If you or a family member need health care coverage for 2019, don’t forget to enroll. There are affordable plans but without a qualifying event, you must signup by December 15th. Eight in ten people qualify for financial help. Share this message with family and friends.
SEIU District 1199 would like to express a heartfelt THANK YOU to all veterans. We are proud of all of our member veterans and thank all veterans for their dedication to this great country.
On Behalf of SEIU District 1199 and our staff, thank you to all veterans and their families for your service and sacrifice.
After prolonged negotiations, University of Cincinnati members voted last Thursday in favor of a new 3 year contract. The contract provides for wage increases for the next three years, protects the Union’s right to negotiate over healthcare changes, and secures a $750 contract ratification bonus.
The University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees had previously rejected a fact finders report. Members maintained their demands and struck a deal to protect the majority of the fact finders recommendations.
On October 16th, the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees voted in favor of the new agreement. In solidarity, members rise together!
In Solidarity,
Josh Norris – Executive Vice President
To stand together, members with SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH can now request buttons and household decals. You can contact the Member Resource Center with a request for you, your coworkers, and/or everyone at your worksite.
If you are a member of SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH, call 877-419-SEIU, email mrc@seiu1199.org, or you can make your request online with the Member Resource Center. We are stronger together.
A decision in the Janus case is coming soon. Let’s show that no court decision will keep us from standing united. Working people are sticking together in their unions.
Here’s one way to take a stand and support unions:
Step 1: Make a sign with the word UNION, like in the iconic movie Norma Rae.
Step 2: Have someone take your photo or take a selfie holding the sign. This could be at your home, outside, or anyplace convenient and/or meaningful for you.
Step 3: Post the picture to social media such as Twitter, Facebook, etc. Post the photo with the hashtag #Union. If you’re located in Ohio, West Virginia, or Kentucky, show your support and tag SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH.
Step 4: Encourage others to take a stand as well. Share this page and there is also a flyer here that may be helpful.
Email your photos and we will share via our social media channels. You can also check out some of the early submissions on our Instagram page.
We are stronger united – together we rise!
This week, the United States Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision restricted workers’ rights. The ruling limits the ability of private-sector workers to join together to address violations of labor law — such as wage theft, harassment, and discrimination.
At a time when the deck is already stacked against working people and their families, this decision further erodes the bedrock rights of working people, while siding with the interests of corporations and CEOs.
What Does the Decision Mean for Working People? Following this anti-worker ruling, employees may be forced to sign arbitration agreements. As a result, they will no longer be able to persue class action lawsuits when facing wage theft and/or other violations of labor law.
The likely impact of this case is that workers will be deterred from standing up for their rights. Under the new precedent, when workers do speak out, they may not only be denied the chance for collective action but forced to pursue expensive legal claims under a rigged system of corporate arbitration.
The timing of the decision is also important. A decision is expected soon in the anti-labor case Janus vs. AFSCME.
We Are Stronger Together. The decision highlights the importance of unions and the need for working people to stand together. Working people are a force against inequity when they stand together. Union workers also have a vital and important voice in the workplace.
Read More (NPR): “Supreme Court Decision Delivers Blow To Workers’ Rights.”
BARGAINING UPDATE – MAY 18, 2018
UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
After Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, Lisa Work, an SEIU District 1199 Member and library assistant, was thinking about ways to help. She had an idea for a program under which the library could donate library fees to hurricane recovery efforts. She brought her idea to Lorain Public Library System Director Anastasia Diamond-Ortiz and found support.
The Board of Trustees with Lorain Public Library voted to endorse and implement the idea last October. Then last week on February 2nd, a check with proceeds from the collection program was presented to El Centro by Lisa Work and Director Diamond-Ortiz.
Through the program, $4,500 was collected and contributed to the Hurricane Maria Relief Fund for Puerto Rico managed by El Centro de Servicios Sociales. Lorain has a substantial Hispanic-origin population and many families from Puerto Rico have now resettled there in the wake of the hurricane.
Public libraries play a critical role in our communities. Thank you to Lisa Work and staff with the Lorain Public Library System for everything that you do.
Members with SEIU District 1199 are united for good jobs and quality care. An important benefit of union membership is collective bargaining and the grievance process. Below are some of the recent victories won by health care and public sector members of the union.
