State of Ohio members have been working together to achieve resolution of leave and other workplace issues. The outcomes detailed below highlight the importance of collective bargaining and Union rights.
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction – A member was denied weekend leave using compensatory time because he would not state the reason. The member joined with the Union, as providing a reason for such leave is not required. The state then allowed the use of compensatory time and returned the member’s personal leave, as requested by the member.
Ohio Department of Health – Leave was denied for a member for an important date. However, the state did not follow procedure in denying the leave. The member joined with the Union and leave was granted.
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction – A member received a written reprimand for reasons that were not justified. Working as a team with their shop delegate, the member convinced the agency to reverse the reprimand.
Ohio Department of Mental Health – Standing with the Union and their shop delegate, a member took action to appeal a 3-day working suspension. A mediator found that the state failed to prove just cause and that the member’s testimony was credible. The mediator demanded that the state reverse the discipline.
Department of Rehabilitation and Correction – A member with the DRC was issued a written warning and joined together with her delegate at work. The delegate helped file a grievance and stood by her at a grievance hearing where they presented the facts. The issue was reduced to a corrective counseling, which is not a formal form of discipline.
Without collective bargaining and the support of fellow members, victories like those listed here would likely not be possible. We are stronger together.
Members with the State of Ohio have an obligation to provide quality health care and a safe environment. Each year health care members at a state facility also complete an annual exam that requires training and preparation.
The members at this facility recently stood together to file a class action grievance out of concern that time needed to study for the exam would detract from patient care. As a result of their efforts, members are being provided with 8 hours of relief from regular duties to complete important education and the requisite testing.
The stand taken by these workers ensures proper training, a safe environment, and the best possible patient care. The effort also shows the importance of their voice in the workplace and that by standing united, they were able to reach the best possible outcome. We are stronger together.
State of Ohio Contract Negotiations Bargaining Update
State Chapter Newsletter | July 31, 2018
Last week, SEIU District 1199 President Becky Williams, Secretary-Treasurer Kathy McCormick, Public Affairs Director Anthony Caldwell and our Membership Coordinator Lisa Hetrick joined our bargaining committee to check-in on the progress of negotiations and update our Bargaining Team on the great work our Union is doing to improve representation, increase membership support and push the Regan-Tokes and 25 and out legislation for APA members.
IMPROVING REPRESENTATION
Designated Grievance Support Team: Our Union created a Member Resource Center (MRC), which added six (6) additional staff to defend our Union contract and file charges against the State when they violate labor laws. President Williams enrolled the State of Ohio members into the MRC first and since that date the MRC has helped our Delegates process 283 Grievances and of those grievances filed;
The State Bargaining Committee identified areas to further improve the MRC and those changes are being implemented now.
Last week, we continued our negotiations with the State of Ohio where our SEIU/1199 negotiating committee has now presented the state with all of our economic proposals and continued discussions regarding the non-economic proposals that remain unresolved.
We are making progress on some of the language changes we demanded and our negotiating committee continues to stand strong on the issues that matter to you and your family. However, state negotiators continue to disregard your concerns.
That’s why now is the time to show your support for our new contract and our Union. Wear your “Union Strong” buttons and stickers to work, put on your “Together We Rise” name badge pullies and reach out to your bargaining committee members and tell them you have their back as well.
We have negotiations scheduled for three back-to-back sessions on August 15, 16, and 17. We remain hopeful that we will be able to reach agreement, but your support and solidarity will help us win on those issues that matter most to you.
If we are unable to reach a full agreement we anticipate heading to Fact Finding with Arbitrator Rob Stein.
In Solidarity,
Our SEIU/1199 Bargaining Committee
Our SEIU/1199 bargaining committee has been preparing for negotiations with the State of Ohio since early this year.
We elected our committee, trained our team, researched the financial data of each state agency and prepared our proposals long ago to be ready to achieve the best contract possible for our Union members.
