We Stand By Our Union - UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO

Local LinkA Communications of UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO Fall 2010 • Vol. 7 No. 2SPECIALPOLITICALINSERTWe StandBy Our Union2010, THE YEAR OF THE SIEGE:In battles with the media and politicians and a raiding union,MCGEO fights to protect jobs, wages & benefits.

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In This IssueUnited Food & Commercial WorkersLocal 1994Municipal & County GovernmentEmployees OrganizationPresidentGino RenneSecretary-TreasurerYvette CuffieRecorderNelvin RansomeVice PresidentsFrank BeckhamJerry BonaparteSean CollinsGreg GoebelPaulette Kee-DudleyBob LehmanCraig LongcorJames MaxwellTerry MillerSue SmithersTony ThomasSedearia Wilson-JacksonStaffBob Stewart, Executive DirectorMichelle Weis, Executive Assistantto the PresidentGail Heath, Special Assistant to thePresidentAmy Millar, Organizing CoordinatorDoug Menapace, Field Services CoordinatorJoshua Ardison, Field Representative/OrganizerDave Blackwell, Field Representative/OrganizerTherene Daley, Field Representative/OrganizerCarlos Mellott, Field Representative/OrganizerNelvin Ransome, Field Representative/OrganizerGabriela Sandoval, ReceptionistShae Wilson, Membership ServicesAlicia Valentin, Administrative AssistantEditorial BoardGino RenneYvette CuffieBob StewartGail HeathAmy MillarDoug MenapaceEditorial/DesignKenefick CommunicationsVol. 7 No. 2 Local Link Fall 2010Stand With Your Union—Renne Report ………… 2Local Deals with Raiders ……………………………… 3Cover Story: The Budget Battle:Our Fight for Fairness ………………………………… 4R.I.P. Not Dead; Just Reincarnated ……………… 5Special Political Insert:PRIMARY 2010UFCW Local 1994’s executiveboard has worked with a multiemployerrank-and-file committeeto vet candidates for the 2010Primary elections. See insert forrecommendations.Cumberland City NegotiatesNew Agreement ……………………………………… 10More Tools to Make Our UnionEffective—Organizing Report …………………… 11Comp Time Deal Softens Blow of Furloughs … 12M-NCPPC Ratifies Contract ……………………… 12Legal Rights of Union Stewards—Field Services Report ……………………………… 13Are You a Doer, a Watcher, Or a Critic?—Secretary-Treasurer’s Report …………………… 16

Open Letter to Local 1994 MembersStand With Your UnionRenne Report—by Gino Renne, PresidentOver the past few months Local 1994 has been under siege: immersed in themost difficult budget process in our union’s history, attacked almost dailyin the media, targeted by opportunistic politicians, and—most recently—raided by an outside organization. Any one of these threats might havedestroyed a less resilient organization. Coming as they have in rapid-firesuccession, they have been a challenge for us, but a challenge that we proved we can handle.When I think back over the 28-plus years that we have beentogether in this journey, I am humbled and filled with pride atthe same time—humbled because I know that this union is theproduct of blood, sweat and tears by lots of people workingtogether, many who are still with us; proud because thisorganization has enabled literally thousands of workers and theirfamilies to live better lives, to enjoy fair wages and benefits, tobe safer on the job and more secure in their future; and to expressthemselves on the job as equals among equals.Of all the challenges that have confronted us during thisperiod, the raid by an outside organization is the most offensiveand the most troubling. Some union members might take theirunion’s accomplishments for granted; others might treat theircontract rights, wages and benefits too casually. Union memberswho think that way are often too quick to sign on to a raidingorganization, especially one that promises the easy brand ofunionism, the kind that only involves one or two “leaders” whowill run the union without the involvement of members.That, brothers and sisters, is not how we are. We stand by ourunion and we care for each other and our history proves it.Our union first emerged in 1983 from under the shadow ofa weak, 300-member management-dominated organization tobecome what our enemies and our allies agree is an effective,aggressive advocate for 10,000 public employees. The legacythat we created almost 30 years ago now, is what provided us thestrength to work through the difficult negotiations that producedthe contract that we successfully defended on the political stagethis past Spring.Let’s consider some of the milestones wehave achieved:• Significantly raised pay for all members regardless ofemployer.• Improved the health benefits of members, WITHOUTthe givebacks that many public employees in otherjurisdictions have had to endure.• Improved retirement benefits for most members.• Achieved legislation that enabled M-NCPPC employees toreceive workers’ compensation benefits for Lyme disease.• Achieved legislation for corrections officers inMontgomery County allowing their workers’compensation benefits to match those of police officersand firefighters.• We passed anti-privatization legislation to better protectjobs.• Consistently and fiercely defended our membership in themedia against attacks.In the face of budget cuts nearly 300 Local 1994 membersfaced layoffs—by aggressively bargaining alternatives thatnumber was whittled down to six.In Solidarity2 The Local Link • Fall 2010

