Latest news with #AFSCME
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Monroe County Commissioner election Q&A: Hoover
Three people are on the Aug. 5 primary election ballot vying to fill the Monroe County Board of Commissioners' vacant District 2 seat. While Mark Brant tries to get the seat back, Republicans Dale Biniecki, Dwayne Dobbs, and Democrat Danielle Hoover are throwing their hats into the race. The Monroe News spoke with each of them about what they would bring to the board of commissioners if they were elected. The Monroe News sent questions to each candidate. Answers have been edited for length and clarity. These are Hoover's answers: What previous experience has best prepared you for this role? I am writing as myself only. I am not representing Washtenaw County, the MI Board of Social Work, or any other person, group, or organization that I am affiliated with. All views here are my own. City of Milan, Monroe Co. resident, 13+ years. Washtenaw Co. CMH (county gov't), 12+ years. MI Board of Social Work member, 5 years, vice chair, since 2023. NASW MI member. Monroe Co. NAACP member. MI Democratic Party member. AFSCME 3052 member/steward, delegate to Huron Valley Area Labor Federation, also recording secretary there. Both kids go to Milan Area Schools K-present. Gold Star Family Member. Also, this is my fourth time running for this. What motivated you to run for county commissioner? As the late, great, rest in power Congressman John Lewis said, 'Speak up, speak out, get in the way. Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.' I'm here to do what Congressman Lewis said. I was assigned this mountain to show someone it can be moved, and I need to be in this elected capacity to do that. What do you see as the county's top three priorities over the next four years? Mental health, unions, veterans. I have been a licensed social worker since 2011, so mental health is something I'm very passionate about. I have been a dues paying AFSCME member since 2013; first in local 2733 as a supports coordinator, then moved to local 3052 when I became a supervisor in 2022. Veterans always have a special place in my heart because one of my brothers was one. My brother Spc. Levi Hoover was killed in action in Iraq April 7, 2007. After that, it kind of became, be all the things you love most about the person who is gone. That's why veterans are special to me, and I would be so honored to do work in this area in an elected capacity. What's your stance on zoning reform and affordable housing development? Per 'the number of hours the average minimum-wage worker in the U.S must work (2.4 full time jobs) to afford a one-bedroom rental home at the fair market rent,' is 95. That's not right. Housing costs are not congruent with what minimum-wage workers currently earn. Affordable housing should be accessible and available to those who need it. How will you keep residents informed about decisions that affect them? As a social worker, a large part of my job is to engage with people. I'd be able to carry those skills forward to talk with anybody, anytime, anywhere, at a mutually convenient time. For example, if elected, I'd like to go on ride alongs with public utilities such as trash removal services. Not just in District 2, I'd like to try that across the county. What steps will you take to avoid conflicts of interest in office? As a licensed social worker, I am required to adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics and other applicable laws and policies. I also serve as the vice chair of the MI Board of Social Work. Having a code of ethics that I am required to follow is something that separates me from other candidates, currently and most recently. More: Just one issue on Aug. 5 ballot in Monroe County Why should residents vote for you? I am appropriately qualified, I have relevant, applicable experience working in government and a state board, and am committed to appropriately filling that seat. District 2 could use some clean up, and I'm ready. You know what they say about Hoovers, they really clean up. — Contact reporter Connor Veenstra at CVeenstra@ This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County Board of Commissioners candidate Danielle Hoover Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
21-07-2025
- CBS News
Trash troubles continue in Philadelphia weeks after DC 33 strike ends
Regular trash collection resumed last week after the end of AFSCME District Council 33's strike, but Philadelphia residents have reported that bags and debris continue to pile up in their neighborhoods. On Monday, part of 59th and Rodman streets was lined with bags of garbage and debris that neighbors said had only grown since the strike's start. While this spot was cleaned up in the afternoon, other people are still dealing with trash troubles. "It's just a great feeling," William Walter said. "I can't describe it to you." Walter watched as sanitation crews cleared the mound of trash that had been left around the corner from his Southwest Philadelphia home. Walter said that garbage started to pile up here during the strike and only continued to grow. He reached out to CBS News Philadelphia about the issue, and just a short time later, cleanup was underway. "How good it felt for me to use my voice and a microphone to get it done," Walter said. "And I want to thank you guys from the bottom of my heart." But this isn't the only spot in the city dealing with illegal dumping issues. "This is right by somebody's house. We live here," Yolanda Murray of North Philadelphia said. "It's a mess around here, on mostly every corner." Murray's North Philly home sits near multiple piles of dumped and rotting trash. She said she's now had to put rat poison out in her backyard. "We literally see the rats running around," Murray said. "I don't go in my yard. I don't go in my yard at night." Murray said she's tried to call 3-1-1 multiple times to have the trash piles cleaned up, but so far, it hasn't worked. "Every two days, it's coming, they're coming, they're coming," Murray said. "We ain't seen nobody come." Philadelphia Sanitation Commissioner Crystal Jacobs Shipman acknowledges illegal dumping has been a challenge as they play catch-up following the strike. Still, she said they're not turning a blind eye to it. "As can be expected, the system is kind of overwhelmed at this very point," Shipman said. CBS News Philadelphia showed Shipman photos of the issues in North Philly. "Some of the photos that you actually captured, Dan, that you shared with us, those we should be able to respond to within three to five business days," Shipman said. But with pests running around and a stench in the air, Murray's patience is running out. "We should have it fair, just like everybody else," Murray said. "Come clean our neighborhood up." Shipman said they've caught up on residential trash pickup and hope to do so with recycling by the end of the week. Meantime, they are working with police to catch and fine illegal dumpers. She said if you see someone in the act, call 911. If it's after the fact, call 311.
