509 News Winter/Spring 2013

CampaigN For our CommuNities

When we think about what is necessary for building a strong community, what comes to mind?

Effective schools to build an educated workforce, well maintained roads and comprehensive public transit that allow residents to travel freely, quality human services to look after the most vulnerable among us, and safe neighborhoods that attract employers offering good jobs. We all want the peace of mind of living in a place that has all of these characteristics.

But things like good schools and safe streets aren’t created by just wishing it so. All of these essential qualities require our society to invest in their future. Unfortunately, in recent years, many of these vital programs have instead seen their funding and support slashed from the state budget. Instead of recovering from our economic recession by building a strong foundation in our communities, we’ve cut the very programs that are essential to climbing out of the economic hole that we’re in. If we want to reverse this trend, we need to find a way to fund these programs before

SEIU LOCAL 509 — BRINGING TOGETHER HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS ACROSS MASSACHUSETTShttp://www.seiu509.org

Inside:

Officers’ Reports pg 2

Committee Reports pg 6

Officer Vacancies pg 7

Retiree Health Insurance pg 8

Continued on page 4

Family Child Care Providers at their first bargaining session.

Jim O’Day speaking at the press conference launching the Campaign for Our Communities

Family Child Care providers BegiN BargaiNiNg with the departmeNt oF early eduCatioN aNd Care

The past year has been quite an eventful one for family child care providers in our union. Over

the summer, the legislation that they fought long and hard for over the past eight years was finally passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Patrick. Not even skipping a beat, providers rallied together to sign each other up on union cards and build their union structure. In October, the over 2,500 union cards that they presented to the state were confirmed, and their union was finally certified.

Continued on page 5

2

seiu 509 leadership

SuSan TouSignanT President

iSrael Pierre Treasurer

ChriSTine Crean Secretary

PaTriCk Barry Trustee

BruCe Callahan Trustee

MiChael grunko Trustee

John DaCoSTa Sgt. At Arms

Chapter presideNts

PeTer MaCkinnon DCF

STuarT DiCkSon DDS

John laBaki DMH

kenny gorMan DOC

PeTer Cirioni DOE

John TorTelli DOR

Taiye anJorin DPH

arThur CaSey DTA

Maria TorreS EEC

SuSan SouThey IST

aDrianne WeiSS MassHealth

Cheryl riverS MCB

JuDiTh CoSTello MRC

DenniS MaCDonalD PSHS

Seiu loCal 509100 Talcott Ave, Building 313

Watertown, MA 02472

617.924.8509800.632.8079

617.924.8248 (fax)WWW.Seiu509.org

The 509 News is published five times a year by SEIU Local 509. The articles are written by SEIU Local 509 Members and Staff. It is edited by the SEIU Local 509 Communications Department.

The 509 News is printed by Red Sun Press. Red Sun Press is a union print shop

presideNt’s report

SuSan TouSignanT

Dear Local 509 Members,

After the many successes that our union had in 2012, we’re very excited as we work toward further gains in the upcoming year. During my time as your president, I’ve been proud of the work we’ve done together to not only win for our members and working families in Massachusetts, but also to build a stronger Local 509 for coming years.

Last month, I had the pleasure to attend the first bargaining session that Family Child Care Providers, our newest sisters and brothers in Local 509, had at the Department of Early Education and Care. After more than eight years of organizing and building power for early childhood educators in the state, they’re well on their way toward negotiating their first contract with the state.

As Family Child Care Providers build their union from the ground level up, we often think about what we can do to build a strong organization for those members, and we know from experience that our union is strongest when our rank-and-file members have the voice they need to drive our organization forward. In order to grow that voice, one of the building blocks of our union’s strength are our stewards. By ensuring that they are trained and empowered to work with and address the concerns of their coworkers, we can build real power at our workplaces. That’s why one of our primary goals for 2013 is further strengthening the grassroots in our union by conducting comprehensive stewards’ trainings across the state.

