Public Employee Department

LIUNA Public Employee members work in all levels of government supporting our communities, healing the sick and protecting our country.

Highlights:

• Local 1310 Ruled Exclusive Representative of the Lancaster County Row Offices
• Lobby Week for Public Employee Department
• Public Employee Coordinating Committee Meets in DC
• Public Employee Conference
• Joe Virgilio Award Recipient - Bob Purcell!

Local 1310 Ruled Exclusive Representative of Lancaster County Row Offices

On January 18, 2013, employees of the Lancaster County Row Offices voted to join LiUNA Local 1310. There were 133 ballots cast at the election with 87 ballots in favor of LiUNA representation and 45 against representation – a 2-1 margin in favor of joining LiUNA. On January 29, 2013, the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board certified LiUNA Local 1310 to be the Exclusive Representative of the Lancaster County Row Office. Local 1310 now represents employees in the Sheriff’s office, District Attorney’s office, Clerk of Courts office, Prothonotary’s office, Register of Will’s, Public Defender’s office and Coroner’s office.
Chuck Clarke, Field Representative for Local 1310, has been working diligently for the past three years to organize the employees at the Lancaster County Row Office. Chuck and the Union were able to capitalize on the declining economy along with the unfair treatment of workers due to the lack of union representation. According to Brother Clarke, “we received very strong support from the Sheriff's Deputies. We had key leaders emerge from that Department which helped us carry the day!”
(L to R) - Chuck Clarke, Organizer Local 1310 Eastern PA;and new members Ryan Hartranft; Melissa Heim; Corporal Chris Riggs; David Cole; Darrin Martin; and Aida Vargas

© Office of Senator Tom Udall

Lobby Week for Public Employee Department

This year, the LIUNA Public Employee Department (PED) had its largest Lobby Week ever for our Federal employees. Forty-eight members from twelve states attended, representing Local Union 2097, 572, 792, 29F, 1029, 117, 1636, 1050, 1707, 1708, 2132, 2163 and 1671. Training took place at LIUNA Headquarters on Tuesday, March 19, where LIUNA members heard from staff from the Legislative and Political Departments, as well as the PED, and also had a presentation from the General Counsel of the FLRA. On Wednesday, March 20, LIUNA members went to Capitol Hill to lobby against sequestration, and especially furloughs for federal workers. LIUNA members visited 51 Congressional offices to share their personal stories of how sequestration will harm them, their families, and their communities. LIUNA honored Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) and Local 1636 member Jessey Baca for their work on the Burn Pits law.

Public Employee Coordinating Committee Meets in DC

The Public Employee Department’s Coordinating Committee met in Washington, DC at LIUNA Headquarters in January to discuss strategic communications, organizing and representation for public sector members. The Committee is comprised of two individuals from each Region and the PED welcomes five new members. Row 1 (left to right) - Larry Doggette (Mid-Atlantic), Richard Beetle (Northwest), Bill Keeton (PED), Frank Curiel (Ohio Valley and Southern States), Sheila Littleton (Eastern), Rodney Masterson (Midwest), Danielle LeClair (PED), Dennis Lamczik (LIUNA Organizing Department) Row 2 (left to right) - Steven Switzer (Pacific Southwest), Ben Banchs (Federal Sector), Ron Coia (New England), Tanya Diamond (PED), Ian Gordon (Northwest), Chris Darker (Pacific Southwest), Diane Parker (Mid-Atlantic), Dave Finnerty (Central/Eastern Canada), Nancy Guzzo (Central/Eastern Canada), Tim Mahoney (New England) , David Penn (Midwest), Joe Healy (Great Lakes)

Public Employee Conference

The PED’s 8th Public Employee Conference took place July 29-August 1, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Over 150 people from throughout LIUNA’s public, healthcare, education, and Federal sectors attended the conference. The event included two terrific general session panels: “Taking the Fight to the Streets,” with LIUNA Local Union leaders and labor-friendly politicians discussing the state legislative battles. “Debunking the Myths of Public Sector Pay and Pensions” provided information to protect the livelihood and retirement security of our members. Both panels were moderated by John Nichols of the Nation Magazine/Capital Times Newspaper in Madison, Wisconsin. The conference also had three mandatory workshops on organizing, the 2012 election, and expanding the LIUNA brand, as well as optional workshops on building smart partnerships; campaign finance/Convention Resolution 14; and the public sector’s past, present, and future. The Common Ground workshops brought together members from the union’s different public sectors to discuss issues of importance to them. This year’s Virgilio Award was presented to the PED’s newly retired Director, Bob Purcell.

JOE VIRGILIO AWARD - Recipient Bob Purcell

L to R – Vincent Masino (Vice President and Assistant New England Regional Manager), Terry Healy (Vice President and Great Lakes and acting Northwest Regional Manager), Vere Haynes (Vice President), Bob Purcell (Retired Director, PED), Danielle LeClair (Director, PED), Rocco Davis (Vice President and Pacific Southwest Manager, Special Assistant to the General President)