Notice of Dues and Service Fees Increase

As of January 1st, 2009, dues and service fees for MSEA-SEIU bargaining unit members will increase. Members who are regularly scheduled to work more than 32 hours per week will pay $9.75 per week ($19.50 biweekly). Non-members who are regularly scheduled to work more than 32 hours per week will pay $5.06 per week in service fees ($10.12 biweekly). Members who are regularly scheduled to work 16 to 32 hours per week will pay $5.85 per week in dues ($11.70 biweekly). Non-members who are scheduled to work 16 to 32 hours per week will pay $3.04 per week in service fees ($6.07 biweekly). Members who are regularly scheduled to work 8 to 16 hours per week will pay $2.93 per week in dues ($5.85 biweekly). Non-members who are regularly scheduled to work less than 16 hours per week will pay $1.52 per week in service fees ($3.04 biweekly). Part-time employees regularly scheduled to work 8 hours or less per week will pay $0.00 per week, zero dues. If you're upset about these increases, all I can say is become a member, get involved, take action to protect our jobs and our wages. With the upcoming budget shortfalls looming, we'll need strong, union voices at the statehouse. We'll need to let our elected officials know we can't stand another cut. I also urge you to remember how our raises and quarterly stipends with our first contract came about. MSEA-SEIU, our union, was responsible for writing the legislation to increase the reimbursement rate that Home Care of Maine received for homemaking services. MSEA-SEIU also pushed for its passage, first through the DHHS Committee, then through the full legislature. Without our union, MSEA-SEIU, we would not have gotten the raises we got with our first contract. We are going to need MSEA-SEIU again. Our union will help raise awareness of the services our consumers need, as well as the need for better pay and benefits for us workers. If you don't like the way things are going, get involved, work towards change. Come to 771's next chapter meeting, Saturday, January 10th, MSEA-SEIU headquarters, 65 State Street, Augusta from 1-3 pm. Come and voice your questions, concerns, gripes. I'll be glad to see you there.