With that power in our workplaces, we’re better able to harness the strength of the over 17,000 members of our union, and work for stronger contracts and legislation that improves the lives of not only Local 509 members, but those of our families, the individuals we serve, and the communities in which we work and live.

Have you ever thought about what you would like to change in your workplace or ways in which we could build a stronger union? If so, I heartily encourage you to contact your field rep or another union steward and ask them what you can do to get involved or become a steward yourself.

In Solidarity.

509 newS - winTer/Spring 2013 — 3

treasurer’s report

iSrael pierre

As we begin this new calendar year, I want to thank you again for the honor of being elected to serve as your new Treasurer. During a year that marks a lot of changes both in our nation and in our state, I am excited to be part of our union’s leadership as we work together to build our power in Massachusetts.

Over the course of my campaign I ran on the platform of fiscal transparency with a vision of modernizing our union’s procedures to current standards. While talking with many of you, I heard you describe the ideal future for our union. This includes a better understanding of how our union dues are allocated and spent to carry out the functions of the union. You have also raised concerns about the frequency of communication from the Treasurer’s office. When you spoke, I listened. During my term as treasurer, the core of my work will be dedicated to keeping in touch with the needs of our members and fulfill the promises I made to all of you.

For those of you that I did not have the pleasure of meeting during my visits around the state, I would like to share with you the primary goals that I’m working on achieving as Treasurer:

1. More transparency in how your dues money is spent

We are Local 509 members and this is our organization. I understand the importance of spending our monies on fighting for better wages, working conditions, and other workplace improvements. I will ensure our dues are spent responsibly and develop tools to paint a clearer picture of how funds are spent.

2. I will bring the office of the Treasurer closer to the membership

Throughout the year I will have planned visits with agencies around the state. I want to hear about the things that concern you, and figure out how we can come up with solutions together. My doors are always open.

3. Systemic approach for electronic financial reimbursement

Plans are currently being put in place to offer electronic check reimbursements as another option to compensate member activists and officers. This is a more efficient system that reduces cost. I’ll explore new ways and means to be a responsible fiduciary of Local 509’s money.

You have given me a vote of confidence and I will work very hard to make you proud. Our future looks bright and together we will accomplish great things.

reCordiNg seCretary’s report

ChriSTine Crean

Thank you for allowing me the honor of being elected as the Recording Secretary of SEIU Local

509. I look forward for the opportunity to work with our President and Treasurer to better connect with the membership in the field and keep the lines of communication open.

It is my hope that over the course of the next year I will continue what I started during my campaign; visiting members in the offices across the state. I will be working with President, Susan Tousignant and Treasurer, Israel Pierre to schedule office meetings with members.

I encourage members to reach out and offer feedback, suggestions and ideas in order to make our union better.

Again, thank you for your support and trust. DON’T PAY DOUBLE DUESIf you work at multiple agencies represented by Local

509, please contact Israel Pierre at: 617.924.8509 x526

4 — 509 newS - winTer/Spring 2013

our state’s economy is permanently damaged.

So how do we do this? There are many essential programs in Massachusetts, and cutting one vital service to save another does us no good. At it’s core, our problem is one of revenue. For too long, much of the tax burden has been unfairly placed on working families. We need to raise revenue by focusing on those who can best afford it, while protecting the working and middle class families who are the engine of our state’s economy.

That’s why Local 509 has joined with a number of allies, from other unions to environmental, senior, and public health organizations, in the Campaign for

Our Communities coalition. Sponsored by Representative Jim O’Day (West Boylston) and Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz

(Boston), our coalition has recently put forth legislation that will provide necessary revenue increases, without adversely impacting those who are struggling the most in our economy.

The bill, called “An Act to Invest in Our Communities,” takes a novel approach at raising revenue by increasing the overall income tax rate, but simultaneously raising the personal exemption to counteract this increase for middle class families and seniors. If enacted, this proposal will raise $2 billion in revenue for our state.

As human service workers, we all know places that those funds could go to improve services in our state, as well as things like fixing the roads and bridges that we all go over every day and reducing the size of the classrooms for our children. We need these revenue reforms to ensure the future of our state’s economy, and it’s absolutely necessary that we take this opportunity to enact them now.

