This morning the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of Mark Janus in the lawsuit he filed against his AFSCME union.  The court sided with Janus in stating that it is not consistent with the first amendment to force employees to pay agency fees if they choose not to be a member of the union.  The opinion of the court is essentially that public-sector unions effectively argue government policy every time wages, hours, working conditions, pensions, healthcare and other benefits are negotiated, and union members were being compelled to support such policies - even if they did not agree with the

A&R welcomes Fiscal Administrative Managers, Healthcare Advocate Program Managers, and DMV Hub Branch Managers into our union.

A&R is pleased to announce that the above groups of employees sought for and won recognition at the State Labor Board to become members of our union.  We welcome them as our newest A&R members.   These newly recognized union members include most (thought not all) Fiscal Adminstrative Managers, all Healthcare Advocate Program Managers, and all DMV Hub Branch Managers.  In total, these groups represent approximately 50 state employees who were not unionized, but who, through their own efforts, sought the right to join a union.   They fought for and won union membership in order to secure a seat at the collecitve bargaining table and to be treated with dignity and respect in the workplace.  

STRONGER TOGETHER

Pictured above are some of A&Rs newest members from DMV.  Common themes for why these working people fought for and won the right to unionize include: Equality, Unity, Teamwork, Job Security, Fair Wages, and to be treated with Dignity and Respect.

Furloughs
Today is the last paycheck to include a deduction for furlough days...you have paid for them, so please make sure you take all 3 furlough days by June 30^th.

A&R Summer Picnic at La Bella Vista
The deadline to purchase tickets has been extended until noon of Friday June 29^th.  The cost is $15 and the picnic is on Friday July 6^th.   Remember, A&R members have a contract provision which allows for a half-day to attend an agency or union summer picnic; this is one of those opportunities to use that time.  We will soon finalize details for our late-summer picnic at Maneeley's for those who can't attend the picnic at La Bella Vista July 6^th.

New Contract
The contract has been finalized and will soon be printed.  The full contract can be found on our website under: Membership | Contract

It took some time, but we have finalized the A&R contract document which was ratified last summer and it is ready for printing. 

• To view the entire contract in electronic form click here
• Or find it on our website under Membership | Contract
• We will have bound paper copies as soon as we can get this off to the printers.

Clarification on a couple of issues related to the $1000/$2000 one-time Lump Sum Payment which is to be received in the July 20 paycheck:

IF RETIRING AT THE END OF JUNE:

• We have confirmed with OLR that members retiring June 30/July 1 are eligible for the Lump Sum Payment
• The payment will be paid in the July 20 check

TAXES AND THE LUMP SUM PAYMENT:

• The one-time Lump Sum Payment is a taxable event (on the Federal level, it is taxed as a "bonus", usually 25%).
• The Federal Income Tax Withholdings can be adjusted by changing your W-4 for the payperiod (and you would need to submit a follow-up W-4 to

Furlough Days

• Furlough days must be taken prior to July 1^st 2018
• Furlough time is like PL time - use it or lose it...please don't call on July 2 saying you forgot to use your furlough day...you paid for them, take them.
• Payroll deductions for furloughs will cease effective paycheck 6/22/18 (the pension pay back will also cease effective paycheck 6/22/18).

One Time Cash Payments

• All members are to receive either $1000 (if at top step) or $2000.  The lump sum will be pro-rated for part-timers
• OLR has made it clear that those retiring on June 30, 2018 will qualify for the payment. 

Contract Book

• The