February 1, 2008
Volume #29, Issue #3
IN MEMORIAM. . .John Doyle, who worked as a custodian for the Oregon
School District and was a
member
of Local 60, died of an apparent heart attack
while shoveling snow at work on January 22. He
was 56 years
old. In addition to
his wife and adult children, he leaves behind several grandchildren,
including
one that he
and his wife were helping raise in their home. We will provide
contribution
information for John Doyle’s family
when it becomes available.
DISTRICTS #1 AND #2. . .Here is a reminder that the combined Districts #1 & #2
Spring Conference is
scheduled for Saturday, February 23, at Randy’s Restaurant
& Fun Hunter’s Brewery, 841 E. Milwaukee
Street, Whitewater. Registration,
coffee & rolls at 8:30 a.m.; call to order at 9:00 a.m. The agenda
includes a
preview of Council 40's Convention, discussion of spring elections, and reports
from the
officers, Executive
Board members, and staff representatives.
BROWN COUNTY. . .Library professional employees here, members of Local 1901-B,
have a new
2-year
contract. Wages increased 1.5% on 1/1/07 and again on 7/1/07.
Wages increased 1.5% on
1/1/08 and an
additional 1.5% lift is scheduled for
7/1/08. The Employer continues to pay 92.5% of the
single and family
PPO
premiums. Deductibles increased on 12/31/07 from $200/single to $250/single
and
$600/family to
$700/family. A 3-tier drug formulary has been implemented with
the following co-pays:
20% generic; 25%
preferred; 25% plus $15 surcharge for
non-preferred. The penalty for non-emergency
use of the emergency
room increases
from $25 to $50.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY. . .Local 1903's highway, parks and landfill employees have a
new 3-year
agree-
ment. In 2007, wages increased 2% on 1/1/07 and another 1% on
7/1/07. On 1/1/08, wages
increased 2%
and a 1% increase is scheduled for 7/1/08;
a 2% increase is scheduled for 1/1/09 and a
final 1% increase is
set for 7/1/09.
The Employer has agreed to continue paying 85% of the single and
family health
insurance
premiums with the following caps: $85/month single, $170/month family
for 2007;
$90/month single, $180/
month family for 2008; and $95/month single,
$190/month family for 2009. A
5-tier drug plan has been
implemented. As part of
the settlement, employees receive a second floating
holiday 1/1/08 and a third
floating holiday 1/1/09 (previously had 1 floating holiday). As a tradeoff, new
hires now have an additional 6
months at each step of the salary schedule.