On March 12th, coalition members from across the state will be heading to Beacon Hill for a lobby day in support of our legislation, and you can be part of that delegation. Talk to your field rep about how you can get involved, or RSVP on our website here: www.seiu509.org/lobbyday

If you can’t attend the lobby day, there are other ways for you to get involved and make your voice heard. Hundreds of Local 509 members have already began to take action by meeting with or emailing their representatives, explaining the necessity of raising revenue and urging them to co-sponsor our legislation. Be on the lookout for emails and mailings with opportunities to contact your representatives or attend a community meeting at one of their offices.

In addition to our legislation, Governor Patrick has also proposed a revenue plan that in many ways accomplishes similar goals, but via different means. It’s unclear at present how the various revenue plans will shake out, but our coalition has made it clear that our number one priority is raising necessary revenue without impacting working families. If those goals can be accomplished through the governor’s plan or some other means, we’re open to working to make that happen.

To learn more about the Campaign for Our Communities, please visit our website www.seiu509.org and click on the “Our Communities” button on the right side of the page.

CampaigN For our CommuNitiesContinued from page 1

Community groups from across the state joined together at the State

House to Support “An Act to Invest in Our Communites”

Coalition members gather after the press conference to introduce the bill.

509 newS - winTer/Spring 2013 — 5

Since the official certification, providers have been meeting regionally and planning to bargain their contract with the state. In order to determine their bargaining priorities over 600 providers filled out surveys about what they felt was most important to them, and through that process, providers volunteered to stand on the bargaining committee.

Since the new year, the bargaining committee has met a number of times across the state to analyze the results of the survey, craft a set of proposals, and learn about what they can expect from the bargaining process. On January 31st, for the first time ever, family child care providers sat down across the table from the bargaining team from the EEC and began their negotiations for a fair contract covering the thousands of family child care providers across the state.

Over a dozen providers attended the first bargaining session at which we presented our first set of proposals, which included:• Increasing the number of vouchers available for working families in Massachusetts• A rate increase for providers• Paid sick and vacation days• Subsidizing transportation costs for families• And many other issues of fairness and open communica-

tion between providers and the department.

Since the first meeting, our bargaining team has gotten together to craft additional proposals and is looking forward to getting back to the table and making progress on their first contract. Upcoming bargaining sessions are scheduled for March 7th, March 14th, and April 4th. For more updates, check out the Family Child Care Providers section of the SEIU Local 509 website.

Family Child Care providers BegiN BargaiNiNg with the departmeNt oF early eduCatioN aNd Care

Continued from page 1

In addition to bargaining the contract with the state. Our Family Child Care Providers campaign is also organizing parents in order to help build the campaign to increase the number of vouchers available for working families. If you know of anyone interested in this have them contact Kursten Holabird at:

kursten.holabird@seiu.org

Family Child Care Providers caucusing during their first bargaining session.

6 — 509 newS - winTer/Spring 2013

uNioN Committee reports

Committee oN politiCal eduCatioN (Cope)Kenny gorman, Chair

On Wednesday, January 9th, COPE kicked off our 2013 activities by holding a different kind of

meeting. Looking to build on the successful 2012 elections, we opened up the format of this meeting to be a more free-ranging discussion of how we can work together and build an even stronger political program in years to come.

Members from across the state, from Fall River to Pittsfield, joined in to talk about what we can do as a committee to build political power for our members and all working families in Massachusetts. Most of the discussion was around what we can do to encourage more member participation in Local 509’s political program. One of the most important ways that we can encourage this participation is through talking to our members about what we’ve been able to accomplish through political action and general political education for our membership.

In the coming year, the COPE committee will be working to increase our involvement in the Local’s political program and to continue our work with local labor councils and other organizations building political power for working people.

I encourage all Local 509 members to join us at our monthly meetings held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7pm, with a rotating location. Please contact the Local 509 office for the next meeting location.

veteraNs Committee

ed donnelly, Chair

I recently attended a training seminar sponsored by various Mass veteran organization. A key

topic of the seminar was the current state of the Veteran Administration disability compensation section which is tasked to process claims filed by service men and women for wounds received in combat and injuries that occurred while in the line of duty.

