Results are in from the August Primary! We now know who will take on Scott Walker for Governor and who is battling to be our Senator. Also below, updates on contracts from around the local, a Call to Action regarding the Supreme Court seat, and great news out of Missouri.
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President Trump is currently under investigation by a special prosecutor for a number of illegal activities and may be an unindicted co-conspirator in a case of election fraud. If he is indicted or impeached, his fate could ultimately be decided by the US Supreme Court. He's named Brett Kavanaugh to succeed Justice William Kennedy. There are many questions about Kavanaugh that
Senate Democrats want answers to and they hope to find the information in the millions of pages of documents produced by Kavanaugh during his years working for the Bush Whitehouse.
However, the GOP-led Senate is pushing forward with only a few days of hearings for this life-time position over a MONTH before the full extent of the documents can be made available. When President Obama nominated Elena Kagan to the court, the Republicans demanded -- and got -- all of the documents she had produced from her time doing a job similar to Kavanaugh's in her time in the White House. Again, the GOP has no problem with having two different standards.
The AFL-CIO has issued a Call to Action, saying "Brett Kavanaugh has a dangerous track-record of protecting the privileges of the wealthy and powerful at the expense of working people." Click on the link above and start writing.
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Evers wins primary for Governor
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In what will be contest between Tony Evers, longtime State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the self-proclaimed "Education Governor" who has devastated teachers and schools across the state with Act 10. That's why a
CapTimes editorial said "The biggest lie that any politician in America is telling in the 2018 election season is Scott Walker’s claim that he is a pro-education governor." The AFL-CIO endorsed Mandela Barnes won his primary for Lt Governor.
With these two running, there is no question who has the interests of working people at the heart of their campaign.
The incumbent Senator Tammy Baldwin will face
Leah Vukmir who battled with Kevin Nicholson over "which one is the biggest supporter of President Donald Trump." Vukmir won both the primary and Trump's endorsement which is not surprising since she has come out in support of nearly all of Trump's worst ideas: the separation of children at the border, the nonsensical border wall, and the damaging trade wars which have already
cost Wisconsin farmers and industries millions.
President Trump's policies haven't been popular and Scott Walker's time in Madison has resulted in deficits, potholes, and a teacher shortage. In November, we'll have a chance to start repairing that damage.
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Catalyst Paper - ND Paper
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We successfully bargained a new 5-year contract with the employer. During negotiations Catalyst Paper was purchased by a Chinese Paper Company called Nine Dragons. Their new employer name will be
ND Paper. This is ND Paper’s first foray into the US paper market. OPEIU is looking forward to working with ND Paper’s new leadership.
OPEIU and management adopted interest based bargaining tools to get a contract that, we believe, moves our members and the company into a more modern approach to members issues and concerns. Members will maintain a 80/20 split on the health insurance, new grow-in wage rates for new hires, and members will receive 13 % in wage increases over the next 5 years.
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We successfully bargained a new 4-year contract with the employer. The contract negotiations was one of the shortest bargaining session OPEIU has experienced. Negotiations for a new contract took place over two days with a tentative agreement reached on a new contract late the second day. Health care for members will remain an 80/20 split. Members did adopt a new PTO (Paid Time Off) provision replacing the traditional sick leave benefit which will work in conjunction with shorter days to qualify for Short-Term Disability. Members will receive 10.5% in wage increase over the next 4 years.
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Our local has received approval from our International to enter merger discussions with OPEIU Local 74 out of Eau Claire, WI. OPEIU Local 74 is primarily a local that provides administrative support by our members to the IBEW local in the same area. Local 39 looks forward to these discussions and is very hopeful on the possibility of a merger.
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New Two Year Contract
OPEIU Local 39 has ratified a new two-year contract with CUNA Mutual Group. The new contract begins on April 1, 2019 and expires March 31, 2021. The changes with the two-year agreement include a wage increase of 3% for each year and the wage tables move by 2% each year. Other contract provisions remain the same.
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Welcome New Members!
We would like to welcome 21 new members to the Union!
Actuarial Analyst:
Tyler Okonek
Administrative Specialist:
Jen Jones
Business Systems Analysts, ITS:
Hunter Fast, Melissa Van Kirk, Daniel Lao
Claims Specialist III:
Sherri Isley
IT Specialist II:
Lauren Shirley
Multi-Media Specialist:
Ben Brewer
Qualified Plan Specialists:
Kim Schultz, Joshua Glascock, Leya Jadin, Lowell Williams, Calvin Disch, Brianna Wiemann, Lily Comp, Ashley Huisenga, Heather Fischer, Brenna Shea
Quality Assurance Engineer III:
Nicole He
Sr. Claim Professional:
Kathryn Zich
Technology Analyst III ITS:
James Campbell
Welcome New Stewards!
CUNA Mutual has two new stewards as well. Please welcome Anna Wiemann and Brandon Breunig. The full list of CMG stewards is:
Chief Steward:
Stewards:
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At CUNA, Inc. we are in the process of reviewing all job descriptions to make sure they are complete and accurate. Once descriptions are updated the company and Union will evaluate the positions to determine the wage structure the position belongs in.
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Missouri voters reject so-called "right to work" law
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Voters in Missouri "solidly rejected an attempt to make Missouri a “right to work” state." This huge victory for Labor was supported across the political spectrum.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that "Despite steep declines in the union workforce, Tuesday’s measure was defeated in both urban and rural areas. Unofficial returns showed just 14 of Missouri’s 114 counties supporting the law."
The fight for the middle class that has been led by Unions is far from over.
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Upcoming Membership Meetings
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Membership meetings are held the third Wednesday of the second month of the quarter, at 5:30PM at the Union Office.
May 16, 2018
August 15, 2018
November 15, 2018
February 21, 2019
This is
your Union. Your participation gives us the strength to face the continued opposition of both politicians and companies.
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Know Your Weingarten Rights!
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The US Supreme Court has ruled that the National Labor Relations Act gives workers the right to request union representation during investigatory interviews by supervisors, security personal, and other managerial staff. These are called Weingarten Rights.
An investigatory interview occurs if 1) management questions you to obtain information; and 2) you have reasonable apprehension that your answers could be used as a basis for discipline or other adverse action.
You must ask for union representation either before or during an investigatory interview. Management does not have to remind you of this right. If your request is refused and Management continues asking questions, you may refuse to answer. Your employer is guilty of an unfair labor practice and charges may be filed. If you are questioned in a situation where Weingarten may apply, read or present this statement:
"If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or terminated, or affect my personal working conditions, I respectfully request that my union representative, officer, or steward be present at this meeting. Until my representative arrives, I choose not to participate in this discussion."
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It's a fact: people don't mind scrolling to read an email, as long as it's relevant and interesting. Make sure your message follows through on the promise in your subject line, and use several short paragraphs if you have a lot to say. When in doubt, challenge yourself to write less and add links that support your topic.
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If you have any news you would like to share with other Members, please let us know! You can contact us via
email or our Facebook page.
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