State Highway &Transportation Employees Association of Missouri

President’s Report

August 9, 2002

 

Last year, I told you of the great satisfaction I had received from serving as your Association President. This year has been one of reality. We have accomplished many things, but we don’t have strong support from all of our members. Our members feel discontent because we cannot provide pay increases or add more employees to help with their demanding workload.

 

In the past legislative session, we took eight bills before the Legislature. The bills asked for pay and cost of living increases, choices in the way compensatory time is used, choices in the number of years on the deferred retirement option pian (DROP), increased contributions to deferred compensation, elimination of age requirements on (80 & out), sick leave conversion changed to eight hours instead of 168 hours and health insurance paid after 30 years of service.

 

We also submitted the Public Service Accountability Bill that would enable state employees to have a fair playing field before work is outsourced to consultants and contractors and help perpetuate the MoDOT workforce.

 

I see a very difficult year without the full support of the MoDOT employees. We need people that will take the time and make an effort to improve the pay and working conditions at MoDOT. We have been having timely meetings with MoDOT management, and hopefully working together, we can achieve changes that will benefit all employees.

 

The State Board met officially four times this year. Lobby Day activities, along with our third quarter meeting, were held March 12 & 13, 2002. We had a well-attended meeting that included three Commissioners, Mr. Ollie Gates, Mr. Barry Orscheln and Mr. Jim Anderson. Director Henry Hungerbeeler, Chief Engineer Kevin Keith and Chief Operating Officer Mike Golden attended from the MoDOT General Headquarters.

 

The past year was even more difficult for our members because once again they had to endure another year without a pay increase. The state had more budget problems, and sadly the good, hardworking state employees had to suffer. We will continue to try to change the status quo with more communication with our elected legislators and the general public. We have asked for your support and will continue to ask for your support instead of unfounded complaints.

I would like to thank State Secretary Wilma DeGraffenreid and State Treasurer Wayne Hinkle for putting in the time and effort that I would like to see all of our members put in for the Association. I appreciate what they do very much. I would also like to say a special thank you to Mark O’Dowd for stepping in midterm and serving as State Vice President.

 

About a month ago, Mr. Larry Thompson informed me that he would be resigning from active participation in the Association. I accepted his resignation with deep regret. I have been with the Association for over 30 years, and I know of no one that has done more to increase employee benefits and make working conditions better for MoDOT employees. I would like to say thank you to Larry for the outstanding contributions that he has made to the Association and to all MoDOT employees.

 

In 2001, I had great hopes for 2002, and now in 2002, I have even greater hopes for 2003. We have to realize that this is not a perfect world, and with communication, consideration for our fellow employees, determination and your personal commitment, we can make the Association even better. Thank you.