Sunday, September 28, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Bargaining Surveys
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Labor Day Picnic (ODOT Style)
Thanks to phenomenal service and support, we had a wonderful and successful Labor Day picnic. This year we decided to grill food in our area of the park for those SEIU Members and their families in attendance. Over 900 people were served hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, chips and sodas.
Because of the generosity of ODOT Local 730, Homecare Workers Union Local 99, Oregon Commission for the Blind Local 585, NWREL Local 905, some lucky members received prize gift cards, totaling $470.00, for Gas, Groceries, Home/Hardware, and Household goods. I would also like to extend thanks and apologies to those Locals who wished to make donations but (due to no fault of their own) were unable to do so.
I extend the utmost appreciation to Tammy McGee, Kermit Meling, Dennis Wineburg, (All members of ODOT Local 730) as well as their families (and mine!) who gave up their Holiday to staff this wonderful event!
Regards,
Jason Kramer
Monday, September 8, 2008
Statewide Officer Elections
Here is everything you ever wanted to know about the SEIU, Local 503 Statewide Officer elections: http://www.seiu503.org/local503/nomineesbod/9swoc/Default.aspx
Sunday, August 24, 2008
2008 General Council
There were some resolutions passed that will clean up language in the C & B's or the Administrative Policies and Procedures (AP&P) as they are practices that are currently taking place. Not much discussion took place over those resolutions. There were others that had several discussions, both in committee meetings and on the floor of the council. Due to rules established and voted on at the beginning of the council, no dicussions concerning the resolutions lasted over 30 minutes. This was a major improvement over the council from 2006 where one topic was discussed for over two and a half hours! Fortunately, not all resolutions were brought out of the committees to the floor. Even so, there were still 59 resolutions that were brought to the floor for consideration. The rest were held in committees, which basically means they died in committee.
There was great discussion concerning a Member Resource Center. This center is currently being used by Home Care to assist their members to get answers concerning their contract and help stewards with guidence on issues. This center will now be looked at by a steering committee to expand in phases to other SEIU members. Phase one is scheduled to be online no later than September 30, 2009. It is anticipated this project will take five years to be fully implemented for all members of SEIU.
As this was only my second time representing ODOT at General Council, I only had my previous experience to draw on and compare to this years event. While at times General Council can be a frustrating event, it is an experience that I enjoyed and will likely run to be a delegate again for the next council and the next council. It is my desire to continue to do the work of our members and represent ODOT in the union and the business of running the union. Thank you for voting me back in as a delegate.
Thanks, Mike
Friday, August 22, 2008
Next ODOT Statewide Meeting
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
What is "Rich"
When asked what to "define" rich John McCain said "if you're just talking about income, how about 5 million"... So if you're making 4 million a year in his world, you're middle class. I thought this was interesting.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
PEBB Healthcare Changes
Here is the summary of PEBB plan design changes for 2009. This document was prepared by PEBB (I just now we received it) and we’re planning to use it as is.
Highlights include:
--eliminating the deductible on Kaiser dental;
--changing vision coverage to cover exam and hardware every 12 months, instead of every 24 months;
--increasing basic life insurance coverage from $5000 to $25000.
PEBB also took steps to eliminate or reduce cost barriers to certain highly effective treatments or screenings, including:
----tobacco cessation programs
----weight management programs
----certain highly effective generic drugs for treating heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol or depression.
----screenings for cancer of the breast, cervix, colon or prostate.
The overall increase in the composite rate will be 4.83%, less than half of the budgeted amount of 12%.
From the memo:
Align Vision Coverage
After review of routine vision coverage offered by other government employers, the Board adjusted the vision plan to cover exam and hardware every 12 months. Members may “bank” any unused portion of the $200 hardware benefit for use at another time during the 12-month period.
Adjust Kaiser Dental
For 2008, the Board asked Kaiser Permanente to make its plan more affordable by mirroring the ODS design, which includes a deductible. For 2009, the Board voted to remove the deductible from the Kaiser dental plan.
Use Life Insurance Assets for the Benefit of Members
Increased Basic Life All eligible employees will receive $25,000 in basic life insurance coverage. Agencies will pay premiums for the first $5,000; PEBB will pay premiums for the additional $20,000. This is guarantee issue, which means the carrier does not require approval. Coverage is automatic; enrollment is not required.
