Frequently Asked Questions
HCSA is the Hennepin County Supervisor's Association. For more information, please click here.
Benefits of membership can include seniority determination, HCSA officers working on your behalf, and bargaining negotiations.
We hope you will choose to become a dues paying member of the Association; should you decide not to join, however, a fair share fee is assessed. Attached is a dues schedule for both members and fair share members.
This fair share assessment is authorized by Minnesota Statute 179A.06, Subd. 3, which provides that the amount of this fee be "equal to the regular membership dues of the exclusive representative, less the cost of benefits financed through the dues and available only to members of the exclusive representative, but in no event shall the fee exceed 85% of the regular membership dues."
HCSA DUES CALCULATIONS: Dues for full members are currently $24.00 per month. Fair share members pay ________ per month.
Benefits of HCSA Membership:
Officers: The officers work very hard on our behalves, and they do this with no monetary compensation. They are very concerned with getting all the latest information regarding negotiations, county budget issues, and Health Care, and how that information may impact their association brothers and sisters. Our officers act as stewards and are there to advocate for their brothers and sisters when needed, such as when employees have been disciplined in a manner other then what is allowed in our contract. They handle grievances, do investigative work, and meet with management to ensure that our members get a fair hearing.
Seniority lists: The union requests (and pays for) the seniority lists that determine what places we all hold by seniority. Your officers each have a copy that they will be happy to go over with you to make sure that your seniority date is correct.
Good and Welfare requests: When you or one of your co-workers have had a loss in your family, or have an extended illness we want to hear about it. Our association wants to let them know that their union cares by sending a card, or a bouquet of flowers, a cheerful plant, or balloons.
Management Meet and Confer meetings: Our officers regularly meet with management to discuss issues that affect our members
Negotiations: We now have a Website (www.hcsaonline.org) that we hope you will use to keep up on the latest information affecting our membership in regard to negotiations, meet & confers, how to contact our officers, and links to sites that our members might find helpful.
Complete the HCSA Membership Agreement form located here.
Full membership carries more benefits than Fair Share membership.
Full Member benefits are…
Eligible for steward advocacy and support in grievance
Eligible for arbitration advocacy
Eligible to run for Executive Board
Able to attend General Membership meetings
Able to vote on Association initiatives and in officer elections
Able to vote in contract negotiations
Able to participate in Association-County Management meetings concerning workplace issues
Fair Share Fee Payer benefits are…
Eligible for steward advocacy and support in grievance
Eligible for arbitration advocacy
The Labor Contract for HCSA in Article 33, Section 7 provides that " Employees will not be questioned concerning an administrative investigation of disciplinary action unless the employee has been given an opportunity to have an Association representative present."
Although typically this is offered to you by the person doing the investigation, it is not always. If you are not sure whether the meeting you are being called to would qualify under this section, you can ask whether "this meeting might lead to discipline" and whether you will be allowed to have a representative present. Asking this is not inappropriate, nor does it mean you are being uncooperative. This is also true when you exercise your right to have an Association representative present. Although you can waive this right, we do not advise doing so. Even if the Association representative to the meeting serves only as an objective person, who can clarify things and take notes, that is helpful. Occasionally, there is discipline and in that case, it is much better to have an Association representative who has been involved in the process and is aware of the situation.
An HCSA officer, board member or steward can also guide you through this process and will be available for representation if needed. Whether you find yourself in a situation like this or are asked by a fellow supervisor, it is always a good idea to be familiar with the HCSA representative in your area and a couple others (just in case schedules or time off make communicating timely hard).