The leadership of AFSCME Local 366 had hoped that the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District commissioners would get it. That, if they looked — really looked — at the decision a decade ago to privatize MMSD’s wastewater treatment facilities, they’d see the re-municipalization light. But in the end, only four of the 11 commissioners did.

    On Dec. 3, MMSD commissioners voted once again to contract out, this time going with Veolia Water by a 7-4 vote. A France-based corporation just like the previous privateer United Water Services (UWS), Veolia was the low bidder, MMSD officials said. Veolia’s contract begins March 1, 2008.

    The seven commissioners voting for the contract: Robert Brunner, president, village of River Hills; Preston Cole; Theresa Estness, mayor of Wauwatosa; Dennis Grezezinski; Ronald Hayward, president, village of West Milwaukee; Dale Richards; and former MMSD exec Wallace White.

    Rejecting the contract were Lyle Balistrieri; State Rep. Pedro Colon; State Rep. David Cullen; and Milwaukee Ald. Ashanti Hamilton.

    Local 366 has filed a fourth-step grievance with MMSD seeking to stop the privatization.

    “Our statement is that there is no $35 million savings [over the 10-year life of the contract] — only increased operating costs,” says Local 366 President Rick Stencel.

    Meanwhile, Local 366 leadership has initiated talks with Veolia.

    “We have to if we’re going to be responsible union leaders,” Stencel says. “If we’re not successful with our challenge, we’ll have a new employer that needs to meet with its employees. No matter how you look at it, there’s going to be a transition, and we’ll have to be ready to navigate it.”

    Local 366 leadership also has been busy on other MMSD fronts. Local 366 comprises two bargaining units: 115 MMSD public employees 100 or so UWS private employees. Late last month, the 115 MMSD public employees ratified a three-year agreement with the district.

    Under the pact, which is retroactive to May 1, 2006, and extends through April 20, 2009, Local 366-represented MMSD public employees will receive a 3 percent wage increase in 2006, a 2.75 percent hike in 2007 and a 3 percent boost in 2008. There’s also been an adjustment to the shift differential: Second-shift workers now earn $0.75 more per hour (compared with $0.31 more per hour) and third-shift workers will earn $1.00 more per hour (compared with $0.38 more per hour).

    Also: Employees’ share of the health insurance cost will increase from $45 (single) and $90 (family) per month to $50 and $100 per month, respectively. Plan modifications include office co-pays, deductibles and prescriptions. Employees who opt out of the health insurance plan will receive compensation equal to annual premium for single/family coverage.

    The agreement also includes a flexible spending account (FSA), which is new to employees. Under the plan, the employer will contribute contribute $225 (as of January 2007) and again in January 2008. Previously, employees were the only FSA contributors. And: Funeral leave now covers a spouse’s step parent.

    Meanwhile, the road to a settlement for Local 366-represented UWS private employees continues to be a rocky one. After UWS members voted in July overwhelmingly to reject the most recent UWS offer, they changed their minds early this month and approved the employer’s last final offer. But now that UWS lost its contract with MMSD, the privateer isn’t acknowledging the contract approval or the new wages, retroactive to 2006.

    Local 366 has filed a grievance with UWS, which to date hasn’t shown much inclination to change their position.

    “We’ll be exploring our options there, too,” Stencel says.