Increased Optional Life
Eligible employees not currently enrolled may purchase up to $40,000 in guarantee-issue coverage during Open Enrollment for 2009. This applies even for employees whose previous application was denied.
Currently enrolled employees may increase their coverage by 50 percent as guarantee issue during Open Enrollment for 2009.
Newly eligible employees may enroll in $40,000 of optional life insurance coverage as guarantee-issue within 60 days of their date of hire or eligibility.
Increased Optional Life Maximum Eligible employees may purchase optional life coverage to a new maximum amount of $600,000. Amounts must be in $20,000 increments, and amounts above $40,000 require plan approval. The $600,000 maximum applies to the employee only; spouse or domestic partner maximum remains $400,000. If both are state employees, each may have up to $600,000 maximum coverage.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Bargaining Survey Sweepstakes
SEIU bargaining surveys are coming out to an office near you. ODOT Local 730 is running a sweepstakes drawing for SEIU represented position employees who complete the bargaining surveys and return the completed surveys to your stewards or mail them to Troy Barnard in the Portland office no later than September 15, 2008. Three winners will be selected at random on or after October 1, 2008. Third prize winner will receive a $25 gift certificate. Second prize winner will receive a $50 gift certificate. The first prize winner will receive a $100 gift certificate.
The surveys are your way of letting your bargaining team know what is important to you. If you want changes to happen, now is the time to let us know. We got a good contract last go around because of you and your involvement. Let do it again this time!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
ODOT Meeting 7/25
Saturday, July 12, 2008
New ODOT Forum
Go to www.opeuseiu.org/forums
register for a user name (button near top)
click ‘return to the index page’
click ‘user control panel’ (near top of page)
click ‘usergroups’ tab
select ‘odot’ group and hit ‘submit’
click ‘yes’
then let me know what your user name is (email barnardt@opeuseiu.org) and I’ll sign in and accept you. If I do not recognize your email you MUST let me know your name and where you work (we do not want non-odot folks in the group)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Rosemont Workers Ratify Accord
After a near-unanimous ratification, about 60 workers at the facility for troubled girls gained an immediate average wage increase of 3.63% and improved sick leave, holiday leave and bereavement leave as well as key improvements on health and safety issues affecting them and the girls in their charge and a range of new workplace rights.
Jessica Sesler
Jessica Selser checks her chant sheet and Gina Montenaro holds her picket sign high. "I don’t have the words to describe how this day has changed my life," said one exultant member of the bargaining team, Saige Gracie.
"So many hours of effort, heartbreak, fury and sweat. My heart is on fire.
"We have real rights and real equality. All of my deep breaths from this point on belong to the people who held my hand though this process. Congratulations. Viva la Revolution."
The contract establishes staffing levels that do not compromise the therapeutic care of clients, specifically requiring at least three staff members to be scheduled for each dorm at all times absent a written explanation, and gives staffers the right to summon police if they encounter a situation that would likely lead to assault or injury.
Other health and safety provisions will alert residential skills specialists to the presence of infectious disease, provide accommodation for pregnant staff members, allow extra breaks after escalated incidents when coverage is available, and give workers input on a committee that discusses such issues as better and nutritious food options and sanitation.
The contract also spells out job protections including a grievance procedure to dispute contract violations; just-cause language and a "progressive" system of discipline; access to personnel files with a right to respond and remove negative comments after a year; and a set of rights to union participation and representation.
In addition to a wage scale that includes a Step System (which comes on top of an increase Morrison instituted last year during the campaign), workers won the right to use sick leave for illness, injury, mental health, medical appointments for immediate family members (including domestic partners), seven paid holidays with 1.8 times regular pay for those required to work, and three days of paid bereavement leave for designated family members.
The contract guarantees at least two hours of pay (a stipend for maintenance) if employees are called in, creates a fair process for filling in for those out sick, affords senior workers bumping rights in the event of a layoff, establishes seniority and availability as decisive factors for filling vacancies within classification, and allows employees up to a year of personal leave as well as the right to take leaves for medical issues, military service, or union work.
