Volume 4 No. 1 January/February 2009

We Treat Wastewater!

Story on page 7

Kerry Ellquist, Local 66Western Lake Superior Sanitary District

Executive Board Members 2008-2010 (elected September, 08)

Mike Buesing, President

Eliot Seide, Exec. Director

Information and articles should be submitted to:

Jennifer Munt, Editor/Photographer

Margaret Chan, Graphic Designer

AFSCME Minnesota

300 Hardman Ave. So., Suite 2South St. Paul, MN 55075-2469

Published by AFSCME Minnesota, AFL-CIO,300 Hardman Ave. So., Suite 2,South St. Paul, MN 55075-2469,

six times yearly:January/February, March/April, May/June.

July/August, September/October, and November/December.

Subscription price 50 cents per copy;$5.00 per year.

POSTMASTER: Send form 3597 to Stepping Up, 300 Hardman Ave. So.,

Suite 2, South St. Paul, MN 55075-2469. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, Minnesota. Publication No. 352180

2

Setting the Pace

Eliot SeideExecutive Director

Officers:President: Mike Buesing, Local 1011

Vice-President: Judy Wahlberg, Local 66

Treasurer: Clifford Poehler, Local 2938

Secretary: Mary Falk, Local 4001

Executive Board Members:Jeff Birttnen, Local 517, County Sector

Paul Bissen, Local 868, District 3 South/SE

Dennis Blumke, Local 694, State Sector

Leon Bowman, Local 945, District 3 South/SE

Carmen Brown, Local 977, District 6 West Metro

Jean Diederich, Local 34, District 6 West Metro

Jody Ebert, Local 3937, District 6 West Metro

John Ewaldt, Local 8, District 5 East Metro

Steve Fitze, Local 1164, Private/Special Sector

Karen Foreman, Local 638, State Sector

Dennis Frazier, Local 66, County Sector

Duane Gatzke, Local 2829, State Sector

Pat Guernsey, Local 552, District 5 East Metro

Jen Guertin, Local 2508, District 5 East Metro

Mark Hedlund, Local 753, State Sector

Tim Henderson, Local 2728, District 6 West Metro

John Hillyard, Local 600, State Sector

JoAnn Holton, Local 607, State Sector

Roger Janzig, Local 668, Private/Special Sector

Robin Madsen, Local 1842, City Sector

John Magnuson, Local 1574, District 4 Central

Molly Malecki, Local 2822, County Sector

John McGovern, Local 695, District 1 NE

Mike Nelson, Local 2829, District 6 West Metro

Alan Netland, Local 66, District 1 NE

Kevin Olson, Local 701, District 2 West

Cliff Robinson, Local 34, County Sector

Mike Rumppe, Local 9, District 5 East Metro

Judy Schultz, Local 151, District 5 East Metro

Monica Shockency, Local 56, K-12 Sector

Willie Snyder, Local 707, County Sector

Jane Spaude, Local 753, District 4 Central

Dean Steiner, Local 735, State Sector

Deb Strohm, Local 66, City Sector

Jim Ullmer, Local 3142, District 6 West Metro

Sue Urness, Local 66, District 1 NE

Phyllis Walker, Local 3800, U of M Sector

Tamera Weller, Local 607, State Sector

Bryce Wickstrom, Local 2792, District 5 East Metro

New Deal or a Greater Depression

During the Great Depression one of every three Americans was unemployed. Workers lost their jobs and were stripped of their dignity. Starving, they lined up for soup because they couldn’t afford food.

Today we’re heading down that path with 165,000 Minnesotans looking for work. When unemployment soars, so does demand for social services. But government is being forced to cut the health care, food stamps and unemployment assistance that families need to survive the recession. Meanwhile, job security for the rest of us is shaky with daily announcements of more budget cuts, plant closings and layoffs

How did we get into this mess? Bush, Pawlenty and their no-new-taxes crowd killed jobs, created huge budget deficits and an economy that doesn’t work. Every time they cut state spending, they took dollars out of Minnesota’s economy. Now they will call for more service cuts and layoffs that will deepen and prolong the recession.

