Ohio Public Employees

SEIU District 1199’s Public division represents nearly 5,000 workers. These workers are employed in a variety of fields including higher education, Head Start programs, community action agencies, county government, and libraries.

2019 Scholarship Winners

Congratulations to our 2019 Scholarship Winners!

Ian Quillen
Child of Carolyn Quillen
Kings Daughters Medical Center

Alex Butcher
Child of Amy Butcher
Cabell Huntington Hospital

Kacey Gilkerson
Child of Sabrina Gilkerson
Cabell Huntington Hospital

Richard McMillion
Child of Ruth McMillion
Seneca Health Services

Derek Stevens
Spouse of Rachel Stevens
Fairmont Regional Medical Center

Nicholas Amanatides
Ohio Dept. of Job & Family Services

David Barbutes
Child of Colleen Barbutes
Trumbull Regional Medical Center

Suzy Bangudi
Child of Brigitte Bangudi
Ohio Dept. of Rehab. & Corrections

Brittany Carrasco
Mercy Hospital Springfield

Kayla Chappell
Child of Tiffany Jones
Ohio Dept. of Mental Health & Addiction Services

Dwayne Gullatte
Child of Robin Bennie
Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Comp

Kevin Haller
Child of Maryanne Haller
Cuyahoga County Public Library

Kasey Hunt
Child of Samantha Chamberlain
Ohio Dept. of Mental Health & Addiction Services

Zoe Katz
Child of Jodi Katz
Bellefaire JCB

Griffin Kennedy
Child of Tim Kennedy
Cuyahoga Community College

Bobby Mounts
Ohio Dept. of Rehab. & Corrections

Shahid Muhammad
Child of Kasey Hall
Cincinnati State

Melissa Mulinix
Ohio Dept. of Mental Health & Addiction Services

William Nagy II
Child of William Nagy
Ohio Department of Health

Patrick Olabode
Ohio Dept. of Rehab. & Corrections

Ben Zhang
Child of Hongbo Zhu
Ohio Dept. of Mental Health & Addiction Services

 

Solidarity Newsletter – October 2019

solidarity 2Member News and Grievance Victories

● Hudson Elms Member Successfully Appeals Suspension. A member with the Hudson Elms nursing home in Hudson, Ohio, was wrongfully suspended. The member contacted their Executive Board Member and the Union to file a grievance. Showing the power of standing together, the suspension was overturned and the member returned to work with back pay.

● Favorable Arbitration Ruling for Cabell Huntington Hospital Member. A dedicated member and healthcare worker in Huntington, West Virginia, recently returned to work with full back pay and compensation, after being improperly terminated two years ago.

● Member at Cleveland Healthcare Facility Back at Work. A member in Cleveland who worked for Morrison Community Living, a contractor for Judson Manor, had been on the job for 19 years before being terminated. Over the summer, his co-workers greeted him enthusiastically after he returned to work after almost 7 months off. The member was terminated without a fair and impartial review, especially given his spotless work record and years of service. Standing with the Union, the member received full back pay and compensation for denied benefits.

● Nursing Home Member Negotiates Settlement. A member with a facility in Ohio believed they had been wrongfully terminated. The member worked with their delegate and the Union to file a grievance. The employer agreed to grant compensation and a neutral letter of reference.

● Grievance by Member in West Virginia Results in Additional Staffing. A dedicated member with Fairmont Regional Medical Center in West Virginia had concerns about staffing levels for her unit. She contacted the Union and joined with a co-worker to file a grievance. As a result, administrators took quick action and placed two job postings for the unit.

● Member With Cleveland School District Negotiates Settlement After Grievance Over Overtime. A member with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District worked with the Union to file a grievance, which had a successful outcome. In a settlement, CMSD agreed to make an extra effort to contact members to ensure that they would be notified for overtime opportunities.

Member Resource Center Update

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The Member Resource Center provides assistance each day to a substantial number of members across West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky. Whether you need a copy of your contract, assistance contacting Union staff, or advice on how to file a grievance, representatives with the Member Resource Center are standing by to assist members each Monday through Friday. “Your Member Resource Center Has Your Back!”

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OPERS Proposes Cuts For New Public Workers

SEIU Members Endorse Levy for The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County

This week, members of SEIU District 1199 voted to endorse renewing the library levy for the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. The levy will be on the November 2019 ballot and is needed to maintain services.

