E-NEWS FROM LOCAL 2111 - SUMMER 2007
Welcome to your new CWA Local 2111 newsletter. There are going to be a few changes from the way you were getting your newsletters in the past. The first, and biggest change, will be that we are no longer mailing them. The CWA Local 2111 website will be the only place to access the newsletter, and we will also start an archive of past editions.
Your e-newsletter will be available online four times a year, at the beginning and end of the spring and fall semesters. So, you can look for a new newsletter in February, May, September, and December. You will get an e-mail telling you that the newest issue is available online. There, you can access it, read it, and/or print it. We will be putting together the newsletter during the month before, so if you wish to contribute or comment, please send your contributions and comments to Laura Pilat (LPilat@ccbcmd.edu or at P-207 on the Essex Campus) or Rich Barnett (RBarnett@ccbcmd.edu or at the Essex Bookstore). And do not forget to look elsewhere in this issue for details on the “Name the Newsletter” Contest.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - POLITICAL ACTIVITIES - HOLIDAY PARTY - ASK YOUR UNION -
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING - ANNOUNCEMENTS - YOUR UNION INFO
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
(John Bachelor)
Hello everyone…
First off I’d like to thank Rich Barnett and Laura Pilat for volunteering to make this newsletter happen. Both of these members really represent what our local is all about. There is no union without YOU.
I’d like to share some thoughts with you about our agenda for this year. We will be facing contract negotiations at the end of the year. We will need everyone on board for a maximum effort in attempting to rid ourselves of some problems that persist with management. Workplace safety, merit pay, and reversing middle management’s ignorance of the contract are just a few items that we will be pushing for. There are others and we will be discussing them at all of our meetings this year.
Our slogan this year will be “Three feet short”. We took this from an incident that required some attention from management in which they almost completed a job but ended up being “three feet short” of completing that job…literally (They had to caulk a crack up to the ceiling in one of our buildings. They didn’t bring a ladder tall enough to complete the job. The caulk stopped three feet short of the ceiling. We think this is typical of how some jobs are done at CCBC.). We need the company to follow through with solving problems that affect our lives.
So, together we will complete our tasks. Those tasks include a safe, sane, fair workplace. Nothing short of that will do!
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POLITICAL ACTIVITIES 2007
(Pat Beard)
Pat Beard, our local Executive Vice President, has been elected Secretary-Treasurer to the CWA Maryland State Council (MSC). This council acts as a watchdog for any political issues that have an effect on working families on the state and federal levels.
Members meet every Monday evening in Annapolis, during the legislative session, to lobby our elected representatives for any issue affecting working families in Maryland. As far as federal legislation goes, MSC members will attend the 2007 Legislative Conference in Washington, DC. During this conference members of the MSC will visit all members of the Congress to discuss any federal legislation that has an effect on us and encourage them to vote in our best interest.
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HOLIDAY PARTY
(Laura Pilat)
This past year’s Holiday party was a huge success. And that is because of YOU, the members. This past year, we had more members attend this annual holiday party than ever before. Everyone seemed to enjoy the food, the drink, and the entertainment. This past year’s party was held at Rosedale Gardens, in Rosedale MD. We enjoyed it so much; we will probably go there again next year.
As usual, we had eight winners of door prizes, each winning a $25.00 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble. Our winner this year of the 50/50 cash door prize was Josie Lepper, who works at the Dundalk campus. Josie also won a $25 door prize for one of the two pencil games and Lois Artes won the other. Enough of that, Josie!
Our annual skit was produced again with hilarious results. Our heartfelt thanks and kudos go out to those who participated and had a ball doing so. We hope you will want to participate again next year.
This year, we did a “spin-off” of the Unforgettable Dance. Congrats to our President John Bachelor and Robin Bachelor who were the final winners after all that!!
Also, a warm and thankful “THANKS” to our DJ, Captain Kirk, DCC, who kept the hits coming all night long. You did a great job!
Thank you to Norman J. McCullough for doing a great job as MC, as usual you were great. Thank you also goes to Ruth Ambrose (Essex) and Kim Poston (Dundalk), who were my helpers this year.
If you have any comments, suggestions or would like to help out next year, please contact me.