To stave off another depression, Minnesota needs public investment to create good jobs. That’s how we put money back in the pockets of hardworking families, whose spending will jumpstart our economy. Unfortunately, not everyone sees that as the solution, so the Labor Movement will have to build the political will to pull our state out of this recession. The answer is jobs, jobs and more jobs.

Our opponents are saying that government is the problem when it’s really the solution. Let’s remind them that Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal helped the nation recover from the Great Depression.

Our opponents are blaming union wages and benefits for the budget crisis, the collapse of the auto industry and America’s failure to compete globally. The truth is unions have won fair wages, affordable health insurance, safe working conditions, and pensions that let workers retire with dignity. Make no apology for that. Every worker should enjoy the gains that union members enjoy. With union wages, workers can afford to buy American and their consumption fuels an economic recovery. It’s too few union jobs that caused the recession.

Our misguided governor is cool to President-elect Obama’s plan for economic stimulus. Pawlenty says it’s irresponsible to drive up the federal deficit. Obama wisely counters that the economic crisis trumps concerns about the deficit. His stimulus isn’t a handout; it’s job creation.

Minnesota needs Obama’s “shovel ready” infrastructure fixes. We need aid to state and local governments that are being asked to make emergency cutbacks as revenues fall. And we need extended unemployment assistance and other benefits for low and moderate income households.

Minnesota can also do its part to sustain the services that residents want and need. The Legislature can raise revenue with fair taxes based on a person’s income and ability to pay. Typical Minnesota workers, who earn $38,000, pay 12.2 percent of their income in taxes. The wealthiest 1 percent, who earn over $355,000, pay only 9.6 percent. Why should we pay a greater share of our income than Twins owner Carl Pohlad? Workers have sacrificed enough while wealthy CEOs enjoyed their tax relief.

Minnesota once led the nation by investing in education and public infrastructure. In 1973, Time Magazine praised Governor Wendell Anderson for creating the “Minnesota Miracle” and “a state that works.” He did that by raising taxes – and taxpayers enjoyed the return on their investment.

No one ever cut their way to greatness. AFSCME is for a New Deal and good jobs. The alternative is a Greater Depression.

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On the move

Action Plan for Victory in 2009

MEMBERSHIPGROWTH plus POLITICAL

ACTION equals BARGAININGPOWER

Tap the wisdom of our retirees and the energy of our younger members.

Nearly 700 delegates and alternates gathered in Bloomington for the 4th Annual Council 5 Convention. They celebrated a year of accomplishments and learned new tactics to build power for workers. They also passed the following resolutions as an action plan to fight layoffs, service cuts and privatization threats in 2009.. All union officers and leaders will actively encourage their

members to contribute to our PEOPLE political fund. . To win better contracts through political action, our goal is to have 20 percent of our membership contributing to PEOPLE by the end of 2009.. Council 5 will grow its bargaining power by organizing 100 workers for each full-time staff organizer and train 15 new volunteer member organizers each year.. Council 5 will mobilize our membership to lobby Congress for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, which will help rebuild the middle class by making it easier for workers to unionize.. Council 5 will help members get release time for union work by developing model union leave and lost time language for locals to propose in contract negotiations.. After creating a retiree organization, Council 5 will now work with local unions to mobilize a Next Wave of union activist under age 35.. All officers and stewards are encouraged to attend Basic Steward Training. . Council 5 will develop continuing education for local union officers.. Council 5 will provide member reporter, newsletter and website training to empower local unions to improve their internal communications.. To increase local union membership by 10 percent next year, all locals are encouraged to participate in their employer’s new employee orientation and have stewards welcome new hires and ask them to join.

. Council 5 will help local unions build member mobilization activities.. Council 5 supports quality, affordable health care for all Minnesotans so that nobody has to spend more than 5 percent of their household income on premiums and out-of-pocket costs. We will make this a cornerstone of our legislative and communication programs and will work with local unions to incorporate it into their bargaining for health benefits.. To raise revenue for vital public services, Council 5 will build member support and public support for fair taxes based on income and a person’s ability to pay.. Council 5 will make it a top legislative priority to significantly increase state aid to local governments.. Council 5 will work to enhance defined benefit pension plans so public employees can enjoy a dignified and financially secure retirement. . Council 5 will work with University of Minnesota locals to lobby for extra base funding to pay for grid compression. . Council 5 and its affiliates will publicly and legislatively support an elected Metropolitan Council, rather than one appointed by the governor.. Council 5 and its affiliates will support legislation to narrow the definition of confidentiality to protect AFSCME members from being removed from union bargaining units.. Council 5 will support federal legislation that would count vacation time, paid time off and/or workers comp time as hours worked for eligibility for the Family Medical Leave Act.

