This is a special year in many ways. This month, we mark the 40th anniversary of Stonewall, when the struggle for full citizenship for LGBT Americans began in earnest. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is proud of the role we have played to advance the cause of equal rights for LGBT Americans throughout the years. We are proud of the work of our members and our staff. We are going to continue to fight until we end every policy that treats any group of Americans as second class citizens. Discrimination is wrong. It hurts us all. It must stop.

Decades ago, AFSCME councils and locals across the country took the lead in negotiating employment non-discrimination policies. They used union power to create collective bargaining agreements to protect LGBT public employees. Those victories helped pave the way for non-discrimination policies in the private sector.

But workplace discrimination still goes on. In fact, it remains legal in 30 states to discriminate based on sexual orientation, and in 38 states to do so based on gender identity or expression. As a result, LGBT people face serious discrimination in employment. Too many people are being fired…or being denied a promotion…or experiencing harassment on the job. That is wrong and it must stop. That’s why we’re fighting to pass the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Working with President Obama and our allies in the Congress, we’re going to get this done.

As we celebrate LGBT Pride, it’s also appropriate to remember that AFSCME has been fighting alongside the LGBT community on a host of other important issues. We’re working to pass a federal hate crimes law so that local law enforcement will get the resources they need to keep LGBT families safe and secure wherever they choose to live. We’re fighting to change the tax laws so that domestic partners benefits will not be taxed. We’re fighting to fund programs to protect LGBT youth from harassment. And we’re working to secure a sound retirement for LGBT seniors by ending discrimination in Social Security and tax laws.

We stood with the LGBT community during the darkest days of the AIDS crisis. We fought to end discrimination against People With AIDS. We fought to expand research and treatment programs.

Later this month, the AFSCME Pride Committee at our headquarters in Washington, DC — composed of LGBT and straight employees — will host a guest lecture named in honor of our departed brother, Van Sheets. Van spent 17 years working for AFSCME. Van was taken from us much too early. He loved this union with his heart and soul. We loved and cherished Van in return. Van was the driving force behind the creation of Pride at Work, which does so much to give the LGBT community a voice in the labor movement. I know Van would be very proud of the work the Pride Committee is doing and the event that has been scheduled to honor his memory.

Finally, let’s not forget that the values we share require us to continue to push forward. That’s always been the case in the on-going battle for freedom, fairness and equality. Just look at the fight for marriage equality. AFSCME members — straight and gay — have been fighting on the front lines. Yes, we were disappointed with the results in California last November. But today, let’s celebrate the great progress we’ve seen this year. Iowa, Connecticut, Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire have now joined Massachusetts in providing marriage equality for all of their citizens. That’s real progress.

So there is much to celebrate this month. But there is more work to be done. We’re going to do that work, year in and year out, until equal rights exist for the LGBT community and for all Americans. All of us at AFSCME, working together, are going to do our part. We’re going to make equality happen.

It is the right thing to do . . . for our union . . . for our families . . . for our country.

Happy LGBT Pride Month.
This article is adapted from remarks President McEntee delivered at the AFSCME LGBT Pride kick-off event at the union’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The net effect this has on our members in MDD and LRD is that there is no change. Continue to submit reimbursement forms in a timely fashion and you will continue to receive reimbursements.

Washington D.C. — The International Executive Board of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) unanimously declared its support for Judge Sonia Sotomayor, President Barack Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court, and promised to help secure her confirmation by the Senate.

“President Obama’s nomination of distinguished Appeals Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court is the right move for our nation,” said AFSCME President Gerald McEntee.  “Judge Sotomayor is exactly the kind of experienced, capable and fair jurist the working men and women of this nation need to serve on our highest court.”

Sotomayor is a graduate of Princeton University and Yale Law School.  She was a prosecutor and private attorney before being appointed as a federal judge by President George H.W. Bush in 1992 (and confirmed by the Senate).  In 1997 she was named to the appeals court by President Bill Clinton. She would bring more federal judicial experience to the bench than any Supreme Court justice in 100 years.

“Judge Sonia Sotomayor has worked to preserve the rights of workers to receive fair pay, health benefits, and to be free of workplace discrimination,” said McEntee. “The Senate should promptly confirm Judge Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.”

Here is the full text of the AFSCME resolution:

JUDGE SONIA SOTOMAYOR

WHEREAS:

President Barack Obama has nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve as a Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court; and

WHEREAS:

Judge Sonia Sotomayor has outstanding educational credentials; including being valedictorian of her high school class, winning a scholarship to Princeton University, and earning a law degree at Yale University, where she served as editor of the Yale Law Review; and

WHEREAS:

Judge Sotomayor has served with distinction as a litigator, prosecutor, trial court attorney and U.S. appellate judge and possesses more federal judicial experience than any of the current members of the Supreme Court and than any Justice in the last century prior to their nomination to the high court; and

WHEREAS:

Judge Sotomayor has been consistent and fair in her interpretation of labor laws and has worked to preserve the rights of workers to receive fair pay, health benefits, and to be free of workplace discrimination; and

WHEREAS:

Judge Sotomayor has demonstrated a commitment to civil liberties and equal justice under the law, and has a record that shows that she is fair minded and that she has an understanding of the struggles of working people in this country; and

WHEREAS:

Judge Sotomayor’s nomination  marks a milestone, as the first Hispanic and the first woman of color to be nominated to the high court, thereby fulfilling President Obama’s promise to add diversity to the Supreme Court; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME has consistently supported judicial nominees in the U.S. Senate who have a history of protecting the rights of all Americans.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME strongly support the confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court and that AFSCME work to secure the confirmation.

