March 9, 2007                                               Volume #28, Issue #9

RON KENT TO RETIRE. . .AFSCME Field Education Coordinator, Ron Kent, has announced his plans to
retire this spring. Brother Kent's work in the Labor Movement started in 1971 when he became a steward
in AFT Local 3220 when he was a graduate student at the UW-Madison. From there he worked a year for
the United Farm Workers as an organizer. After a brief stint working for AFSCME Council 24 as a field rep,
he joined the International Union's staff in 1977 as a labor educator. Many hundreds of Council 40 leaders
have benefitted greatly from Ron's education and training programs over the years. His teaching style is
enthusiastic and scholarly. Please join us in congratulating Brother Kent for his distinguished career,
thanking him and wishing him every good fortune in his retirement.

CONVENTION DEADLINES. . .Here's a reminder that Credentials and Resolutions for the Council 40
Convention next month should be in by March 19.

ASHLAND COUNTY. . .Highway Department, Courthouse and Communications Center, Health and
Human Services Professional and Para-professional employees, members of Local 216, all have new
three-year contracts. Represented in four separate bargaining units, wages for all were increased 2% on
1/1/07. Another 1% increase is set for 8/1/07. In 2008 and 2009, wages will increase 2% on 1/1 of each
year and 1% on 7/1 of each year, bringing a lift of 9% over the contracts’ term. Public Health Nurse and
Registered Nurse classifications receive an extra 25¢/hour in each year of the contract. Certain Court-
house Deputy classifications along with Account Clerk and Economic Support Assistant positions also
received special increases. The County agreed to continue paying 90% of the single and family health
insurance premiums. A new Health Care Savings Plan was implemented along with cost-saving changes
in plan design. Longevity pay will now be based on all wages earned, not just base rates. For Highway
Department workers, CDL job protection language was greatly improved.

AFSCME NATIONAL NURSES CONGRESS. . .The United Nurses of America (UNA) 11th National
Nurses Congress will be held in Washington, DC, on May 6-7, 2007. Here's a reminder that Council 40
will pay the lost wages, travel, lodging, and related costs for up to two Registered Nurses or Licensed
Practical Nurses to participate in the National Nurses Congress. To be eligible, the Council 40 nurse must,
at least by the time of the event, be a member of AFSCME PEOPLE at the MVP level. Preference will be
given to members who have not attended this event before. If interested, write to Council 40 President
Michael Murphy by March 28, 2007.

DISTRICT #3. . .Here's a reminder that the District #3 Spring Conference is scheduled for Saturday, 3/31,
at The Osthoff Resort, 101 Osthoff Ave., Elkhart Lake. Registration, coffee, and rolls at 8:00 a.m.,
call-to-order at 9:00 a.m., lunch at 12:00 noon, call-to-order at 1:00 p.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.