Local Deals With RaidersThe Raid On Our Units IsOfficially OverThe UFCW Internationaland the Internationalrepresenting the raidingorganization signeda binding agreementending the raid on ourunits. Staff representatives whowere soliciting for signatures haveleft town.The other organization recognized that ourmembers were not persuaded by themisrepresentations they made aboutour accomplishments.Thanks to all the stewards, activistsand rank and file members whorecognized the threat that this raidpresented to our future.Our members are justifiably proudof what we have accomplished since1983. I am personally proud thatthey responded so well to our calls.Once again thank you, brothersand sisters, for standing up foryour union and please convey myheartfelt appreciation to the othersin your unit as well.Together we are united.Local 1994 Member’s SonEarns UFCW ScholarshipZachary Sandberg, son of Local 1994member Gwen Sandberg, is the winnerof an $8,000 scholarship award from theUFCW International.Zachary just finished his sophomoreyear at Pepperdine University where heis double majoring in Theater/TV andSpanish. He spent the past year studyingabroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina.Zachary SandbergIn high school, Zachary attended theInternational Baccalaureate Programat Richard Montgomery High School. He received the LeonardBernstein award which is presented to an outstanding theater andfine arts student in Montgomery County.His mom, Gwen, is a community health nurse with theWomen’s Cancer Control Program. She’s been with the unionsince 2001.“I’m so proud of my son,” says Gwen. “He works really hard.He spends his summers working to supplement his spendingmoney and book money. He really loves adventure, the outdoorsand the arts. And he really wants to make a difference in theworld.”Zachary is currently performing in a festival in Edinburgh,Scotland. He will use his award to finish his bachelor’s degreeand then perhaps pursue a graduate degree.The Local Link • Fall 2010 3

How the Budget Process Played OutThroughout the monthlongback and forthbudget writing processin Montgomery County,members of the CountyCouncil were reminded almost daily thatthe actions they take have consequenceson a human level. Local 1994 memberscrowded into the Council hearing roomat every public meeting to bear witness tothe politicians. Polite and solemn, unionmembers sent messages to the Council,sometimes with placards, sometimes withjeers and boos. The sentiments expressedfell roughly into three categories: “We’rewatching.” “The County works because wedo.” “We vote.”Local 1994 members were joined byteachers, police officers, fire fighters,minority groups, families, elderly anddisabled residents—all stakeholders in theCounty’s present and future.Undoubtedly, this daily presenceunnerved some Council members andchanged minds about what to cut andwhere to cut it. The threat of a 10-day“Everyone on our side hadaccepted the inevitable need forsome pain, but we absolutelyinsisted that it be doled outon a more equitable basis.Unfortunately, the Council stillbacked away from many of thetough decisions.”—Gino Rennefurlough imposed exclusively on Countygeneral government workers was changedto a more progressive (although stillpainful) sliding scale of furloughs, withworkers at the lowest pay levels enduring24-hour furloughs while those earningmore than $100,000 were hit for 64 hours.A majority on the Council reversedthe executive’s proposal that would havecost school health room aides (all women,many single mothers) a permanent 14percent of their pay.The Council’s majority also backedoff from elimination of many of the RideOn bus routes, saving 12 of the 34 routesplanned for reduced or eliminated service.The Council, after Local 1994pointed out language in the CountyCharter, was forced to back away from4 The T e Local c l Link L n • Fall 20100 0

their plan to contract outthe Montgomery CountyConservation Corps—asmall program by budgetarystandards, but one thatserves a big purpose.Language in the CountyCharter requires that theCouncil conduct a studyon the economic benefitto contracting out aprogram before they canimplement such a plan.Consequently, the fourrank-and-file workerswho help provide job andlife skills to disadvantaged youth in theCounty will continue their vital work atleast until a study is completed.Local 1994 President Gino Rennesummed up the process this way: “Afterthey got a hard look at the Executive’sbudget proposals, several Councilmembers took the initiative to force areevaluation.“Everyone on our side had acceptedthe inevitable need for some pain, but weabsolutely insisted that it be doled out ona more equitable basis. Unfortunately, theCouncil still backed away from many ofthe tough decisions.”It was that insistence on the part ofthe union that prompted several Councilmembers to devise the progressivefurlough schedule and to includeemergency services, fire and policeofficers in the furloughs.It was the solid pressurefrom the union membersthat made the difference.The workers who showed up every timethey were called to bear witness to theprocess ultimately changed this budget.It was transformed from a document thatwould have heaved the entire burdenonto the backs of the County’s generalgovernment workers and the County’smost vulnerable and fragile residents toone that, while still heavy, is spread a bitmore equally across the board.Even though the union moved the finalbudget miles away from where it was,some residual bitterness is still lingering.The media, the County Executive andseveral Council members tried to portrayCounty workers and their union as villains.Meanwhile, the County’s Public Schoolsystem, which consumes 57 percent, morethan $2.2 billion, of the $4 billion budgetwas, for the most part, unscathed by thebudget cuts.“We’ve said all along that Countyresidents shouldn’t have to choosebetween important services—safety, oreducation; health or teachers. However,you can never convince me that theCounty’s Public School System got anyscrutiny whatsoever—with its enormousbureaucracy…only half of its 22,000employees are teachers. The systemspends some $396 million for ‘support’—and I guarantee that the bus drivers andcustodians are a minuscule part of thatnumber. We will probably never know forsure, but a lot of that $396 million goesto buy exotic and untested technology,or to pay 10 percent of the educationworkforce—bureaucrats, administratorsand bosses who don’t add much value tothe educational system,” Renne said.In fact, 2,626 of the school system’s22,000 employees make in excess of$100,000 annually. That’s 10 percent of itsworkforce.R.I.P. Not Dead;Just ReincarnatedThe Retirement IncentiveProgram that the County Executiveand Local 1994 had agreed upon lastyear will NOT be implemented. TheCounty Council effectively blockedthe action by refusing to issue an upor down vote on it. But a new plan istaking its place.In a Memorandum ofUnderstanding with the County,the new R.I.P. is available toemployees whose positions wereup for abolishment. If an employeesigned up for the previous retirementincentive plan, the county had togive priority status to his or herapplication for this R.I.P. To beotherwise eligible, employeeshad to be within two years ofnormal retirement and had to retireeffective June 1. There were severaloptions – a $35,000 lump sum (orpaid out over 12 months in equalinstallments) $30,000 incentivepayment, and maintain their lifeinsurance benefits as if an activeemployee for 10 years; $28,000 anda 90%-10% split on retiree healthbenefits for the first 5 years afterretirement; or the option to investthe $35,000 in the GRIP retirementplan, which has a 7.25% guaranteedreturn each year.The Local Link • Fall 2010 5

