Chapter 1 Minutes of 3/24/10 meeting
CHAPTER ONE MEETING
3/24/10
Meeting called to order by Mike Butler at 5:35 pm.
Motion made by John Hamilton to accept/approve the minutes from the last meeting as read. 2nd by Ted Oslak. All in favor. Approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
SWEB (State Wide Executive Board) Highlights - See enclosed Shop Steward Summary from SWEB meeting. Human Services Campaign is still under way. Because of every ones hard work during the human services campaign, we were able to stop furloughs of employees and it also enabled employees to get paid during the budget impasse.
OES – John Hamilton -- The Career Links have admitted they are having problems with the computer system and have reported that changes are coming in the near future. They will be revamping the system and fixing what Deloitte did incorrectly.
Effective 4/5/10 Unemployment is going back to normal. If not currently on an extension, applicants will no longer be eligible for extension funds. Because of this change, once the phones stop ringing, there may no longer be the need for so many employees. There is currently a large Harrisburg Call overflow center, and when the calls decrease there is the fear that a call center will be shut down. Pennsylvania currently has 9 call centers throughout the state, but they only need 8. Erie is currently the 3rd largest call center in the state. There has also been a new phone system set into place, which sends calls to a call back center. This eliminates busy signals and back up calls and allows the calls to be spread out among the workers.
CIVIL & HUMAN RIGHTS -- Paul Gambill attended and represented SEIU at the Immigration Reform Rally in Washington DC on March 21st. SEIU is very active with immigration reform. See enclosed report that was submitted.
Paul Gambill made a motion asking if we could pay for 1 day per diem for when he attended this rally. 2nd by John Hamilton. All in favor. Approved.
STATEWIDE RETIREE COMMITTEE – See enclosed report.
BUSINESS AGENT REPORTS – See enclosed report submitted by Rick Adams.
COPE -- Ted Oslak gave a report how COPE helped to get the recent health care bill passed. This will enable many Americans to obtain health care. The May primary is coming up and stated to make sure all members register to vote. Spoke on COPE fundraising and make sure all new members are given a cope card to enroll in COPE.
Ted also submitted the Statewide Legislative Director report to back his discussion.
PICNIC COMMITTEE -- Per call from Erma Rhoades she asked that monies be allocated to start the process to plan for the SEIU Picnic. Picnic to be held on June 19th 2010. Letters will be sent out to the previous members on the picnic committee asking for volunteers and info will also be sent to stewards to post in shops to ask for new volunteers to help out. A motion was made by John Hamilton to have the monies allocated for the picnic. 2nd by Ted Oslak. All in favor. Approved.
OLD BUSINESS
Mike spoke about the Safe Net Christmas party that was held December 2009 and what a huge success it was and how many families were affected. Letters of thanks were submitted by Safe Net and also the Erie-Crawford Central Labor Council AFL-CIO.
NEW BUSINESS
On May 8th, 2010 a Legislative Breakfast will again be held at the Avalon Hotel from 9-11am. Local legislatures will be on hand to answer any/all of our questions and concerns. Everyone please come and show your support.
Leadership training will be held this year on September 10th – 12th in Harrisburg at the Holiday Inn East – more information to follow.
LOBBY DAY will be held this year on June 15th in Harrisburg -- registration info will be coming soon.
On May 8th, 2010 TBA, there will be a Community Services Award Dinner held at the Polish Falcons to honor veterans at the VA and the Soldiers and Sailors Home. Mike asked if we could place an ad in their program book for this event. Motion made by Ted Oslak to purchase an ad up to $100.00 to place in program. 2nd by John Hamilton. All in favor. Approved. Mike also asked if we could purchase tickets for this event. Anyone interested in attending can contact Mike Butler on his cell phone at 881-9835. A motion was made by Vicki Taylor to purchase up to 10 tickets for this event. 2nd by John Hamilton. All in favor. Approved.
A motion was made to make a donation of $25.00 to the AFL-CIO Auxiliary. Motion made by Ted Oslak. 2nd by Vicki Taylor. All in favor. Approved.
A motion was made by Ted Oslak to pay for the food provided for the meeting. 2nd by Leslie Ahrens. All in favor. Approved.
The Central Labor Council requests your attendance at their monthly meetings held the 1st Wednesday of every month. Meetings held at the Central Labor Hall at 1701 State St.
Leslie Ahrens from SCI prison discussed the new Counselor Trainee position.
Motion made by Leslie Ahrens to adjourn meeting at 6:45 pm. 2nd by Vicki Taylor. All in favor. Approved.