CBS News
21-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Philadelphia's DC 33 ratifies new contract after tentative agreement. What's next?
Philadelphia's AFSCME District Council 33 ratified its new contract with the city, approving the deal that ended an eight-day strike. The strike forced some city libraries and pools to close and halted trash pickup for more than a week, causing large piles of garbage to pile up at the city's temporary drop-off sites. The deal grants 9% in raises spread out over three years, averaging 3% per year. The deal also comes with a $1,500 bonus in the first year. The city says the deal will cost $115 million. Mayor Cherelle Parker has touted the 5% increase from the first year of her administration and said she'll have raised the DC 33 workers' pay 14% through her first term, a figure she notes is more than several of her predecessors. The union represents about 9,000 blue-collar workers in multiple city departments, including sanitation workers, police dispatchers, maintenance workers at Philadelphia International Airport, and more. For the three-year agreement to be ratified, at least 51% of DC 33's members needed to vote in favor of it. The deal offers considerably less than the 8% a year the union representatives came to the table seeking, a figure they later brought down to 5% a year. AFSCME District Council 33 President Greg Boulware said the reception of the deal was mixed among union members. "I don't know what's to celebrate," Boulware previously said. "The same people that were poor yesterday are still poor today." However, Boulware said that he believes there are still more wins than losses for DC 33 members in the plan. He pointed to union negotiators fending off what he said were demands from the city. In a three-page statement posted online, the union said it fought off attempts from the city to "seize control of medical claims payments" and add a surcharge for smokers. They also listed what they deemed "unacceptable" proposals to change sick policy and work rules.
CBS News
21-07-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
DC 33 wraps up voting on tentative deal with Parker administration, results expected to be released Monday
Residents in Philadelphia's Spring Garden neighborhood put out their trash Sunday night confident that their Monday pickup would happen. But will that be the case in the days ahead? A week and a half ago, AFSCME District Council 33, with about 9,000 members, reached a tentative three-year agreement with the city of Philadelphia. The deal includes a 3% raise for each year. That agreement needs to be ratified by a majority of the union's members to go into effect. Over the past week, through Sunday afternoon, members voted in person at union headquarters in University City. The union represents sanitation workers and other employees across multiple city departments, from police dispatchers and crossing guards to maintenance workers at Philadelphia International Airport. All votes will be counted at the District 33 headquarters on Monday. That's when results are expected to be announced. In the meantime, many residents are left to wait and hope for the best. Amber Daddezio and AJ Burton saw the trash mounds around Graduate Hospital and in North Philadelphia, where they live. While they hate to think about another potential halt to pickups, they also understand. "It makes me nervous," Daddezio said. "They're not paid nearly enough for this incredibly important hard work that they're doing every single day," Burton said. It's a similar sentiment from Scout Woodhouse, who's willing to sacrifice a few more days if it means a fair deal for those who help keep the city running. "They are the backbone of the city. They help operations and daily functions, and they deserve more," Woodhouse said.
CBS News
15-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
District Council 47 reach tentative agreement with Philadelphia to avert possible strike
AFSCME District Council 47, the union that represents 6,000 city workers, including the Philadelphia Parking Authority and the Philadelphia Housing Authority, has reached a tentative agreement with the city, averting a possible strike. DC 47 announced they had reached a deal around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday on their Facebook page. Mayor Cherelle Parker said the agreement will increase DC 47 members' pay by 13.5% over her four years in office. That includes a new three-year contract and the one-year contract extension agreed to last fall. News of the agreement came a day after the union held a strike authorization vote Monday. The union said more information will be shared soon on the agreement.