Local 1994 Members Monitor CouncilBudget Hearings FaithfullyFighting for Fairness in Budget ChoicesDuring the budget debate, Local 1994 members cameout in force to listen to the Council’s plans and to showsolidarity with their fellow public employees. The waveof gold shirts in the gallery definitely had an effect onsome of the Council’s tough decisions.When asked about their concerns, most of the County employeesfelt that the burden of the County’s cuts was falling unfairly on theshoulders of Local 1994 members with furloughs being a primaryconcern. But many others were concerned about how the cuts wereaffecting their delivery of services to county residents.Zainab Mansaray – MontgomeryCounty Correctional Center – NurseConcerned about the furloughs, “I’m asingle parent, with kids in college. I don’treceive help. As a county resident, I livein an apartment. I can’t afford otherwise.But, I’m going to see an increase in mybills, the water, gas and electric. Howam I going survive on a nearly 4 percentdecrease in my salary?”Dianne Betsey – CollectionsDevelopment, Libraries, Cataloguing,Library Associate II“They’ve cut the librarians fromthe libraries. If you go to the libraryon Sunday, you can’t get help from alibrarian. It’s ridiculous. When I movedhere in 1976, my children and I spenta great deal of time at the libraries. Wechecked out 17 books a week. My sonsare grown now, African American boys, allZainab Mansaray – MontgomeryCounty Correctional Center Nursecollege graduates. The libraries were highquality then.“Now… you go on a Sunday, you can’tget help…Everyone is on a cellphonetrying to get help from the hotline. Oryou go to Borders, or Barnes and Noble,or you drive over to Howard County toaccess their services. That’s not what alibrary should be like.”6 The Local Link • Fall 2010

“And they’re shutting down the staffsupportedbook clubs. I sponsor an AfricanAmerican book club. We have membersof all races, but the books we read areabout or by African Americans. I have anaverage of 15 persons at every meeting.There’s a Chinese book club, a Spanishbook club, they’ll be all gone at the end of2010.“If I were moving here now, I wouldn’tbuy in this County. My son has moved toVirginia. The changes they are makinghere are going to drive residents out of thecounty.”Danny Chamorro, Facilities“We’re still here. It’s the ninth inning,but we’re hoping for the best. In my unit,there are 14 positions, carpenters andinspectors, targeted for elimination, andthe rest will have to take the furloughs,but I’m optimistic about this fight. That’swhy I’m here, to show my support for theunion.”Heather Felsen, HHS – ChildWelfare“We’re not having position cuts. Butwe are going to have to take the furloughs,which would be a 3.8 percent decreasein our salaries. I’m a single woman, ahomeowner in the County. The cost ofliving is already high in this County. Thiswill be rough. I don’t have a husbandor someone else to pick up the slack onbills. I think the burden of these furloughsshould be shared. It’s not like I can move, Ican’t sell my house.“We serve a vulnerable population;we’re a quasi public safety agency. Theywill drive other people in my agency outof the County to live elsewhere and thenthey’ll leave the agency. That’s just the wayit happens.”Dianne Betsey – CollectionsDevelopment, Libraries,Cataloguing, Library Associate IICuts Hit County’sMost VulnerableIn Montgomery County’s budget cutssome of the County’s most vulnerableresidents were hard hit: Many Ride Onroutes were to be cut or scaled back; theCounty’s Conservation Corps, whichteaches jobs skills to at-risk young people;recreation centers and libraries that servicesenior citizens and young adults are losinghours, positions, monies for new materials.They even threatened to cut positions thatserve the medically fragile and complexchildren who attend the public schools.Strong Union ShowingRestores HealthRoom Aide CutsThe uproar caused by the cutsto the Health and Human Servicesbudget, restored the hours of the schoolhealth room aides that were slated forelimination. The school health room aidesare employed directly by the County, butthey staff the school health rooms. Theproposed cuts would have left some of thehealth rooms completely unstaffed andslashed income for aides by 14 percent.School Health room aides are certifiednursing assistants and are the first lineof defense at individual schools. Theyhand out medicines and deal withbasic checkups, administer insulin todiabetic children and sometimes docatheterizations.In Maryland, the minimum staffing ratiofor school nurses to students is 1 to 750,regardless of the number of health roomaides. The ratio for nurses working withspecial education students is 1 to 225. Sothese health room aides are literally thefirst responders for health issues amongchildren in public schools.The Local Link • Fall 2010 7

