February 16, 2007                                               Volume #28, Issue #6

DOOR COUNTY. . .Members of Local 1658 in the Door County Courthouse, Highway Department,
Emergency Services and the Department of Social Services recently settled their 2005-2006 contracts in
Interest Arbitration. The parties used an unusual "voluntary impasse resolution procedure" in which the
same arbitrator decided all four disputes, with all but one issue in one unit decided in favor of Local 1658.
Wage increases for all units had been stipulated to be 3% retro to 1/1/05 and another 3% retro to 1/1/06
with an additional 23¢/hour on 12/31/06 (last day of the contracts) when a new cost-saving PPO health
insurance plan went into effect. The County had agreed to continue paying 90% of the single and family
health insurance premiums. But the County sought relatively severe cuts in plan design, which the
arbitrator rejected in favor of the Union’s position which also brought significant savings but with fewer
benefit changes. The County had also agreed to continue paying 100% of the single and family dental
insurance premiums. Language regarding the selection of grievance arbitrators changed in some of the
contracts. In the Courthouse unit, the Union won continuation of an important side letter regarding the
appointment or dismissal of courthouse deputies and judicial assistants. Staff Rep Neil Rainford
represented Local 1658 in these Interest Arbitration proceedings.

NEW HOLSTEIN. . .DPW employees in New Holstein, members of Local 1362, recently ratified a new
three-year contract. Wages were increased 3.25% on 1/1/07. Another 3% pay increase is set for 1/1/08. In
the last year, wages will go up 2% 1/1/09 and 1.25% on 7/1/09. For single and family health insurance and
dental insurance, the City agreed to pay 95% of the premiums in 2007; 94% in 2008 and 93% in 2009.
(Was 97% for single and family, health and dental.) The clothing allowance was increased from $125/year
to $155/year.

STEWARD TRAINING IN PLYMOUTH. . .The International Union along with Council 40 will sponsor a
free one-day Steward Training Workshop in Plymouth on Saturday, March 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. Covered will be public sector labor laws, contract interpretation, grievance investigation and writing,
arbitration standards in discipline cases, and related matters. For more information and a registration form,
contact your local president or secretary or call AFSCME Headquarters at 608-836-6666. The deadline for
registration is March 15.

DISTRICT #5. . .Here's a reminder that the District #5 Spring Conference is scheduled for Saturday, 3/17,
at Radisson Hotel, 200 Harborview Plaza, La Crosse. Registration, coffee, and 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.