State Parks & Historic Sites will Remain Open on Shutdown Days

State parks and historic sites will remain open and staffed on state government shutdown days, which were instituted as a cost-saving measure in the 2010-2011 biennial budget. An official from the Bureau of Parks and Lands emphazied that shutdown days would not have any impact on plans to go to beaches or to stay at campgrounds. Approximately 2.2 million people visit Maine's state parks and historic sites annually. The total economic impact on the economy from visitation to state parks is more than $95 million per year. In implementing shutdown days, the Governor's Office has approved an exemption for certain categories of state employees. State park employees and forest rangers are among those state employees exempted. The exemption for park staff only applies during the regular park season, which runs from May to October. Operational park staff will be taking shutdown days occurring in the off season, from November to April. For more information on Maine's state parks, historic sites, public lands, and trails, visit http://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/doc/parksearch/index.pl. Using this site, you can search for a park by region, activity, and facility. Take a day, help support Maine's economy, visit one of Maine's many state parks. My favorite is Popham Beach. Enjoy summer while we have it by visiting one of Maine's state parks.

Maine's Agricultural Fairs available online

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources offers a site with information about two dozen agricultural fairs. With fair season fast approaching - the first is July 2 - now is a great time to find out more. The site offers descriptions, dates and contact information for fairs, as well as links to fairs' websites. You can search for fairs by location or by date. The service is available at http://www.getrealmaine.com/visit/maine_fairs.html email from Representative Cotta, House District 55, Albion, Benton, China, Unity Plantation

Podcast and Program about Maine's Direct Care Workers

The Maine Center for Economic Policy, the facilitator of the Direct Care Worker Coalition, had a broadcast on cable's community access channels about the work that was done last summer with the Bureau of Insurance and Insurance Superintendent Mila Kofman. The workgroup that Ms. Kofman convened looked into the different health insurance codes to see if any would work to insure Maine's direct care workforce. What came out of the workgroup was a bleak report on the status of the workforce and the difficulties facing this group when it comes to health insurance. Here's the podcast. When you use the link, MECEP's page comes up with "State of the State" at the top. Scroll down until you see Health Care for Health Care Workers. Click on the "Listen Now" button and let the podcast download to your computer and give it a listen. It is very good.

Bureau of Insurance Outreach Forums

Superintendent of Insurance Mila Kofman announced on Tuesday (6/30) that the Bureau of Insurance will conduct a Summer Consumer Outreach Program to help consumers with health insurance cases and to raise awareness about the Bureau's resources. In addition to encouraging consumers to visit the Bureau's offices at 122 Northern Avenue in Gardiner or the agency's website, www.maine.gov/insurance , Superintendent Kofman invites the public and media to join her and staff at events in Portland, Bangor, Presque Isle and Farmington. All sessions will take place from 5:00-7:00 p.m. They will include an overview of the Bureau's services and ample time for questions. Additionally, staff members will assist individual consumers with their specific cases. Dates and location are listed below. Thursday, July 9th, Portland: University of Southern Maine (USM) Abromson Community Education Center, Room 110 Monday, July 13th, Bangor: Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC) Mathieu Auditorium, Schoodic Hall Wednesday, August 12th, Presque Isle: University of Maine (UMPI)Campus Center, Allagash Room Tuesday, August 18th, Farmington:University of Maine (UMF) North Dining Hall, Section C The Bureau of Insurance is part of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, which encourages sound ethical business practices through regulation of insurers, financial institutions, creditors, investment providers, and numerous professions and occupations for the purpose of protecting the citizens of Maine. Consumers can reach the Bureau through its web site at www.maine.gov/insurance , by calling 1-800-300-5000 in state, or by writing to:Bureau of Insurance34 State House StationAugusta, ME 04333

