Comments on: 2007 Salary/Wage/Union Dues Recap and Announcement http://cookcountypd.org/blog/2008/01/07/2007-salarywageunion-dues-recap-and-announcement/ Latest news involving the Cook County Public Defenders Association AFSCME LOCAL 3315 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:24:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Bruce Mosbacher, Executive At Large http://cookcountypd.org/blog/2008/01/07/2007-salarywageunion-dues-recap-and-announcement/comment-page-1/#comment-2514 Bruce Mosbacher, Executive At Large Sun, 27 Jan 2008 06:20:56 +0000 http://cookcountypd.org/blog/2008/01/07/2007-salarywageunion-dues-recap-and-announcement/#comment-2514 As I read it, its a game, albeit one that amounts to an unfair labor practice, that the County plays to put political pressure on the budget process. The County "reasons" that its more likely that you will call your commissioner and advocate tax increases if your upset that you have not received your raise or step. Its kind of like a judge pressuring a jury to return a verdict by "starving" them or threatening to send them to a hotel. The 12/1/07 is money in the bank because its in our contract...the only question is the interest. Bruce As I read it, its a game, albeit one that amounts to an unfair labor practice, that the County plays to put political pressure on the budget process. The County “reasons” that its more likely that you will call your commissioner and advocate tax increases if your upset that you have not received your raise or step. Its kind of like a judge pressuring a jury to return a verdict by “starving” them or threatening to send them to a hotel. The 12/1/07 is money in the bank because its in our contract…the only question is the interest.

Bruce

]]> By: Stephen D http://cookcountypd.org/blog/2008/01/07/2007-salarywageunion-dues-recap-and-announcement/comment-page-1/#comment-2495 Stephen D Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:51:04 +0000 http://cookcountypd.org/blog/2008/01/07/2007-salarywageunion-dues-recap-and-announcement/#comment-2495 Catherine: The fiscal year begins 12/1 so it is part of the 2008 budget, that is the problem. Catherine:

The fiscal year begins 12/1 so it is part of the 2008 budget, that is the problem.

]]> By: Catherine M. http://cookcountypd.org/blog/2008/01/07/2007-salarywageunion-dues-recap-and-announcement/comment-page-1/#comment-2463 Catherine M. Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:59:25 +0000 http://cookcountypd.org/blog/2008/01/07/2007-salarywageunion-dues-recap-and-announcement/#comment-2463 what I don't understand is - when the county approved the 2007 budget, didn't they take into account our wage increase, and the step increase I was due to get in December? I mean, the budget was approved so what's the problem? It just seems very unprofessional. what I don’t understand is - when the county approved the 2007 budget, didn’t they take into account our wage increase, and the step increase I was due to get in December? I mean, the budget was approved so what’s the problem? It just seems very unprofessional.

]]> By: President http://cookcountypd.org/blog/2008/01/07/2007-salarywageunion-dues-recap-and-announcement/comment-page-1/#comment-2339 President Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:10:58 +0000 http://cookcountypd.org/blog/2008/01/07/2007-salarywageunion-dues-recap-and-announcement/#comment-2339 Stephen The short answer is "yes". The long answer is that dues increases are tied to our salary increases and are decisions made not by the local, but the International (AFSCME). The International gets its right to assess dues under the International Constitution. Our dues increases could have occurred in June of '07 when we received our last pay increase, but the board decided to defer them as long as possible (six months). As a reference, consider that members of many unions pay two to three times their hourly rate in monthly dues. So a $30 dollar an hour electrician would pay $60 - $90 per month in dues. Stephen

The short answer is “yes”. The long answer is that dues increases are tied to our salary increases and are decisions made not by the local, but the International (AFSCME). The International gets its right to assess dues under the International Constitution. Our dues increases could have occurred in June of ‘07 when we received our last pay increase, but the board decided to defer them as long as possible (six months). As a reference, consider that members of many unions pay two to three times their hourly rate in monthly dues. So a $30 dollar an hour electrician would pay $60 - $90 per month in dues.

]]> By: Stephen D. http://cookcountypd.org/blog/2008/01/07/2007-salarywageunion-dues-recap-and-announcement/comment-page-1/#comment-2333 Stephen D. Sun, 13 Jan 2008 15:47:48 +0000 http://cookcountypd.org/blog/2008/01/07/2007-salarywageunion-dues-recap-and-announcement/#comment-2333 Is this an increase that is similar to past year increases? Is this an increase that is similar to past year increases?

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