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The economy is struggling as well, and the hope of Mr. Dorrian finding that money he always finds in the fourth quarter is not as promising as in previous years.
We are still at the table negotiating the contract with the City; I believe we would have settled in September if it hadn't been for all of the deception of three members I had to remove from my Team. A lot of CMAGE members continue to think that we, as a bargaining unit, are not being treated fairly by the Administration. But, how could we, when there is a constant change in Union leadership, as may occur once again?
The Election Committee has received challenges to the election and will be reviewing and issuing responses to all of those by November 24th.
The current Officers and Board Trustees will continue to work for you until the election has been certified. Monitor the Elections link or this site for further information.
Contract negotiations will resume this week on Thursday and Friday, November 6th and 7th. Our last meeting was held on Wednesday, October 29th.
On Friday, October 31st, an email with information regarding the EMPLOYEE SEVERANCE PLAN (ESP) was sent to employees. A data verification form was attached so that confidential data would be provided for eligibility into the program. Completion of the form had a deadline of today, November 4th to allow for preparation of an estimated illustration of state requirement benefits, social security benefits and the actual employee severance plan. General information meetings will be held on Monday, November 10th at the Police Regional Training Center at 1000 Haugue Avenue. Confidential individual counseling sessions will also be held throughout next week at the same location from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact your Human Resources office.
To the "Extremely Fed Up CMAGE Member" who sent me a letter at the Union office with NO NAME, please go to the FORUM page for a response. If you are not registered, now is the time to do so.
The problems with the FORUM PAGE have been resolved; however, all users must once again register for usage. (This includes those already registered.)
In order to register you must be a dues paying member (not fairshare), provide your name and active email address. Once received, your account will be activated for use the following business day.
If you have any problems, please contact Chris at the Union office at 485-1265.
Thank you for your patience.
For those of you inquiring about the Union's position of the memo sent to Public Service employees regarding "Political Do's and Don'ts", please see the FORUM page.
CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS are still ongoing with the City. We will inform the Membership of the status as soon as we can.
Make sure your address is correct and on file with both your Payroll office and the Union office. Call Jennifer at the Union office at 485-1265 for verification; or email at jlanger@cmage.org.
Nominations are now being accepted for the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and all seats on the Board of Trustees.
Nominations may be made by contacting the Election Committee at elections@cmage.org, or leaving a voicemail message on the Election Committee phone line at (614) 470-1570, or in person at the Membership Meeting on Wednesday, September 24th at 1250 Kinnear Road.
Nominations MUST be made/received by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30th.
For a description of duties of the above positions, please refer to INFORMATION link of this website under the BY-LAWS.
Your Election Committee members are: Rita Stone (Public Utilities), Joe Beyer (Development), Debbie Ioia (Public Utilities), Dave Jones (Finance and Management), and Ken Rau (Public Utilities/DOSD)
We must again apologize to those wanting to access the FORUM page as a new subscriber; we are still experiencing technical difficulties and should be operable sometime next week. Thank you.
Many of you have probably read the 8/10/08 article in the Dispatch called "No More Free Ride", that was written by the editor. As I so wanted to respond to this article, I didn't, as I took an oath of confidentiality since we are in contract negotiations with the City; so I am am responding to you, the Membership.
Though I was wasn't around in the 1980's when the idea of the pension pick up started, many of you probably were. You know that this great benefit we have did not come for free - it came with a price of lower wages for many, many years. So for the editor of this newspaper to say the "City workers should not enjoy better benefits that taxpayers who provide them" is not only out of line, but unfair, since he left out the "rest of the story."
As I will await this Sunday's crucifiction of City workers, who for the 42 un-named employees slated for layoff any day now, I will hope that the following comments will be printed as I share with you below the response from Local 67, Fire Fighter's President, Jack Reall:
"Just wanted to share a letter I sent to the dispatch."
From: Jack Reall
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 10:46 AM
To: 'letters@dispatch.com'
Subject: Letter to the Editor
I read, with interest, your editorial in Sunday’s Dispatch (No More Free Ride, 8/10/08). You unfortunately do not realize that many of our city employees decide to work for government at the expense of a higher salary in the private sector. I know my members in Fire and our brothers and sisters in the Police Division find pride in their service to the citizens. I would guess that other City Employees feel this same pride. We find ourselves in the crosshairs of your editorials many times over the years, most of the time; we turn the other cheek and continue to provide the best service we can to our customers. I regret to inform you that many of your editorials leave out much…akin to Paul Harvey’s “The Rest of the Story.â€
For example, while public employees in Columbus do enjoy a benefit of pension pick-up from our employer and it is a great benefit. It comes at a price. The price is a lower gross income, which our pension is based upon. Therefore, we are giving up very important dollars in our retirement years in order to provide for our families while we are working. Many of us count on this money to ensure our children are afforded a quality higher education. I would suspect your editorial board would support that concept. In addition, while our private counterparts do not enjoy such a benefit, I am guessing that most private sector workers participate in a 401(k). And that there are some matching funds from their employer provided. This is outlawed for public employees. What about it? Does Mr. Marrison or Mr. Sheller receive any pension funds or 401(k) funds from the Dispatch? Unfortunately, we will never know, because private sector employers are not required to divulge the pay packages for their employees. Only those of us who choose public sector work are required to submit our finances to the microscopes of the media who are so presumptive to hold themselves in a higher light.
