Over the past few months AFSCME unions at HC have been advocating for the addition of Juneteenth as a paid county holiday.
On August 11th Commissioners Callison, Goetell, Johnson, and Opat voted to eliminate Christmas Eve as a guaranteed holiday and turn it into a floating holiday that people could use on Juneteenth or “anytime for a birthday or other meaningful day.” Commissioners Conley, Fernando and Greene voted against the motion. https://www.startribune.com/hennepin-county-board-designates-juneteenth-...
This misleading message was sent to staff the day the Board voted:
The board designated Juneteenth (June 19) as a county holiday (leave day with pay) for employees to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. County offices will remain open consistent with normal scheduling.
The Board actions would require a change to our union contract. We are not interested for the following reasons:
- Juneteenth should be its OWN special day where county offices close, not swapped out for another day.
- Most workers will lose a guaranteed day off or double time/comp time for Christmas Eve.
WHAT WE WANT:
- Make Juneteenth a paid holiday where offices close AND
- Allows workers to work on closed holidays such as Christmas Eve and Christmas and bank these hours to use as they choose.