Conservation Corps WinsStay of ExecutionConservation Corps Summer 2010 Graduating Class.A group of young adults who’velived difficult childhoods, or who havenot found success in traditional schoolsettings, graduated at the end of April fromthe Montgomery County ConservationCorps.The Corps, an offshoot of Americorps,serves these young people well. They earncertifications in craft construction labor,tractor operator, dingo operator (a miniskidsteer loader) among various othertypes of certifications. Those who enterthe program without a GED or high schooldiploma are required to obtain a GED atthe beginning of the program.Jane Wilde is the director of theMCCC. She has a small staff: DarrellFoster, Richard Bingham, MauriceAnderson and Jeffrey Noel-Nosbaumsupervise and teach these young people.The students start with the basics,establishing bank accounts, cleaningup debt and creating credit in their ownnames.Christopher Garboczi, 21, along withhis brother Thomas, is one of the recentgraduates. “Before I started here, I hadfive felonies. I couldn’t get a job. I wasn’tgoing anywhere. Now, I have stayed out8 The Local Link • Fall 2010Henry Cruz, 24, had never hada job before entering the program.“I needed to start buildingup my job skills,” Cruz said.“I came to the program for theskills that they offer.”of trouble. I have these certifications. I’veapplied for a plumbers’ apprenticeship oran electrical apprenticeship.”“This was a great experience,” saysAngelique Morgan, another recentgraduate. “I was working at KFC, livingpaycheck to paycheck with two youngkids. I needed a change.”Henry Cruz, 24, had never had a jobbefore entering the program. “I needed tostart building up my job skills,” Cruz said.“I came to the program for the skills thatthey offer.”Joey Sequeira, 22, also needed towork, he said. “I needed to focus myself.I got my GED and now I am going toMontgomery College with plans to go onto a four-year university.”Along with the money participantsearn in the program, graduates get anAmericorps award of $2,500 to use towardcontinuing their educations.Morgan, like many others in the program,plans to use her award to go to college.“I want to become a police officer,”Angelique says. “I want to inspire my kidsto do more.”Garboczi noted, “This program showsthat we’re better than what we were.”Threatened cuts to the Corps weretemporarily put on hold by CouncilmemberGeorge Leventhal. During the hearingregarding the Corps, Leventhal pointed outthat any plans to contract out the program“would require a contracting study.”Local 1994 reminded CouncilmemberLeventhal of the Montgomery Countycode that required the study.The proposed cuts to the Corps wouldhave eliminated the program from thecounty payroll, with the idea that runningit would be contracted out to a privateoperation.

UFCW Local 1994 members, County employees, and consumers of Countyservices presented nearly 5,000 SOS cards to Council President Nancy Floreenand Councilmember Valerie Ervin.Local 1994 Members Petition County Government:Save our ServicesAdelegation ofMontgomery Countypublic employeesand consumers ofCounty services presented CountyCouncil President Nancy Floreen andCouncilmember Valerie Ervin with nearly5,000 “Save Our Services” cards. The SOScards, signed by Montgomery Countyresident “stakeholders,” urged the Councilto recognize the full impact of the deepcuts in services in the budget. The cardswere collected at locations all over thecounty in a couple of weeks by membersof UFCW Local 1994.Council President Floreenacknowledged receipt of the cards,promising on behalf of the County Councilthat “We are listening,” to the publicemployees and the citizens.Dale Menestria, a Germantownresident, came to the event as a selfdescribed“avid” library patron. “Thecuts being proposed,” said Menestria, “doa disservice to the library users… theyaffect the senior citizens, the young peoplewho are students in search of a rewardingfuture, adult students, job seekers, disabledusers who can’t stand in thestacks to select books. They allneed help. ”As a Montgomery Countypublic school maintenanceemployee, Hasty Williamspointed out how the proposedcuts to Ride On will affecther. “I work overnight in theschools,” she said. “I haveto use the bus service to getto work at night. The cutsbeing proposed will makeit so I can’t get to work.”“Our senior citizensrely on the recreationprograms,” said YuanChang, a volunteer andorganizer for some of thesenior citizens’ programs in the county.“They rely on the bus to get them to andfrom the centers. These cuts will affectthem deeply.”Councilmember Ervin reassured thedelegation that the council had not finishedits work as of that date. “We are doing allwe can to make sure these cuts are fair andequitable across the board,” she said. “Weare trying to sort this out, to balance ourresidents’ needs.”Ervin, Floreen, and the rest of theCouncil revised the budget to save someservices, but failed to act on others.The Local Link • Fall 2010 9