The same article that mentioned the pension pick up program also pointed out the disparity in pay between the governor and our mayor, yet the Dispatch Editors chose not to make this a part of their editorial. They chose the path that would provide the most shock value to the readers. What’s next, city employees are actually part of an alien conspiracy to take over Earth? No, that is a story already taken by one of your counterparts in the aisle at the grocery store.
Let me leave you with one more thought regarding the difference between our public sector employees and those in the private sector. You will not see one of our CEOs leaving with a multi-million dollar severance package, while their workers are denied the basic benefits of health care and an appropriate pension. Because we know that people are the most important asset in any business, something our private counterparts have forgotten.
Sincerely,
Columbus Fire Fighters Union, IAFF #67
As you all may know by now, the Mayor has ordered a reduction in the workforce as early as September or October 2008. On the afternoon of Friday, August 1st, Vice President Delores Moore and I met with the Mayor's Chief of Staff, Mike Reese and Human Resources Director, Chet Christie to hear this news. We also know that some of the Directors have been meeting with their employees informing them of the budget deficit and pending layoffs in the tune of 42 employees and 60 unfilled vacancies. We do not know who the 42 employees are as of yet, but will work with Civil Service to make sure all procedures will be followed as to classification seniority and the bumping process.
We have worked with the City in the past when layoffs were eminent to save all or as many jobs as possible. While it is our number one priority to avert layoffs completely, and in the event they do occur, we will be processing all the information necessary to assist those members who are affected.
We will also be looking for ways to lessen the projected layoffs for 2009, as we have been informed that the projected numbers may be much worse.
Please know that your Union leadership is working diligently on this, as well as negotiating our contract that is due to expire on August 23rd.
Please continue to call or email the Union office with any questions or concerns, and remember, "our solidarity and resolve must prove greater than the challenges we currently face."
Earlier this year your Union Leadership sent a letter to your home informing you that our current "Collective Bargaining Agreement" (Contract) will expire on August 23rd. We also offered you the opportunity to provide input for the negotiation of the new contract. Thanks to all of you who responded with comments and suggestions! We have carefully reviewed the information provided and found many of you spoke on some of the same issues; ranging from health care items to merit increase caps, more time off, etc. We have been in the process of planing our strategy package that will go to the table in the next few weeks. Please be aware that only Union members who have signed a Union Membership card will be able to vote on the contract when it is ready for member ratification. It is not too late for you Fair Share employees to become members. You can access the membership card on the INFORMATION link of this website and after completion, fax or U.S. mail to the Union office. Or feel free to call the Union office at 485-1265 and one can be emailed to you. Thank you and stay involved with your Union, your voice counts!
Your 2008 CMAGE/CWA Local 4502 Negotiating Team members are as follows:
President Teresa Langer Vice President Delores Moore Bruce Scott (Board Trustee/At Large Rep) Brien Bellous (Development) Rita Stone (DPU) Carnell Felton (DPU/Sewerage and Drainage) Mike Vance (DPU/Power and Water) Mark Stansbery (Recs and Parks Rep) Kim Bentley (Technology Rep) Bill Bain (CWA Rep)
After 33+ years of City service, including the last four years as President of CMAGE/CWA Local 4502, John E. Cianelli is retiring effective May 31, 2008.
Effective June 1, 2008, Teresa Langer will take over as President and Union Rep Delores Moore (Department of Development) will be the Vice President.
New Health Insurance Rates
The new rates as of April 1, 2008 for those employees who participate in the City's health insurance programs, in accordance with Article 18, Section 18.2 of our contract, are as follows:
Single/Actual Monthly: $38.53
Employee Monthly: $34.68
Employee Cost Twice/Monthly: $17.34
Union Pays: $3.85
Family/Actual Monthly: $96.33
Employee Monthly: $86.70
Employee Cost Twice/Monthly: $43.35
Union Pays: $9.63
As negotiated in Article 18.2 of the Contract, one-half of the monthly premiums will be deducted each pay period not to exceed the total monthly premium, along with the Union paying 10% of your contribution.
