-work activity and you cannot be discriminated against for talking about the union or participating in a union activity.

 

 

Tucson Area Public Employees, Local 449

Pima Community College Employees Division

110 S. Church Avenue, Suite 4188

Tucson, AZ 85701

Phone: 520-571-8884

Fax: 520-571-8887