M-NCPPC Contract ImprovesRetirement Incentives, Transfer Eligibilityfor Prince George’s EmployeesA renegotiation of the contract for the Maryland-National Capital Park andPlanning Commission added language for employees that will make it easierfor them to transfer to other Prince George’s County government positions ifthe Commission reduces its workforce. The agreement also sets rules to allowM-NCPPC employees covered under the Prince George’s County Merit System toparticipate in the County’s new Retirement Incentive Plan.Language in the contract also lays out the rules for compensatory time that isrelated to the furlough days. Employees who have their salaries reduced becauseof the furlough will receive one hour of comp time for every four hours offurlough.The contract was ratified by a large margin on July 13 th .Cumberland CityNegotiates New Two-Year AgreementThe Cumberland City PoliceDepartment’s negotiating team—madeup of Andy Linthicum, Rick Virts,Korey Rounds, J. W. Yarnall, and JeremyHedrick— was successful in negotiatinga new contract. Prior to bargaining, thedepartment faced a significant fundingdecrease from the state. To avoidfurloughs, the labor management teamworked out a new 12-hour schedule. Theschedule resulted in better than expectedsavings and aided the team when theywent into negotiations. The contractchanges, which were overwhelminglypositive, were ratified by a decisive 16-0vote on July 14.Local 1994Reaches Agreementwith HOC onWages and RIFsMembers of Local 1994 whowork for the Housing OpportunitiesCommission will be protectedfrom a Reduction in Force (RIF)or a furlough during fiscal year2011, thanks to a Memorandum ofUnderstanding just negotiated. Inexchange for the agreement, Local1994 will forego wage adjustmentsand service increments over thesame year. Full-time employeeswill also receive eight hours ofcompensatory time in lieu of thewage increase and part-timers willreceive four hours. They can thencarry over more of their annualleave to the next fiscal year.The agreement was ratified 72-3on August 16, 2010.10 The Local Link • Fall 2010

OrganizingLawmakers Derail UnionRights for Library WorkersIn the 2010 Maryland Legislativesession, Maryland’s library workersfought to win the right to choose unionrepresentation. A bill introduced by Del.Tom Hucker (D-Dist. 20) in the Houseand Sen. Nancy King (D-Dist. 39) in theSenate would have removed barriers torepresentation for library employees incounty library systems and Baltimore City.Only library workers in Montgomeryand Prince George’s Counties currentlyhave the right to collective bargaining. Thebill was eventually defeated in the sessionbut not before it garnered impressivesupport from decision makers across thestate.The Maryland Association of PublicLibrary Administrators (MAPLA)mounted a tough campaign against thelegislation, hiring Alexander and Cleaver,a powerful lobbying firm in Annapolis, todefeat the bill. MAPLA claimed the billwas unnecessary by falsely asserting thatlibrary workers already have an avenue forchoosing representation.Local 1994 countered that statement,noting that library workers are notconsidered county employees, butemployees of the boards of trustees thatgovern libraries, shutting them out of therights to collective bargaining that otherpublic employees have enjoyed for manyyears. To defeat the bill, many of thelegislators used a loophole that allowedtheir jurisdictions (mostly the Western,Eastern Shore and Southern countiesof Maryland) to “opt out” of the bill,rendering the bill basically ineffective.UpdateAmy Millar, Organizing ReportMore Tools That MakeOur Union More EffectiveAnd Chance to Collect a Cool $300!Local 1994’s got talent. We’ve got rock n’rollers, actors, artists, writers, comediansand aspiring photographers and moviemakers. So, what are you waiting for? Let’sput that talent to work for a good cause.Make a video, or take some photos and add music.Collaborate with a creative team and write a skit, or asong. Team up with friends or family. Make a threeminutevideo. You can upload it to You Tube, or uploadAmy Millardirectly to the Local 1994 Facebook page, then send us the link via e-mail to:info@local1994.org. What? You don’t have a clue what I’m talking about. Ask akid.If you’ve been stewing over something that you read in the papers, orsomething that a politician said or did, now’s your chance to put it out there andshare it with your co-workers and the world at large.Or, maybe you’re happy about your work. You enjoy what you do and wantfolks to understand more about how you get it done. That’s material we could use,too.Who are you gonna call?Got an organizing lead? Someone you know—a neighbor, friendor relative—stuck in a rut on a non-union job? Call Local 1994Organizing Coordinator Amy Millar (301) 977-2447, or e-mail:amillar@mcgeo.org. Give us the particulars and we’ll follow up.Call Local 1994 today! 1-800-948-0654The Local Link • Fall 2010 11

