Greetings 2822 Workers-
This has been a harrowing summer: for our African American workers, for our workers who were temporarily laid off, for our workers who have been reporting to work throughout this whole period, and the workers struggling with crowded houses and expensive internet at home.
Many folks have given up trying, given up fighting. That is not us. We will not stop fighting for justice for our African American sisters and sisters and siblings killed by cops, we will not stop fighting for safety in the workplace (whether at home or in the office), and affordable health insurance.
This newsletter is very large. It is large because we have a lot of information we want to share. To help you navigate we have different sections: Health and wellness During Covide 19, Contract Issues, Remote work, Department Updates, Open positions.
As always membership meetings are the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm over zoom. If you work and would like to attend, email us at [email protected] and we’ll pay for your lost time.
- Healthcare Update
- How to get $15 off your office co pay for 2021
- COVID-19 Leave Options
- For when you get sick or quarantined (160 hours @ home, 240 hours @ worksite)
- Parents/Caregivers
- If you are at risk
- How to be safe at the workplace during covid-19
- How to get tested for COVID-19: its free!
- No Co-pays for Mental Health Services
- Letter from a Grab and Go Worker
- Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Update
- Corrections
- Service Center Update
- Hennepin Health Update
Healthcare Update: More Money in Our Pockets but not EnoughOver the course of the past 3 years, our health care costs have increased by around 11%. We, as employees NOT THE COUNTY, have shouldered the vast majority of these increases through the introduction of co-pays, pharmacy co-pays, out of pocket maximums, and deductibles. These costs have essentially made the County a lot of money and led to a dramatic increase in the insurance plans savings account, referred to as the reserves. We have been fighting for the last two years to drastically reduce costs to members. We have not made the headway we need but have won some MODEST gains. In… more… | ||
How to get $15 off your office co pay for 2021Hennepin County spends nearly 1 million dollars to pay for the health and wellness service from “virgin pulse.” Employees are required to complete a number of tasks on this app in order to reduce office visit copays. In other words, they spend a lot of money and waste a lot of our time to create a barrier to accessing the healthcare we pay for every month. That said, money is money and we want you to save as much as you can. Until we can successfully get the county to eliminate co-pays altogether here are some suggestions to help you get a $15 reduction for your office visit co-pays… more… | ||
COVID -19 LEAVE OPTIONSSee leave chart for more information:https://hcconnect.hennepin.us/COVID19/employee-leave-chart.aspx Questions: Email HR Service Center [email protected] or call 612-348-7855 For when you get sick, have to care for sick or quarantineYou do not have to use your sick time if you have to quarantine due to a COVID-19 exposure, if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or if you care for… more… | ||
Tips for Safer Working During COVID-19Like a few other library workers, I have been working a reassignment for Hennepin County Public Health doing COVID-19 Case Investigation. This means that I call people who have tested positive for COVID-19 to make sure they have information about isolation and ask them questions about any potential exposures. I talk to a lot of people about their worksites, so I was asked to write something up that might be helpful for 2822 members working onsite. But before I get going on my list of things to do, my first piece of advice is for us all to be kind to ourselves. I know I experience a lot of… more… | ||
Get tested for COVID-19- It’s free!Email from Sue Hoel, Benefits Manager at Hennepin County The coverage we have is no out-of-pocket cost for the test or related office visit, regardless if the provider doing the testing is in their network or not. The three that I have heard are doing the most testing are HCMC, HealthPartners or M Health Fairview.
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No Co-pays for Mental Health ServicesWe are in extremely difficult times and many of us are struggling with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. That’s why we are encouraging folks to take advantage of our mental health services provided through our health insurance. ALL MENTAL HEALTH CO-PAYS ARE FREE. Click here to sign into you preferred one account and find a mental health provider in your network. https://www.preferredone.com/hc/coverage-and-benefits/ If you have questions, call Preferred One Customer Service at 1-800-847-4477. | ||
Over the past few months AFSCME unions at HC have been advocating for the addition of Juneteenth as a paid county holiday.
With the disappointing budget news, more and more people are talking about layoffs.
