Alpha One Contract goes out for ratification

January 11, 2010

Dear Alpha One Member of MSEA-SEIU Local 1989,

The Executive Board of MSEA-SEIU Local 1989 has unanimously approved your negotiated Tentative Agreement covering 850 direct care workers to be presented to you for a ratification vote at this time. Please review your copy of the Tentative Agreement (new language is underlined) and vote my marking your ballot either to accept or reject its terms. If you have any questions, contact Field Rep C.J. Betit at 1-800-452-8794, ext. 1119.

Ballots and a copy of the Tentative Agreement has been mailed out to Alpha One members the week of January 11th. Be sure to check your mail and return your vote to MSEA-SEIU Local 1989 by 5 pm on January 26, 2010.

This Agreement reaffirms the parties' commitment to work cooperatively toward mutual goals affecting our members while recognizing the challenging landscape we all face in the current economic environment. As well, this Agreement captures Alpha One's ambition to expand to a full agency model in order to remain a leader in the Direct Care field. As we continue to fend off cuts to funding in the legislature, we also seek new funding sources for improved pay and access to benefits, and this Agreement allow us to re-open sections of the contract if funding becomes available to improve those areas. Additionally, there are added protections giving MSEA the ability to negotiate if the agency changes hands or evolves to a form of employee ownership to make sure the mission of Alpha One continues.

The members of MSEA Local 1989 continue to make improvements to our contract through bargaining. We also continue to fight in the Legislature for improvements to the direct care system and improvements in wages, benefits and working conditions for all of us. I encourage all members to vote to accept this contract as we all continue to work for a better future.

Please make your selection on the enclosed ballot, either Accept or Reject,and return the ballot to MSEA using the postage paid envelope that was enclosed. All ballots must be received at MSEA-SEIU Local 1989 Headquarters, located at 65 State Street, Augusta, Maine by 5 pm on January 26, 2010, and will be counted at that time. All members are welcome to attend the ballot count.

In Solidarity,
C.J. Betit
MSEA Field Representative