+ =

4

Parading our values

Save the Dates:AFSCME Day on the Hill

Tuesday, March 10 – Legislative Conference

Wednesday, March 11 –State Capitol Action & Legislator Visits

Crowne Plaza – 11 East Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul Riverfront

Day on the Hill is our annual opportunity to share AFSCME’s legislative priorities with the Governor, state senators andrepresentatives. This year’s event will be two days. Participants are invited to a legislative conference on March 10, followed by a State Capitol rally and legislator visits on March 11. If you can attend only one day, choose March 11.

We need to pack the rotunda with at least 1000 AFSCME members in order to beat back attempts to starve, shrink and privatize public services. Those threats are more serious than ever due to a staggering state deficit of nearly $5 billion.

Join us to share these legislative priorities: Fully fund public services.

Restore aid to local governments.

Raise revenue, including fair taxes on persons earning more than $250,000.

Protect and create good jobs to jumpstart the economy.

Stop privatization that threatens the quality of public services.

Guarantee quality, affordable health care for all Minnesotans.

Remember that we elect our bosses and it’s time to hold them accountable. To register for Day on the Hill, contact your local union president or visit www.afscmemn.org for more information.

Go Caucus in St. Paul& Minneapolis!

Why go to precinct caucus?Minneapolis and St. Paul residents can caucus this year to endorse candidates for mayor in St. Paul, and mayor and city council in Minneapolis. It’s a powerful way for AFSCME members to support our endorsed candidates and our union’s agenda of funding for our public service jobs and better contracts. Remember, we elect our bosses!

In St. Paul, we can help re-elect Mayor Chris Coleman. In Minneapolis, we can hold Mayor Rybak accountable for freezing wages of city employees. And we can elect a worker-friendly city council. For a complete list of endorsements, go to www.afscmemn.org.

When and where will my caucus be held?St. Paul caucuses and ward conventions will be Tuesday, February 3 at 7 p.m. Minneapolis caucuses will be Tuesday, March 3 at 7 p.m.There are no other precinct caucuses this year.

To find your caucus location, contact Jon Grebner at 651-287-0587.

How do I become a delegate?It’s easy; just raise your hand and volunteer. Each caucus will elect a number of delegates to ward conventions where city council candidates will be endorsed, and to a city convention where a candidate will be endorsed for mayor.

Take ActionAwards

AFSCME members and Council 5’s political organizer Laura Askelin helped to build a Progressive Movement in Rochester.

AFSCME helped the Transit Partners Coalition override the Governor for safer and better transportation. It’s a big deal for our union members who

ride the early bus, take the train, and drive to work.

Take Action Minnesota unites the power of diverse individuals, communities, and organizations in active grassroots democracy that builds social, racial, and economic justice. This year, AFSCME was involved in both of the coalitions that earned the organization’s Progressive Leadership Awards.

Chris Coleman has earned AFSCME’s endorsement for Mayor of St. Paul. On the first day of his first term, he pinned “RESPECT” buttons on city employees. Since then he has been AFSCME’s strongest advocate for better contracts. Working in partnership, we’ve been able to save services that St. Paul residents want and need.

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n

Journey for Justice

Unionization raised the pay of women workers by $2 an hour in 2007

Unionization Improves Pay and Benefits of Women Workers

In 2007, women made up 45 percent of union members. If the share of women in unions continues to grow at the same rate as it has over the last 25 years, women will be a majority of the unionized workforce by 2020.

A new report by the Center for Economic and Policy Research shows that unionization raised women’s wages by 11.2 percent – about $2 an hour – compared to their non-union peers in 2007. The report, "Unions and Upward Mobility for Women Workers," found that women inunions were about 19 percent more likely to have employer-paid health insurance and 25 percent more likely to have an employer-paid pension. These union gains are on par with the gains of a college education.

