Atlanta City Employee's can now sign-up for PACE Union Membership. Personnel interesting in Becoming a PACE Union member can:

1. Download PACE Membership Form on the website under Home Menu and turn it in or

2. Contact Union President Gina Pagnotta at: 678-414-8982 or

3. Contact N.A.G.E. Representative Chris Brown: 404-849-6721 for membership forms for PACE.

Joining PACE Union also entitles its members to: Free Access to an attorney to represent you in personnel legal matters with the City. Offered Benefits such as: Scholarships, Term Life Insurance, home mortgages, personal loans, workplace accidental death insurance, Credit Card both secured and unsecured, online tax preparation, credit counseling, Education Services, Pet Services. Including Union Market Place, offering discount on Flowers, Good Year Tire and Service, Wireless, Bookstore, Health and Well being and even Dell Computer discounts.

Monthly membership dues includes all of the above as well as PACE Representation for fairness, professionalism and equitable treatment promoted in the work place. PACE is also a member under N.A.G.E. and SEIU one of the Largest Employee Union in the Country.

Interested personnel should contact PACE today and enjoy additional Benefits Working for the City of Atlanta, as we stand with the City of Atlanta as a Great Place to Work.

On Friday June 25 the City Council made the FY2011 City of Atlanta Budget a reality. City Council Members voted 12 to 1 to approve the new FY2011 Budget to begin 1 July 2010. Some highlights of the new budget are:

• Reduction in Pension Liability for the City of Atlanta for New Employees hired after 1 July 2010.
• Hiring of 100 New Police Officers for the City of Atlanta
• Opening all the City Recreation Centers
• 3.5% Raise for sworn Police Officers and Fire Department Personnel beginning 1 January 2011.
• A one time bonus of 300 for some city personnel and others, a $450 one time bonus for personnel with Salaries below $75,000.

The bonuses will not include Executive Office personnel in the Mayor’s Cabinet, or Department Commissioners.

City Council President Ceasar C. Mitchell stated, “Even though we are in tough economic times, through working in partnership with the administration, I believe we were able to take significant strides towards strengthening the city’s service delivery platform. Public safety and youth engagement are obviously strong quality of life themes in this budget,” (per Fox Five Atlanta News)

(see) http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/atlanta-city-council-oks-2010-budge...

PACE Union has added a Bereavement section to the website to help members during their hour of need. This month Public Works Darrell Foster's Mother, Clara Mae Foster has passed.

PACE Members are asked to read the Bereavement section (Lower Right Side) for more information. Family Monetary Contribution can be made and are encouraged.

Any Member of PACE Union having Bereavement of Love ones can contact PACE President Gina Pagnotta. PACE Website will post the Family information for Friends and Co-Workers viewing in the PACE Bereavement Section.

Our Condolence goes out to Darrell Foster, as he bereaves his Dear Mother Clara Mae Foster. Please see Service and Contact Details below.

All Members are asked to come out and let your voice be heard. PACE will be asking the City Council not to consider reductions in employment. Please let your Voice Be Heard!!

The Special Call Meeting held on May 11, 2010 at the YMCA was a large success. The turn out was larger than expected and PACE as well as others shared lots of information.. The minutes of the meeting will be available to all members. Many points of interest and information was shared, one Highlight of the meeting was “ all PACE Members to attend the Full Council Session on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 2:00 p.m”. PACE members and Citizens will speak before the City Council to reiterate the need for keeping all employees gainfully employed. Please submit you Vacation sheet for approval well in advance to be able to attend if this is not your off day.

REMEMBER: Many Voices will be Heard!! Every voice is an important one!!

It’s time for solutions that don’t diminish our workforce in this Great City. This is reality. Come out and support your union while your union works for you. IT’S TIME FOR ACTION!! PACE has scheduled a Special Call Meeting for members to discuss the FY2011 Budget cuts and Pension. This meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 6:00 PM in the YMCA Building on 1600 Pryor Road.

FY2011 Budget Proposal (City of Atlanta Website)

http://www.atlantaga.gov/client_resources/government/finance/budget%2020...

PACE Union joins our Neighborhood Planning Coordination under Wendy Scruggs-Murray. She has been recognized by the Georgia General Assembly under House Resolution 1937 by Representatives Thomas of the 55th and Kaiser of the 59th as the Community Neighborhood Planning Unit Coordinator.

Gina Pagnotta PACE Union President Speaks up for Union Members and City of Atlanta Employees during April 30, 2010 Atlanta Fox 5 news interview. (See attached video, courtesy of Fox 5 http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/City-Budget-Released%2C-Employees-W...)

Mayor Kasim Reed handed over his administrations FY2011 Budget Proposal to the City Council at 9am, Friday, April 30 (per Fox5 News Report). The Mayor and his administration want to increase Atlanta Police Officer's Employment, offer current Police Officer's raises, as well, open several closed recreation centers. Union President Gina Pagnotta spoke to News reporter Morse Diggs reflecting concerns of Union Members and City Employees, regarding FY2011 Budget Proposal which Mayor Kasim Reed proposed to Lay-Offs more city employees. PACE President Pagnotta stated, the Mayor and his Administration must explain the Who, When, Where and How. Mayor Reed's proposal, to cut employees would drastically reduce services (Gina Pagnotta) both internal and external. According to Morse Diggs Fox 5 News, Mayor Reed wants to make good on his Campaign promises to hirer more police Officers.

Gina Pagnotta stated the City does need more Police officers and they do deserve a raise, however the Administration should balance the budget and find the funds to give all employees raises. Some City Council members are also wondering why the Mayor only wants to give Police Officers raises and they questioned the fairness in his decision not all City Employees (Fox 5 Morris Diggs) The Mayor’s Budget proposal is based on projects that are proposed and not yet officially enacted to be apart of the budget yet, (Morse Diggs) and there are questions about a new recreational facility to be built, that is added to the budget proposal and show cause to eliminate current City Of Atlanta Employee Positions.

It was announced today during the City Council budget retreat that legislation will be introduced which could affect your pension plan. The proposed legislation will reinstate the 2.0% multiplier and 15 year vesting for all new employees and non-vested employees who participate in the Defined Benefit plan.

What does this mean?

The proposed legislation will not affect any employees participating in the Defined Contribution plan. Those employees in the Police, Fire and General Employees’ Defined Benefit plan with 10 years or more of creditable service will not be affected. Non-vested employees in the Police, Fire and General Employee’s Defined Benefit Plans, those having less than 10 years of creditable service, and all new employees will be covered by the proposed legislation. The key changes in the proposed legislation are moving all new and non-vested employees from their current multiplier and 10 year vesting schedule to a 2.0% multiplier and 15 year vesting.

The Atlanta City Council will close for Recess April 5, 2010 until April 16, 2010