WE PROTECT VETERANS CARE
AFSCME members came together on Nov 10 presenting a petition with hundreds of signatures from all seven veterans home asking the Veterans Commission to change the sick leave policy.
AFSCME members made the case that the policy prevents sick staff from taking sick leave.

The spirited AFSCME activists Stacy Griffiths-Mt. Vernon, Wendy Battaglia & Lathey Riley of Cameron, Regina Furr & Deborah Coreman-St. Louis

WE FORCED THE COMMISSION
Following an intense exchange between AFSCME members, Veterans Commission and officials, Director Kay was ordered to investigate leave policy and report back.     

The state has not put in place any privatization protections during contract negotiations, even as it continues to turn over state services and facilities to private companies. Mid-Mo in Columbia and Western Missouri MHC are recent examples. The state announced Metropolitan St. Louis Psychiatric is the next target and it is feared that part of SEMORS will be privatized. All DMH facilities operate under the threat of privatization.

We will fight privatization at the bargaining table, at the workplace, in the legislature and in the public arena. We have jobs worth fighting for – and services worth protecting.

Find out what’s being done and what you can do to protect our jobs
from privatization. Let’s keep the heat on the administration.

Arbitration is a widely-accepted method used across the country to resolve workplace problems. However, at the Oct. 6 bargaining session the state resisted having an unbiased individual decide on issues and instead continue to let agency heads have the final say in disputes. This is unacceptable and we will continue to fight to bring fairness to the workplace.

Text GOAFSCME to 313131 for the lasted bargaining updates!

Click here to stay in touch with AFSCME members from across the state on Facebook.

On the first day of negotiations, we presented our case for safety, respect and security in our workplaces. We brought hundreds of members and supporters to rally at the Capitol, letting the state know we support our bargaining team. Speakers from around Missouri spoke on behalf of the quality of care and services we provide. Rally participants signed a declaration of bargaining principles and we presented it to the Governor's office. Together we let the state know that we are prepared to find solutions and fight for them; Because our Jobs are Worth Fighting For.

TEXT 'GOAFSCME' to 313131 to find out the lastest in contract negotiations!

OCTOBER 6 SET AS NEXT BARGAINING DATE!

Middle-class workers shouldn’t have to pay for the uninsured.
By Gerald W. McEntee

Taxing high-cost insurance plans to fund health care reform is a bad idea. In fact, it could threaten the medical insurance plans of middle-class workers who obtain coverage from their employers. For many of them, especially those in states with high medical costs, there is nothing "gold-plated" about their health coverage.

In the end, while claiming to target gold-plated or Cadillac plans, this tax-raising scheme essentially is asking the middle class to pay for the health care for those who are currently uninsured. In an era of rising wealth inequality and stagnant middle-class wages, this tax would make health care less affordable for working families and ultimately inhibit economic growth while giving the wealthy a virtual free ride.

(Reported by:Jordan Vandenberge From www.KOMU.com)

JEFFERSON CITY - One union believes safety and respect will build a better Missouri. The rotunda echoed the demands of hundreds of union members urging state legislators to take action on Tuesday.

September 17th, 2009

The New England Journal of Medicine just released a survey of more than 2,100 physicians that shows overwhelming support for including a public insurance option in health care reform. A public health insurance option would help lower costs, improve quality, cover more and stop insurance company abuses.

When polled, “nearly three-quarters of physicians supported some form of a public option, either alone or in combination with private insurance options,” says Dr. Salomeh Keyhani, an internist and researcher who conducted the survey with Dr. Alex Federman.

Unfortunately, the Senate Finance Committee is considering a bill that ignores these doctors’ advice. It does not come close to meeting the needs of America’s working families in part because it lacks a public option. Wendell Potter, a former CIGNA executive, calls the Finance Committee bill an “absolute gift” to the insurance industry. That’s unacceptable.

The bill being considered in the Finance Committee must be fixed. America can do better and Congress must do better. Reforming health care is too important to do half way.