Gulfport, MS - The National Association of Professional Allstate Agents, Inc. (NAPAA) has been working closely with a former Allstate insurance agent and his attorney to determine if the company willfully violated state statues in its attempts to terminate him and other Allstate agents in the state of Minnesota.

Last week, Jerry Deleski of Roseville, Minnesota – a former Allstate agent of 39 years – filed suit against Allstate Insurance Company, alleging it violated a Minnesota statute when it wrongfully and illegally “expelled” him for failing to meet company life insurance quotas. Minnesota prohibits such actions by insurers.

President Goodwin Applauds Sens. Schumer and Grassley for Introducing the HELLPP Act  

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2013 – The Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) applauds Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) for introducing critical bipartisan legislation that would increase access to podiatric care and save billions of dollars in the process. The Helping Ensure Life- and Limb-Saving Access to Podiatric Physicians (HELLPP) Act, S.1318, would identify podiatrists as physicians under Title XIX (the Medicaid Provision) of the Social Security Act, making it easier for low-income individuals to get necessary foot care.

A group of 8,000 state managers may soon get long-awaited pay raises.

The state Legislature finally passed the Management Confidential Pay Commission Act, a bill that would create a seven-member commission to recommend salary increases for the managers.

But it remains unclear if Gov. Cuomo will sign the bill.

“We are still reviewing it,” said spokesman Rich Azzopardi.

State managers have gone five years without a raise, and many earn less than their subordinates.

“We are very hopeful that he will review it and sign it. This is the right thing to do,” said Organization of New York State Management Confidential Employees executive director Joe Sano.

San Diego, California (May 31, 2013) – Labor leaders from throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico will gather June 3-6, 2013 in San Diego for the 26^th Convention of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), AFL-CIO.

The convention will have the theme, “Work Connects Us All,” recognizing OPEIU’s diverse professional membership that includes administrative and clerical employees, as well as a host of other professions such as nurses, insurance agents, podiatrists, appraisers, Minor League Baseball umpires, teachers and helicopter pilots.

Las Vegas, Nevada (May 1, 2013) – Taxi drivers represented by the Industrial, Technical and Professional Employees Union (ITPEU)/OPEIU Local 4873 have won their sixty-day strike at Yellow Checker Star Transportation (YCS) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The new contract includes an increase in the drivers’ share of the meter, reinstatement of eligibility for the four-day work week of 12 hours per day and 10-hour per day shifts, increases in annual bonuses and other benefits.

Listen to International President Michael Goodwin discuss the ITPEU/OPEIU Local 4873 taxi drivers strike at Yellow Checker Star on The Stephanie Miller Show.

Buffalo, NY – Members of Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 212 yesterday voted overwhelmingly to merge with their sister Local Union 153. Local 212 is based in Buffalo, NY, representing office and clerical employees at nine different employers including Blue Cross of Western New York. Local 212 has a membership base of 500 members.

Local 153 is New York City-based, representing workers at the New York Stock Exchange, Emblem Health, Yankee Stadium and the Archdiocese of New York, among other employers.  Local 153 has 16,000 members and will bring to the members of Local 212 additional clout in representation and many new benefits and services.