Bloomington union upset over changes in holidays’ names

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) – A decision to change the names the city of Bloomington uses to refer to Columbus Day and Good Friday has upset leaders of the city-workers union.

Mayor John Hamilton announced last week that the city will now refer to Columbus Day as “Fall Holiday” and Good Friday as “Spring Holiday.” The mayor says the city hopes to “better reflect cultural sensitivity in the workplace.”

Rick Albright is president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 2487. According to the Bloomington Herald-Times, he emailed the mayor saying the changes amounted to changes in the union’s contract. Albright said he plans to file a grievance.

City spokeswoman Mary Catherine Carmichael says the contract language will not change, only the employee manual.