Pursuant to Article 17, Section 17.10 of our Collective Bargaining Agreement, CMAGE/CWA and the City completed the review and negotiation of the classifications identified by both parties with an extension of the time limits to complete the project by February 22, 2008, which the time was met.
MOU #2008-01 will be submitted to City Council with the following amendments (upgrade to pay grade assignment only, no pay increase):
311 Service Supervisor to Pay Grade 55
Accountant II to Pay Grade 54
Administrative Secretary to Pay Grade 54
Customer Service Supervisor to Pay Grade 55
Horticultural Specialist II to Pay Grade 54
Office Assistant III to Pay Grade 54
Office Manager to Pay Grade 55
Payroll Benefits Clerk to Pay Grade 53
Building Inspector II to Pay Grade 57
Electrical Inspector II to Pay Grade 57
Latent Print Examiner to Pay Grade 55
Latent Print Exam Supervisor to Pay Grade 56
Mechanical Inspector II to Pay Grade 57
Plumbing Inspector II to Pay Grade 57
Public Relations Specialist II to Pay Grade 57
Recreation and Parks Marketing/Fundraising Coordinator to Pay Grade 58
Waste Water Plant Assistant Manager to Pay Grade 59
Water Plant Operations Manager to Pay Grade 58
All employees will be notified by letter from the Union office. If there are any questions, please contact the Union office 485-1265.
The next quarterly MEMBERSHIP MEETING is on Wednesday, February 20th at 5:30 p.m.
The UNION OFFICE HAS NOT MOVED - only the location of the membership meetings. The new location is: 947 Goodale Boulevard, the Electrical Trades Center, in Room 207.
If you are heading West on Goodale Boulevard, turn into the first driveway East of Northwest Boulevard. Parking and entrance into the building is in the rear.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
You will be receiving a letter from President John Cianelli and Vice President Teresa Langer bringing in the new year with reference to looking at your collective bargaining agreement and formulating ideas to recommend to the 2008 Negotiating Team in preparation for this year's contract negotiations (the contract expires on August 23, 2008).
Both dues payers and fairshare members are encouraged to email, fax, or mail in their ideas for contract changes.
Fairshare members will also receive a membership application in their letters encouraging them to join by mailing or faxing it in to the Union office. Without this application fairshare members CANNOT VOTE on the new contract or in the Officer and Board Trustee elections this fall. (More information from the Election Committee on nominations, candidates, time frames, etc, will be forthcoming.)
If you have not received your letter at your homes by Friday, January 25th, please call Jennifer at the Union office at 485-1265, or email her at jlanger@cmage.org, to verify your correct address is on file.
Door-to-Door Canvassing
For the first time ever, Local 4502 is getting involved in the political process by campaigning for Mayor Coleman and the Columbus City Council members that are on the 2007 ballot. From now to the election, the second Sunday and fourth Saturday of each month have been dedicated as "CMAGE/CWA Local 4502 Days". We will be going door-to-door talking to fellow voters about getting out to support our candidates. It is not difficult work, you will only go to homes of registered voters, and we will even tell you what to say.
The schedule is as follows:
Saturday, September 22 - 10:00 am
Sunday, October 14 - 2:00 pm
Saturday, October 27 - 10:00 am
Sunday, November 4 - 2:00 pm
Please sign up to help on one of these days by contacting Rick Eichorn, Political Coordinator, at (614)256-0733 or rjeichorn1@juno.com.
After a courageous battle against cancer, Rick Irwin, former President of CMAGE/CWA (1999-2000) passed away on the morning of May 15, 2007. Rick will truly be missed by his family, friends and co-workers in the Refuse Collection Division with 26 years of City service.
As a Union leader, Rick’s tenure as President marked a new beginning for labor/ management working cooperatively together for a common goal. This was proved by being one of the first unions in the City to use interest based bargaining for the 1999-2002 collective bargaining agreement. This opened the door to future labor/management cooperative relationships with the City Administration and Legislature, ushering in the “win-win” philosophy as opposed to the standard “winner-loser” philosophy that labor/management experienced in the past.
Under his administration, and with the help of new officers in place, the first “Union office” on
There is a feeling of great loss to his family, his friends, and especially the Union membership, as Rick was someone who contributed so much in such a short period of time. We are truly thankful for Rick’s contributions and dedication to this organization.
SEE EVENTS LINK FOR UPCOMING MEMBERSHIP MEETING
SEE THE FORUM LINK FOR RECENT BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEETING MINUTES AND FINANCIALS