Rosemont employees and their community supporters pressed hard for a compensation and benefit package that would alleviate chronic staff turnover at the facility, the largest secure residential treatment center for troubled teen girls in the Pacific Northwest.
"The best part of this contract is that it will give us the ability to consistently give the girls what they need," said another bargainer, Charlie Ashton. "Higher staffing ratios will be enforced, so staff won't have to worry about work when we're not at work. We're a huge step towards a living wage, and we are still united after over a year of working towards this contract!
"We won! Congrats to us. By staying together as a unified team, we have improved the living situation of these girls."
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
July Bargaining Conference and NEW Forum
I wanted to give you all the link for the Bargaining Conference registration (yes, this is new, we are registering people On-Line). http://www.opeuseiu.org/register/ You will need to set up an account (takes about 3 minutes plus you'll have to check your email for the password). Also, we've had this blog going for over a year and a half now and it has definitely served a purpose. However, after lots of conversations amongst leaders and activists we have decided to create a Forum that will be attached to the blog where folks can create user accounts and comment on a variety of topics, from bargaining to politics to workplace issues. I will have a much more in depth post about this in the next week after I get the kinks worked out of the new system. I plan on posting a big visible link to the forum on the blog. My thought was the blog will continue to be used for News, Events, etc and the forum will be more for our internal discussion. If you have thoughts or suggestions, definitely let me know.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
ODOT Election Results
Officers:
President - Cameron McGinnis
Vice-President - Kermit Meling
Treasurer - Betty Huskey
Secretary - Mike Scott
Statewide Chief Steward - Bart Cotta
Bargaining Delegates:
1. Cameron McGinnis (automatic)
2. Bart Cotta (automatic)
3. Lee Erickson
4. Joe Lamont
5. Kermit Meling
6. Mike Scott
7. Mike Johnson
Alternate Bargaining Delegates:
1. Lorrie Schaefer
2. Betty Huskey
3. 26 way tie
General Council Delegates:
1. Cameron McGinnis (automatic)
2. Kermit Meling
3. Betty Huskey
4. Mike Scott
5. Bart Cotta
6. Mike Johnson
7. Felix Martinez
8. Lia Martinez
9. Donna McKeever
10. kirk Spindler
11. Shirley Wait
12. Rex Parks
13. Lorrie Schaefer
14. Matt Munz
Alternate General Council Delegates:
1. Kurt Kinder
2. 20+ way tie
Congratulations to all!
Monday, May 5, 2008
NASHTU Trip Recounted
We lobbied our state senators and representatives to support two House Recommendations to the Transportation Authorization package scheduled to expire in 2009. The first HR, 2485, is to ensure that public safety is protected, transportation funds are not wasted and projects are delivered in a timely manner, would require public employees to perform the inspection on all state and local transportation projects. When the construction inspection function is outsourced to a private company, there is no longer a representative of the public on the job site. This has led to problems that threaten public safety, increase costs and delay projects.
The second HR, 3621, will ensure taxpayers receive safe, high-quality transportation services at the best possible price by requiring state and local transportation agencies to prepare a cost-benefit analysis and assess the past performance histories of contractors, prior to outsourcing transportation services to private contractors.
Private and Public Partnerships was another issue. Two examples were brought up and discussed a few times. Both Illinois and Indiana have sold off part of their infrastructure to foreign countries to get money now. However, the deals are for 75 and 99 years and will be toll roads. The purchasers can raise the tolls to whatever they want for the period of time they own the roads. Thereby making a significant profit on the roads and it is unsure or unknown as to whether they will maintain the roads.
The other big issue brought up and discussed at length was Design Build. For those who don't know, Design-build lumps design, construction and inspection of a highway project into a single contract that is awarded not through competitive bidding, but through a process that allows unspecified factors to be considered "significantly more important than cost." Design-build also allows the private contractor to inspect and sign off on his or her own work. I don't know about you, but this send up a huge red flag and I don't mean the US flag. To say the least, state inspectors are no where involved in these projects.
For myself, I was thrilled to go and represent our union and agency employees on these important issues facing ODOT now and in the future. Thanks goes to our Local 730 leadership for selecting us to attend and to SEIU 503 help in covering the costs for this trip.
