On Thursday, June 12, 2008 Graduation was held for the students who attended the third year of the program.

AFSCME 1153 and Westboro State Hospital have a five year grant through the Department of Education to allow the workforce to attend classes that include both verbal and written communication skills, spelling and grammar, and some computer skills.

Some of the students have attended from the beginning, moving through different classes each year and some were new to the program this year. The flexibility within the classes is wonderful as it allows for that to occur. Sometimes students only need one of the classes and that works fine also.

This year there were 18 members who received certificates through the program. One student received an award for her writing from the SABES "Do The Write Thing" program.We saw 2 promotions occur from the group as folks gained skills and confidence in themselves, and another will take her GED test soon.

The local will miss Paula Tanona an MHW3 and AFSCME Steward who lost her battle with Brest Cancer last week.

The local has made a $100.00 donation to the AFSCME Council 93 Scholarship Fund in Paula's memory.

Adopt A Family Today is a program that helps families in need in Honduras. Please check out this site and take the  multi-vitamin challange! While you are there consider making a donation. Even a $10.00 donation can help!

The mission trip for 2008 was very successful.The cost of food rose dramatically but villages that had not had any support were visited and plans to visit new locations as well next year are being made. The next mission trip will be March of 2009.

 Thank you for your help!!

Congradulations to our May drawing winners:

Carol Petrin LPN2 and William Osie, MWH1

Both will receive a $25.00 gift card to the Dunkin Donuts.

At this time the one year agreement is in place which covers July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008.

All raises and upgrades under this agreement have now been paid, including retro money.

Please see "negotiations update" to keep aware of information as we now negotiate a three year agreement.