Comp Time DealSoftens Blow ofThe County Council objectedto the deal, claiming that the comptime would result in 117 work yearsin lost productivity, and wouldhave a negative fiscal impact on theCounty’s budget.County Executive Leggettstrongly disagreed with the Council’sassertions, noting that the Officeof Legislative Oversight (OLO)was incorrect in its analysis of thefiscal impact of the leave, noting ina letter to County Council PresidentNancy Floreen, that this analysis “isinconsistent with its earlier impactattributed to the furlough leaveimposed on all County Governmentemployees.”The OLO’s analysis of the effectof furlough leave actually concedesFurloughsSince the school system refused to share theburden of the cuts with the County sideof the budget, Local 1994, along with theMontgomery County Career Firefighters (IAFF) andthe Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), worked with theCounty Executive’s office to recoup some of the losses.The unions made a deal with the Executive’s office togrant 26 hours of extra compensatory leave to generalgovernment workers affected by the furloughs.that time away from work “does notaffect the amount of public dollarsexpended,” said the July 23 letter.In a Washington Post article,Councilwoman Valerie Ervin said,“The executive branch essentiallydid an end run around what thecouncil’s intention was.”The Acting County AttorneyMarc Hansen countered thatargument saying that the CountyExecutive was acting within thecounty’s collective bargaininglaw in negotiating the agreementwith Local 1994 and the other twounions.The County Council chose not toact on their objections before theirsummer recess but may take up theissue in September when they return.“We could haveprotected a lot moreof the County’s essentialservices andspread the pain alittle thinner if theSchool Board wouldhave worked with usand the County insteadof against us.”School BoardInflexible OnBudget; RejectsFair Share of CutsMontgomery County’s SchoolBoard bureaucracy got 57% of the$4.3 billion County budget thisyear, but refused to take its fairshare of the cuts that were imposedon other public employees. Theyeven threatened to sue the CountyCouncil if they imposed cuts on theBoard.“In its obstinate stance, [SchoolSuperintendent Jerry] Weast’sbudget protected 2,626 educationbureaucrats who earn more than$100,000 a year,” said Local 1994President Gino Renne. “We couldhave protected a lot more of theCounty’s essential services andspread the pain a little thinner if theSchool Board would have workedwith us and the County instead ofagainst us.”The School Board did cut 168classroom positions and some of itsbudget, but School SuperintendentJerry Weast refused to participatein any austerity—rejecting evena symbolic “furlough” to cut intohis own $489,763 compensationpackage.12 The Local Link • Fall 2010

Field Services Reportby Doug Menapace, Field Services CoordinatorLegal Rights of Union StewardsEven in the realm of “public employee unions,” there are legal rightsthat protect shop stewards. Under our collective bargaining agreement,stewards can take a “reasonable period of time to leave their work areaafter they have given advance notification to and received advancepermission from their supervisor to perform [some] Union activities,provided that such leave shall not disrupt or otherwise interfere with efficiency of theEmployer’s operations.”Doug MenapaceStewards can post notices regardingunion business on official bulletinboards and distribute union literature innon-work areas.But the role of steward is not limitedto distributing news and information. Asteward is the first line of enforcement forcontract violations. He or she is availableto the members to consult on possiblegrievances and to help a member who isthreatened with a disciplinary action andneeds to invoke Weingarten rights.Our current economic situation canmake for a stressed workforce, fearfulof job losses, burdened with evergrowingworkloads, worrying aboutmaking mistakes. These stresses can bechallenging, certainly; but our stewardsand lead stewards are there to help. If youfeel that you’ve been unfairly targeted by asupervisor, you have rights. Your stewardis there to help you.Stewards are trained in grievanceresolution. They have the legal right torepresent a member who is involved in adispute. Stewards are advocates for you.The right to active participation in aWeingarten setting. The Supreme Courtheld, in a case known as Weingarten, thatan employee who is being questioned bymanagement, and who has a reasonableStewards are volunteerswho take on extra responsibilityto protect you in theworkplace.belief that discipline may ensue, has aright to representation prior to answeringquestions. The right must be invoked bythe employee. A steward has no rightto invoke it for the employee. In otherwords, the employee must request asteward.However, once an employee invokesWeingarten, and a steward is broughtin, the steward has a right to assist andcounsel the employee.Management sometimes asserts that thesteward may only be a silent witness. Thisis wrong. The steward has the followingrights:• When the steward arrives at apotential disciplinary discussionbetween an employee and asupervisor, the supervisor mustinform the steward of the subjectmatter of the interview.• The steward must be allowed totake the employee aside for aprivate pre-interview conference.• The steward must be allowed tospeak during the interview.• The steward has the right torequest that the supervisor clarifya question so that the employeeunderstands what is being asked.• After a question is asked, thesteward can give advice on how toanswer.• When the questioning ends, thesteward can provide additionalinformation to the supervisor.• It should be noted that, ifWeingarten rules are observed,stewards do not have the rightto tell workers not to answerquestions.Our field services design is a modelthat puts front line stewards togetherwith “lead stewards” who are the nextresource for questions and problems.Lead stewards have additional trainingand are more experienced than front linestewards. Lead stewards can consult withfield representatives to get additional help,but the union relies on stewards and leadstewards to handle routine representationalissues.To find out the name of your steward,call the union office at 301-977-2447 orconsult the union’s website www.mcgeo.org .The Local Link • Fall 2010 13

