Members of AFSCME Local 2428,

Welcome to the first edition of “AFSCME 2428’s President’s Summary of Things Going On”!

Over the past month your Executive Board has received feedback that there is a lack of transparency. The amount of reporting that we have been doing hasn’t changed in years, though our Executive Board has and our membership has. So, it would make sense that the needs of the membership for information would be different. Which leads us to this the very first installation of a new bi-weekly “AFSCME 2428’s President’s Summary of Things Going On”. The title is a work in progress, but I think it gets the point across. 

Topics covered:

1. Temps and Seasonal TA: Passed!
2. Telework Update and Call to Action!
3. Q&A with William 
4. Volunteers needed to help pass AB339 to stop union labor being contracted out.

1. Today the Board of Directors voted to accept the Temporary Agreement for Temps and Seasonals! Thank you to everyone that participated in the survey, the meetings, the negotiating and the election process. The next phase will be the implementation. Though our membership passed the Temporary Agreement with a plurality (over 60%), many of you have spoken to us about concerns going forward. The implementation, just like the bargaining, is not done in a vacuum by AFSCME 2428--remember that we are working with Management, in good faith. We are ensuring that everyone’s voice is being heard by having members of the Interpretive and Recreation Department involved in the meetings. The first meeting has concluded and we are continuing to field and respond to questions, and sharing them with District Management.

Though we may have cast different ballots, we are all on the same team. That is to say that differing view points should be listened to and respected, even when there is disagreement, and it must be assumed that all parties have the same goal in mind--dignity for the worker and an excellent experience for those that visit our parks and partake in our programs. 

2. As discussed at August’s membership meeting, the PERB Board ruled on Management’s appeal regarding the unfair labor practice charge in AFSCME’s favor again. Management responded by appealing the ruling for a second time, which is their right. This is the last time that the decision can be appealed.

The Executive Board has been meeting with members of the Board of Directors over the past several weeks and continues to do so. We thank you all for your patience as we worked through this process. Though slow and tedious we felt, and still feel, that taking a measured approach, was and is appropriate. We also hear the desire for more action.

Atalie and Alex have stepped up to organize folks to speak at the next Board meeting. Here is copy of Alex’s post on Base Camp:

“Alex and I volunteered to organize Union membership to speak at an upcoming Board meeting regarding telework.

The tentative plan was attend tomorrow’s Board meeting (Tuesday, August 19). We recommend postponing to Tuesday, September 16th because it provides time to:

• Hone our request of the Board  
• Identify and prepare speakers with distinct – but unified – messaging
• Maximize attendance for Members who are not active at meetings or on Basecamp 

We will refine our strategy this week and provide another update via Basecamp by August 25.  

If you would like to speak or can help organize members to attend, please contact Alex awcasb@gmail.com and I ataliebrown0@gmail.com ”

Thank you to Alex and Atalie for volunteering.

This isn’t solely for people directly affected by current telework situation. We need people who work in the field as well, so that we can show a united front. On Thursday at 7pm I will be speaking with Alex and Atalie over Zoom to work out some details. If we get more than ten volunteers to speak we will stagger and have a group speak at the Board meeting at the start of September.

3. On Thursday the 28th, from 7:15 to 8:30, I’d like to make myself available to meet on Zoom and talk. Our union is big, and there is a lot going on all the time, and our Executive Board is less than a dozen people. I wanted to put this time aside to listen to anyone who has items they want to discuss or questions they want to ask that they feel don’t meet the threshold for bringing up at a membership meeting.

Also, I will have my copy of the MOU handy and some neat facts about how unions work, the history of unions, and why I think they are important. If this interests anyone, please send me an e-mail and I’ll send you a Zoom link. 

This wouldn’t be an official meeting--there will not be motions, or anything of the sort. It is just another way of us trying to increase transparency and give a chance for membership to ask questions, share stories, etc.

4. Do you live in Senator Grayson's District? https://sd09.senate.ca.gov/sites/sd09.senate.ca.gov/files/map/sd09.html

AFSCME has been working with Assembly member Liz Ortega to protect unionized work places by passing AB339 through the State Senate. This bill would make it required that agencies give at least a 90 days notice to bargaining units to allow for the meet and confer process prior to contracting out work. 

We have seen a massive increase in contracting out of our work at AFSCME 2428 and across the public sector. By relying on a minimum staffing model and leaving vacancies unfilled, public agencies have managed to slowly erode the power of unions to help get people into the middle class and keep them there. Your Chief Steward and I went to Sacramento last month to lobby in favor of this bill and we will continue to lobby on its behalf.

Here at the District, despite current contract language, several grievances, a settlement agreement and existing legislation, we have continued to be told by management that no bargaining unit work is being contracted out. Since our settlement agreement in May 2024 requiring notice for any maintenance work, we have not received a single notice. This legislation would strengthen the requirement, require earlier noticing to allow for more fruitful discussions and collaboration on how to address minimum staffing models and  AFSCME California is organizing an effort to reach out to State Senators and I’m looking for three volunteers to reach out with me. 

Please e-mail me at President@afscme2428.org and we will work with our contacts at AFSCME California to set up a time to do so.

In solidarity,

William Hough & your Executive Board

President of AFSCME 2428