Notice is hereby being given that nominations & self-nominations are being accepted for the following Union Steward positions for Fire: Site steward, Fire Prevention. Site Steward, Fire Alarm Room. Chief Steward, Fire.

To be eligible for election a member must be in good standing in accordance with the AFSCME International Constitution. This means the member has been paying dues to Local 2960 for one year.

In accordance with the AFSCME Local 2960 Constitution the election for those nominated for Stewardship will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2011 in the Great Room at the Phoenix Fire Department, from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

If you would like to be on the ballot for Site Steward or Chief Steward, email Chris Radoian at cjradoian440@yahoo.com by November 30, 2011. After that date you would have to be a “write-in” on the ballot.

No proxy voting can be allowed, all voting must be done in person, with valid I.D.

Phoenix City Council – Mayor

Greg Stanton

Phoenix City Council – District 1

Thelda Williams

Phoenix City Council – District 2

Bryan Jeffries

Phoenix City Council – District 5

Daniel Valenzuela

Phoenix City Council – District 7

Michael Nowakowski

Phoenix City Election early voting has already started (as of August 3rd). Please remember to vote in the general election on August 30th. For more information, please contact AFSCME People at 602-252-6501.

“Over the past two legislative sessions, we have experienced an unprecedented onslaught of legislation targeting public employees, working families and the state’s most vulnerable citizens. Agency budgets have been slashed, employees have been laid off or issued mandatory furlough days and our wages have been cut. Additionally, the republican majorities in both houses of the legislature have consistently refused to consider bipartisan efforts to address the structural budget deficit to permanently reform our current tax structure. We must work to change the make up of the legislature. We must not allow the same failed policies of the past to continue and expect a better of different result in the future.”

“AFSCME members have an option. We can continue to work under the same failed policies and hope things will change for the better, or we can work to make our elected officials accountable by voting and supporting candidates that will support progressive policies.”

The AFSCME endorsed candidates for the general election on November 2nd are listed below.

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Please download the full AFSCME PEOPLE Voter’s guide for our recommendations for ballot propositions and state senate and house officials.

We also want to encourage discussion about the issues that these people represent. Do you have a story to tell, or a candidate that you feel should not be here? Tell us what you think by commenting on this page.

Legislative District 4
Senate: Sue Dolphin
House: Karina Guerrero

Legislative District 6
Senate: Pat Flickner

Legislative District 7
Senate: Eric Shelley

Legislative District 9
Senate:  Sherri Van Horsen
House:  Shirley Mcallister

Legislative District 10
Senate: Justin Johnson
House: Jackie Thrasher
House: Aaron Jahneke

Legislative District 11
Senate: Rita Dickenson
House: Eric Meyer

Legislative District 12
Senate: Tyler Kissell
House: Angela Cotera

Legislative District 13
Senate: Steve Gallardo
House: Anna Tovar
House: Richard Miranda

Legislative District 14
Senate: Robert Meza
House: Chad Campbell
House: Debbie McCune-Davis

Legislative District 15
Senate: Kyrsten Sinema
House: Lela Alston
House: Ken Clark

Legislative District 16
Senate: Leah Landrum Taylor
House: Cloves Campbell

Legislative District 17
Senate: David Schapira
House: Eddie Ableser
House: Ben Arredondo

Legislative District 18
House: Michael Conway

Legislative District 19
House: Katheryn Filbey

Legislative District 20
House: Rae Waters

Legislative District 21
House: Sharron Spane

Unless, that is, we hold them accountable. Our activism in politics is incredibly important.

As members of the Local 2960, we ask that you join us in voting for the candidates listed below in the upcoming primary election.

Our governing body, AFSCME International, a political action committee who tirelessly monitor and report on the pro-labor decisions that are made by our national and state legislators. It’s important to understand that the PEOPLE committee doesn’t endorce politicians on the basis of their red or blue affiliations. They examine each candidate on the basis of what they are doing to help protect right rights and jobs belonging to union members across the country.

Our message is simple. Through the ballot box, we can help elect candidates who stand for what matters to Local 2960 members:

• No more out-sourcing of jobs.
• Strong, pro-labor contracts
• Affordable heath care
• Retirement security
• No cuts to vital public services

The Local 2960 is proud to endorse the following candidates for office.

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We also want to encourage discussion about the issues that these people represent. Do you have a story to tell, or a candidate that you feel should not be here? Tell us what you think by commenting on this page.
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The final count was 85% in favor of the package and 15% opposed.

Approximately 40% of the 1008 registered union members showed up to cast their vote on Friday. It was easily the biggest turnout for a contract ratification that the Local has ever had.

The changes that were made will begin to take effect on July 1st, 2010, which is the start of the fiscal year for the City of Phoenix.

The concessions as they were listed in the ballot proposal will be incorporated into the new Memorandum of Understanding for 2010-2012. We will have a copy of that MOU for download on the website as soon as it is written and verified by the Executive Board and our Local staff members.

Our task was not easy this year. We were asked to risk people’s jobs, absorb lost benefits and take cuts in our paychecks. And yet, as I personally watched people having to wedge their ballots into the box toward the end of the day, I noticed a funny thing. People were still managing to smile. Handshakes and hugs were passed out freely. Our brothers and sisters within the union stood firm together.

This election has provided many stories of triumph and successes across all of our departments. In the upcoming weeks while we prepare the final version of the new MOU, I hope to share the ones that I overheard with you all within these pages.

I also know that there are still lots of questions out there. Our stewards are equipped with many of the answers, and the time to start getting organized for the upcoming changes is now.

Also, feel free to general questions here, but please make them constructive. (Negative comments will be deleted; the time for negotiation is officially over.) You are most likely not alone with some of your concerns. It is the mission of the Local 2960 to do the best we can in helping you find the answers.

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By unanimous vote, Natasha Nimmer was reelected to her position as Trustee.

The Trustee Board consists of Natasha Nimmer, Mark Long and Karen Poe. Together, they are responsible for conducting an audit of the financial records for the Local 2960 affiliate of the AFSCME union. Quoting from the union’s main web site,

“The Trustees are thereby charged with the responsibility to see that an audit of all the funds of the affiliate is performed, either by an independent auditor or the Trustees themselves. It is then their duty to report any findings to the membership and to the Executive Board.”

Of course, all three members of our Trustee Board contribute more than just  a yearly audit. Each is a respected union member in good standing for at least one year. They are stewards in their respective departments, handling the day to day negotiations that allow us to provide top notch levels of service to all of our Phoenix communities. They are outstanding outstanding leader, and their efforts are well appreciated.