The independent report study conducted by the National Compensation Pension Board and published in the Military Times has revealed these somber statistics: 31% of all claims filed for serious wounds are denied, 60% of those denied will be erroneous, 60 % of all claims will take longer than 125 days to be processed. More than 7% of all claims filed will be misplaced, and 4% will be completely lost. A veteran calling the VA benefit hotline has a 49% chance of being connected to someone and receiving a correct answer!

If these numbers are remotely accurate the system is in need of a dire overhaul. From my first hand experience spanning 40 years, it is a faceless process. A veteran cannot find out who is handling the claim and where the claim is actually located. I know of veterans who have waited for years to get a decision, and one recent case waited ten years before the family was notified of the award, three years after the family notified the VA that the vet was deceased.

The VA should adopt a processing system for these claims along the same lines that MRC/DDS utilizes, that system processes thousands of Social Security disability claims each year in a friendly, timely and accurate fashion.

As I stated in previous articles I strongly urge any veteran, or the families to contact a qualified Veteran Service Officer. Many vet organizations provide those services at no cost.

If you need help in contacting a VSO please contact me at recon173@verizon.net. I am sure we will be able to hook up with a VSO.

Formed by Local 509 members, our many committees bring together members from different agencies and regions of the state to work on common goals. Visit the Local 509 website to find out how you can get involved!

The January COPE meeting

509 newS - winTer/Spring 2013 — 7

loCal 509 leadership vaCaNCies

Below you will find the list of vacant SEIU Local 509 Joint Executive Board (JEB) and Chapter Executive Board (CEB) seats. If you are interested in running for a seat, please follow these instructions:

Nominations for vacancies must be submitted in writing to Vanessa Story at the union office via fax, email, or US mail. Nominations are due by March 8th, at 12pm. Only “members in good standing” are eligible for nomination.

Members can nominate themselves or be nominated by fellow SEIU Local 509 members. The nominating member also needs to be a ”member in good standing”.

Nominees who are unopposed shall be declared elected on that date. If offices are contested, election dates will be announced and candidates will be notified.

A “member in good standing” is one who: • has submitted a signed Local 509 membership application at least four weeks prior to the deadline for nominations; • has had dues deducted for the four weeks prior to the deadline for nominations; and • was employed in the jurisdiction, on approved leave of absence, or retired from a Local 509 jurisdiction.

Updated lists of vacancies can be found on the 509 website at http://www.seiu509.org/vacancies/

COPS Chapter IST Chapter PSHS (continued)

Recording Secretary CEB member/At-Large CEB member/Boston Senior Home Care

DCF Chapter MassHealth Chapter CEB member/Brien Center

JEB member/ Metro Boston Regional VP/Central/Southeast CEB member/Clinical & Support Options

JEB member/ Central Region CEB member/Tewksbury CEB member/Coastline Elder Services

CEB member/ Southeast Region CEB member/Springfield CEB member/Community Servings

DDS Chapter CEB member/At-Large CEB member/Coop for Human Services

CEB member/Metro Boston Region MCB Chapter CEB member/Delta Projects

CEB member/Developmental Center At-Large Regional VP/Department of Industrial Accidents CEB member/Elder Services of Cape Cod

CEB member/Community At-Large MRC Chapter CEB member/Ethos

DMH Chapter Secretary of Grievances CEB member/Family Services of Greater Boston

JEB member/At-Large JEB member/Voc Rehab/Community Services* CEB member/Fidelity House

Western/Central Region CEB member/Voc Rehab SE Region (2 seats) CEB member/Guidewire

CEB Northeast/Metro Suburban CEB member/At-Large (from Admin Office) CEB member/Highland Valley Elder Services