But then there is the State of Ohio…
Despite having an entire Office of Collective Bargaining, numerous lawyers for each state agency and labor relations officers, the State of Ohio has put Dan Guttman of the high-priced law firm BakerHostetler in charge of bargaining on the behalf of management.
Their strategy: Delay, delay, delay.
We will not allow their tactics to divide us from our ultimate goal of securing a contract that improves the lives of our members and their families.
They say “one day longer” and we get “one day stronger.”
State of Ohio members have been standing together to win favorable outcomes. These members with the State of Ohio bring a great deal of dedication to their work on behalf of the public. Below are some of the recent victories:
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.
State of Ohio members have been standing together to win favorable outcomes. These members with the State of Ohio bring a great deal of dedication to their work on behalf of the public. Below are some of the recent victories:
Ohio Department of Health – A member worked together with a delegate to file a class action grievance. This member and fellow co-workers are in a position important to the provision quality care and have been pushing for additional staffing and mandation reform. The member identified an issue with staffing and successfully took action with the support of fellow members to make an important improvement.
Opportunities for Ohioans With Disabilities – A member interviewed for an internal position but had to use several hours of PTO time to participate. After the process concluded, the agency clarified that PTO time was not needed for future internal interviews but the decision was not retroactive. After taking formal action, half of the PTO time used for the process was returned to the member.
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction – A member with many years of experience with the State of Ohio received a work reprimand over a workplace issue. To the surprise of the worker, he was later disciplined again for the same incident. Working together with his shop delegate, the member showed that the issue had already been addressed with the original discipline and the secondary action was overturned.
Ohio Department of Veterans Services – A member was improperly denied an overtime opportunity. The member worked with the shop delegate to file a grievance and was credited with 4 hours of time.
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction – After a member recently retired, ODRC posted the vacant position but at several ranges lower. The agency was obligated to advertise the position at the same class level. To defend the contract, the shop delegate filed a grievance and the position was re-posted at a facility nearby, an outcome that worked for both parties.
Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services – A member volunteered for overtime on a day off but was then mandated. Rules state that mandation is not allowed when working overtime on an off day. As a remedy, after taking action, the member was skipped for her next mandation.
In addition to these victories listed, many other workers are standing together as members to achieve favorable outcomes for themselves, their co-workers, and their departments. The Member Resource Center is now open from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM each weekday to assist members and shop leaders who need assistance. These victories and others continue to show the power of unity. We are stronger together.
SEIU District 1199 recently learned that human resources with the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Department of Aging will merge. The change does not include merging any bargaining unit employees.
According to a notice sent by the State of Ohio, in July, three HR employees with the Department of Aging will move into the HR office for the Department of Health at 246 North High. The State of Ohio says that the merger is part of an effort to find ways for the agencies to collaborate but there is no plan to merge the two agencies.
We will monitor this issue and let members know about any further changes. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
It was discovered that approximately 677 nurses represented by SEIU District 1199 were not properly compensated for shift differential PPE on 5/26/18. The impacted nurses received $0.50 per hour instead of $1.00 per hour, as per the contract.
SEIU District 1199 has contracted OCB and this issue is being resolved. We want members to know that checks will be issued on 6/22/18.
The Union is always watching and doing everything we can to ensure that your contract is enforced and that issues are dealt with as they arise.
SEIU District 1199 has your back!
In Solidarity,
Josh Norris, Executive Vice President
SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH
The State of Ohio has released an updated Drug Free Workplace Policy (HR-39) that is now effective. The policy has been updated in relation to recent changes in state law regarding medical marijuana.
The updated policy allows medical marijuana use for some employees who are not on active work status. For additional information, please see a copy of the updated policy at the link above.
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. (more…)
State of Ohio Union Members,
I wanted to provide you with the latest information about our 2018 State of Ohio contract campaign.
In Solidarity,
Josh Norris
Executive Vice President
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.”
Because of the work of our Parole Officers through the Union, today we passed the Reagan Tokes Act (HB365) out of the Ohio House of Representatives Criminal Justice Committee by a vote of 10-1.
