What has MAPE done for me?
Stewards' News: What has MAPE done for me? August 2010 Vol. 3, No. 3
Submitted by Anonymous on September 1, 2010 - 3:49pm
August 2010 Vol. 3 No. 3
What has MAPE done for me? The answer is: we were there when you needed us.
The most obvious things that MAPE (your union) has done is to negotiate for all represented employees – terms and conditions of employment.
Unfortunately, the employer has many rights, which fall under management rights in the MAPE contract. When you actually read Article 5, it is all encompassing. It is the rest of the contract that modifies those rights. And when the employer violates the collective bargaining agreement, MAPE will challenge that through the grievance process.
There are many things that are not actual contract violations, so they are more than likely not grievances and might be better suited at a meet and confer meeting or at the bargaining table.
Someone might say, “That could never happen to me!” You can tell them about members who had those same thoughts and then, late one afternoon, the water pipes burst and they were sent home. After the fact, they were told that they had to use their own time to cover for the lost time. It was through the grievance process that MAPE secured payment by the employer for everyone.
Don’t forget to mention the MAPE member who had a step increase denied and, through the grievance process, MAPE was able to get that member his or her step increase that amounted to approximately $1,600.
Or tell them about the MAPE member who was fired. Through the grievance and arbitration process, MAPE proved that the employer had not met the burden of just cause and the arbitrator reinstated the employee with full backpay totaling just under $55,000.
No one knows if and when they will need the personal services from MAPE, such as representation during an investigation, a performance review appeal or to challenge discipline that was imposed upon them unjustly. If and when someone needs us, we are here.
– MAPE Business Agent Sheila Pokorny
Sign up for advanced steward training Dec. 1-2
Be a Steward. Train in 2010.
The second advanced,
two-day steward training course for 2010 will be taught Dec. 1 and 2 at the MAPE office in Shoreview.
Registrants for this advanced level course must verify participation in at least one grievance or one investigation.
To sign up for this advanced steward training course, please contact Cathy Smalec at csmalec@mape.org.
In the photo on the upper right, MAPE members discussed issues during basic steward training on Aug. 4 at the MAPE office in Shoreview.
MAPE wins reduced discipline for members in six cases
MAPE won the reduction of discipline in six cases.
In two cases, members received written reprimands. MAPE filed grievances in both cases. The employer agreed to remove the discipline from the member’s personnel file early in one case and, in the other, it had already been more than a year and the member could request that it be removed.
In two separate but similar cases, members were terminated from employment. MAPE filed a grievance in each case, alleging that the termination did not meet just cause. The employer agreed to change the terminations to resignations in both cases.
Finally, two MAPE members were suspended for one day in separate cases. MAPE filed grievances, alleging that each suspension was without just cause. The employer agreed to remove the discipline from the members’ personnel files early – one year in one case and 18 months in the other, if there is no further discipline. The contract calls for a suspension to remain in a member’s personnel file for three years.
Articles: 4, 8 and 28.
MAPE awarded backpay for suspension
MAPE won backpay of approximately $372 for a member who received a one-day suspension.
The member received a one-day suspension. MAPE filed a grievance, alleging that the discipline was without just cause. The employer agreed to pull the discipline from the member’s personnel file and pay for the one-day suspension (or approximately $372) in 18 months, if there is no further discipline.
Articles: 4 and 8.
MAPE wins backpay for member in vacation denial case
MAPE won backpay for a member who was denied two separate days of emergency vacation leave. The employer agreed to pay the member for two days of backpay or approximately $240.
The member requested vacation leave for two separate days. The vacation request was denied.
MAPE filed a grievance, alleging unjust denial of vacation leave. MAPE asked that the vacation be awarded and that the employer recognize the practice of short-notice vacation requests. The employer agreed to pay the member for two days of backpay or approximately $240.
Articles: 4, 10 and 28.
MAPE leadership fans out across state to answer members’ questions
At local meetings all across the state, MAPE Statewide President Chet Jorgenson and Executive Director Jim Monroe are discussing the important issues facing MAPE members and Minnesotans.
Members have asked many questions and been active in the discussions. The threat posed to members’ jobs by the massive state budget crisis has been an issue of concern.
MAPE members are encouraged to review MAPE’s endorsed candidates on TeamMAPE.org and to support labor friendly candidates in this fall’s election (Nov. 2) for all constitutional offices and the Minnesota Legislature. With the state facing an approximate $7 billion state budget deficit for the next fiscal year, there isn’t a silver-bullet answer to fill the massive hole. Listen to the candidates and see which ones want to preserve the vital services provided by MAPE members and those who would rather turn state government into a shell of what it is now.
On Aug. 19, Monroe spoke to members in Duluth and on the Iron Range. Members packed the room in Duluth to ask questions and join the discussion about the election cycle, the early retirement incentive and government outsourcing. After an interview with FOX 21 TV, Monroe thanked everyone for their hard work thus far in this election cycle.
Jorgenson and Monroe traveled to Willmar on Aug. 5 to engage members in person and via iTV. At Ridgewater College in Willmar, and via iTV at Hutchinson and Marshall, Local 1801 members listened to the issues that will impact our union. Jorgenson and Monroe also congratulated Local 1801 member Sharon Bakker for being named the state’s top employment counselor.
Monroe traveled to southern Minnesota to meet with members in Mankato and St. Peter. On July 28, Monroe met with members of the media and Local 1902 members at a picnic in Mankato. KEYC-TV and the Mankato Free Press interviewed Monroe, and attended the picnic.
On July 27, Monroe met with Local 1901 members in St. Peter. Members’ questions highlighted the fact that our members are deeply concerned about our state and the quality of life created by the vital services provided by MAPE members. On July 20, Monroe met with MAPE members in Brainerd and Bemidji. He spoke with Lakeland News-TV, the Bemidji Pioneer and the Brainerd Daily Dispatch.
On July 16 in St. Paul, Jorgenson spoke to members about getting active in the political process with Team MAPE. He also stressed the importance of MAPE members helping our Elect Your Boss Campaign.
Stewards’ News
Stewards’ News is published for the stewards of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE), 3460 Lexington Ave. N, Suite 300, Shoreview, MN 55126; Web site (www.mape.org); phone, 651-287-8767 or 800-652-9721 (ext., 1767). If you have comments or questions, contact Communications Director Murray Cody (mcody@mape.org).
