Minutes October 24, 2009 Meeting

LOCAL 771 CHAPTER MEETING 10/24/2009 MINUTES Attendance: Members: Helen Hanson, Joe Berry, Ted Rippy, Juanita Burtt, Roxann Gargac, Dixie Lewis, Dee Dee Strout Local 771 Field Rep: CJ Betit Local 771 Organizers: Jay Economy MSEA-SEIU Retiree: Phil Wolley MSEA-SEIU 1989 President: Bruce Hodgdon Review of Minutes of 9/19/09 Chapter Meeting Helen Hanson distributed the minutes of the 9/19/09 Chapter Meeting and they were reviewed and accepted. The one change to the minutes was in the Alpha One Bargaining Update that Dennis Fitzgibbons had not been present at the 9/10/09 meeting. National Direct Care Partnership & Voices Institute Local 771 members Ted Rippy and Dee Dee Strout reported on their attendance at the Voices Institute for leadership training in Wisconsin during the week of September 27th.Ted and Dee Dee both reported that this was an invaluable experience in learning how to lobby for change. The Direct Care Alliance is working hard to professionalize the DCW field, and DCW’s from 16 different states were in attendance. Ted and Dee Dee said they saw a lot of change and growth during the week, and very much appreciated the scholarships from MSEASEIU. Ted and Dee Dee will report back to MSEASEIU’s Board of Directors in November regarding their experiences at the Voices Institute. Treasurer’s Report In Pat Crowell’s absence, Helen Hanson reported Local 771 currently has $896.61 in it’s savings account and $105.57 in it’s checking account. LD 1078 Update Helen Hanson reported that the DHHS Lean Study of the long term care system is well under way. There are 18 members on the core committee ( including Helen) , and that Dee Dee Strout, Ted Rippy, and Helen will also be working on the Worker’s Committee which begins meeting on Oct. 26, 2009. Helen related that the study seems to be showing that the system is too top heavy administratively and that the clearing house agency of Elder Independence of Me ( EIM) is being looked at very closely. MSEA-SEIU 1989 Convention 2009 Local 771’s delegates for convention will be Helen Hanson, Joe Berry, Ted Rippy, Sherri Rippy, Dave Levasseur, Carol Ann Cammack, and Dixie Lewis. Carol Ann was elected as a delegate at an emergency chapter meeting held at the Area One Caucus on October 3, 2009. There was a general discussion of the upcoming convention and President Hodgdon reviewed resolutions that were currently scheduled to be raised at convention, including a resolution to consider disaffiliation from SEIU. Local 771 is strongly opposes this disaffiliation resolution, as SEIU has been a strong advocate for health care workers and many of our members take advantage of the health and dental insurance plans offered by SEIU. Pre-Retirement Planning Retiree Phil Wooley gave a presentation on the importance of pre-retirement planning, and reviewed the pre-retirement committee’s training provided to state employees. He emphasized that everyone’s retirement is different and you can not begin planning too early. Phil distributed a survey for members to complete and return. Alpha One Bargaining Update Field Rep CJ Betit reported that the one remaining issue to be resolved in the new A1 contract is the decision of when the closed shop status will go into effect. This issue should be resolved shortly. Labor Management Committee Dixie Lewis and Carol Ann Cammack will serve on the HC4M Labor Management Committee with CJ Betit. Issues to be discussed include scheduling and fill-ins. HC4M has told CJ that if a DCW calls in for a fill in the worker will not get a call back unless they cannot fill the request. This is something DCW’s had not been aware of and expecting and not getting a call back has been very frustrating. CJ reported that on he had received some good news in that HC4M has been over budget in hours of service delivered in July 1491-1403, August 1543-1403 and September 1554-1403. Next Meeting November 21, 2009 , 10AM – Noon at MSEA Headquarters in Augusta. Coffee and refreshments will be provided. Chapter elections for officers and delegates will be held at this meeting.