Local 771 June 20 Chapter Meeting MINUTES

LOCAL 771 CHAPTER MEETING 6/20/2009 MINUTES Attendance: Members: Helen Hanson, Joe Berry, Ted Rippy, Pat Crowell, Janet Lewis, Juanita Burtt, Roxann Gargac Local 771 Field Rep: CJ Betit Local 771 Organizers: Aymie Walshe, Jay Economy National Direct Care Partnership & Voices Institute Helen Hanson announced that MSEA’s Board of Directors had approved Local 771’s request to join the National Direct Care Partnership, as well as, approving $300 in scholarships to send members Ted Rippy and Doreen Strout to the Voices Institute for leadership training. This scholarship together with the $300 allocated from Local 771’s funds will cover all expenses as the Voices Institute covers all other expenses. Ted and Doreen will travel to Wisconsin to attend this training. Treasurer’s Report Pat Crowell reported Local 771 currently has $895.87 in it’s savings account and $566.95 in it’s checking account. Money for the Voices Institute is due on 7/31/09 and Helen Hanson will check with the Institute to determine if Local 771 and MSEA-SEIU need to combine their moneys into one check. Member Discussion Ted Rippy gave a report on the Direct Care Worker Alliance forum he attended in Chicago, and handed out material detailing the job skills and knowledge that are required in order to be a direct care worker. A primary message coming out of the focus groups at this forum was the need to develop and enhance the professional standards for DCW as a way to gain professional respect for the work done by direct care workers. Ted’s presentation led to a healthy discussion among members on the skills/knowledge/and training that direct care workers need to have in order to be competent workers. Helen Hanson announce that Joyce Gagnon, former Local 771 member, and the person who selected 771 as the Local Chapter’s name because that’s what Alpha One workers were being paid prior to the our becoming a union, has had to leave her job at Maine PASA due to illness. Members signed a card which will be sent to Joyce. Legislative Update Helen Hanson gave the following update: LD 1205, An Act to Establish a Health Care Bill of Rights, passed with revisions LD 1059, Resolve to Enhance Health Care for Direct Care Workers, was held over to the next session LD 1078, An Act to Strengthen Sustainable Long-term Supportive Services For Maine Citizens, passed with revisions, and was signed by Governor on 6/8/09 LD 1364, An Act to Stimulate the Economy by expanding Opportunities for Personal Assistance Workers, Wages Bill, held over to next session Bargaining Update Field Rep CJ Betit reported that MSEA-SEIU’s Director of Organizing Mike Sylvester has had prelimary discussions with Alpha One’s Jay Hardy and it is expected that negotiations for Alpha One’s next contract may begin within a month. Both Helen Hanson and Ted Rippy have expressed interest on being on the Bargaining Committee. CJ went on to give an update on Home Care for Maine’s bargaining process. Four bargaining sessions have been held and two more are scheduled for 6/24 and 6/29. The union has proposed: A training program/apprenticeship funded by the Dept of Labor that would expand training opportunities for DCW’s ; Moved to have language in the contract regarding health care so that once funding is allocated we can move forward quickly on implementation; Moved to have language regarding Paid Time Off in the contract so that again when funding is approved we can move forward on this issue; Moved to have a Maintenance of Benefits Clause added to the contact. The main issue remaining to be resolved is wages. MSEA-SEIU has proposed a raise of $0.90/hr and elimination of the stipends, a 4% raise on 1/1/2010, and a 4% raise on 1/1/2011. Home Care for Maine’s proposal is to eliminate the stipends and give DCW’s a 1% raise. Home Care for Maine has reported that they are struggling financially, and CJ Betit has requested MSEA-SEIU review the financial reports provided by Home Care for Maine so that we have a clear picture on this issue. Kennebec Valley Organization KVO’s Delegates Assembly will be held Thursday, June 25, 2009, 6-8PM at the First Congregational Church ( corner of Main St and Eustis Parkway) in Waterville. Helen Hanson plans to attend and welcomes any members interested to join her. Next Meeting September 19, 2009 , 10AM – Noon at MSEA Headquarters in Augusta. Coffee and refreshments will be provided.

Maine GOP State Legislator Supports Employee Free Choice

by Seth Michaels, Jul 3, 2009

Guess who’s joining the campaign for the Employee Free Choice Act in Maine?

It’s state Rep. Jim Campbell, a Republican who is defying the expectations of pundits and corporate shills by supporting workers’ freedom to form unions and bargain. He has appeared at public events around the state and written in local news outlets to show his support for the Employee Free Choice Act.

Here’s what Campbell says about the need to pass the Employee Free Choice Act and its importance to rebuilding the economy:

Common-sense solutions should be used to create good jobs that can support a family and put money back into our economy. Historically, no institution has been as effective at improving the quality of life for working families as membership in a union. Union members earn better wages, have better health care coverage and can count on a more secure retirement than nonunion workers.

While Campbell joins the grassroots campaign in Maine, union members and allies across the country have been busy during this week’s congressional recess.

from AFL-CIO Now Blog

California Home Care Workers Update

A U.S. District Court judge issued a preliminary injunction Thursday afternoon ordering the state of California to halt pay cuts of nearly 20 percent -- from $12.10 an hour down to $9.50 -- for the state's 400,000 home care workers.

This ruling is huge news for home care workers and those they care for, as it will temporarily stop the cuts that were to go into effect July 1st in those counties at risk.

There's a war being waged against home care, and Governor Schwarzenegger is leading the call. We can celebrate this initial victory, but the Governor will try to cut home care again -- and it's up to us to keep the pressure on. Now that a court has ruled against the Governor and his cuts, please ask him to reverse course on these short-sighted cuts.

Even if you or someone close to you is not affected by the CA Legislature's and Gov. Schwarzenegger's planned budget cuts, he needs to know how much support there is for the vital support home care workers provide to seniors and people with disabilities. The economy is already devastating California's families, and this isn't the time to be cutting necessary support systems or reducing the already-low pay of home care workers, whose income doesn't even amount to a living wage in most counties.

Please call the Governor now and tell him: "Home care not only saves money, it saves lives. We need a common sense budget that protects home care:" http://action.seiu.org/waronhomecare

Rock the boat,

Tim Tagaris

New Media Director, SEIU