June 2, 2009

Yes, we won the arbitration.  No, the County is not appealing the ruling of the arbitrator.  But when are we going to see the money?   Good question.  I can tell you that last week, Council 31 approved the revised pay grid that was sent by the County in light of the arbitration which includes the 1% salary adjustment and that pay grid was sent to the Comptroller last week for implementation.  I don’t have a date certain for when it will appear on our checks and if I did, they probably would blow that date anyway.  So you are waiting just like me and it’s our money and we want it now.

Summer Party

Our Local will be having its annual summer celebration at a new location this year: NAVY PIER BEER GARDEN.  This location is very convenient via public transportation.  The Local leadership encourages everyone to use public transportation to avoid unnecessary legal and financial complications.

Here are the details: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 6pm to 10 pm. Members and Law Clerks are free but you need to send a $10.00 refundable check for each member or clerk attending to the Local Secretary, Amy Thompson, at 26th St. (HTF) and you must do it by July 22, 2009 (read deadline).  The checks should be made payable to “The Jack Carey Memorial Scholarship Fund”. When you arrive at the party, you can choose to claim your check or you can donate it to the memorial scholarship.  If you don’t show up, there is no refund.

By the way, here is the policy on guests, who are not members and not clerks:  the non-refundable check you send in to reserve and admit your guest must be made payable as above but the amount is $25.00.

See you at the pier.

MVP

You probably received a letter by now from the Local written by Local Vice President, Brendan Max urging your participation in the People program at the MVP level of $4.20 per pay period.  We have had an excellent response and ask those of you who have not yet responded to do so because your participation in our political action committee ensures that our voice is heard by politicians who determine the funding level for our salaries and benefits.

Golf Outing

Thanks to Dave Figura (MDD) who is chairing our golf outing committee.  Dave is searching for a good date and location for the outing.  A date and location will be posted as soon as it is available.

Rosa Silva

Congratulations to sister Rosa Marie Silva, who was recently elected as president of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois.  Rosa, we are all very proud of your accomplishment and wish you a very productive term!

Contract Negotiations

Difficult contract negotiations between the union and the County of Cook continue and we will update the members via email bursts as circumstances warrant.  Not getting the emails?  Stay in the know by sending us your name and worksite via email to board@cookcountypd.org

Jack Carey Memorial Scholarship

And finally, please put September 1, 2009 on your calendar.  That’s the day 100 of you will be partying and watching the Cubs play the Astros at Wrigley Field.  Tickets are selling now for the two hour party and night game at a discounted price of $85.00 until June 30th.  The prices go up to $100 dollars after that.  Sox fan?  Just send money.  Thanks for supporting the scholarship that benefits law clerks who clerk at our office!

In Solidarity,

K.S. Galhotra,

President, Local 3315

A number of you have contacted various local officers asking about election results.  Please be patient, our diligent and meticulous election chair, Christa Petty,  is conscientiously attempting to gather and tabulate the results from the various work sites.  As soon as we have the information, it will be made available to all.

Thank you for voting and also for your continued patience.

In Solidarity,

K.S. Galhotra

President, Local 3315

Megan Tomlinson, a second year law student at Loyola University Chicago School of Law was selected as the winner of the Summer 2009 Jack Carey Memorial Scholarship.  She is the 22nd winner of the scholarship which was increased to $2500 earlier this year.  Three scholarships are given out by the committee each year and the fund was created in 2002 as a memorial to Jack Carey, former President of the Cook County Public Defenders Association.

Megan holds a B.A. from Loyola in Psychology and graduated magna cum laude.   Megan is currently clerking for Judge Solganic of the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Law Division.  She previously clerked in the Legal Resources Division of our office with Lester Finkle and Harold Winston.  Her work on the Alton Logan case inspired her to co-found the post-exoneration clinic at Loyola which helps provide legal services to individuals who are attempting to reenter society after being released from prison after being wrongfully convicted.

The next fund raiser for the scholarship is scheduled for September 1, 2009.  Like last year, it’s the Astros playing the Cubs in a  night baseball game with a two-hour exclusive party preceding the game at Wrigley Field in the patio area overlooking Clark and Addison.  Put it in your calendar and get your check in the mail because tickets are going to go fast!

Check out the flyer.