Mike Johnson
Friday, March 21, 2008
Political Conference
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Voice Election Edition
Monday, February 25, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Announcement of Public Services Contest
The SEIU Public Services Division is looking for bright ideas for improving public services all across America. To gather fresh ideas and highlight the important work of our public service members, the Division is sponsoring a contest for the best innovative idea for improving public services. The Division is counting on your help to share information and contest materials with your members. This is a great opportunity for SEIU public service members to share their great ideas.
Attached please find a complete set of contest materials, including an Official Contest Entry Form (which runs 5 pages including the guidelines and rules) and a flyer about the contest. Here are a few details about the contest:
1. The Division hopes you will share the complete set of contest materials with your public service members - agency fee payers cannot participate in the contest. Only those who were full members by 12-31-2007 can participate. Joining the union will not enable a new member to participate.
2. The contest launch date is at 11:59:59 EDT February 21, 2008 and all proposals must be in by 11:59:59 p.m. EDT on April 4, 2008.
3. In addition to the written materials, full contest information and entry forms are available at www.PublicDivisionVision.org/Everybody_Wins. Members can submit their entries on-line or send submissions to "Everybody Wins", 1800 Massachusetts Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C., 20036. Submissions must be sent in by individual members; group submissions and/or any submissions sent by locals on behalf of a member will not be accepted.
4. The submissions will be screened for compliance with the official rules and then reviewed by a panel of local union judges who will select 20 submissions to be reviewed by expert judges in the 2nd and final round of judging. Complete details about the contest appear in the official contest rules.
5. There will be one winner and two runners up who will be sent to Puerto Rico - the contest winner will be announced on Division Day, May 31, 2008. The local union of the winning submission will be awarded a $20,000 prize that can be used to implement the bright idea.
The Bully Boss
The Bully Boss. We have all heard that phrase or something like it. We all have our own definitions of what it means. Boil it all down and it is a supervisor who acts inappropriately. It may be as intense as the boss who really is physically threatening or as low key as the leader who never says anything directly but drops lots of clues.
Every large enterprise has one (or more) from time to time and our Agency is no exception. There are several things required for a bully boss to exist.
The first thing is little or no training. Many ODOT employees are folks who job driven; tell them what to do and then get out of the way. They are mission oriented; get it done. The mission is more important than communication skills, more important than personnel skills. Many of these folks do well and invite increasing responsibility. With responsibility comes authority.
The second ingredient for the existence of a bully boss is fear. Fear is a two way street. Obviously there may be fear of the boss by those who work for him or her. Fear may also drive the bully boss. Fear of not getting the job done. Fear of work quality issues. Budget concerns. Timelines. Fear of failure.
The third and possibly the largest contributor to bully bosses is silence. Peers and workers not letting the supervisor know how their actions are perceived allows that supervisor to say she or he did not know. Not setting boundaries for acceptable behavior may encourage the bullying to continue and increase.
On 16 December 2007 I posted an article about ODOT crews in South Eastern Oregon and their story of dealing with a bully boss. There are other stories. Last weekend, at Astoria, leaders and organizers in our Union discussed how we might help our membership to deal with the bully boss. This blog is our first step. This blog is a two-way communication. It can be anonymous if desired. A separate page has been opened in this blog to deal with this issue. Local members can post their concerns & ask questions.
What would you like to see? What information would help you deal with a bully boss? If you currently work with an abusive superior – how can your Local help?
Finally, in our statewide labor management meetings we have been pushing for more training, both for managers and for those in Labor who desire to become managers. Invest in our people before we promote. For me it is a hard thing to argue that we need to promote from within and then argue against a former Union member, now a manager, who is in over their head.
I encourage you to not allow ignorance, fear and silence make our good jobs miserable.
mac
Monday, February 18, 2008
ODOT Local 730 Elections
Many of you know that elections are coming up for officers and delegates in our ODOT Local 730. The first notice was in the last issue of The 503 Voice. The election guidelines are also in the SEIU website; http://www.seiu503.org/.
Our nomination period opened 1 February 2008. The nomination forms are available via e-mail from our statewide organizer, Troy Barnard, or myself. The nomination forms must be returned to the Portland SEIU office no later than 5:00pm, Wednesday, 5 March 2008.