CEB member/Community At-Large (2 seats) ProEd Chapter CEB member/Latham Center

DPH Chapter Secretary of Grievances CEB member/MSPCC - JP

CEB member/DYS CEB member/Board of Library Commissioners CEB member/MSPCC-West

CEB member/At-Large Private Sector Human Svcs Chapter CEB member/Mystic Valley Elder Services

CEB member/At-Large JEB / Chapter Wide Seats (5 seats) CEB member/North Suffolk Mental Health

CEB member/DPH Central Office JEB/Brien CEB member/Old Colony Elder Services

DTA Chapter JEB/CSO CEB member/Service Net

CEB member/Region 2 North Shore JEB/Guidewire CEB member/S’ville/Cambridge Elder Services

CEB member/Region 6 Western Mass. JEB/Fidelity House CEB member/South Shore Elder Services

EEC Chapter CEB member / Chapter Wide Seats (10 Seats) CEB member/Tapestry

CEB member CEB member/Berkshire Elder Services CEB member/Woman’s Shelter/ Companeras

vaCaNCy NomiNatioNs should Be seNt to the direCtor oF admiNistratioN

Email: mail@seiu509.org

Fax: 617.924.8248or US Mail:

SEIU Local 509Attn: Dir. of Administration100 Talcott Ave, Building 313Watertown, MA 02472

8 — 509 newS - winTer/Spring 2013

goverNor patriCk proposes ChaNges iN puBliC employee retiree health Care CoNtriButioNs

In January, based on the results of a study performed by the Commission to Study Retiree Healthcare and Other Non-Pension Benefits, Governor Patrick’s office put forth a plan that aims at long-term savings for the

Commonwealth. Current projections predict that maintaining present benefit levels will incur a cost of approximately $46 billion over the next 30 years, and unlike pensions, there is relatively no money set aside to pay for this cost, thus it is a large un-funded liability.

The commission performing the study was made up of representatives from a number of parties, including: Democratic and Republican lawmakers, the Executive Office of Administration and Finance, the Treasurer’s Office, the Group Insurance Commission, and the AFL-CIO. SEIU Local 509 has not endorsed the plan and will be working with other state employee unions to lessen the impact on current members.

The Governor’s plan does not affect those who are already retired. So the proposed legislation will only affect those who are still working, with the exception of those in a few cases as noted in the outline of the proposal on the facing page.

As currently proposed, workers will now need to work 30 years to receive their full health insurance benefit (currently either 75 or 80%). Those who work less than 30 years will earn less of a contribution toward their healthcare premiums (as low as 50% for someone who retires with 20 years). Workers will be required to complete a minimum of 20 years and they will have to reach the age of 60 upon retirement in order to qualify to receive any health insurance benefit. (in Group 1) For a more detailed outline, as well as the list of exceptions, please look at the fact sheet on the facing page.

As indicated, the Commission included labor union and retiree association representation. Some labor unions are supporting this proposal because it represents less significant changes than would have been implemented with no labor or retiree input. In other words, more drastic changes were threatened before the Commission was formed.

Since the announcement we have heard from a number of members regarding the proposed changes, and have been working with many of you to determine the impact that it will have on your retirement plans. As the proposal moves through the legislature, we will work with state officials to try and address concerns that you have raised.

To learn more about the changes, please read the outline below and if you have further questions, feel free to email our general mailbox: mail@seiu509.org, and we will try to respond promptly.

509 newS - winTer/Spring 2013 — 9

OPEB Reform Outline For State Employees As Recommended by the OPEB Commission

December 20, 2012  Years  of  Service  w/Age  Requirement    Future  public  employee  retirees  (so  all  current  employees)  shall  be  required  to  complete  twenty  (20)  years  of  service  and  have  reached  the  age  of  60  (group  1),  55  (group  2),  and  50  (group  4)  in  order  to  qualify  for  retiree  health  insurance.  

