State of Ohio

● Bargaining Update for Members. Last month, President Becky Williams sent a letter to the State of Ohio Chapter with details on upcoming bargaining. The bargaining committee for our next contract negotiations will be elected this August. SEIU District 1199 has also sent follow up letters to the State that are detailed in President Becky Williams’ letter to the membership. There have been no further conversations with the Office of Collective Bargaining whatsoever and they have not reached out or requested anything further. From our perspective, they are still compiling the information that we requested and will contact us if they have any questions. To be clear and to provide any necessary reassurance to members, we have not had any meetings, discussions or negotiations with the State.

● Wage Increase Update.  The 3% wage increase that was negotiated in the contract has gone into effect as expected. Many members have called and questioned whether or not this raise would take place given the recent pay freezes and cost savings days that are being implemented for non-union workers. Concessions have not happened because with a Union, you have a legally binding contract that provided for these wage increases. Furthermore, the legal obligation of the State of Ohio is to negotiate with your Union on any changes that would impact your hours of work and terms and conditions of employment. We have not entered into any type of negotiations. The raises noted above were hard-fought, well deserved, and overdue. The wage increases are the product of your strength and commitment to standing behind your contract and continuing to keep your Union strong. 

● Serving The Public During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Thank you for your service, dedication, solidarity, and sacrifice, during these unprecedented times.

● The Value of Union Membership and a Strong Chapter. Recent events show the intentions of bureaucrats with the State of Ohio who will continue to try to balance the budget on the backs of us, the working class workers, even while many are on the frontlines. In times like these, we must stick together and work with the other labor orgaizations that represent members with the State of Ohio. This is the best way to UNITE on pro-worker issues such as safety, fair wages, and protective equipment, and to secure the dignity that all working people have earned and deserve. 

● August Executive Board and Bargaining Committee Elections. Contested elections will occur for SEIU District 1199 Executive Board positions with the Adult Parole Authority, the Department of Medicaid, and the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. A by-laws change will also be on the ballot. Furthermore, members with the State of Ohio will elect members of the bargaining committee for upcoming negotiations. Only members in good standing will be allowed to vote in these important elections. A list of candidates can be found here and election voting times and locations are also available at this link. 

● Emergency Pay Class Action Grievance. SEIU District 1199 has filed a class action grievance for every member citing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) language Article 35, Emergencies. We believe that the current state of emergency declared by Governor DeWine falls well within the intent of this language and that all members who work during this declared emergency are entitled to the $8 per hour stipend referenced in the CBA. Send a message to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and ask him to honor the contract and grant the emergency pay that was mutually agreed upon. We will keep you updated as the grievance moves through the process.

● Honoring Ohio’s Parole Officers. This month is PPPS Week, which is Parole, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week. One thing that members can do to honor parole officers with the State of Ohio is to send a letter to legislators about legislative issues that are important to their work.  

● Educational Development Fund Update. On July 1st, the Educational Development Fund for members of SEIU District 1199 renewed with an additional balance of $750,000 available for reimbursement. Additionally, $88,149.07 was left remaining at the end of FY20, which will now rollover. Funding for the Educational Development Fund is negotiated  by member leaders as a part of your collective bargaining agreement. 

● State Chapter Member Takes Dispute to Mediation With Successful Outcome. A member with the State of Ohio contacted management over a period of many months about workplace harassment however, no action was taken on the member’s behalf. Eventually, the member’s concerns were substantiated but ultimately, they faced discipline, instead of receiving support. The member joined with the Union to bring a dispute forward through mediation. In a successful outcome, the member has returned to work.

● Working From Home. We have received several calls and emails from members asking about the implications of working from home and their tax liability/situation. While this may or may not impact your tax situation, the Union cannot provide ANY guidance in this arena. If you have questions, please consult with your tax professional or your local human resources department. 

SEIU District 1199 Member Benefits
Membership with SEIU District 1199 includes membership with three member benefit programs. Those programs include Union Plus, SEIU Member Benefits, and the SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH membership card. Members and eligible family members can now take classes with Eastern Gateway Community College at no-cost online. In 2019, Union Plus announced a new program with Central State University in Dayton, Ohio.

