· Governor’s Prescription for PA (CAP) – not supported by SEIU unless we have 668 members administer the program

· Decision made about conference attendance: Must contribute $5/pay to COPE & a minimum of $20 to American Dream Fund

· SEIU’s Public Service Division gave a presentation on the 20-year vision

· There is no automatic state retiree’s cola adjustment in PA (31 states do)

Committee Reports

State Children & Youth – Mike Butler – copy provided to Chair

OES Committee – John Hamilton

· John stressed that members need to understand that FMLA, sick leave, family leave are all one item now. A pattern of sick child leave could transfer you to FMLA.

· There are dramatic budget cuts – workers leaving U.C. Service Centers are not being replaced

· Concern in Career Links since partners are doing our jobs

· They met with new Director of Career links: focus is to bring us back to 21st century – computer system (CWCS) is AWFUL

Rank & File Committee –- Thea Hyatt

· Next meeting is 2/27/08

· Pilot: CAO IMCW’s will be in hospitals taking hospital applications with salaries being reimbursed by the hospital – this will increase the CAO complement as new IMCW(s) will replace the IMCW(s) that are stationed in the hospitals

· State direction is moving towards regionalization and centralization (major concern)

· Tentative date for a Legislative Meeting for CAO staff is Feb 16^th

· Motion made by Mike Butler to pay expenses for this meeting

· 2^nd by John Hamiltonm

· Vote: passed

COPE Committee – Ted Oslak

· Encoureged everyone to register to vote and then VOTE!

· Encouraged everyone to sign up for COPE

· Committee supports the Employee Free Choice Act, health care, pension protection, and voting pro-Union people into office

Shop Reports

None

New Business

· Ted Oslak reminded participants that the Erie-Crawford Central Labor Mtgs are on the 1st Wedn of the month – more participation is needed

· Ted Oslak reported that Edinboro University is using out-of-area NON-Union labor to build their new apartments

· Motion made by John Hamilton for Chapter Chair to write a letter of protest to Dr. Jeremy Brown, President of Edinboro University

· 2^nd by Ted Oslak

· Vote: passed

· Ted reported that “UNITEHERE!” (Local 57, Pennsylvania Joint Board) is trying to organize Presque Isle Downs.

· Motion made by Ted Oslak to have Chapter Chair write a letter of encouragement and support to UNITEHERE!

· 2^nd by Nicole Norton

· Vote: passed

· Annual PSSU Picnic (Thea Hyatt)

· June 21, 2008, Waldameer

· 1st committee meeting will be in March – contact Cas, Thea, or Erma if you want to help (or leave a message with Jamie in PSSU office)

· there is a $1 increase in the cost of the Ride-a-Rama

· each shop is encouraged to have a fund raiser—contact your Business Agent before you do this!

· motion made by John Hamilton to hold the annual picnic

· 2^nd by Vicki Taylor

· Vote: passed

· Motion made by Paul Gambill to pay for refeshments served at tonight’s meeting

· 2^nd by Jessica List

· Vote: passed

· Motion made by Jack Vanchieri to pay for the lunch for the Crawford County CAO Organizational Shop Meeting

· 2^nd by Tina Trohoske

· Vote: passed

· Motion made by Ted Oslak to pay for lunch for the 12/24/07 OCY Organizational Meeting

· 2^nd by Paul Gambill

· Vote: passed

· Leslie Ahrens expressed concern about the letter to the editor printed in the Erie Times News on 12/25/07 praising ousted Prison Superintendant Marilyn Brooks. The letter writer was identifed as an SEIU 668 member

and the letter was presented by the Times as if this was the Union’s official position on this matter. This was not the intent of the letter writer who was simply expressing a personal opinion. Discussion ensued about possibly writing a letter to correct the misrepresentation. No decision was finalized.

Special Guests Kathy Jellison & Wes Johnson joined our meeting

Kathy Jellison:

· Endorsing a presidential candidate: 50% of membership and 60% of Internat’l Executive Board must come to a consensus – endorsements are based on how candidates look at working family issues – candidates were invited “to walk a day in our shoes.” (AFSCME has already endorsed Hillary Clinton)

· Health care is the hardest issue to negotiate. In 2000, PEBTF was nearly bankrupt due mainly to the skyrocketing cost of drugs.

Wes Johnson on FMLA

· Meeting with Commonwealth to address some issues.

· In order for FMLA to kick in, it must be a serious health condition

· Denial of FMLA is grievable – a doctor determines if it is a serious health condition – must be from objective medical evidence

Motion to adjourn made by John Hamilton

· 2^nd by Chuck Master

· Vote: passed

Meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m.