The city employees union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, has sent a letter to Mayor Steve Adler requesting that City Council consider hiring Interim City Manager Elaine Hart as Austin’s permanent city manager. In the letter, which was delivered to the mayor but not Council members last week, AFSCME Local 1624 […]
AFSCME
This is the union for municipal workers. Locally, Austin regional chapter 1624, dates to 1969.
Posted inCity Hall
Union protests some new HR rules
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees has expressed concern about language in proposed amendments to the city’s policy regarding discrimination, harassment, retaliation and employee conduct. The rules opposed by the union, which represents city employees, include language that would govern employee conduct outside the workplace, even when an employee is off duty, […]
Posted inBudget
Council argument about pay raises begins
As Austin’s unemployment rate goes down, the city’s employee turnover rate goes up, Acting Assistant City Manager Mark Washington told City Council at Monday’s budget work session. Currently, Austin’s unemployment rate is about 3.3 percent, and the projected turnover rate for the coming year is 8.5 percent, Washington said. Because the city is competing with […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Labor wants to make its mark on Council races
Local labor leader Jack Kirfman reported that the union for local government employees, AFSCME, has interviewed candidates and decided on its choices for City Council. Kirfman said American Federation of State, County and Municipal employees would present their recommendations to the Central Labor Council Saturday. In District 1, AFSCME picked Ora Houston, a front-runner in […]
Posted inLocal Government
Travis employees sound off over plans to change parking rules
Travis County Commissioners recently found out that the quickest way to rile Texans is to mess with their ability to buy or sell a gun. Court members may have found out Tuesday that the second quickest way to upset them is to mess with their parking spaces. Commissioners got an earful from a number […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Newly formed Civil Service Commission still developing rules
Austin’s newly formed Municipal Civil Service Commission continued to work at answering a number of fundamental questions aimed at developing a set of operating rules at its meeting Tuesday night at City Hall. Voters approved a civil service system for the City of Austin for most non-public safety employees in November 2012. Most public […]