Member Resource Center – State of Ohio Chapter

The Member Resource Center has provided assistance to a substantial number of members with the State of Ohio. Members have stood with their co-workers to win grievances, which relate to workplace health and safety, protection of the public, and fundamental fairness, among other issues. Representatives with the Member Resource Center are standing by to assist members. “Your Member Resource Center Has Your Back!”

As you may recall, our Union received a letter from the Ohio Department of Administrative Services on June 1, 2020 asking we “come to the negotiating table before June 15, 2020 to discuss ways to reduce personnel costs.” That vague request didn’t indicate whether they were requesting to open the current contract or begin negotiating our successor agreement.

In response, we sent a letter back to the Director of DAS on behalf of our State of Ohio members. In this letter, it is made clear the service and sacrifice you make daily in the interest of the people of the State of Ohio and that it is the position of our Union that the state needs to find other ways to reduce expenditures rather than ask you to continue to do more with less.

We received a response letter from DAS on June 10, 2020, that read in part, “While we are aware that collective bargaining negotiations for a successor agreement are upcoming, the budget situation for the fiscal year which begins July 1, 2020, is unsustainable. We want to discuss with you cost savings measures that could potentially be taken immediately, within the term of the current collective bargaining agreement.” The letter goes on to describe the cuts they have imposed on workers who do not have the protection of a collective bargaining agreement, like salary reductions, pay freezes, and cost savings days.

Today, we are sending a letter to DAS to express our concerns over their nonchalant approach which suggests you and your families give up your financial security at a time when you should be honored for your heroism. In this letter, we make it clear we oppose the State of Ohio balancing their budget on the backs of our Union members.

In addition to the letter to DAS, we are also sending a letter to the Ohio Senate and the Ohio House calling for them to take immediate action on the following things:

1. Freeze their own pay immediately.
2. Allow and compel the Governor to use the nearly $2.7 billion dollars in the rainy day fund to close the budget gap. 
3. Raise additional revenue through taxes on the wealthiest people and most profitable businesses in our State. 
4. Close unnecessary, costly tax loopholes that benefit the few at the cost of the rest of us. Put politics and ideology aside and recognize that this is not the time to make drastic, recessive cuts to the state budget. 
5. We will continue to keep the lines of communication open with DAS and Executive Vice President Josh Norris will participate in a conference call with the State of Ohio to discuss any procedural next steps and to clarify any questions they may have about our request for additional information.

We will continue to keep all Union members updated on the status of these conversations. If you have questions, comments, or feedback please feel free to reach out to your Administrative Organizer or to Josh Norris directly.

This is a time when our collective efforts are our best defense to preserve and protect our rights, wages, and benefits. Call your legislators today, tell them about the vital work that you do to serve the people of Ohio, and demand they keep all options on the table to balance the state budget. You can find your state legislators by clicking here. 

If you or anyone in your workplace has not yet signed their membership card, please sign your card by clicking here.

In Solidarity, 

Becky Williams, President
SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH

● Bargaining Update for Members. We received a letter from the Department of Administrative Services Director, Matthew Damschroder, requesting that we come to the bargaining table before June 15, 2020 to “discuss ways to reduce personnel costs so we can work together to maintain services for the citizens of the State of Ohio and preserve jobs for State employees.” Three conference calls were held on Monday, June 8th to gather feedback from members and a survey has been sent to members at their personal email addresses. The survey will be open through Monday, June 15th. If you are a member but did not receive a survey, please write to vote@seiu1199.org. 

● Emergency Pay Class Action Grievance. SEIU District 1199 has filed a class action grievance for every member citing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) language Article 35, Emergencies. We believe that the current state of emergency declared by Governor DeWine falls well within the intent of this language and that all members who work during this declared emergency are entitled to the $8 per hour stipend referenced in the CBA. Send a message to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and ask him to honor the contract and grant the emergency pay that was mutually agreed upon. We will keep you updated as the grievance moves through the process.

