News

AFSCME honors public safety professionals during National Law Enforcement Week

National Law Enforcement Week gives us an opportunity to recognize the sacrifices and contributions of America’s public safety professionals.

Make your plan to vote today

If there’s one thing the 2020 election has in spades, it’s choices – and not just the choices between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, Mike Pence and Kamala Harris, and choices up and down the ballot. In a year when our jobs, our families, and every aspect of our lives have felt the impact of a pandemic, there are lots of ways to make your voice heard at the polls. 

The Choice for Working People is Joe Biden

There are countless reasons against voting for Donald Trump in November. But this election isn’t just about Donald Trump. AFSCME President Lee Saunders explains why working people should cast their ballots for Joe Biden for president and Kamala Harris for vice president:

COVID -19 LEAVE OPTIONS

See leave chart for more information: https://hcconnect.hennepin.us/COVID19/employee-leave-chart.aspx

Questions: Email HR Service Center [email protected]  or call  612-348-7855 

Tips for Safer Working During COVID-19

Like a few other library workers, I have been working a reassignment for Hennepin County Public Health doing COVID-19 Case Investigation. This means that I call people who have tested positive for COVID-19 to make sure they have information about isolation and ask them questions about any potential exposures. I talk to a lot of people about their worksites, so I was asked to write something up that might be helpful for 2822 members working onsite. But before I get going on my list of things to do, my first piece of advice is for us all to be kind to ourselves.

Get tested for COVID-19- It’s free!

Email from Sue Hoel, Benefits Manager at Hennepin County

The coverage we have is no out-of-pocket cost for the test or related office visit, regardless if the provider doing the testing is in their network or not.

The three that I have heard are doing the most testing are HCMC, HealthPartners or M Health Fairview.

No Co-pays for Mental Health Services

We are in extremely difficult times and many of us are struggling with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. That’s why we are encouraging folks to take advantage of our mental health services provided through our health insurance. ALL MENTAL HEALTH CO-PAYS ARE FREE. Click here to sign into you preferred one account and find a mental health provider in your network. https://www.preferredone.com/hc/coverage-and-benefits/ If you have questions, call Preferred One Customer Service at 1-800-847-4477.

WE NEED JUNETEENTH AS A REAL PAID HOLIDAY

Over the past few months AFSCME unions at HC have been advocating for the addition of Juneteenth as a paid county holiday.

A Brief Discussion on Layoffs

With the disappointing budget news, more and more people are talking about layoffs. While every department is working to find ways besides layoffs to close holes in their budget, it’s possible that those efforts might not be enough. While no final decisions on layoffs have been approved yet, the subject is on everyone’s mind. I know it’s on mine. So, I wanted to review the contract and provide a brief summary of our contract rights when it comes to layoffs.

The contract gives us the following rights when it comes to layoffs: