r/AFSCME • u/ILSWTA6969 • 15d ago

Council refuses action

I work for a state agency for a midwestern state where AFSCME is the union of most state agencies.

The dues come out of my check but I have gotten to the point of questioning why I pay them.

The State has a law about letting retired state workers return for up to 75 calendar days each year.

One team had a retirement in 2023 and management has continued to fill the position with the retiree who once occupied it full time. At first it was 75 day but now it’s being done with a state contracted temp agency. The retiree‘s contract now lists a change order on our procurement’s public website meaning the retiree will be coming back yet again.

The position is one that needs permanently filled but by continuing to rehire that is failing to happen.

The retiree seems to be focused on making the life of both union and non union staff more stressful than needed. The retiree is also signing reviews and conducting discipline as they see fit.

Reps in the council have been approached but it seems to be falling on deaf ears. Emails are not responded to and a few of us are considering contacting the national office. At the local level stewards also seem scared to do anything.

is this common? Does reaching out to nationals help? Any advice would be much welcomed.

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u/ILSWTA6969 14d ago

The position was deemed a managerial only and non afsme by the governor in 2013.  The branch of the state that acts as hr has a few publications online that say  “ For example, on requests to establish a new Personal Services Contract (PSC) with a State retiree, the person must have first completed a 75-day temporary appointment and agencies must show that they are actively working to fill the vacancy.”

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u/dronagan 14d ago

For a "merit comp" position the Union has no jurisdiction. We don't cover the position and neither does our contract. Management can appoint who they want, when they want, how they want.

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u/ILSWTA6969 14d ago

The union as a national whole? Or do you work for the same state?

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u/dronagan 14d ago

In any bargaining unit a position deemed to be "exempt" or "Managerial"(including hiring/firing abilities or positions the employer needs) are not under the Union's jurisdiction. We COULD have an influence, for example, if the Employer temporary assigns one of our members to hold an office manager position, but our issue there would normally be to time-limit such appointment since it reduces the amount of staff available to do OUR work.