This blog will provide a place for candidates to post statements about their qualifications and motivation for seeking election. This is not required. You or someone else can submit your nomination and await the results of the election. If, however you wish to communicate with other members, here is an opportunity.
The officers are: Statewide Chief Steward, Secretary, Treasure, Vice President, President.
The delegates are of two types. Bargaining Delegates; there are 7. General Council Delegates; there are 14 delegates & 7 alternates. All serve for 2 years. Our constitution and bylaws are referenced here on this blog. The responsibilities of these folks are laid out there. One requirement all of these positions have in common is commitment. A commitment to show up. A commitment to work for the good of our Union which is made up of our membership. And a commitment to represent the interests of those members, not your own personal viewpoint.
The General Council Delegates will need to be available for General Council to be held in August 2008, Wednesday the 20th thru Saturday the 23rd. If the General Council delegates choose to decide something later in the 2 year cycle, you may be asked to caucus via mail, e-mail or telephone conference. This happens infrequently.
General Council is the ultimate decision making body of our Union. Our Union is a member run Union and member delegates write, discuss & debate resolutions and vote on those resolutions.
Bargaining Delegates are the members who negociate the collective bargaining agreement, our contract. The commitment is longer; this last session was just short of 6 months. It is not every day. Negociations are generally once a week, every other week. Toward the end it may be every week and more frequently. Speaking from experience, it can be extremely frustrating and very satisfying. You must be willing to study our collective bargaining agreement. As said above, we represent our members, so, we need to talk with them to find what their priorities are. We must ask them, and assist them to provide testimony and evidence to the bargaining teams. Lastly, we must carry the results and the reasons why back to our fellow crew members; sometimes it requires us to teach them what the language means and how to use it.
ODOT Local 730 officers are active for the 2 year duration. Statewide officers are responsible for conducting the day to day business of our Local. Again, we talk to our members daily, exploring their interests and needs. We are constantly on the search for stewards and activists. We are responsible for training our members both formally and informally. We are given a budget to accomplish all these things and have fiduciary responsibility to use that budget wisely.
Our Treasurer must have the ability to learn and use the Unions finance system. The system always requires at least two signatures which can slow the process. The Treasurer needs to able to find the time to move things along as they happen. Betty Huskey of the Office of Civil Rights is currently our Treasurer and does an outstanding job. She can answer any questions you might have about the job description.
Communication has been chosen as the number one problem by our members. Our Secretary must be willing to communicate by phone, mail and e-mail. We hope to be able to create a communication network in the near future; the Secretary will be key to establishing this network and maintaining it. The Secretary keeps record of the meetings of the Local and distributes those as needed. Mike Scott of the Grants Pass maintenance crew is currently our Secretary, coming to the position several months ago.
The Statewide Chief Steward is a resource for all of our stewards and their crews. Ideally this person brings years of experience to this position. The Chief Steward does not need to know every thing, but should have an idea where to find out. The Chief Steward helps to build our network of stewards throughout the state. Bart Cotta of the Hunters Creek maintenance crew is our current Statewide Chief Steward and the Region 3 Chief Steward.
The Vice President should be capable of helping all of the offices and delegates and may be ask to do these jobs in the absence that officer. The Vice President fills in for the President. This person may chair any committees that the Local may form. The Vice President attends the Agency Director's Labor Management meetings in Salem, in the Transportations Building, quarterly. Kermit Meling, a Senior Motor Carrier Enforcement Officer, stationed in the Barlow Building in Portland is our Vice President and can answer questions regarding the requirements of this office.
The President is the face of our Local. This person also attends the Statewide Labor Management meetings. The President is a Bargaining Delegate and a General Council Delegate. The President should be able to facilitate our members working together to achieve the goals of the Local. The President should be willing to talk to anyone in the Agency and throughout our Union. The ability to prioritize is helpful. I currently hold the office; my name is Cameron M. McGinnis. I am a TMS2 on the Meacham Section.
Please give thought to our elections and persons you think will be able to do the job. Every one of them is important. Is it time for you to step up?
mac
Cameron M. McGinnis
TMS2, Meacham Section
ODOT Local 730, President
SEIU 503, OPEU