If you know people who would like to organize their workplace with AFSCME, have them call651-450-4990 and ask to speak with an organizer.

Half a Million and Counting

Chelsea Hill is one of 500,000 Americans who have chosen union representation through majority sign-up in the last five years. For Chelsea, her AFSCME membership means being able to pay her bills on time, with a little left over to send her daughter Matteya to dance lessons.

In these tough economic times, workers need more opportunities to get ahead – that’s why unions matter and why workers across the country are seeking to form them today. Since 2003, more than half a million Americans formed unions through majority sign-up, an efficient, fair and democratic union organizing process where employers recognize unions if a majority of employees demonstrate their desire to form one.

Who’s Using Majority Sign-Up?Majority sign-up has given hundreds of thousands of workers a stronger voice, better wages and improved health care. They come from diverse professions, regions, and successful companies across the United States, including:. 64,000 hotel and casino workers. 46,000 home care providers. 11,000 UPS Freight workers. 8,000 farm workers employed by Mount Olive Pickle. 5,800 public school teachers and aides. 600 clerical workers at Hennepin County Medical Center. 225 reporters and editors at Dow Jones. 162 nuclear engineers at Pacific Gas & Electric. 36 St. Louis County attorneys and investigators

Building a Fair ProcessToo often, irresponsible corporations call the shots. They get to decide how their workers choose to form unions through a management-dominated process. Then, when workers try to form unions to improve their lives, they’re often met with harassment and resistance, dragging on the election process indefinitely and repeatedly breaking the law. That’s why majority sign-up is so critical – it levels the playing field and gives workers a fair chance to make an informed decision.

Both employees and employers who have used majority sign-up are praising the process. One solid example can be found at AT&T, where the wireless division negotiated its first union contract using majority sign-up. To date, 21,000 AT&T employees have chosen union representation through majority sign-up. The company and union created a voluntary code of conduct to create a level playing field during the union organizing process. By banning intimidating and coercive tactics on employees, it paved the way for cooperative labor relations.

“Both labor and management win when employers agree to not interfere in a union election,” says Council 5 Organizing Director Eric Lehto. “Workers have a right to make informed decisions without pressure from the boss. They can choose how to improve their jobs and create a better workplace. That’s what HCMC clerical workers did when they joined AFSCME, and Hennepin County didn’t get in their way.”

AFSCME Child Care Providers thank everyone who helped make their Second Annual Toys for Tots drive a huge success. They appeared on KARE-11 with a truckload of generous gifts, double the size of last year’s haul. About half of the toys were purchased with $1,415 in contributions from Hennepin County Local 34, DOT Locals 1011 and 2792, Department of Revenue Local 3141 and Council 5 staff. They also collected 100 pounds of food for St. Joseph’s Home for Children.

Tots Got Toys!

5

n

Journey for Justice

Unionization raised the pay of women workers by $2 an hour in 2007

Unionization Improves Pay and Benefits of Women Workers

In 2007, women made up 45 percent of union members. If the share of women in unions continues to grow at the same rate as it has over the last 25 years, women will be a majority of the unionized workforce by 2020.

A new report by the Center for Economic and Policy Research shows that unionization raised women’s wages by 11.2 percent – about $2 an hour – compared to their non-union peers in 2007. The report, "Unions and Upward Mobility for Women Workers," found that women inunions were about 19 percent more likely to have employer-paid health insurance and 25 percent more likely to have an employer-paid pension. These union gains are on par with the gains of a college education.

If you know people who would like to organize their workplace with AFSCME, have them call651-450-4990 and ask to speak with an organizer.

Half a Million and Counting

Chelsea Hill is one of 500,000 Americans who have chosen union representation through majority sign-up in the last five years. For Chelsea, her AFSCME membership means being able to pay her bills on time, with a little left over to send her daughter Matteya to dance lessons.

In these tough economic times, workers need more opportunities to get ahead – that’s why unions matter and why workers across the country are seeking to form them today. Since 2003, more than half a million Americans formed unions through majority sign-up, an efficient, fair and democratic union organizing process where employers recognize unions if a majority of employees demonstrate their desire to form one.