What Is the Active Ballot Club?The Active Ballot Club (ABC), the UFCW’s political action committee, is leading the charge to elect pro-worker candidatesaround the country. President Obama’s historic health care legislation was nearly derailed by members of Congress thatput the interests of big business over those of working families.The insurance companies and big banks outspent working people by more than 15 to 1 during the last election. Pro-workercandidates need our support to stand a chance against this wave of corporate money. By combining our resources, wecan put more activists in battleground states and turn out our biggest asset: union voters.Take a stand and fi ght back for working families by contributing $1 to $10 per pay period.The stakes couldn’t be higher: job creation, retirement security, education, workplace safety, and middle class living standardsall hang in the balance.You can help make that happen. Join ABC today!ABC is nonpartisan and independent of any political party. Your contribution will directly support the important work ofUFCW activists like yourself.AUTHORIZATION FOR UFCW LOCAL 1994 POLITICAL CHECKOFFTo join ABC fi ll out this form and mail to: UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO • 600 South Frederick Ave., Suite 200 Gaithersburg,MD 20877.I hereby authorize MY EMPLOYER ______________________ to deduct (check box)❏ $1.00 ❏ $2.00 ❏ $3.00 ❏ $4.00 ❏ $5.00 ❏ $10.00per pay period from my paycheck. Such amount is to be transmitted to the UFCW Local 1994 Active Ballot Club at suchtime and in such manner as may be agreed upon by my employer and UFCW Local 1994.I understand that this authorization is voluntarily made and that the amount suggested as a contribution is a guidelineand that I may contribute more or less than this amount by any lawful means, other than this checkoff, or may refuse tocontribute, and that the making of payments to the UFCW Active Ballot Club is not a condition of membership in the Unionor of employment with the employer and that I have a right to refuse to sign this authorization and not to contribute tothe UFCW ABC without reprisal. I also understand that my contribution will be used for political purposes, including thesupport of candidates for federal, state and local offi ce. I expressly reserve the right to revoke at any time this authorizationin writing. I also understand that contributions or gifts to the UFCW Active Ballot Club are not deductible as charitablecontributions for federal tax purposes.(Type or print name) _______________________________ (signature) ______________________________________(Social Security #) _________________________________ (Department) ____________________________________(Date)___________________________________________ (job class) _______________________________________14 The Local Link • Fall 2010

Voter Registration and ApplicationsThe deadline in Maryland forvoter registration is 21 daysprior to an election. This year,that means that an applicationmust be postmarked no later than August24, 2010, to vote in the primary electionand October 12 to be eligible to votein this year’s local elections. To apply,you can download an application fromthe Maryland State Board of Electionswebsite (http://www.elections.state.md.us/voter_registration/application.html) and mail it in, or you may completethe application in person (see below).Registration applications submitted afterregistration has closed will be held at thelocal board of elections for processingwhen registration reopens. For the 2010elections, registration will be closed fromAugust 24, 2010, to September 27, 2010,and October 12, 2010, to November 15,2010.Offices on the ballot for the 2010ElectionsPrimary Election - September 14, 2010General Election - November 2, 2010✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓State OfficesGovernor/Lt. GovernorComptrollerAttorney GeneralState SenatorHouse of DelegatesJudge of the Circuit CourtJudge, Court of Special Appeals*✓ Judge, Court of Appeals**For retention in office (Only onGeneral Election Ballot).✓✓County OfficesCounty Executive✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓County CouncilCounty CommissionerTreasurerState’s AttorneyClerk of the Circuit CourtRegister of WillsJudge of the Orphan’s CourtSheriffBoard of EducationCounties with offices on theballot are:✓ Allegany✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓Anne Arundel**CalvertCarrollCecilCharlesDorchesterFrederickGarrettHarfordHowardKentPrince George’sMontgomerySt. Mary’sSomersetTalbotWashingtonWorcesterIn addition, the City of Cumberlandwill have elections.**Only on General Election Ballot.Future Vote – GettingChildren Involved in theVoting ProcessDuring the 2006 MarylandGubernatorial Elections, theMontgomery County Board ofElections developed the FutureVote Initiative to train and assign6th-12th grade students to countyprecincts for the purpose ofassisting voters, becoming preparedand engaged as a future voter andactively participating in the electionprocess through Election Daysupport.In 2004, MCBOE approved andlaunched the Future Vote Initiativepilot, conceived by Gilberto “Dr.Z” Zelaya II, Ph.D., CommunityOutreach Liaison. By 2006, theprogram was expanded to all votingprecincts in the County. Although 18years is the voting age in the UnitedStates, in Maryland, children up toage 12 are permitted to accompanytheir parents or guardians into thevoting booth, leaving a 6-year gapof no Election Day opportunity forpolling place based civic experience.Interested parents/guardians canregister online at www.777vote.org.Looking for ElectionJudgesMontgomery County isrecruiting election judges for thenext election cycle. If you areinterested, visit www.mcgeo.organd click on the “Get Involved”tab. There’s a downloadable formto fill out.The Local Link • Fall 2010 15

