Endorsements

Pat is the right person at the right time for the right job.

Cliff Poehler

Former Council 5 Vice President

Former Local 2938 President

As the former president of Local 2938 (and former executive board member of that local for 19 years), I strongly endorse Pat Guernsey for Council 5's next president.

I worked closely with Pat on several rounds of negotiations. He always impressed me with his depth of knowledge on the issues -- whether it be healthcare, PERA,or wage increases. Pat's years as a labor leader give him the historical context to know what has worked before and what needs to be changed in the future. He is smart and strategic--not only executing our negotiations, but more importantly, in laying the plans ahead of time to make them effective.

I served with Pat on the Hennepin County Labor/Management committee as well. He is fearless and not afraid to speak truth to power. And just as importantly, Pat shows up. Whether it is a door knock, a phone bank, a rally or a meeting-- he is there! He leads by example. I have no doubt that others will become more active with Pat as Council 5 President. Council 5 will be a force to be reckoned with when Guernsey is at the helm.

Kellie Conner

I write in endorsement of Cherrene Horazuk for Council 5 Secretary and for the entire Four 4 the Fight slate (Patrick Guernsey President, Carmen Brown Vice President and Destiny Dusosky Treasurer). Cherrene is currently the President of Local 3800, the Clerical Union at the University of Minnesota. Cherrene has been leading Local 3800 for a number of years and has an active membership composed of diverse personalities. She also maintains a professional relationship with University Management both of which speak volumes about her ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups. Cherrene will take the position of Council Secretary seriously and will do her best to help ALL Locals move forward. Cherrene listens actively, thinks critically, searches creatively and builds coalitions. I urge you to vote for the Four 4 the Fight slate.

Mary Austin, President Local 3937

I am Vice President of AFSCME Local 552 as well as Chairperson of The Education, Engagement and Outreach Committee for all AFSCME Local's in HennepinCounty and I am endorsing Pat Guernsey for President of AFSCME Council 5.

I believe Council 5 needs a President who will work tirelessly to serve all our members in Council 5 and I strongly believe Pat is the person for this job. I do not know any other person who gives so much of themselves to do the work of the Union. Pat is constantly phone banking, door knocking, spending time at the State Capitol, Screening candidates, leading contract negotiations, fighting for our members to improve the lives for all Council5 AFSCME members. The list goes on and on, and the part that impresses me most is that Pat does all of this because he believes in our Union. Pat walks the walk every day and I believe this is the person we need leading Council 5.

Norm Meier

A forward thinking, visionary leader is how I would describe Cherrene Horazuk. Her ability to bring a group of people together, no matter their differences, and hear all of their perspectives with compassion, is an attribute that not many have. Cherrene’s dedication to the betterment of this world and the people who live in it can be seen through the way she listens to others and goes out of her way to help, no matter the circumstance. Her passion for the labor movement and Minnesota as a whole is evident in her many years of activism and following through when it comes down to the hard work of building worker power.

As the former Vice President of AFSCME Local 3800, I had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to learn from Cherrene. Her organization and multi tasking is absolutely out of this world and necessary when leading the very people that organize the lives of others for a living. Cherrene is not afraid to work with the strengths and weaknesses of others and kept AFSCME 3800 and the community of Clerical workers at the University of Minnesota, just that: a community of workers, dedicated and determined to live out the phrase “we all do better, when we all do better.”

It would be a missed opportunity to not have her as a part of any leadership team, especially that of one of the largest, well respected and well known unions in Minnesota and Nationally, AFSCME. The relationship building she has done along her long career as Shepard to many workers and in the community, is an absolute asset to the leadership team of AFSCME and the many affiliated members she would support as Secretary for Council 5.

As staff of the MN AFL-CIO, I am so thankful and grateful to know her and to have had the opportunity to work with and fight for workers along side Cherrene Horazuk.

Sharice McCain

MN AFL-CIO

Data/ Information Specialist

Smccain@mnaflcio.org

I would like to offer my endorsement for Pat Guernsey as Council 5 President. I have worked with Pat for over 25 years in Hennepin County Probation. I have worked with him on the Executive Board for Local 552 for many years as well.

It is difficult to capture in a short piece the contribution that Pat has made to our Local, Hennepin County joint bargaining efforts and Council 5. I often wonder if Pat sleeps, due to the amount of time he puts into union activities. He is frequently spending weekends door knocking for candidates, he attends Council 5 meetings and activities, and he often attends events for other union locals. He certainly spends a great deal of time on our Local business with healthcare committee, bargaining, and the many tasks involved with being our Local President. He often reminds our Local that we are just a small part of a larger group.

Pat is frequently in Council 5 media, because he seldom misses anything! He is a dedicated supporter of Day on the Hill, state and international conventions. In our Local, it is no excuse to say you don’t have time for something because Pat demonstrates an untiring commitment to the union.

If elected, Pat will exhibit the qualities of a leader that I believe we would be proud of in our next President. He has a great deal of integrity, he has tremendous commitment to the union, he can inspire others, he will be accountable to all Locals, and he will make informed decisions.

I cannot think of a better person to represent Council 5 as President.

In solidarity,

Brenda Wood

Local 552 Executive Board member

Hennepin County Community Corrections

As the treasurer and steward of Local 3801 (former trustee and eboard member of the local since 2005), I have worked closely with Cherrene Horazuk on the last three rounds of contract negotiations for the clerical employees of the University of Minnesota system. We have also worked on a variety of issues during her tenure as chief steward of Local 3800. Cherrene and I continue to work closely (though on separate campuses) on various issues, the joint eboards, negotiations, and work actions.

During negotiations, she is calm and diplomatic when we need a voice of reason; and passionate and fiery when we need an even louder voice of reason. Cherrene has always impressed me with her plethora of knowledge on labor-and-work-related issues, as well as, the fact that she is very intelligent.

Her inclusivity and open communication with University locals has helped build good relationships with other staff unions on system campuses; and strengthening membership. This strength of inclusivity has also increased diversity in local committees.

I strongly urge you to vote for Cherrene Horazuk for Council 5 Secretary, and the Four 4 the Fight slate.

Geraldine Hughes, Treasurer and Steward, Local 3801

Tina Wood- Ulvin

Co-Chief Steward, Local 552

When I started my job at the University of Minnesota as a 23 year old in 2011 I expressed interest in the union. Cherrene was a decisive influence in welcoming me and developing me as a steward and workplace leader. I have seen her continue to help the local develop new and diverse workers into activists and leaders in our local. AFSCME Council 5 needs people like Cherrene in leadership!

Kyle Edwards Lo