Candlewood Park Healthcare (East Cleveland, Ohio): The dietary workers at Candlewood Park received new uniforms and a $50 shoe allowance after a flood damaged their work clothing.
Spring Meadows Nursing and Rehabilitation (Toledo, Ohio): Health care staff at Spring Meadows ratified their first contract with new management at the facility. Additionally, 18 workers at the facility signed PAC cards to contribute to the union’s political work.
St. Vincent Charity Medical Center (Cleveland, Ohio): A worker at the hospital won his job back after a wrongful termination.
Ivy Woods Manor (North Lima, Ohio): A 30 year employee of Ivy Woods Manor was reinstated with back pay.
Avenue Care and Rehabilitation (Warrensville, Ohio): A worker at Avenue Care worked with the union to get a final warning reduced to a written warning.
Eliza Jennings (Cleveland, Ohio): A worker won pay for a floating holiday that had not been recognized.
Columbus Healthcare Center (Columbus, Ohio): Workers at the Columbus Healthcare Center had been struggling after the heat went out in the break room. After standing united as coworkers and contacting the union, another room was provided by management while repairs are made.
Cuyahoga Community College (Cleveland, Ohio): After a worker passed away, back pay was secured for the family.
Portage County Library (Portage County, Ohio): Working with the union, a Portage County Library staff member won back floating holiday hours that were lost improperly.
SEIU District 1199 is proud to announce a new college benefit with Eastern Gateway Community College. This benefit is open to eligible members, retirees, and their families. Eastern Gateway Community College is a part of the University System of Ohio.
This program fills the gap between federal, state, or employer education grants the student receives and the cost of tuition, fees, and e-books for certain online programs. It is open to eligible members and retirees, in addition to their spouses, domestic partners, children, grandchildren, and dependents.
The following programs are now offered:
• Associates Degree: Accounting, Business Management, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Individualized Study, and Paralegal.
• Certificate: Business Management, Patient Home Navigator.
For more information and to enroll, visit SEIU Member Benefits. Apply today! Classes start January 16, 2018.
Two State of Ohio employees who are members of SEIU District 1199 recently won back pay for wrongfully denied overtime. State workers are on the front lines of public safety, state programs, and critical services. The grievance process is an important right guaranteed by union membership and collective bargaining.
Employees with the State of Ohio Department of Health worked extra hours during an emergency related to opiate overdose kits. These employees worked extra hours to help notify citizens of potential danger with the kits. After working overtime, pay was denied. They then worked with their delegate to file a grievance and with labor law on their side, the employees were granted back pay for the overtime hours.
If you have an issue with your contract or violations of labor law at work, you can reach the Member Resource Center at 877-419-7348. “Your Member Resource Center has your back!”
Three months ago, SEIU District 1199 opened a Member Resource Center to enhance representation for all members of the Union. In this short time, the Member Resource Center has successfully handled a substantial volume of calls, inquiries, and requests for assistance.
Representatives with the MRC are standing by to assist members with everything from getting a copy of your contract to registering to vote or even to register for a Union event. Efficiency and successful resolution of grievances is a top priority — 125 grievances have been opened and half of those have been resolved with many victories.
The Member Resource Center is in a pilot-phase with full representation for workers with the following units: ResCare (Ohio), and ResCare (West Virginia), the Office of the Ohio Public Defender, the Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the Ohio Department of Administrative Services, the Ohio Department of Medicaid, and the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
If you need assistance with an issue at work, do not hesitate to call the MRC at 877-419-7348. “Your Member Resource Center has your back!”
If you or a family member need health care coverage for 2018, don’t forget to get covered. There are affordable plans available this year for residents of Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. You must take action by December 15th. Please share this message with family and friends.
If you don’t sign up during the open enrollment period, you will not be able to sign up for coverage effective until 2019 (without a qualifying change). Last year, 8 in 10 people qualified for financial help. The open enrollment period is shorter this year so it is important to get covered now.
To find coverage, visit Healthcare.gov. If you need assistance, you can also call 1-800-318-2596.
In the report “Attacks on Public-Sector Unions Harm States,” the Center for American Progress details the impact of “Act 10,” a law that gutted public sector unions in Wisconsin. After a dramatic weakening of collective bargaining, the wages and benefits of teachers and Wisconsin’s educational system have been compromised.
