June 22, 2007                                                                Volume #28, Issue #18

SUPREME COURT VICTORY. . .Council 40 won a major victory in the Wisconsin Supreme Court last
week. In Kocken v. Wisconsin Council 40, AFSCME the Supreme Court ruled that Brown County Sheriff
Dennis Kocken does not have the right to ignore our members’ collective bargaining rights established
many years ago by the Municipal Employment Relations Act (MERA). This case centered on the Sheriff’s
actions to contract out for food service in the jail, thereby causing the layoff of Local 1901 members. The
court majority wrote that "hiring and firing personnel to provide food services for the county jail is not within
the constitutional prerogatives of the office of sheriff. . . ." To read the Supreme Court’s full decision go to
www.wicourts.gov.

HURLEY. . .City of Hurley police officers and employees in the DPW, members of Local 728-A in two
separate bargaining units, recently ratified new three-year contracts. Wage rates will increase 3% on
1/1/08. Additional 3% pay hikes are set for 1/1/09 and 1/1/10. In the police unit, the positions of sergeant
and patrol officers received an extra increase of 7¢/hour prior to the percentage increases. The City has
agreed to continue paying 100% of the single and family health insurance premiums throughout the
contracts’ term. A new vision insurance plan was added with the Employer paying the premiums, but
there’s a reopener if the premium increase exceeds 25%. The vacation accrual schedule was improved
substantially. Funeral Leave and Layoff language were also improved.

HUSTISFORD. . .Our new members of Local 1323 who work for the Village of Hustisford recently ratified
their first labor agreement. Along with all the usual contract protections and benefits, this first agreement
brings wage increases of 2% retroactive to 1/1/06. Another 2.5% wage hike was applied retro to 7/1/07.
Another .75% pay increase is set for 7/1/07. Next year, wages will go up 3% on 1/1/08 and .25% on 7/1/08.
The Village will pay 92% of the single and family health insurance premiums this year and next.

BAYFIELD COUNTY. . .Members of Local 1731 who work for Bayfield County in the Human Services and
Courthouse bargaining unit have a new 2007-2009 contract. Wage increases of 2% on 1/1 and 1% on 7/1
in each of the three years are part of the settlement. The County will continue paying 90% of the single
and family health insurance premiums. Several changes to the health care plan were made along with a
side letter establishing a HRA for the duration. Sick Leave and Commiseration Leave were improved.