Chapter Meeting Minutes: April 24, 2010

MSEA-SEIU Local 1989, Local 771

MINUTES

Chapter Meeting, April 24, 2010

Blue DOT Building, Hogan Road, Bangor, Maine

 

In attendance:

771 Members: Helen Hanson, Dixie Lewis, Doreen Strout, Theodore Rippy, Loris DiCesare

Wade Colpitts, 771 MSEA Board Liason; C.J. Betit, MSEA Field Rep;

Guests: Charlie Urquhart, Maine Labor Group on Health; Nicole Brown, Kennebec Valley Organization

 

Charlie Urquhart gave a presentation on the Maine Labor Group on Health. The Maine Labor Group on Health advocates for worker health and safety. Charlie talked about current federal legislation, Protecting American Workers Act, HR 2067, S 1580, that will increase protection for workers, increase penalties for businesses with violations, eliminate the loophole that allows employers to unclassify injuries, improve whistle blower protection, to name a few concerns. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and Congressman Mike Michaud have signed onto this bill. There are 8 million public workers that are not covered under OSHA. Maine leads the way for worker protections. Charlie asked if 771 wants to support this legislation by signing onto a letter to Senators Snowe and Collins.

 

The second part of Charlie's presentation was on a grant that the Maine Labor Group on Health is applying for to provide some occupational and safety training for low wage workers in southern Maine. The grant is through the Maine Health Access Foundation. Knowing that direct care workers fit this bill, he asked the group for some health and safety problems that direct care workers face in their jobs. Some of the things mentioned were being physically threatened by a consumer, proper training for workers so they know how to respond to an emergency, handling verbal abuse from a consumer, support from supervisor, smoking by the consumer or family members when there is oxygen in the home, lack of access to health care because worker cannot afford it, lack of knowledge of laws pertaining to employment. The Maine Labor Group on Health is a finalist for this grant. If they are successful in getting it, direct care workers in the Portland area will be able to participate.

 

Nicole Brown gave a presentation on the Kennebec Valley Organization and how it is organized by member groups. MSEA-SEIU is one of KVO's largest members. Maine PASA's Leadership Council has become KVO's Health Care Team, tackling the issues facing direct care workers. Nicole gave an update on the LEAN process and what its goals are: increasing flexibility and portability for consumers and workers, increase consumers in self-directed care, consistency and equity in services, consolidating the current 7-program system down to a 3-program system. She talked about the extra $1 million that got invested in home care through this last budget cycle in the Legislature, she mentioned the passage of LD 1364 and how it will set the framework for setting up direct care worker employment policies.

 

Review of February meeting minutes – After the minutes were reviewed, Ted made the motion to accept the minutes; Loris seconded the motion, minutes were accepted by a unanimous vote.

 

Treasurer's report - Where Local 771's treasurer was not in attendance, Helen gave the report. Local 771 has $1,266.70 in its savings account and $484.12 in its checking account. Food for the meeting cost $33.47.

 

Discussion about 771 membership - As of March 16, 2010 771 has 216 full members and 106 fair share members. Wade had a more current membership count.

 

Discussion about MSEA statewide food drive - Bruce Prindle from one of the Augusta chapters has organized a union-wide food drive. Local 771 decided to make a monetary donation of $100.00 to the Good Shepherd Food Bank instead of collecting food donations. Ted made the motion to donate $100.00 to the Good Shepherd Food Bank, Dixie seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous to make the $100.00 donation. Helen will write the check, mail it to the Good Shepherd Food Bank, and notify Bruce Prindle of 771's donation.

 

Discussion about Local 771 By-laws - Helen asked members to review the current by-laws and bring back concerns to the next meeting. Helen told members that she forwarded 771 by-laws to Bob Ruhlin, who sits with her on the Elections Process Committee, asking him to review them as well. She told members the section on elections needs review because MSEA-SEIU Local 1989 represents public and private sector workers. MSEA needs to follow the DOL rules on elections, providing maximum opportunity for all 771 members to vote in elections. CJ mentioned that by-laws changes can be discussed at one meeting, and then the vote is taken at the next. An advanced announcement needs to be made, notifying membership that a by-laws change vote will be taken at that meeting.

 

Discussion about expenditures for food at chapter meetings - Helen notified members that a pre-authorization, by membership, needs to be recorded in the Local's minutes, for someone to by food for Local meetings. Loris made the motion authorizing the purchase of food for Local meetings, for the year, but not to exceed $75 per meeting. Dixie seconded the motion. The vote to authorize the purchase of food for Local meetings, not to exceed $75 per meeting, was unanimous.

 

Wade asked if there is anything Local 771 needs from MSEA's Executive Board. Members couldn't think of anything at this time.

 

Local 771 agreed by consensus to sign onto the Maine Labor Group on Health's letter to Senator Snowe and Collins, urging them to support the Protecting American Workers Act. Helen will notify Charlie of 771's wishes.

 

Next Steps – next Local 771 meeting: Saturday, June 12, 2010, 10 am to Noon, MSEA-SEIU headquarters, Augusta