The Supreme Court is expected in 2018 to decide Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees. While supporters of “right-to-work” and efforts to limit public sector unions have often claimed these laws benefit working people, findings from Wisconsin are troubling. Action by the Supreme Court could soon bring “right-to-work” for public sector workers nationwide.
Specifically, in the short time since anti-union measures were passed in Wisconsin, the report found:
• In just the first year of the law, compensation for Wisconsin teachers fell by 8.2%, benefits for Wisconsin teachers were cut by 18.6%, and the median salary for Wisconsin teachers was reduced by 2.6%. Within 4 years, median compensation fell by $10,843 or 12.6%.
• The number of teachers leaving the profession has reached an all-time high. As a result, many experienced teachers have been replaced by new teachers with “less than five years of experience.”
• Teachers are not only retiring but moving school districts more frequently. With the loss of a “voice on the job,” turnover has increased, which is detrimental to academic achievement.
Leaders in Wisconsin told the people of their state that restricting unions would be beneficial but the report concludes that “this theory was misguided.” The results can be seen across the public sector – services in Wisconsin have been impacted by high turnover and service quality has declined. This study and others show that attacks on unions and collective bargaining harm not only pay and benefits for union members but all people across our society.
If you work at the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, don’t miss the 2018 open enrollment period. This years open benefits period closes on November 30th. If you need to update your benefits, time is running short so don’t delay. The CMSD 2018 benefits open enrollment flyer outlines the key dates and details you may need to know.
CMSD benefit team members will be at the East Professional Center on Monday, November 20th and Monday, November 27th – see the flyer for contact details. If you need additional assistance, you can always contact your Union delegate.
This week, a groundbreaking report was released titled “Strong Unions, Stronger Communities.” The report highlights the importance of unions to fixing the rigged economy and making our communities stronger. The report also shows the importance of strong unions to safety for us all.
“For instance, when unions are strong, wages are stronger – and not just for union members. When union density was at its height in the middle of the 20th century, so was the middle class. However, as union density has shrunk since the 1970’s, a larger share of income has gone to the top 10 percent.”
Unions give working people a voice on the job. With strength in numbers, working people are able to negotiate fair wages, advocate for those they serve, and establish better working conditions. Please read the report and share these findings with your friends, co-workers, and neighbors.
If you need assistance or information, call the Member Resource Center at 877-419-7348. Representatives with the Member Resource Center are standing by to assist members.
If you need a copy of your contract, information about handling issues at your shop, details on early voting or registering to vote, to RSVP for an SEIU District 1199 event, assistance with a grievance, and more, your Member Resource Center is ready to help. You can contact the MRC online, over the phone, or by email. “Your Member Resource Center has your back!”
West Virginia
Mason Anderson, son of Amy Anderson, American Red Cross
Ivy Hurt, Cabell Huntington Hospital
Alexis Saunders, daughter of Katherine Brunny, ResCare – West Virginia
Kevin Simpkins, son of Megan Simpkins, Cabell Huntington Hospital
Kentucky
Abby Collins, daughter of Karen Collins, Highlands Regional Medical Center
Ohio
Greg Anderson, son of Deborah Anderson, ZEPF Center
Melissa Brown, Frontline Services
Austin Capser, son of Cheryl Capser, ZEPF Center
Emily Corrin, daughter of James Corrin, Ohio Adult Parole Authority
Tyler Cox, son of Eileen Cox, Stark County District Library
Michelle Fairley, Mercy Regional Medical Center
Jennifer Gilmore, Northside Medical Center
Dylan Jordan, son of Sara Jordan, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
Nicholas Lamb, son of Shelly Lamb, Cleveland State University
Matthew Maldonado, son of Rolando Maldonado, Mercy Regional Medical Center
Hayden Miller, son of Robin Miller, Ohio Dept of Job and Family Services
Nuurah Parsons, daughter of Arcelia Armstrong, Rescue
Nicole Potocki, daughter of Therese Potocki, Frontline Service
Pauline Reid, Cleveland Metropolitan School District
Catherine Rogers, daughter of Diane Rogers, University of Cincinnati
Shauntia Smith, daughter of Lashanda Thompson-Smith, Kent Health Care
Erin Underwood, Mercy Allen
Shayla Winford, Ohio Living – Park Vista