Who’s Using Majority Sign-Up?Majority sign-up has given hundreds of thousands of workers a stronger voice, better wages and improved health care. They come from diverse professions, regions, and successful companies across the United States, including:. 64,000 hotel and casino workers. 46,000 home care providers. 11,000 UPS Freight workers. 8,000 farm workers employed by Mount Olive Pickle. 5,800 public school teachers and aides. 600 clerical workers at Hennepin County Medical Center. 225 reporters and editors at Dow Jones. 162 nuclear engineers at Pacific Gas & Electric. 36 St. Louis County attorneys and investigators

Building a Fair ProcessToo often, irresponsible corporations call the shots. They get to decide how their workers choose to form unions through a management-dominated process. Then, when workers try to form unions to improve their lives, they’re often met with harassment and resistance, dragging on the election process indefinitely and repeatedly breaking the law. That’s why majority sign-up is so critical – it levels the playing field and gives workers a fair chance to make an informed decision.

Both employees and employers who have used majority sign-up are praising the process. One solid example can be found at AT&T, where the wireless division negotiated its first union contract using majority sign-up. To date, 21,000 AT&T employees have chosen union representation through majority sign-up. The company and union created a voluntary code of conduct to create a level playing field during the union organizing process. By banning intimidating and coercive tactics on employees, it paved the way for cooperative labor relations.

“Both labor and management win when employers agree to not interfere in a union election,” says Council 5 Organizing Director Eric Lehto. “Workers have a right to make informed decisions without pressure from the boss. They can choose how to improve their jobs and create a better workplace. That’s what HCMC clerical workers did when they joined AFSCME, and Hennepin County didn’t get in their way.”

AFSCME Child Care Providers thank everyone who helped make their Second Annual Toys for Tots drive a huge success. They appeared on KARE-11 with a truckload of generous gifts, double the size of last year’s haul. About half of the toys were purchased with $1,415 in contributions from Hennepin County Local 34, DOT Locals 1011 and 2792, Department of Revenue Local 3141 and Council 5 staff. They also collected 100 pounds of food for St. Joseph’s Home for Children.

Tots Got Toys!

6

Journey for Justice

walking our talk

Red Cross = BAD BOSS

AFSCME lab workers, who process donated blood to save lives, have been in a bitter struggle to protect their own health care. This winter they charged the American Red Cross with unfair labor practices and authorized a strike. If the 68 lab workers are forced to strike, safe blood could be in short supply.

The Red Cross has proposed contract language removing a cap on the employee’s share of health care expenses. This would shift more of the burden onto the lab workers, making insurance unaffordable for many of them. Without the cap, the employer wouldn’t have to contribute a cent toward coverage. How can unhealthy workers safely process blood?

Access to information is at the heart of Local 3931’s complaint to the National Labor Relations Board. “Saving lives is our top priority and we want to settle this contract, but we can’t do that until the Red Cross provides us with the information we need to negotiate wages and benefits,” explains negotiator Nola Lynch. For example, the employer has indicated during negotiations that it will change job descriptions early in 2009, but refuses to say how duties will change.

These highly skilled workers safely process donated blood for 111 hospitals in Minnesota, western Wisconsin and eastern South Dakota. The prolonged standoff jeopardizes the blood supply for Regions, Allina, Fairview and Mayo-affiliated hospitals.

Customers depend upon quick blood processing by AFSCME lab workers. Their specialized skills, high performance and quality control have earned a first-place ranking among 36 Red Cross Blood Service Regions in the U.S. However, their performance is not being rewarded.

The local is not discouraging people from donating blood to the Red Cross. However, union members like Colleen McGilp, who has already donated 60 gallons, are demanding that Red Cross negotiate fairly and keep safe blood available.

AFSCME for the Common GoodNearly 34,000 of Council 5’s 43,000 members will be negotiating contracts this year. With staggering deficits and an economic crisis, we’ll be faced with budget cuts, layoffs and threats to privatize our work. To fight back, we’ll need to get the public on our side. That’s why we’re rolling out a campaign “For the Common Good.”

You can get involved in the campaign no matter where you work or what you do. It’s easy. Whenever you’re introducing yourself to other people, tell them what you do and how your work helps Minnesota. Here are a few examples.

When offenders are placed on probation, Pat Guernsey helps them address their issues so they can become productive members of society.