This is HUGE. Today’s victory would not have been possible without Parole Officers like you taking time out of your lives and work to come to Columbus for our Lobby Days and meet face-to-face with legislators about the need to address caseloads and staffing within the Adult Parole Authority.
But it gets better than that. The Chairman of the Criminal Justice Committee, Rep. Nathan Manning (R-Lorain), introduced an amendment to create the Offender Supervision Study Committee within the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission.
• Within the creation of the committee, there are requirements for membership of the committee to include an active parole officer, among others.
• There’s also a requirement that the group shall provide a recommendation to the General Assembly of changes to the revised code regarding all issues related to the supervision of offenders, including issues related to parole, community control, probation, community corrections, transitional control, and issues related to interstate compact policies.
Through our Union, Parole Officers now have a seat at the table going forward. That’s the power of collective action!
The process still has many steps – but this is a major victory for our members. The next step will be a vote by the Ohio House of Representatives, then the bill will go to the Senate and eventually to Governor Kasich for his signature. I will keep you updated as the process moves forward.
The open enrollment period for members of SEIU District 1199 with the State of Ohio is approaching. Enrollment will be open soon from 5/21 to 6/1 at 7:00 PM.
Included in the handout is information on benefits eligibility for dependents. Do not forget to verify your address information and review benefits coverage for yourself, a spouse, and/or dependents, if applicable.
State of Ohio Union Members,
I wanted to provide you with the latest information about our 2018 State of Ohio contract campaign.
In Solidarity,
Josh Norris
Executive Vice President
Sisters & Brothers,
On behalf of the your SEIU District 1199 State of Ohio contract bargaining committee, we are excited to share our next newsletter. You can view the newsletter by clicking here.
In Solidarity,
Your State Chapter Bargaining Committee
COLUMBUS, OHIO – In response to the passage of Senate Bill 201 by the Ohio Senate, SEIU District 1199 President Becky Williams issued the following statement:
“Today, the Ohio Senate chose to turn their backs on the safety and security of our Ohio’s families by refusing to address the real threats caused by the lack of appropriate caseloads for Ohio’s parole officers and failing to fix the broken system that monitors violent offenders released from prison.”
“The passage of Senate Bill 201 is an opportunistic political move in an election year that does nothing to keep our families safe once violent offenders are released into the community. While released offenders are subject to “post-release control”, just as they are now, without SB202/HB365, parole officers still will not have the staffing or the technology to properly monitor these offenders upon release.”
“On behalf of Ohio’s parole officers, we call on the Ohio House to reject Senate Bill 201 until such time as they can adopt a comprehensive approach to fixing our broken system like House Bill 365.”
On Wednesday, May 16th, the union will be holding an Adult Parole Authority Lobby Day for SEIU District 1199 members. We will provide lunch and refreshments for all Parole Officers that attend. We will focus on two issues:
• Reagan Tokes Act (HB365/SB202)
• OPERS Law Enforcement (25&Out) for Parole Officers
When: Wednesday, May 16th, 2018 from 10AM to 2PM.
Location: We will meet at SEIU District 1199 (1395 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43215) and carpool to the Statehouse.
Registration: Register for the APA Lobby Day Here.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Anthony Caldwell at acaldwell@seiu1199 or call 877-419-7348.
This year, we are asking members to submit an updated membership card. Most importantly, updated membership helps to ensure that our chapters and Union remain strong. We are stronger together!
The membership form is now available online and it is quick and easy to complete. Membership also provides access to the Union’s benefit programs, a free community college benefit, the scholarship program, and more.
Visit the membership form online to submit updated information.
Ohio State Vice President Election Results:
• Nancy Cooper 131 Votes*
Mental Health & Addiction Svcs.
• Nancy Rhinock 93 Votes
Adult Parole Authority
2 write-in candidates received 1 vote each
*Denotes Winner
If you have any questions, please contact Mary Jo Ivan, Elections Chair, at 614-461-1199 or 1-800-227-1199.
