The Midwest United bargaining team at the City of Waukesha reached a Tentative Agreement with management on Wednesday March 17th. 

Bargaining was productive, and Midwest United members at the City of Waukesha will see multiple gains in their collective bargaining agreement, pending ratification.

The ratification vote is being scheduled.  Updates will be posted, when the time, date and location of the vote is determined.

Midwest United members at Northwestern Mutual voted to accept the Tentative Agreement reached during the pay and benefits negotiations.

Two officers of OPEIU Midwest United were recently recognized for their leadership roles.

Brian Reid, Midwest United Executive Board member, Business Agent, and Trustee was elected and sworn in as a member of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council's Executive Board during the December meeting of the Council. 

"I'm very excited about the opportunity to help shape the agenda of working people of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Washington counties.", said Reid.  "The MALC plays an important role in the region's labor community and I'm proud to be associated with the Council."

The Milwaukee Area Labor Council takes a leading role in charities, legislative work, politics and social action.  To learn more about the MALC, visit their website.

Christian Hainds, Midwest United Chairperson, Council Coordinator, Business Agent and Executive Board member, was recently appointed as one of two OPEIU International representatives on the AFL-CIO Youth Initiative Committee.

"Developing and building union consciousness among young workers is important work, and will help to sustain our movement amongst those people who will enter our ranks in the coming generations.", said Hainds.  "I am highly honored by this appointment, and will work diligently to make the outcome of this committee's labor a success."

The Youth Initiative Committee was commissioned by President Rich Trumka and is headed by Secretary Treasurer Liz Shuler.  The Committee is charged with re-shaping the way the the AFL-CIO approaches young workers, particularly those in the 18-35 demographic.  To learn more about the AFL-CIO Youth Initiative, read a recent press release.

Our bargaining team and City management met for individual bargaining on Monday.  The negotiations were highly productive, and we have tentative agreements on many of our proposals.  There is one outstanding issue, which we meet to discuss again next Wednesday, March 17th.  We fully expect to come to an agreement at that time. 

We are very pleased with what we have agreed to thus far, and believe that all members at the City of Waukesha will benefit from this round of negotiations.

Date:       Monday, March 15
Time:       2:00-7:30pm
Location: Scottish Rite
                 Dining Room
                 790 N. Van Buren St.
                 Milwaukee, WI 53202

In an extended side-bar discussion today, significant progress was made regarding the Company's health care proposal. Health care occupied the entirety of the discussion.  We feel that the Company heard our Union's concerns, and countered with an offer which addresses the needs of our members.  In a spirit of cooperation, our Union and Company are trying to address the rising costs of health care in a manner which minimally impacts our members. 

We will be meeting again on Monday at 1:00pm, at which time, we will discuss health care further, in addition to wages and the remainder of both the Company and the Union's proposals.

Our Union's bargaining team met with management again this morning.  To this date, we have reached two Tentative Agreements. 

The first adds language into our Union contract firming up the current practice for out of pattern increases. 

The second T.A. expands funeral leave coverage for step-brothers, step-sister, in addition to same-sex domestic partners' parents, children, brothers, sisters, step-brothers and step-sisters.

Our Union and the Company are still trying to reach agreement on wages and healthcare.

This morning progress, we believe, was made in discussing the company's health care proposal.  Our Union's committee meets with the company again on Thursday where we will work on getting agreements on oustanding items.

Congratulations to the New Officers of Local 39: 

President:Kathryn Bartlett-Mulvihill
Recording Secretary:Kelli Harrington
Trustees:Nancy Dietzman-Mills, David Engelstad & Paul Ledin

Other Officers:Amy Domaszek, Debi Eveland & Lisa Venske
 

Click on "read more" below to learn how you can help.

The new Spark is available on our website in the "Newsletters" section.

The Milwaukee office of OPEIU Midwest United Local 2009 has changed it's phone and fax service.  Unreliable internet connections and problematic customer service led the office to look for a new company.  Due to the office location, the new company was not able to utilize our existing numbers.  We will keep the main line in operation for a month as to acclimate members to the new phone numbers, and make this transition as smooth as possible.

Milwaukee Office New Main Telephone Line - (414) 455-3180

Milwaukee Office New Fax Line - (414) 455-8195

As was promised, Midwest United has added new on-line features to make understanding and applying for your Union-provided benefits easier and more efficient.  Visit our Membership Benefits page to learn how to apply for and use the benefits. 

What Will I Find?

- On-Line, searchable  copy of your benefits Reference Guide.
- On-Line Benefit Certificates
- On-Line Benefit Application Forms
- On-Line Registration Forms
- Links to applicable websites, inlcuding Perks Card and Careington Card sites.
- Instructions on how to use your benefits.

All members in our Chicago, Madison and Milwaukee offices should have, by now, recieved a packet in the mail explaining all of your Union benefits with a copy of your Benefits Reference Guide.  If you have not recieved your copy, our Union probably does not have an updated address for you.

As we have now expanded our benefits program to all members of Midwest United Local 2009, we have recently set up our new Benefits Department to deal with the administration of these benefits, and the many questions which you will have.

Please direct all questions regarding the Union's Benefits Program to our new Benefits Department, located in our Madison office. 

The contact information for our Benefits Coordinator is as follows:

                   Marci Watrud - Benefits Coordinator
                   Phone: 608-257-4734
                   Email: mwatrud@opeiu2009.org

On Tuesday September 8th and Wednesday September 9th, workers at a Dunkin' Donuts bakery in Elgin, IL voted by approximately 70% to join OPEIU Midwest United Local 2009.

After having suffered austere wage cuts, having not received any increases in years, working for an employer who routinely refused to pay out workers compensation claims, and seeing a number of their coworkers fired for calling OSHA to report health hazards in the bakery, these workers decided to stand up, join Midwest United, and start to reclaim all that they have lost in previous years.

The Dunkin' Donuts bakery, owned by Villa Park Combo, Inc., supplies all baked goods for approximately 35 Dunkin' Donuts stores located throughout Chicago's Western Suburbs.  Despite an increase in production of over 30% last year, the cuts continued.

These workers understand that the best way to protect themselves against employer abuses is by standing united and forming a Union.  They know that having a Union is the only way they are guaranteed to have a voice on the job, and gain the dignity and respect that they deserve.

If you are interested in forming a Union, please contact Midwest United's organizing department at 262-790-0350.

To view photos from the campaign, click here.