Now that I have caught up on my sleep (some 13 hours!!!), I wanted to share my experiences of this years General Council. I am very proud of the members who served on committees this year; Mike Scott on Employee Representation, Shirley Wait on Constitution and Bylaws and Donna McKeever on Membership Affairs. They did an awesome job considering the resolutions they received to cover. There were over 70 resolutions presented to the five committees this year. Constitution and Bylaws had the lions share of 24 and Membership Affairs had the next highest of 17. Both of these committees took the longest to get through their resolutions. Mostly due to amending the language submitted. They also had some of the most contencious resolutions submitted. Many resolutions were trying to deal with Joe Dinicola and his past actions. The Union attorney made it very clear that resolutions can only deal with future issues and if any of the resolutions past as written could be used for Joe to sue the union again. Since the union has already spent some $300,000 on the lawsuits Joe has brought, no one moved any of the resolutions that could cost us even more money in defending the union against Joe.
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
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Next ODOT Statewide Meeting
Hello ODOT- Wanted to let you know we're having our next ODOT meeting in Roseburg on September 26th and 27th. The 26th will be a social opportunity to informally discuss the state of the local. The 27th we will be get reports from different areas of the state and we will brainstorm bargaining ideas and read through collected bargaining surveys. The logistics will get worked out next week, but I wanted to let you know so you can put it on your calendar. Let me know if you are interested. Also, please check out the new resources on the left as they get added and let me know what would help you as an ODOT activist.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
What is "Rich"
I added this graph to show how your taxes would change under both Obama and McCain. You'll see for working folks they do better under Obama's plans.
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.
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
Some Highlights:
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.
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
Hi All,
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!
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!
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