The AFSCME Florida family grew yesterday after a unit of the medical staff with the Osceola County Corrections Department vote unanimously, seven to zero, in favor of securing their union voice and
At the second session of negotiations with the County today, Miami-Dade Administration negotiators announced that if Local 199 agrees to the County’s new group health care proposal, the County will end mandatory furlough days, restore the Floating Holiday, Premium Pay, and will reinstate Flex Pay as part of our new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Today the Local 199 Contract Committee permanent delegation of seven began the second round of contract negotiations with the County. Local 199 submitted proposals to the County that were compiled by Contract Committee members from coworkers at their respective worksites.
The Miami-Dade County Hall was filled with library and public worker supporters for the July 15th budget hearing to advocate restoring the library millage to $64 million, and end the concessions that were sacrificed three years ago. The Mayor presented his budget proposal, pitting working families against servicing Miami-Dade county residents. The politically constructed budget calls for a continuation of all contract concessions.
Over 2,000 workers turned out to reject Mayor Gimenez’s current contract proposal for the AFSCME Local 199 bargaining unit. Members used vacation and furlough days to staff election sites at five locations across the county. Workers flocked to the voting sites, prepared to stand up and fight against the current contract proposal.
AFSCME Local 199 members in the Miami-Dade library system are at the forefront of an important community initiative to save the County’s libraries. On Friday, June 27th our members helped organize a successful community event and storytime in Cooper Park to send a message to Miami-Dade County commissioners that the community loves its libraries. The event was attended by 250 community members and children.
On Saturday, June 14, Local 199 union members from across Miami-Dade met at a contract kick-off meeting to discuss strategy for the upcoming contract negotiations with the County.
At the meeting, Local 199 Administrator Andy Madtes presented an in-depth summary of the County's proposals for the upcoming contract, which includes a 10% base cut in salaries; the removal of your grievance process; a way around notifying the union about outsourcing; removing your union's ability to appeal disciplinary through arbitration; and the elimination of premium pay.
Miami-Dade AFSCME Local 199 had a great turn out for the Contract Committee meeting on May 29th. Administrator Andy Madtes gave an update on the tough fight we have over the next few months in contract negotiations, as well as an overview of where we stand politically and the direction of Local 199. Members of the committee came to the meeting impassioned, prepared with ideas and ready to work.
For over 20 years, I've stood shoulder-to-shoulder with South Florida's working families as we work to improve our future. I have a track record of helping build stronger locals with an involved membership and political clout. Now, I have the honor of serving members of AFSCME Local 199.
In January when I became Local 199's Administrator, I started the hard work of rebuilding the local gain strength. Listening to members, I've been able to identify problems and work towards solutions.