Secretary-Treasurer’s ReportAre You a Doer,a Watcher, or a Critic?by Yvette Cuffi eIf you’re counting down until yourscheduled furlough days, take aminute to reflect how we got towhere we are. The final budgetdocument that emerged from the CountyExecutive and County Council was milesahead of where it started in terms of thepain and intensity of sacrifice. All Countygovernment employees and all countyresidents are better off because of whatthis union accomplished.It might have been easier if we hadmore hands step up, don our conspicuousgold shirts, and ease the load.Not long ago, a major credit cardcompany started using the slogan:“membership has its privileges.” And,that’s true of our union, too. Unionmembership has its privileges andresponsibilities, and those responsibilitiesgo beyond just paying dues. For us,membership also means ownership. Itmeans you have the privilege to be partof something bigger than yourself andthe responsibility to help make it so.It means you should take pride in yourunion, adding your muscle to the tasks andenjoying the fruits of your labor.Think about it—290 of our brothersand sisters have jobs who otherwisewouldn’t because we finally persuaded theCounty Council to agree to a RetirementIncentive Plan! We eliminated the threatof a 14 percent wage cut to school healthaides. We reduced the furlough threat forthe lowest paid County workers by 70percent—from 10 days to three days. Atthe upper levels—those earning $110,00016 The Local Link • Fall 2010or more—there will be substantial sting,but even they will not be hit as hard asthey would have been if we had not acted.I’m sending out a personal thanks tothe hundreds of Local 1994 members whocollected our gold shirts and participatedin the multiple demonstrations, ralliesand marches that started in the Spring andseemed to run non-stop through the end ofMay.Thanks also to the stewards whoworked conscientiously to keep their coworkersinformed. Thanks to all those whocalled and contacted your County Councilmembers in support of your union.Those brothers and sisters are theheroes of this battle. It was their workthat changed the game from a flat-outpenalty imposed exclusively on Countygovernment workers to a formula that,while still painful, is just a little more fairto everyone involved.I’m also sending a friendly reminder tothose who stood on the sidelines—we’llneed you again in the months ahead. If youthought we could have done a better job,you’re probably right and with your helpwe would have.Unfortunately, there were a lot ofmembers who let someone else do theheavy lifting for them. I am a firm believerin the old axiom that many hands makefor lighter loads. Another rule I try tolive by: Don’t fix blame; fix the problem.So, it doesn’t matter if—for whateverreason—you couldn’t be there when yourunion needed you. There will be lots moreopportunities in the months and weeksahead to do your part.For those keeping score, look at the“win” column:• School health room aides willbe paid their full salaries afterwinning back the hour that theywere slated to lose.• Instead of 300 jobs, six jobs werelost to involuntary layoffs—theCounty Council accepted aRetirement Incentive Plan.• Furloughs were put on a slidingscale—with employees on the lowendof the salary scale losing threedays, and those on the high end—at more than $100,000 losing eightdays. Nobody will be furloughedfor 10 days.Every organization that depends onmembership has the same problem.In church, you’ve got doers, watchersand critics. The doers are the ones whoparticipate in committees—at the church,they are the folks who teach Sundayschool, cook and serve for the dinners,visit the sick. You know who those folksare. The watchers just go to the servicesbecause they think that’s all that’sexpected of them. The critics are alsowatchers, but they expend all their energyfinding something wrong with what thedoers do.I think we have a lot of potential doersin our midst. We need you now more thanever to participate in this union while oureconomy recovers. This is not the timeto just “show up,” we need to Save OurServices.

The Local Link • Fall 2010 3

UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO600 South Frederick AvenueSuite 200Gaithersburg, MD 20877Prstd First ClassU.S. PostagePAIDWashington, DCPermit No. 3070Remarks for Goodand WelfareCondolencesErika SmithEricka Smith from DOCR, aformer steward and Counselor atthe Pre-Trial Services Divisionpassed away. UFCW Local 1994MCGEO members and staff extendour condolences to Ms. Smith’sfriends and family.The cast of the Emperor’s New Groove (top left): Amy Jenkins, Julian Mitchell, RosemaryCrumley, Stephen Valentich, Joanne Benner; (bottom left) Eileen Taddonio, DenisePritchett, Susan Smithers, Josh Ardison, and Jan Markiewicz.Emperor’s New GroovePGCMLS Summer Reading Kick Off Major Hit Again!Local 1994 members working in thePrince George’s County Memorial LibrarySystem kicked off their 2010 SummerReading Program with a smash hitperformance of “The Emperor’s Rock’inNew Clothes.” All three performanceswere “sold out” with capacity crowds.“The children who attended werethrilled with the play,” said Josh Ardison,Local 1994 field representative, whoportrayed Elvin, the self-absorbedemperor.The show’s rock and roll themeresonated with the adults attending theshow as well.Local 1994 Shop Steward EileenTaddonio directed the production alongwith playing the role of Lady Babs, theemperor’s stepdaughter. Local 1994 VicePresident Sue Smithers portrayed EmpressDiana, the hapless wife of Emperor Elvin.Also performing in the show were SteveValentich, Amy Jenkins, Denise Pritchett,Joanne Benner, Jan Markiewicz, JulianMitchell and Rosemary Crumley.David HankinsLocal 1994 sadly said goodbyeto David Wilder Hankins, an activeunion member who worked forRide On as a bus operator for manyyears until health issues forced himto retire in 2004.Hankins spent 20 years withRide On. He received numerousawards while working for Ride On,including Employee of the Year andDriver of the Year. He trained otherdrivers and was active on manycommittees with Ride On. Hankinswas also a retired letter carrier withthe U.S. Postal Service.“David’s active unionparticipation and his work ethicwas an inspiration,” said Local1994 Field Representative/Organizer Nelvin Ransome. “Hewill be missed.”