Chapter 1 Meeting
June 26, 2008
Called to order at 5:40 p.m.
Motion made by Mike Butler to approve minutes of previous meeting
2nd: Ted Oslak
Discussion: none
Vote: passed
SWEB Highlights
Approximately 3000 people attended the SEIU Internat’l Convention – Obama was endorsed
It is important for members to urge their legislators to pass H.B. 676 (Health Care Plan) and the Employee Free Choice Act
Follow-up on elected candidates that SEIU supports is to be done more rigorously to make sure that the candidates that we endorse live up to their campaign promises after elected
There are 4 Eastern Business Agents and 1 Organizer out on extended sick leave – a couple Chapter Chairs are going to help in the area until their return
COPE: 668 has collected over 400 pledge cards in the first quarter of 2008; however, we can not let down our efforts as we are far from our COPE goals and obligations
The management car allowance has been raised this month to match the increase made by UEU
Paul Gambill has been appointed as the new Civil and Human Rights Committee Chair through Dec 31, 2008.
Highlights of CAO Committee Report to SWEB
Change Centers: name changed to Customer Service Centers; an additional 22 workers from Pottstown District Office of Montgomery County will be added to the Change Center complement – in this district office, only 3 IMCW’s will be available to deal with walk-ins; Mgmnt has announced a pilot which will allow Montgomery County residents to call any of the Customer Service Centers to apply for MA and FS by phone; once this pilot is declared a success, the number of IMCW’s will dramatically increase in the Customer Service Centers; currently Customer Service Center workers are supervised and managed by the CAO in which they are located. Mgmnt wants to change this structure by making them one “virtual CAO.”
Modern Office II: work group was facilitated by no less than 6 Deloitte consultants who had a lot of extremely expensive advice about how our jobs should be done with a premium price tag attached. Gene Quaglia attempted to get a copy of the Deloitte contract under PA’s Right to Know law. In return, he rec’d a letter from the Governor’s office challenging his legal right to receive the information.
The hospital proposal to station IMCW’s at hospitals (at the hospital’s expense) was supposedly a “go” for May 2008. Reading Hospital was all set to implement. When it came time for implementation, the Deputy Secretary rejected the proposal as an”inefficient use of staff.”
House Bill 2084: COLA’s for retirees – bill is stalled in appropriations and if not out of committee this week (week ending 6/28/08), the vote will not occur until Sept at the earliest.
Motion made by Thea Hyatt to purchase 70 SEIU/PSSU 668 rally flags at the cost of $134.40 from Lisa Turner of the Erie CAO to use as give-aways by Chapter at trainings, meetings etc.
2nd: Mike Sestak
Discussion: originally 200 were purchased and sold at the Erie CAO; 70 remain
Vote: passed
Motion made by Thea Hyatt to pay the balance of the picnic bill to Waldameer
2nd: Mike Butler
Discussion: the amount is just under $2000
Vote: passed
Motion made by Thea Hyatt to pay for a sponsorship for one hole at the Correctional Officers Charity Golf Classic and to furnish a $25 prize
2nd: Ted Oslak
Discussion: none
Vote: passed
Motion made by Kathy Baldwin that the Chapter pay $750 of the cost for Thea Hyatt to attend a week of Community Services Training in Scranton in August with the balance being picked up by the Community Services Committee
2nd: Mike Butler
Discussion: none
Vote: passed
Motion made by Ted Oslak that the Chapter buy 15 tickets ($20 each) for the 35th Annual Legislative Picnic held by the Erie-Crawford Central Labor Council AFL-CIO at Skibinski Grove on July 17, 2008, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
2nd: Mike Butler
Discussion: in past years, the Chapter had purchased 10 tickets; 20 originally suggested tonight, number settled on 15 after brain storming which county shops should be contacted to send members
Vote: passed
(Those committed to attending should call Jamie at the Chapter office:
814-459-7803; x10)
Motion made by Mike Butler to sponsor a hole for OCY’s Charity Golf Classic
2nd: Kathy Baldwin
Discussion: none
Vote: passed
(Ted Oslak will contact Mary Jo Kline to arrange payment date/amount.)
Motion made by Mike Butler to pay for food served tonight
2nd: Mike Sestak
Discussion: none
Vote: passed
Mike Butler reviewed the minutes with us from the Erie-Crawford Central Labor Council Meeting held May 7, 2008
239 members attended Lobby Day in Harrisburg on June 23, 2008
Erma Rhodes retired as of April 30, 2008. New Business Agent for Crawford, Venango, Lawrence, and Mercer counties is Charlene Smith. Congratulations, Char!
Motion to adjourn made by Mike Butler
2nd: Ted Oslak
Vote: passed
Meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m.
Submitted by Kathy Baldwin, Recording Secretary