I am writing to you all to ask that you please help out a fellow union brother, co-worker and friend Paul Sinkiewicz. The union especially AFSCME Council 93 Jim Dukin help facilitate a sick leave bank for Paul for those of you who do not know Paul he has worked at DYS for more than 20 years as a Group worker and currently a Transportation Officer Just last year Paul brought his first home.
Immediate action is needed by AFSCME state workers to stop a significant increase in GIC healthcare contribution rates and cuts to our sick leave benefits.
Governor Baker has used his veto power to strike language in the FY2017 budget that maintains current contribution rates for all state employees.
Unless state legislators override this veto, all state workers will be paying 25% of GIC premium costs.
Currently, workers hired prior to July 1, 2003 are paying 20% of premium costs.
My apologies for being the bearer of bad news, but as you might have all expected, the State has failed to honor our agreement on the expenditure of the .25% for Fiscal Year 2016, which ended yesterday at 11:59 p.m.
We have filed the attached ULP against the State for bargaining in bad faith and repudiating the terms of our agreement, and hope to seek relief through the DLR.
Please be advised that the Department of Youth Services has filed the attached Notices of Proposed Amendments of Regulations and Opportunity For Public Comment regarding the following DYS Regulations:
109 CMR 3.00, “Access to All Records of Juveniles Committed to the Department of Youth Services”
109 CMR 4.00, “Classification of Juveniles Committed to the Department of Youth Services”
109 CMR 8.00, “The Granting and Revocation of Conditional Liberty for Juveniles Committed to the Department of Youth Services”
Preventing the Spread of Ebola and Other Infectious Diseases in Correctional Facilities
Introduction
Corrections officers are exposed to a variety of infectious diseases. Those raising the most concerns are bloodborne pathogens, which includes Ebola, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureous (MRSA) and Tuberculosis.
On behalf of the AFSCME Local 1368 Executive Board, I would like to wish you a happy holiday season, and hope the New Year to come will be one of good health and prosperity.
Nominations for all postions within the Local were held on October 1st, 2018 as was laid out in the mailer you received. All positions had individuals nominated and none of the positions had more than one nomination. Therefore no elections are necessary and as in accordance with AFSCME Elections code the following nominees are considered elected:
You will all be receiving a ballot(s) in the mail some time in the next day or two. You will notice there is only one or two ballots to vote for, depending on where you work, this is because the following officers were nominated and unopposed. Therefore the follow positions were elected through acclamation and will serve a 2 year term:
