CHAPTER 9 MINUTES 08/18/09

I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:45 PM with introductions

II. Attendance
See attached sign-in sheet

III. Approval and/or correction of the previous meeting’s minutes
Minutes of July 21, 2009 were approved by consensus

IV. Chapter Chair Report
Human Services Campaign – State offices – all have been paid
We need to continue our push – current statements include cutting money for human services. Checkout website for names and numbers of legislators to contact. Continue Tuesday rallies. Do these at county levels also, example, major impacts due to budget for Children & Youth Services throughout the state. Gary is planning a rally with members and community service providers for Lancaster Square at lunchtime in two weeks. Contact Gary if your shop wishes to do a rally so that a media statement can go out.

V. Contract Updates
Lancaster CYS – county asked for dates to bargain wages
Columbia Borough – still negotiating – last offer on table - wage cuts

VI. Committee Reports (to be submitted in writing)

CYS – next meeting September 11
Local Prisons – attempting September 11 meeting, new committee member from Erie County Prison, a correctional officer
OVR – meeting in September
All committee members should report at next chapter meeting

VII. Shop Reports (preferably written)
Local Shops
Berks CYS
Some providers’ services were cut – have labor/management meeting on Thursday - things quiet
Berks Prison
CYS is hiring interns to do bargaining unit work instead of posting jobs – grievance filed
Lancaster CYS
Service providers have been cut due to budget – kids’ attorneys are not being paid – not looking at furloughs right now
State Shops
Lancaster CAO
are getting paid, issues are resolved, continue to meet and fight – had good turnouts for rallies
Lancaster UCSC
Written report
York OVR
Lots of overtime, supervisors are doing our work because members don’t want overtime – have five people in training – additional work, less staff
Berks CAOWritten report

Any problems with health insurance risk assessments (Get Healthy) contact Roni Hamiel to report it. President and Secretary-Treasurer are trustees on the PEBTF. File appeals. Contact Roni Hamiel. They are bandits, police them.

VIII. Business Agent Report (preferably written)
Tom Herman – Business Agent
Budget crisis is real. Funding for education except Early Intervention is being cut. Members may be laid off at Berks IU and Pa. Human Services Commission – up to 1200 people may be laid off. Shortfalls will impact private, non-profit agencies including SAM. County governments not yet affected per Berks and Dauphin D commissioners. Berks IU to meet with union August 24, 2009. If we don’t get a budget we’re looking at major problems in Pa. Asking all of our members to step up, make calls, take action get the budget passed.

Problem is in our state senate. Stimulus money stops next year. We must have increased money put into budget for Human Services.

Monday, August 24, noontime rally at Jim Gerlach’s office, healthcare reform agenda.
Tuesday, August 25 rallies in counties should occur.
Asking CYS in particular to step up and hold a rally in Reading – invite SAM, CAO and others.
Currently in contract negotiations in Dauphin County

IX. Political Issues Update
Gary went to Specter town hall – it was packed – Gary made points to an opponent – couldn’t get in – key is to push for healthcare reform.

Berks Democratic party having a dinner October 2, 2009 – keynote speaker is Specter. Gary will contact Bacon to see if we can send members.

A motion was made by Nowell Smith and seconded by Keirstan Edris to ask COPE to fund this. Unanimously vote.

We still need to persuade Specter to vote right on EFCA.

X. Old Business
Berks CLC – ballgame – all tickets were used – good networking
Berks Autism walk – September 13 – if anyone wants to attend please contact Karen Arms at bdawk20@dejazzd.com
Berks Labor Day Parade – we need participants – good time – contact Karen for that as well.
Lancaster Barnstormers CLC function – who wants to go?
September 12 SWEB if anyone wants to go contact Gary. This will be a budget meeting.
Facebook – groups SEIU 668 PSSU – 20 members to far

XI. New Business

XII. Adjournment:
Date and Location of Next meeting: Tuesday, September 15, 2009