Hope to see you all there next time.
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ASK YOUR UNION
Q: I was out for several days last week and have a note from my primary care physician. What happens now?
A: If you have a doctor’s note for a medical absence, you send it directly to Human Resources as they maintain your personal information file. Do not submit it with your absence exception report. And while you are free to share your information with whomever you wish you are not obligated to show it to anybody else, including your supervisor. You can not be coerced or cajoled into sharing or presenting this information. Your doctor’s note goes directly to HR and your file, and then your supervisor contacts HR to ascertain the legitimacy of your absence. HR does not share any of your personal medical information with your supervisor; only if you have a legitimately excused absence. Any other process or procedure violates the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA).
Do you have a question about policy or procedure or your rights as a union member? Please e-mail to Laura Pilat (LPilat@ccbcmd.edu) or Rich Barnett (RBarnett@ccbcmd.edu), and we will get an answer and publish it in a future edition of the newsletter. As always, if you have an immediate concern, contact your steward or the local. Remember…accommodate and grieve, but do not commit insubordination.
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING APRIL 18, 2007
(John Bachelor)
Here is an update from the April 18, 2007 Board of Trustees meeting. The board approved grandfathering all current employees/retirees under the current "employee retirement healthcare parameters" All employees that have a break in service or any new employees that are hired after June 30th of this year will be subject to the new employee retirement parameters This came about by way of the GASB 45 requirements that I have spoken to you about in previous emails.
These results reflect one entire year of solid work by the local to ensure the best deal possible under the circumstances. We were consulted throughout the entire process and kept apprised of certain demands from the County. Keep in mind that the County still might chafe at certain portions of this deal but we are confident that you will back us up with your support should that happen. I would like to thank the officers of the local for their hard work and support of the president's effort to see this issue through. This issue will always be on the table to some extent and will have to be watched every year through the budget process. We must ensure that the process is not under funded by the College and the County.
Please do not forget the membership meeting at the Dundalk campus on May 1st where this topic will fully be discussed. Please plan to attend.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY & CONGRATULATIONS!!
To all of our brothers and sisters who are celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, or milestones. If you have a birthday, an anniversary, or are celebrating a milestone (career longevity, retirement, degree, quitting smoking, new job, additions or other changes to your family, illness-free…whatever!) let us know and we will make certain to acknowledge you in a future edition of your E-News from Local 2111.
CONTEST
Help name our newsletter!! Send your suggestion to Laura Pilat (LPilat@ccbcmd.edu or P-207 on the Essex Campus) or to Rich Barnett (RBarnett@ccbcmd.edu at the Essex Bookstore) to qualify for a CWA prize package. We will make sure you thoroughly enjoy it.
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MOVING?? LET US KNOW!!
If you are moving or changing your name or your phone number or any of your contact information, please let us know. Even though you change your contact information with the college, that information is usually not shared with CWA. Returned and forwarded mail results in an extra expense and additional cost for the union. Please send your updated information to one of the union officers listed below. Thank you!
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CWA LOCAL 2111 WEBSITE
Be sure to check the CWA Local 2111 website for…
CALENDAR…information about union events and meetings. Meetings start promptly at 6:00 PM. Topics of discussion, agenda items, and meeting locations will be posted on the website two weeks prior to the meeting.
GRIEVANCES…information and updates concerning grievances filed by your local on behalf of CCBC employees who are members of CWA Local 2111. Your right to union representation and redress is the backbone-benefit of your union membership!
LOCAL 2111 CONTACT INFORMATION
Communications Workers of America/AFL-CIO Local 2111
2701 W. Patapsco Avenue, Suite 110
Baltimore, MD 21230
Phone: 410-247-3311
Fax: 410-247-3197
E-mail: cwalocal2111@verizon.net
Web Address: http://www.cwalocal2111.net/
YOUR UNION OFFICERS
President: John Bachelor
Executive Vice President: Pat Beard
Secretary/Treasurer: Norman McCullough
Vice President/Catonsville: Doug Frantz
Vice President/Dundalk: Mark Trojan
Vice President/Essex: Clarke Romans
Newsletter: Laura Pilat, Rich Barnett
Webmaster: Michael Redding
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