● Educational Development Fund Update. Last July 1st, the Educational Development Fund for members of SEIU District 1199 renewed with an additional balance of $750,000 available for reimbursement. As of June 6th, 14% of the budget, which totals $109,545.25, remains available for reimbursement. This fund was negotiated as a part of the contract and allows reimbursement for approved training and educational expenses. In 2018, members negotiated a substantial increase in funding for the Educational Development Fund as a part of the current contract due to the fact that in previous years the fund had been depleted far in advance of the July 1st renewal.

● Recognition for Ohio DYS and DRC Case Managers. Case Managers with the Department of Youth Services and the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction are asking for recognition, not only for years of unequal pay, but for the increased responsibilities they are shouldering now. Case managers are assuming responsibilities for those who are working at home or cannot perform their duties because they are not in the institutions, such as teachers, librarians, legal, commissary, secretaries, and chaplains. Case workers are risking their health and that of their families each day. Add your name in support of DYS Case Managers and DRC Case Managers.

● Stand With Ohio’s Parole Officers. Ohio’s parole officers carry out difficult and important work each day. Even though these women and men serve honorably, Ohio law fails Ohio’s parole officers and the public in several areas. The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation does not cover exposure to fentanyl, despite the risks involved with such exposure. Most importantly, the Ohio Legislature must pass the Reagan Tokes Act so that Ohio’s parole officers can keep all Ohioans safe. Contact your legislators and Governor Mike DeWine by sending a letter at this link.

● State Chapter Member Successfully Challenges Disciplinary Fine. A member received a 2-day fine and believed it to be unjust. The member filed a grievance and with the rights guaranteed by the contract and the Union grievance process, the discipline was changed to a 2-day working suspension, the money from the fine was returned, and it was agreed that the discipline would be removed in two years instead of the standard three years.

SEIU District 1199 Member Benefits
Membership with SEIU District 1199 includes membership with three member benefit programs. Those programs include Union Plus, SEIU Member Benefits, and the SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH membership card. Members and eligible family members can now take classes with Eastern Gateway Community College at no-cost online. In 2019, Union Plus announced a new program with Central State University in Dayton, Ohio.

Member Resource Center – State of Ohio Chapter

The Member Resource Center has provided assistance to a substantial number of members with the State of Ohio. Members have stood with their co-workers to win grievances, which relate to workplace health and safety, protection of the public, and fundamental fairness, among other issues. Representatives with the Member Resource Center are standing by to assist members. “Your Member Resource Center Has Your Back!”

Dear Union Members at the Ohio Adult Parole Authority, 

As parole officers with the State of Ohio you do critical work each day and fulfill a vital mission on behalf of the public. Thank you for everything that you do to keep Ohio safe.

As Union members, parole officers with the State of Ohio are continuing to speak out about several important legislative issues. These priories include the passage of the Reagan Tokes Act, making parole officers eligible for a law enforcement pension (“25 and out”), making drug exposure (e.g. fentanyl) eligible for BWC coverage, and ensuring that parole officers have ample access to personal protective equipment and testing for COVID19, if needed.

At this link is an action page that allows parole officers and the public to send a message to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and your representatives with the Ohio Legislature. Together, we will continue to speak out for the important changes that parole officers need for themselves, their families, and public safety. 

In Solidarity, 

Becky Williams – President  
SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH  

his 1 day training is designed for Delegates who have basic skills but need more in-depth information, including:

– 7 Tests of Just Cause for Discipline
– Effective Investigatory Meeting Tips
– Federal Rights as a State Employee
– Differences in Mediations, Arbitrations, and NTAs

What: State Chapter – Basic & Intermediate Delegate Training 
When: Wednesday, June 17th from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where: SEIU District 1199 at 1395 Dublin Road in Columbus 

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic we must limit the training to a maximum of 27 members in order to provide appropriate recommended social distancing. If there is a need for additional training to accommodate more delegates we will schedule another one in the near future. A mask or face covering will be required. Thank you for your understanding and participation.

The registration deadline for this training has passed. Once you have registered, your leave from work will be arranged by the Union and your wages for the day will be paid by the State. Questions? You can always call the Member Resource Center at 877-419-7348.