Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz addresses AFSCME’s 46th International Convention

Dear Members,

It is with deep sadness that we announce that a fellow San Jose employee and MEF member, Community Service Officer Long Pham, was killed in the line of duty on Saturday, August 3rd. Officer Pham's dedication to serving and protecting our community was unwavering, and his loss is felt deeply across our entire city.

We also want to acknowledge CSO Veronica Baer, who was with CSO Pham at the time and was severely injured in the same incident. Thankfully, she has been released from the hospital and is now recuperating at home with her loved ones. Our thoughts are with her for a full and speedy recovery.

In these difficult times, we come together not only to mourn but also to support one another. MEF-AFSCME Local 101, in collaboration with the San Jose Police Officers Association and the San Jose Police Foundation, has established a fund to provide financial assistance to Officer Pham's family. The union is kindly asking we all come together and help with any support you can provide during this trying period. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant difference to Officer Pham's loved ones as they navigate this unimaginable loss.

To donate, please follow this link. Your generosity and solidarity in this time of need exemplify the strength and compassion of our union family.

Public sector work is rooted in selflessness and a profound commitment to the greater good. Officer Pham embodied these values every day, serving with dignity and honor. Our collective efforts as public sector workers are vital to the well-being and safety of our community. We honor Officer Pham's memory by continuing to uphold these principles and supporting each other in times of need.

Thank you for your support and for standing together as a community.

In solidarity,

Unlock Your Fitness Potential with a 20% Discount!

At MEF-AFSCME Local 101, we believe in staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. That’s why we are excited to remind you of an incredible benefit available to all union members: Article 13.12 of our Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) provides a fantastic opportunity for you to prioritize your wellness.

What’s the Benefit?

Each calendar year, employees represented by MEF are eligible to purchase one (1) annual fitness membership or up to twelve (12) monthly fitness memberships at a 20% discount off the advertised resident fee. This membership gives you access to fitness rooms at various Community Center locations and a variety of drop-in programs in gymnasiums.

WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders issued the following statement announcing AFSCME’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for president:

“In a unanimous vote at a meeting this afternoon, AFSCME’s International Executive Board endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president of the United States.

“Vice President Harris is seasoned, tough and tenacious. She is a dynamic leader who has been a pro-worker champion throughout her years in elected office. She understands that unions and the working class are the engines of our economy. And she has a deep respect and appreciation for the work AFSCME members do to strengthen our communities.

“She has an extraordinary record of accomplishment over the last three and a half years. From the American Rescue Plan, which brought the economy back from the brink, to student debt forgiveness, to reining in health care costs and so much more, she has fought for us time and time and time again. As the chair of the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, she developed key policy recommendations to give working people a stronger voice and a more prominent seat at the table.

“Vice President Harris is exactly the right person to meet the moment. She will…

We are excited to inform our members about a significant legislative victory that will expand our union’s strength and reach, ensuring better protection for temporary employees within the City of San Jose. The recently passed AB 1484 mandates crucial changes to public sector employment that will positively impact our temporary colleagues, further strengthening our collective bargaining power.

Overview of AB 1484:

AB 1484 is designed to ensure that temporary employees, including those classified as temporary, retiree-rehired, casual, seasonal, periodic, extra-help, relief, limited-term, or per diem, are included in the same bargaining units as their permanent counterparts. This law addresses several key areas:

The Municipal Employees Federation (MEF-AFSCME Local 101) is proud to announce a significant victory in our ongoing efforts to ensure fair compensation for all city employees. Following a successful grievance against the City, seven Police Department employees have received substantial back payments for on-call pay that was rightfully owed to them but not initially paid.

The issue revolved around the city’s failure to properly compensate employees for on-call rotations. Many city employees, including those in the Police Department, are required to work on standby or on-call, or are mandated to report back to work after hours, either remotely or physically. Despite these obligations, the city did not adhere to the contractual agreements regarding on-call pay, leading to the grievance filed by our union.

Thanks to the grievance process, these seven dedicated employees have now received the back pay they deserved. This victory underscores the importance of understanding your contract and ensuring you are paid correctly for your work. The city is not always proactive in ensuring proper payment, and frontline managers and payroll personnel often misinterpret contract language, resulting in underpayment.

It is crucial for