Issues Working from Home
Introduction and Demands
Working from home has allowed thousands of workers to stay out of worksites and reduce the likelihood of contracting COVID-19. However, it has placed a tremendous financial burden on remote workers and led to serious ergonomic issues. We continue to demand the employer pay for WiFi for workers. We also demand that workers be able to take their office chairs home and be given a stipend to buy ergonomic office furniture.
DEMANDS: Use CARES FUNDING TO PAY FOR:
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WIFI hotspot and internet access for 2 years
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$100 stipend for workers to purchase office equipment such as chairs, desks, computer monitors- Allow workers to bring office furniture from buildings home
Until we get money for ergonomic equipment you can:
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Use your sick time to buy ergonomic equipment with the Trade-Time-for-Fitness program. Per the website: “ergonomic equipment (including chairs and/or desks) may be purchased through this County benefit option in the calendar year 2020. For more information, please go to this link: HealthWorks’ Trade-Time-for-Fitness website.”
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Ask for accommodation through leave and accommodations office to get equipment [email protected], 612-348-4082
Here are some letters written by remote workers sharing their experience:
I know you are meeting with the board about medical and I was the one that has incurred over $500 of outstanding medical expenses due to Be Well closed.
Department Updates
These updates are not exhaustive. Don’t see your department included? Reach out to us and get involved!
GRAB AND GO LIBRARYSix weeks ago I was recalled back to a different library to start providing grab and go services. This site had already been operating for about a week and I was horrified at the lack of safety procedures in place from the PES. Here, patrons were getting 10+ reminders from multiple staff and security to wear their masks. Sometimes we would be ignored, other times patrons would momentarily pull it up/put it on and then remove it once the staff member walks away. I asked the supervisor at this site at what point will patrons be asked to leave and he expressed that the non-compliance I am… more… | ||
Report from Central Records at the Hennepin County Sheriff’s OfficeOn July 6, I asked Lt. Lambertson if someone in maintenance could vacuum the records area once or twice a week. It took a day before they sent someone down to vacuum our area. Previously the Records area had not been vacuumed for weeks. (It was getting ridiculous.) On August 2, an e-mail was sent Lt. Lambertson asking for dividers in between our desk and common walkways around our desk. On August 13, Lambertson sent out a much-needed email explaining why everyone is required to wear a mask at all times in Hennepin County Buildings. In this email, he also addressed the… more… | ||
Service Center UpdateAs of 8/31/2020, some of the Service Centers ongoing requests have been the following:
During the Service Centers Meet and… more… | ||
Department of Community Corrections, ProbationThe Department of Corrections, Adult Field Services Dept. has started recalling OSIII’s back to work, on a rotational part-time basis. Since being recalled back to work, they have run into several issues in the office, such as equipment not working properly, no supervisory support to assist with these issues as they arise, being the lone worker in each location and thus having safety concerns or the inability to get adequate breaks. There was a case of COVID at one office, yet the OSIII in that office was never asked to quarantine themself or get tested for COVID. There are questions… more… | ||
Hennepin HealthWe still have two pending arbitrations for retaliatory suspensions against workers in the call center. We are fighting to get the County to remove the discipline and pay the workers for the time they missed from work. We are working remotely with nothing much to be concerned with. We got clarifying questions concerning the silent monitoring process. | ||
Open Union Positions
Newsletter Editor
We are looking for a new newsletter editor! The position comes with a $100 monthly stipend. Contact [email protected] if interested. See position description below
Responsible for all aspects of monthly newsletter production:
- Prepare a publication in a variety of formats, including print, email, and web. Familiarity or the ability to learn programs such as Microsoft Publisher (print), Action Network (email), and LaborHall (web).
- Coordinate print and electronic dissemination of newsletter with Council 5 staff, Local newsletter distributors, and Local Web Admin.
- Write, solicit, copy edit, and fact check, and proofread content.
- Find news and resources for AFSCME members from a variety of sources, including from the local labor movement, AFSCME International, AFSCME Council 5, and Hennepin County AFSCME Locals.
- Work with Local officers and activists in gathering information and creating content.
- Work with Local Web Admin on creating and updating website content. May provide support to Web Admin as needed.
- Admin and provide content for Local social media accounts (currently primarily Facebook).
Good and Welfare Coordinator
Good and Welfare Coordinator helps coordinate member requests for financial assistance up to $500 from the union.