In 2018 alone, the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County had 952,262 individual visits and staff answered 252,916 reference questions. This 5-year renewal levy would not increase taxes, as an existing 2.4 mill property tax levy is set to expire at the end of 2019. There has been a union presence with this library system for decades. 

Public libraries make our communities stronger. We are encouraging all local voters to support this levy renewal in November.  

“Lorain libraries to get boost in funding.” (Chronicle-Telegram)

“The biennial state budget gives libraries nearly $20 million more than previously allocated.” #Union #LibrariesTransform 

— SEIU 1199 WV/KY/OH (@seiu1199wvkyoh) July 25, 2019

Public Libraries Receive Funding Increase in State of Ohio Budget

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We are excited to announce that Ohio’s public libraries will see a vital increase in funding for the services that library workers provide to our communities. Congratulations to all library members and partner groups on this significant victory.

Through your advocacy, we were successful in preventing a previously enacted budgetary provision under the Kasich administration that would have reduced the Public Library Fund (PLF) to 1.66% of the General Revenue Fund (GRF). A new provision also increased the PLF by an additional 0.02% to 1.7% of GRF. Finally, language was included in the final budget to retroactively fund libraries and make them whole for the month of July at the 1.7% level. 

Thank you to all library workers, advocacy groups, and partners, who spoke out in support of increased funding for public libraries. We are stronger together. 

Union Member Who Acted to Save a Client in Dayton Returns to Work After Arbitration Decision

Members with the Stillwater Center in Montgomery County, do very important work each day on behalf of clients in the Dayton area. Clients with the Stillwater Center often have severe disabilities, physical challenges, and/or significant medical needs. 

A dedicated member was recently terminated after acting to protect and save the life of a non-verbal resident by calling for an ambulance. The member then contacted the Member Resource Center, which took the dismissal to an arbitrator. The arbitrator ruled that there was not just cause and ordered reinstatement with back pay. 

Representatives with the Member Resource Center are standing by to assist Monday through Friday. “Your Member Resource Center Has Your Back!” 

Support Ohio’s Public Libraries

 

Free College Member Benefit With Ohio’s Eastern Gateway Community College

Free College Benefit SEIU District 1199
Members of SEIU District 1199 are eligible for a free college benefit with Eastern Gateway Community College. This benefit is open to eligible members, retirees, and their families. Eastern Gateway Community College is also a part of the University System of Ohio. Membership with SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH provides access to this member benefit program. You can sign a membership card online at this link.

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 some online programs. It is open to eligible members and retirees, in addition to spouses, domestic partners, children, grandchildren, and dependents.

In addition, the Union also has partnership arrangements with Southern New Hampshire University, Central State University, and Columbia Southern University. 

For more information and to enroll with Eastern Gateway Community College, visit SEIU Member Benefits. 

SEIU District 1199 Members Endorse Three Northeast Ohio Library Levies

Members of SEIU District 1199 have endorsed three levies for library systems in Northeast Ohio. Public libraries play a vital role in our communities. All three library systems sponsoring these levies have also had a Union presence for many years.

Issue 4 in North Ridgeville. This levy renewal is for the North Ridgeville Branch of the Lorain Public Library System. This levy funds 83% of branch operations. The current levy will expire at the end of 2019.

Issue 2 in Euclid. This levy renewal is for the Euclid Public Library. The current levy for the library will expire at the end of 2019. Since the last levy was passed in 2014, the library has had 2.2 million visitors.

Issue 8 in Stark County. This levy is for the Stark County District Library system. The current levy will expire at the end of 2019. In 2018, around 4 million items were checked out and returned from this library system.

These levies provide critical funding for public libraries across Northeast Ohio. The levies will be on the May 7th ballot in 2019 for voters from respective localities.

SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH Scholarship Program

2014_SEIU1199_ScholarshipVerticalBannerWho is eligible?
All SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH members in good standing and their immediate family members are eligible.

What are the requirements?
You must have been accepted or currently enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year educational institution or technical school and actively enrolled in a degree, post bachelor’s degree or certification program.
You must be enrolled for a minimum of five (5) credit hours in a course required or related to the degree or certification.
You and your immediate family member(s) are eligible if you have been a member in good standing of SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH for at least two years prior to the application deadline.

