2005 and 2006 has been a great year. We have achieve several goals such as our committees, the beginning of a Health and Safety Committee within Penndot, Elections of Trustees and Communication with you through our Website. We have been challenged with various issues such as a Dress Guidelines Policy, the merging of Bureau of Drivers Licensing and Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the proposal of Standard Productions by management and other issues within Penndot.

AFSCME had their share also such as the closing of the State Hospital and the proposed closing of Spring Creek. We need to keep all our brothers and sisters in solidarity. We are striving on a daily basis to keep our members informed and to let them know that it is their votes and commitment that keeps our fight going. We have achieved so much but we still have a ways to go.

We need you at our meeting expressing your concerns so that we can express them to management. Our contract negotiations are about to start and we need your input. Let us know as soon as you can what you would like changed in our contract. Remember, it is YOUR vote that makes things happen.

I am so grateful for all of your support and even those who haven't given me their support. This only makes me stronger as your President and allows me to see where our weakness and strengths are.

Our last meeting is May 17, 2006. Our meetings will convene again September 27, 2006. I hope everyone has a great summer but always keep our fight in your minds and in your heart. Come back in September with zeal to learn as much as you can about AFSCME.

The more you learn, the more you will know.

SOLIDARITY Earnestine Kearse Local 2534 President