Newly Certified Cook County Workers

Re: All Newly Certified Bargaining Units Within the Bureau of Administration

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As you know, SEIU, Local 73 has been working diligently to organize a large number of employees who work the in the Bureau of Administration for the County of Cook. Despite the County's efforts to thwart our organizing efforts, the Illinois Labor Relations Board had been issuing Certifications for these units. Recently, we have been certified as the exclusive representative for the following departments:

1. Public Administrator
2. Animal Control
3. Law Library
4. Building and Zoning
5. Environmental Control
6. Highway Department and Purchasing Agent
7. Department of Office Technology

We are still waiting on decisions from the Labor Board for the Zoning Board of Appeals and the President's Office of Employment and Training, and we are scheduled o go to election for employees in the Medical Examiner's Office later this month.

We know that this has been a long and arduous process for all of you and we thank you for your patience. Currently, the above listed groups of employees are covered under the Highway Technical & Engineering Collective Bargaining Agreement ( the group that was formerly represented by IUOE, Local 150), and we are currently working to amend this Agreement to address your specific needs. Therefore, your basic terms and conditions of employment are covered by the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement and you have recourse to address violations of your rights under that Agreement. I you feel that the Agreement has been violated, please contact Betty Boles, Vice President, so that she can assist you.

With respect to the 2% Cost of Living Adjustment, we know that many of you have not recieved this increase. We are asking the Couty to proceed with giving all of you the 2% increase, but we are still reserving the right to bargain over wages above and beyond this adjustment.

We thank you for your patience and we look forward to working with all of you in the struggle to fight for a better life for you and your families.

In Solidarity,

Susan M. Matta
General Counsel