 Pro-­‐Rating  Contributions  Future  public  employee  retirees  shall  receive  a  health  plan  employer  contribution  based  on  a  pro-­‐rated  scale  based  on  completed  years  of  service  upon  retirement  as  follows:  

     Years  of  Service   Premium  Contribution  

@  20   50%  of  Premium  @  23   1/3  of  the  difference  between  50%  and  MAB  @  27   2/3  of  the  difference  between  50%  and  MAB  @  30     100%  of  MAB*  

*Maximum  Available  Benefit    (Example  for  illustration  purposes)  The  Commonwealth  provides  80%  of  the  premium  contribution  to  a  retiree  

Years  of  Service   Premium  Contribution  @  20   50%  of  Premium  @  23   60%  of  Premium  @  27   70%  of  Premium  @  30   80%  of  Premium  (100%  of  MAB)  

 Exempted  Employees  and  Retirees  (Grandfather)  The  following  current  employees  and  currently  retired  shall  be  exempt  from  the  aforementioned  age,  years  of  service  requirement,  and  pro-­‐rating  of  contributions  as  of  effective  date  of  any  so-­‐called  Reform  Law:  Based  in  implementation  date  of  Reform  Law    1. Any  retired  public  employee  who  is  retired  will  not  be  impacted  by  OPEB  Reform.  2. Any  employee  within  5  years  of  retirement  age,  by  pension  group,  and  who  has  completed  20  

years  of  service  are  exempt  from  the  OPEB  Reform  • Group  1—50  or  older  and  20  years  of  service  • Group  2  –  45  or  older  and  20  years  of  service  • Group  4  –  40  or  older  and  20  years  of  service  

3. Any  employee  who  within  5  years  of  the  current  Medicare  Eligible  age  (60)  and,  within  twelve  months  of  vesting  is  exempt  from  the  OPEB  Reform.  

4. All  Accidental  Disabilities.    Partially  Exempted  Employees  1. Any  current  employee  who  is  age  50  and  has  completed  15  years  of  service  shall  be  eligible  to  

receive  a  50%  premium  contribution.    Pro-­‐rating  applies  at  20  years.  2. Any   current   employee  who   is   age  55  and  has   completed  10  years  of   service   shall   be   eligible   to  

receive  a  50%  premium  contribution.    Pro-­‐rating  applies  at  20  years.  3. Ordinary   disabilities   are   exempt   from   any   Reform   Law   until   such   time   that   the   2014   ACA  

Exchange   is   available.   At   that   time,   ordinary   Disability   Retirees   shall   receive   a     50%   premium  contribution  from  10-­‐20  years  of  service.  Beyond  20  years  of  service,  proration  shall  apply.    

 

Newly Elected Recording Secretary,Christine Crean (DCF) and Treasurer Israel Pierre (Private Sector) after their swearing-in at the December 2013 Joint Executive Board Meeting.

DDS members in Springfield hold the first of a

series of meetings with local legislators and their

staff around issues that affect their jobs.

Family Child Care Provider Ysabel Mata speaks out about the need for quality jobs and investments in our future at a rally in Roxbury.

Newly elected officers being sworn in at the

December 2012 Joint Executive Board Meeting.

MassHealth Chapter President Adrianne Weiss with Senator Katherine Clark, recipient of the 2012 SEIU Local 509 Legislator of the Year Award.

New stewards from public sector chapaters join together

for a stewards training at the Watertown office.

Seiu loCal 509100 talCott ave, Bldg 313watertowN, ma 02472

Non ProfitOrganizationUS Postage

PaiDBoston, MA

Permit No 59649

2013 Local 509 Scholarships OpenThe SEIU 509 Scholarship program funds educational scholarship awards for members and their

dependents. In order to qualify, an application must be filled out by April 1, 2013To apply, visit: www.seiu509.org/scholarships

Be oN the lookout For this eNvelope

An vote on a number of constitutional amendments is currently being conducted.

Ballots will be mailed out to your home address on February 27th, and must be returned by March 12th

Local 509 Member

123 Main StBoston, MA 02108

Upcoming Local 509 Events:• USSenateCandidatesForum-Saturday,March9

RSVPatwww.seiu509.org/SenateForum• CampaignforOurCommunitiesLobbyDay-Tuesday,March12

RSVPatwww.seiu509.org/LobbyDay