Synarvia Buckhanon helps seniors live

with dignity atGood Samaritan Nursing Home.

Sue Larson’s home-cooked meals keep veterans healthy and happy at the Silver Bay Vets Home.

Pawlenty is Working Hardto Pay You LessGov. Pawlenty has threatened to freeze the salaries of state employees. He’d have to break AFSCME’s contract to deny step increases. And he can’t lock state employees into zeros before negotiating their next contract.

He also advised cities, counties and school districts to freeze salaries. Worse yet, hehas cut state aid to cities and counties.

Here’s our response: . Union wages are not the cause of the budget crisis. . Bush and Pawlenty have created no new jobs, huge deficits and an economy that doesn't work. . We need good jobs and public investment to pull Minnesota out of this recession. . Our state workforce is one of the leanest and most productive in the nation. . Typical AFSCME members earn $37,000 and they shouldn't bare the brunt of the pain.

Call: Governor Pawlenty - 651-296-3391Speaker Kelliher - 651-296-0171Majority Leader Pogemiller - 651-296-7809

Tell them:. AFSCME members are worth a raise!. A salary freeze isn’t good for public employees. And it isn’t good for Minnesota’s economy

Workers affectionately call it “the poop plant.” When toilets flush in Duluth, the sewage is treated by members of AFSCME Local 66 who work at the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD).

Inside the plant is a sign that says, “�ere is no life without water.” �at’s how important this work is. Our union brothers and sisters protect public health and the environment while preserving the beauty of our clean water resources. It’s a big deal because the water they treat

discharges into Lake Superior’s St. Louis Bay, a recreational haven of the Northland.

A tour of the plant is a fascinating science lesson narrated by Kerry Ellquist. He and his co-workers treat about 40 million gallons of wastewater from homes, businesses and industries every day. Wastewater is transported to the plant through a 70-mile network of sanitary sewers. �ese sewers carry dirty water from homes and businesses and are totally separate from the storm sewers that drain into lakes and rivers.

After entering the plant, wastewater flows through large bar screens that remove sticks and other debris. Kerry says, “You’d be surprised by what people will shove down a manhole. We’ve seen baby dolls and Christmas trees with lights and ornaments.”

Next sand and gravel settle into grit tanks. �en oxygen dissolves into the sewage to create beneficial bacteria. �ese organisms feed on organic matter in the sewage and when they reproduce, pollutants are converted into more bacteria. �is “sludge” sinks to the bottom of the tanks and is filtered through a mixture of gravel and coal. Finally, the wastewater is disinfected with chemicals.

�is process creates a black nutrient-rich organic product called bio-solids. Kerry calls it “inventory,” but it looks like manure and farmers love to spread it on their fields as fertilizer. �ey swear that it increases crop yields. Mountains of bio-solids are stored in a building the size of a football field and farmers are invited to load their trucks with it for free. Our members give farmers 30,000 tons of free bio-solids each year.

While some regions are pushing to privatize water utilities, that won’t happen here because the union employees perform so well. Each year they set and surpass measurable goals. For example, they’ve gone eight years without discharging unhealthy water. �ey’ve helped local communities increase recycling by 54 percent. �ey’ve created a safe workplace with zero lost-time injuries. And they’ve kept rates affordable despite the rising cost of energy and chemicals. Bravo!

�eir outstanding performance was recently rewarded with a fair contract, which members ratified with overwhelming support. When asked how they did it, Kerry says “We care about what we do and we’re fortunate to work for a governing board that respects us.”

Make no mistake; Kerry’s local is a powerhouse that earned its respect with a strike. �ey struck for job security when their employer wanted the ability to replace full-time workers with part-time workers. Every member walked out and stayed out for two weeks just before Christmas in 2002. �ey fought to protect good jobs and they won.

7

We do the work

We Treat Wastewater There isNO LIFE

without water.

Kerry Ellquist and his co-workers treat 40 million gallons of wastewater every day.

Alex Livadaros staffs the “War Room” where he monitors and controls everything, including cameras, water flow, pump pressure and chemicals.

Wastewater treatment produces bio-solids, which farmers spread on their fields like manure.

