Holiday Message
A Christmas message to every member of SEIU 668:
No Virginia, there is not a Santa Claus, but at this spiritual and reflective time of year, we are thankful there is a Union.
While a few of us, some in desperate frustration, decry the Union, most of us sit in a warm home (with a mortgage, of course), enjoy our holiday treats (because we have a job to pay for food) and open our gifts to each other (even though we were a bit more thrifty this year). We understand that the economy is bad and that there are no easy answers. And we are thankful that we are not among the ranks of the unemployed or those losing their homes to foreclosure. We cannot be fired at-will by the Employer and lose our pensions and our healthcare at the Employer’s whim. We are blessed because we know the Union is fighting for us and with us. In 2009 alone:
· We mounted a Human Services Campaign to educate the legislators and the public as to the vital jobs that we do every day. Members came out in droves at their work sites and to meetings with the legislators and the Union Leadership (who attended all 14 Chapter meetings in March and April and many of your rallies and all the legislative events)and union staff were there as well.
· We fought back the rolling furloughs that have become a reality in many other states, with workers giving up 2 days of pay per month for 2-3 years.
· We filed grievances and legal action over the payless paydays (awaiting the court decision) and because of our members, other unions help and community and advocate support, launched a huge rally at the Capitol that resulted in the bridge budget being passed.
· We fought back devastating pension changes proposed in Philadelphia and Allegheny County and continue a daily fight to keep our defined benefit for the state and county workers.
· We closely monitor and assure that the PEBTF is secure, while looking at double-digit increases to healthcare every year (PEBTF was a modest 9%). If Healthcare Reform does not happen, workers will be paying over 50% of their paycheck to healthcare by 2023.
· We have (with the help of Auditor General Jack Wagner) called out Deloitte for no-bid contracts with the state for millions of dollars for systems that do not work. Through the Human Services Campaign we have sent letters, emails, phone calls, Op Eds and press releases; aired radio ads and put billboards near the Capitol.
I say “WE” because no one person can do what we have done this year alone. Aside from the paid staff, there are 1500 unpaid stewards and 56 Executive Board members who put in many hours of their own time for the members of this local. They are the ones that urge you to attend a shop or Chapter meeting, training, a rally or legislative event. They are looking out for you and your interests every day and they need your help. And when I give thanks for all that we have done, I include each of them for their courage and conviction. We run a tight ship to keep our dues low (at 1.39% - much lower than our fellow unions). Those that came before us won days off, decent wages, healthcare and other benefits for working people. We face tremendous challenges in 2010 to hold onto those benefits and to raise the standard of all working people:
· There is already a $2.4 billion shortfall in this current budget and the next will be even worse. We have presented and will continue to present cost-savings from our members to the legislature as they are the ones that will decide the budget.
· Attacks on our pensions have already begun and will be a huge fight going into the next contract negotiations.
· Furloughs will continue to be a threat. Of the over 800 furloughs of state employees in 2009, 23 of those were from SEIU 668. That is because our members are not afraid to tell the legislators and the public about the vital work that they do.
· A new Governor will be elected as well as ½ the Senate and all of the House. This impacts the budget and the next state contract.
A final word on the amount of work that is being asked of members in every agency across Pennsylvania, state and local – we understand that you are overwhelmed and directed to do more work than you can possibly handle. If you work a 7 ½ hour day and get 2 fifteen minute breaks and ½ hour unpaid lunch, that leaves 7 hours of work time. Management needs to prioritize that work and you need to follow that direction. One person can only do so much work in one day. Take your breaks and lunch, do not take work home and do not stress over what cannot get done. I know that is difficult as you are each a professional and want to help folks in need (often at your expense) but the reality is if you kill yourself and cut corners to get the work done more will be asked of you. The only way to get more staff is to turn this back on management to solve. Stewards can address this at meet and discuss and Business Agents are there to help as well. If pre-scheduled time off is being denied, contact your steward immediately. Take care of yourself, your family and others need you.
No Virginia, there is not a Santa Claus, but we can be thankful over this holiday that we have a Union.
God bless and Merry Christmas to all. Get some rest and get geared up for a VERY busy 2010!
Sincerely ,
President Kathy Jellison