How do I apply?
Complete scholarship eligibility criteria, requirements and applications are available here:

• SEIU 1199 Scholarship Form
• SEIU 1199 Scholarship FAQ

Members may also obtain an application packet including eligibility criteria information and an application by calling the Member Resource Center hotline at 1-877-419-SEIU (7348).

This program is now closed for 2019. The application process will re-open on June 1, 2020. 

• Scholarship Recipient List For 2018
• Update/Renew Your Membership 

Applications may submitted by email to scholarships@seiu1199.org or by mail to:

SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH
Member Resource Center
Attention: Scholarships
1395 Dublin Road
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Member Leader Training in West Virginia and Ohio

A training for Delegates and Member Strength Coordinators will be held on April 6th, 2019. The meeting will also include new member orientation and will be held at several locations across West Virginia and Ohio. Registration and further details are available here.

Regional Membership Meeting in Cincinnati

On Wednesday, April 10th, 2019, a Regional Membership Meeting will be held in Cincinnati. All SEIU District 1199 members from the local area are encouraged to attend. Registration and further details are available here. 

Sharing A Thank You Note From A Member

This note was recently sent by a member of SEIU District 1199 to Pete Hanlon, the Director of the Member Resource Center. 

I just want to send a note to let you know how much I appreciate the time you spent guiding me through my grievance. I also want you to know [the grievance chair] has been fabulous in guiding me and holding my hand through it. 

[A staff member] was brought into guiding me within the last few weeks. She too had taken the time to help me out and continued on with aiding me. One does not always see people “giving,” “helping others,” and “going beyond the call of duty.”

All three of you people have been kind to me through it all. I wanted to let you know how much, I, as a person, appreciate it.

Thank You and Blessings to You, 
– Member of SEIU District 1199

If you are a member and need assistance with a grievance, you can always call the Member Resource Center. “Your Member Resource Center Has Your Back!”

Members Join Together For Grievance Chair Training Events in Cleveland & Huntington

Members recently met in Cleveland and Huntington for grievance chair training events.  Additional training courses will be held later this year. Grievance chairs, delegates, shop leaders, and members, regularly assist their co-workers with grievances and make sure that the contract is upheld.

Basic Grievance Chair Training 9 
The ability to file a grievance, if necessary, is an important protection. The grievance process means that members can present the facts through a more fair process if contract violations occur. Training courses further ensure that members are well prepared to stand together. 

Basic Grievance Chair Training Photo
If you need assistance with a grievance, you can also contact the Member Resource Center. Representatives with the Member Resource Center are standing by to assist. “Your Member Resource Center Has Your Back!”

Victory Report – CMSD Member Reinstated After Unjust Termination

Two years ago, management with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District unjustly terminated our Union sister Lisa Pass. Standing together, we were able to take Lisa’s grievance to an arbitrator to review the termination. Our Union was able to win back Lisa’s job and she was awarded back pay for nearly the entire two years, in addition to other rights and benefits. 

Congratulations to this member on prevailing with her arbitration and winning back the job she cares so much about. There is power when we stand together as a Union. We are stronger together.

Willoughby-Eastlake Library Levy Approved

Members of SEIU District 1199 were proud to endorse Issue 6, the library levy for the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library. On November 6th, the levy passed with strong support from voters.

Passage of the levy is great news for the greater community and all who are served by this important library system.

Free College Member Benefit With Ohio’s Eastern Gateway Community College

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Members of SEIU District 1199 are eligible for a free college benefit with Eastern Gateway Community College. This benefit is open to eligible members, retirees, and their families. Eastern Gateway Community College is also a part of the University System of Ohio. Membership with SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH provides access to this member benefit program. You can sign a membership card online at this link.

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 some online programs. It is open to eligible members and retirees, in addition to spouses, domestic partners, children, grandchildren, and dependents.

The following programs are now being offered: 
• Associates Degree – Accounting, Business Management, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Individualized Study, and Paralegal.
• Certificate – Business Management and Patient Home Navigator. 

For more information and to enroll, visit SEIU Member Benefits. 

Health Care Coverage Open Enrollment for 2019 Ends on December 15th

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.

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