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ATTENTION ALL F.I.S. WORKERS |
The Union was informed at the August labor/management meeting that DHS is again hiring FIS workers. We previously understood this classification would be frozen and there would not be any more FIS workers hired. But things have changed.
First of all, it is not very many FIS that were hired. From what we were told it was just a few, so far. But current and former FIS workers need to know what this means and how this affects them.
There are currently 1010 people in the FIS classification across the state in DHS. Of these, 636 work in “true” FIS positions, such as Case Manager or FRC. That leaves 374 working as non-case managers. These are the so called “frozen FIS” whose pay is protected, but when they vacate their position for whatever reason, the position can be reclassified as an ES position.
In some counties, there are no frozen FIS workers left, so these are the places that management has been hiring FIS workers. Our contract requires that management must go to the Recall and Transfer lists before hiring anyone as a promotion to a FIS position. This means that any FIS who wants to transfer should put their name on the transfer list for any county or district they maybe interested in. (Remember the Transfer List expires September 30th of every year, so you will need to put your name on the transfer list now for the next fiscal year.)
For any former FIS worker who went on medical layoff or for any other reason were on the Recall List and took a demotion to ES or other classifications: You need to make sure you are still on the Recall List for FIS. According to management, there have been 26 FIS workers that have gone on Medical Layoff.
People need to check for postings, including on Neogov, to see if there are openings they should be getting recalled to.
If you are a non-case manager FIS, you can transfer to a FIS in another district or county as long as you are going to a “true” FIS position.
In regards to promoting into FIS: Since management is saying there are “limited vacancies” in this classification, and they first have to go to Transfer and Recalls lists, there may be few promotional positions available. But even if that is the case, if someone is interested in promoting into FIS you need to make sure your name is on the promotional list.
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State Senator McManus Introduces "Right-To-Work" Legislation |
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Senate Bill No. 1466 and 1467 were introduced by Senator Michelle McManus and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Tourism on August 24, 2010. This is “right – to – work” legislation. The bills are a way for people to reduce your pay and weaken your family’s health insurance. The bills would also take away your dignity at work and funnel more money and power to corporate leaders. The truth is “right – to- work” is really ‘right- to- be fired” or right – to – work for less”. When you set up a system that allows people to skip paying dues, it means some people get the benefits of collective bargaining without paying. Over time, fewer people choose to pay dues and unions lose members and become financially ruined. This in turn weakens the labor movement’s political strength because they cannot mobilize members and support union- oriented politicians and projects.
If you have doubts about the rights and protection you have in Michigan, travel to the “right –to- work” states (many southern states and western states) or review census information about income levels. Check out their pay and benefits, not to mention workplace rights they do not enjoy. Powerful interest groups plot to weaken our spirits and execute their influence; Michigan already has billions of dollars in private personal service contracts that have little oversight. Senator McManus and some other politicians do not want unions to hold them accountable for policy that hurts working people. Call your own State Representative and State Senator; tell them not to support SB 1466 and 1467. For contact information go to the Legislative Information tab on the left side of this web page. |
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Michigan primary elections are over and the nominees are preparing for November. Politicians return their attention to the budget. All department budget bills for fiscal year 2010-11 have passed both the House and the Senate but the versions passed are not the same. This means they will be headed for conference committees and leaders from the House and Senate will attempt to reconcile the bills so Governor Granholm can sign them into law. It will be difficult to reconcile the bills and sign them into law because the House is projected to be five hundred million dollars over budget and the Senate version relies on massive cuts to programs. Michigan is also waiting to see the amount of the federal Medicaid matching funds available next year.
State employees continue to wait regarding SB 1226, which is the state employee retirement plan. Because of the shake up during the primaries some of the political dynamics may have changed but legislative leaders continue to say state reforms must occur to balance the budget.
If a different political party takes power redistricting will occur and this will drastically reshape the political landscape. State employees must stay on top changes at the Capitol and be able to respond quickly.
For more information attend UAW Local 6000 district meetings around the state. You can find scheduling information by calling the Hot Line at 1-800-321-0829 or on the website calendar. |
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Attention All MDOC Members |
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The Department lifted its hold on updating Bump
Preference Forms (BPF). Everyone should review their BPF to ensure it
accurately reflects their choices as they cannot be updated once the
Department provides the Union notice of a Reduction In Force.
If you have any questions regarding the BPF, please contact your Steward or
Union Local Representative. If you don't know who your Representatives are then
call Local 6000 at 1-800-243-1985. You should also check the website,
www.uawlocal6000.org and/or call the Hotline at 1-800-321-0829. |
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Bob King Fires Up Local 6000 Stewards |
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On July 19, 2010 UAW Local 6000 was packed with Stewards from around Michigan.  The training covered the principles and techniques of organizing worksites and Labor/Management. The morning session lead by Local Representatives Celia Ontiveros and Jim Walkowicz. Stewards had the opportunity to meet their brothers and sisters from different departments and locations in Michigan. Local 6000 President Ed Mitchell presided over the event and made the day possible with his steady leadership.
After the official training was completed the room was brought to their feet by International UAW President Bob King. The President passionately talked about UAW members who took action three generations ago so all Americans could have dignity at work. President King also talked about how the labor fight has now gone global. All over the planet the struggle for basic human rights continues. President King talked about the new UAW Gimme FIVE program, which is designed to help members build power and win justice. State employees unfortunately know all about injustice as our wages and benefits have been slashed. The hard work of the past is starting to evaporate as public employees become discouraged, overworked, and undervalued. President King stated the answer is to take power back by organizing workers, overturning anti-worker labor laws and to pass the Employee Free choice Act.
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The Power of Becoming Active |
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There is power in becoming an active member of our Local. The power is in the ability to use resource available to us such as the freedom of speech, power of the pen, the right to gather publicly and present opposing views without being jailed. Recently, members of Local 6000 have utilized all those powers in writing our legislators in regards to stopping legislation that would be harmful to issues concerning retirement and benefits. Members have also used their power to speak by making appointments with their legislator and to testify at House and Senate Hearings. We have also gathered and held rallies in response to attacks on our retirement benefits, health care, public safety issues, and Wall Street’s attack on Main Street. In the past few months public employees have demonstrated we will no longer sit idly by while corporate America or politicians take what we have worked long and hard to obtain. We will gather where we need to apply pressure, speak up when we are attacked, and oppose legislation that threatens to unravel our futures.
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UAW Delegates Elect A New President |
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As the most democratic Union in the world the UAW elected Bob King as their new International  President. President King has been a long time acquaintance and help to our Local and a strong Unionist. Local 6000 send their best wishes and welcome our new International President.
President King in a roll call vote received the required two-thirds votes for the Presidency although the count was nearly unanimous. |
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