Wastewater is cleaned and disinfected with chemicals, so it can be safely discharged into Lake Superior’s St. Louis Bay.

Deer routinely roam through the plant, which is located on the Lake Superior Shore in Duluth.

In their footsteps

DO YO

U KNOW

8

MAKE THE COUNCIL 5 WEBSITE A FAVORITE

Visit www.afscmemn.org

· Bargaining updates: When your contract negotiations move into high gear, you can find the latest news and schedules.

· See Yourself: Council 5 web contributors are constantly posting news of members and your union on the homepage.

· How to join AFSCME: Find out what you can do to become a part of this great union.

· AFSCME Advantage Benefits: Learn how to save money with the purchasing power of millions of union members.

· Find out who your field representative is, view your contract: Click on "locals and contracts" under "Resources".

· Training for AFSCME leaders and active members is available on a wide variety of subjects. Click on "Resources". Go to the "Calendar" for the current schedule.

· The Council 5 Action Update: the latest news from around the union. It's listed under "News".

· Past editions of Stepping Up are available online. Click on "News".

· A "welcome" packet for beginning Council 5 members is now available for local union use during orientation. Click on "Resources".

· Links: · Ask questions, contact your union · Check election results · Explore your International Union · Workday Minnesota: state labor news

Here are a few of the items you can learn more about on the Council 5 website: www.afscmemn.org. · Affordable Health Care – Join our

movement to contain costs so nobody has to spend more than 5% of their income on health care. Go to the Affordable Health Care page under "Resources."

· Stewards: Find out what’s in your “toolbox” as a union advocate for your co-workers. Go to the brand-new Stewards page under “Resources”.

· Everyday Heroes – Watch videos showing the valuable public services provided by AFSCME members.

Jobs: By the Numbers

98 percent…increase in unemployed Minnesotans since 2000.

63 percent…decrease in Minnesota job openings since 2000.

52,000…jobs that employers won’t fillin Minnesota.

165,000…unemployed Minnesotans looking for work.

$10.58…median wage of open jobsin Minnesota.

50,000…state economist’s estimateof jobs that will be lost in 2009.

One out of every 10 American jobs

depends on the auto industry.

$28 an hour is the average wage for workers at Ford, Chrysler and GM.

3 million jobs will be lost if all threeU.S. automakers go out of business.

$156.4 billion in taxes would be lost in the first three years without automakers.

Sources: JOBS NOW and Center for Automotive Research

Rep. Frank Hornstein: Fighting Privatization

With Minnesota facing a staggering $5 billion deficit, union-busting legislators are already preaching privatization as salvation. They say union wages and benefits are the problem and the solution is private takeover of our work. For example, House Minority Leader Marty Seifert (R-Marshall) wants a garage sale of public assets like prisons and the airport.

“When they come after our jobs, it helps to have friends like Rep. Frank Hornstein,” says Council 5 Director Eliot Seide. “Frank knows that good jobs create an economy that works.”

That’s why Frank authored the Taxpayer Transportation Accountability Act, which is now law. Fans of outsourcing claim they can save money by privatizing public services. Frank’s Act makes them prove it. It requires the Department of Transportation to do a state employee cost comparison before entering into transportation privatization contracts.

Here’s how the new law works to protect AFSCME members and taxpayers. Let’s assume MnDOT thinks it can save money by outsourcing snow removal. With the Act,

MnDOT would have to figure in the cost of closing its garages, firing its workers, and selling its fleet of plows. There should be considerable cost savings for that amount of upheaval.

This law gives job security to nearly 3300 AFSCME members who design, maintain and inspect state roads and bridges. It also protects taxpayers by preventing costly outsourcing of that work.

Last session, Frank told the Legislature, “I contend that MnDOT workers can do nearly any job better, faster and at a lower cost than the private sector.” He’s right and AFSCME State Director Bob Hilliker has examples. “We stripe roads for about 8 cents a stripe. Private vendors charge 28 to 32 cents per stripe. Why privatize when public employees can stripe for one-forth the cost?”

“Today the Act applies only to state transportation employees and management will challenge it,” explains Hilliker. “But, Frank gave us model legislation that could eventually protect all public employees and taxpayers. He’s our hero.”

Rep. Frank Hornstein with Local 2792