Ulster County Staff Employees Deserve a Contract

Greetings,

The Ulster County Staff Association is a Union that was established in May 2007 for management employees in Ulster County in response to the County untilaterally threatening to cut benefits. The Union is 44 experienced and dedicated members who ensure that the County is working for the benefit of all residents. The membership has now gone without a contract for 4 years and it is time that they get a fair contract.

The leadership in Ulster County has engaged in a negotiation policy of avoidance that has singled out the Staff Association. Almost all other Ulster County employees have a contract, which is both unfair and unacceptable. We need to tell Executive Hein to get back to the bargaining table and work with the Union to get the contract they deserve.

Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
County Executive Michael Hein

Below is the sample letter:

Subject: Ulster County Staff Employees Deserve Their Contract

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

I am writing to encourage you to settle negotiations with the Ulster County Staff Association. While almost all other county employees have the benefit of a union contract, it is unfair that members of the Staff Association are exluded from securing their own decent wages and benefits. It is unacceptable that the membership has remained without a contract for four years.
These hardworking employees ensure that Ulster County is working smoothly and for the benefit of all its citizens. From maintaining our roads to ensuring our health, the Staff Association members are vital to our community and it is disheartening to learn that you are preventing them from obtaining a union contract. Unions have proudly stood with you in the past and supported your bid for County Executive. I urge you to cooperate with the men and women of the UCSA and continue negotiations.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

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What's At Stake:

The Ulster County Staff Association is a Union that was established in May 2007 for management employees in Ulster County in response to the County untilaterally threatening to cut benefits. The Union is 44 experienced and dedicated members whose responsibilities are vital to ensuring the health and safety of Ulster County residents. These hardworking employees work throughout the Probation, Mental Health, Finance, Personnel, Highway and Bridges, Health, Building and Grounds, Environment, County Clerks and Social Services departments, which are all essential to the functioning of Ulster County.
The members have now gone without a contract for 4 years. The leadership in Ulster County has engaged in a negotiation policy of avoidance that has singled out the Staff Association. All other Ulster County employees have a contract, which is both unfair and unacceptable.
As a result of four years with no contract, some Staff Association members are earning less than the employees they supervise, who do have a union contract. Salary structures are arbitrary and Staff Association members are struggling to make their work environment fair. In July of this year, County Executive Michael Hein agreed to participate in the bargaining sessions for the purpose of reaching a contract with the members. In September, after two productive sessions, Hein cancelled all remaining sessions and withdrew the County from negotiations without scheduling new dates for bargaining.
County Executive Hein, by refusing to meet with the Staff Association, is refusing to bargain in good faith and is exhibiting poor judgment.
Ulster County Staff Association members are asking you to send a message to Executive Hein to urge him to get back to the bargaining table with the Union and to help them get the contract they deserve.

Campaign Expiration Date:
December 31, 2009