|
Yesterday at the City Council Meeting council members rejected a resolution put forth by Mayor Jean Stothert to contract out pot hole repairs. Local 251 was present at the meeting to voice their concerns on behalf of the membership. Kelcy Johnson, Vice President of Local 251, spoke talking about how we understand that our workers are overworked and the department was stretched thin. We want to address the real reasons of why this proposal was even needed. You can click here to read exactly what Kelcy said to City Council. Tony Burkhalter, President of Local 251, also spoke on behalf of the membership and addressed questions from City Council members. Tony pointed out to City Council that in the past we have utilized other departments to help with the pot holes in emergency situations. Tony also spoke on how this was not an actual cost savings for The City of Omaha. Austin Rower admitted that City employees would lose out on their overtime if this resolution would pass. They would have been spending over 1,000 per hour for the contractors when our people are here, ready and willing to do the job. Omaha World Herald interviewed our President after and you can find the article here . Local 251 knew that if this resolution would pass this would be the start of City workers losing their jobs to contractors, and the city not filling those jobs that are currently vacant. Local 251 feels the City of Omaha needs to be addressing the issue of why people are leaving the City of Omaha Street Maintenance Department at a unsustainable rate, not just a temporary fix to this problem by bringing in contractors to do our jobs.
0 Comments
Local 251 has sent a Cease and Desist Letter to Public Works Director Bob Stubbe and all members of City Council. In the letter we inform Director Stubbe and The City Council that the City has mad a unilateral decision, with no input from the Union, to subcontract the repair of “potholes” which is Local 251’s bargaining unit work. The City of Omaha tired to make a unilateral decision to subcontract bargaining unit work. The City of Omaha has a duty to bargain with Local 251 representatives about the impact and effect of its decision to subcontract any of the bargaining unit work. The City of Omaha has been requested to cease and desist from any subcontracting of Local 251’s bargaining unit work, and further, Local 251 has requested to bargain over the impact and effects of the City’s decision to subcontract any of Local 251’s bargaining unit work. If the City of Omaha does not comply we will have no other option but to proceed with filing a prohibited practice with the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations.
All employees in the Public Works Department need to take a stand. The City of Omaha has introduced agenda item #41 for approval by the City Council on January 29th . This contract will allow for the City to utilize private contractors for the repairing of potholes. This is a direct attack on the jobs that we have fought for over the years. One of the essential functions of the AEOI, AEOII & AEOIII positions is to repair the City of Omaha streets. I need each and every individual who values their livelihood to contact your city council member and make your complaint heard. What we need to be heard is: If the City of Omaha values and cares about the employees, then how can you approve a bid that will open the door to giving away our jobs. The repairs of the street can be resolved if management would stop closing out work orders that are repaired with a temporary patch (UPM) and retain the open work order designating a followup to be completed when the asphalt plant is open. It can then be repaired with hot asphalt, which would reduce the number of recurring potholes in the future. If you don’t know who your city councilman is, please visit the link https://citycouncil.cityofomaha.org which will allow you to use a map and find your representative. Remember they work for THE PEOPLE AND WE ARE THE PEOPLE!
Agenda Item #41. Must be stopped. I would like for our members to attend the City Council Meeting on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. in the Legislative Chambers, 1819 Farnam Street, Omaha, Ne 68183 I cannot stress this enough, everyone must call their councilman and voice this complaint. 1. District 1. Pete Festersen 402 444-5527 email address [email protected] 2. District 2. Ben Gray 402 444-5524 [email protected] 3. District 3. Chris Jerram 402 444-5525 [email protected] 4. District 4. Vinny Palermo 402 444-5522 [email protected] 5. District 5. Rich Pahls 402 444-5528 [email protected] 6. District 6. Brinker Harding 402 444-5523 [email protected] 7. District 7. Aimee Melton 402 444-5526 [email protected] BY AFSCME STAFF JANUARY 18, 2019 EXPLORE THE ISSUES JANUS V. AFSCME LABOR MOVEMENT
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its annual data on union membership today, and it affirmed that workers remain steadfast in their desire to stick with their union and join together for a better life. The data show membership in public sector unions remains steady, which, taken in the context of last summer’s Janus decision, represents a victory for the labor movement and a setback for anti-worker special interests. In a joint statement issued today with three other public service unions – the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the National Education Association (NEA) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) – AFSCME President Lee Saunders said: “Momentum is on our side. Public support for unions is at its highest level in 15 years, and elected officials nationwide are embracing unionism as the key to unrigging an economy that overwhelmingly favors the privileged and powerful over working families. Our challenge now is to make it easier for working people to join unions—the one way for workers to get the dignity and respect they deserve.” As workers across the country are taking action to demand greater respect, this recent news offers further proof that the people who keep our communities running won’t be silenced anytime soon. ACTION NEEDED!Mayor Jean Stothert is asking City Council to approve RES 2019-81, approval of three contractors to be hired to provide equipment and repair potholes around the city. They would be hired on a “as needed basis”. The Public Works Department is asking for $450,000 dollars for these contract workers. A public hearing for this resolution is scheduled for Tuesday January 29 at 2:00 pm. Local 251 will be present to oppose this action put forward by Mayor Jean Stothert and Bob Stubbe. We are asking for any members to join us on Tuesday in opposition of this resolution. You can find the copy of the resolution here. If you have any questions contact our office. We must stand together and oppose this resolution.
Paragraph. Haz clic aquí para editar. |
AuthorLOCAL 251 Archives
November 2021
Categories |
RSS Feed
