June 2, 2023
This week your State Contract Negotiations Team met with the Commonwealth to continue bargaining our next contract. We made more progress today than we have in the last many weeks, though we still have a way to go. We’re hopeful this movement will continue when we meet with the employer again on June 14th and 15th.
We’ve reached tentative agreements on several points, including substantial increases in meal reimbursements.
Be on the lookout for upcoming opportunities to take action to support a strong contract. Until then, please continue to show your solidarity in-person and online. We have secured multiple bargaining dates throughout the rest of June and will continue to provide updates as we get closer to a tentative agreement with the employer.
In Solidarity,
Your 2023 State Contract Negotiations Team
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May 18, 2023
This week your State Contract Negotiations Team met with the Commonwealth for our fourth and fifth bargaining sessions. We continue to build on our initial proposals. While the bargaining process has moved slowly, dialogue with the employer has been constructive.
We had presentations on the current status of pension and healthcare benefits as well as PEBTF. Presentations also included benefits, services, and discounts available to members, and we will work to bring these resources into our shops.
Working groups met to continue discussions addressing workplace concerns and potential policy solutions. We are hopeful these conversations will lead to action and resolve problems members have identified. The team is fully committed to the bargaining process until we reach the finish line.
Our next meeting with the Commonwealth is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, June 1, 2023. We will continue to update you on any developments. Please show solidarity and wear your SEIU purple on Wednesdays! Take a picture to share on social media and our SEIU 668 Together We Rise! Facebook group with the tag #668PurpleWednesday.
In Solidarity,
Your 2023 State Contract Negotiations Team
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April 27, 2023
This week, your State Contract Negotiations Team met with the Commonwealth to continue bargaining our next state contract. We have had productive conversations with the employer and have set dates for future negotiations in the coming weeks. We were able to tentatively agree on a number of initial proposals.
We put forth additional proposals during these sessions that would establish workforce training programs and development opportunities aimed at addressing employee recruitment and retention. We are hopeful that when paired with a strong economic package, this will begin to alleviate our statewide recruitment and retention issues. Time was also dedicated to continuing dialogue around Telework and various Health and Safety issues.
Away from the bargaining table this week, the State House Labor and Industry Committee voted to advance HB 299, the Jake Schwab Worker Safety Bill, which would extend OSHA-style protections to public sector workers. More than half a million state, county, and municipal employees across Pennsylvania are not guaranteed the same safety and health protections as private sector workers. Please contact your State Representative and tell them to call for a floor vote on HB 299 as soon as possible and urge them to vote ‘Yes’ on the bill.
- Use this link to take action and send an email to your legislator.
- Call your legislator or visit their office to show your support.
This bill would create additional workplace protections that, in tandem with your contract, would greatly increase the safety of all our public sector members across Pennsylvania. Please continue wearing your purple on Wednesdays and show solidarity on social media by sharing your photo with the tag #668PurpleWednesday!
In Solidarity,
Your 2023 State Contract Negotiations Team
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April 7, 2023
This week, your State Contract Negotiations Team met with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for our first bargaining session and exchanged initial proposals.
We discussed the need for a robust economic package and a strong contract that addresses issues with recruiting and retaining new workers to begin alleviating statewide staffing shortages.
Our team is set to meet with the employer again on April 26 and 27.
In the meantime, the team asks that shops show solidarity and hold a Purple Wednesday every week– wear your SEIU 668 or purple gear to the shop, take a picture to share on social media and our Together We Rise! Facebook page, and email it to legcomm@seiu668.org. If you post your photo on social media, please use some of the following hashtags:
#668PurpleWednesday
#SEIUnitedWeWin
Our team is fully committed and engaged in this negotiation process, and will continue to work until we reach a fair agreement.
In Solidarity–
Your 2023 State Contract Negotiations Team
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March 21, 2023
Dear Member,
Our SEIU Local 668 State Contract Negotiations Team has set up our first dates with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to begin bargaining for a new contract. Our team will sit down with the Commonwealth for the first time on April 6th, with additional dates already scheduled. Our goal is to bring a multi-faceted approach to the bargaining table that reflects the diversity of work our members engage in – whether you work from home or in the field; behind a fence or at a desk; and regardless of when you start your day, where it ends, or what zip code(s) you work in - this contract negotiation team is united in bargaining a strong contract for us all.
As negotiations progress, we will provide updates on the status of bargaining. We will need your support to win a strong contract that reflects the important work you and all of our members put in to ensure Pennsylvania’s government runs and its most vulnerable citizens are protected. There will be multiple occasions to show your solidarity in the shop with days of action and other opportunities to demonstrate the strength of our union.
Our team is composed of the following member-leaders and staff:
Christine Bolen, BDD Committee
Jason Harvey, BHSL Committee
Lori Mutchler, BVS Committee
Amanda Baker, CAO Rank + File Committee
Amy Kanas, CAO Rank + File Committee
Bryan Churchill, CAO Rank + File Committee
Nina Coffey, CAO Rank + File Committee
Rachel Gall, CAO Supervisors Committee
Andy Woll, SCI Committee
John Hoffman, IDD Committee
Essex Christie, MH Committee
Christian Yetter, OCDEL Committee
John Spence, OES Committee
Brad Mengel, OUC Committee
Andrea Merrick, OVR Committee
Sabrina Harrell, State Misc. Committee (PHRC)
Patti Defibaugh, Retiree Committee
David Foor, YDC/YFC Committee
Jenn Edmonds, DHS Health + Safety Committee // CAO R+F
Amy Varner, L&I Health + Safety Committee // OVR
Steve Catanese, President
JoAnne Sessa, Secretary-Treasurer
Randall Bacon, Chief of Staff
Kieran Kenny, General Counsel
Karmella Sams, Internal Organizing Staff Director
Al Smith, Internal Organizing Staff Director
Jenn Gilmour, Strategic Engagement Coordinator
Samantha Shewmaker, Communication + Policy Liaison
United, we can win. United, we will win.
In Solidarity,
SEIU 668 State Contract Negotiation Team
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December 22, 2022
In preparation for the 2023 State Contract Negotiations, we’re asking all of our members employed by the Commonwealth to set aside a few minutes and complete this Member Survey.
SEIU 668 2023 Commonwealth Member Survey
Information collected from this survey will be used to help drive our proposals at the table when we begin to negotiate the next collective bargaining agreement for our Commonwealth members.
As a reminder, both the State Contract and the Memorandum of Understanding will expire on June 30, 2023. We anticipate negotiations to begin in the early Spring of next year, and we’ll begin releasing updates to our members as soon as we meet with the employer.
SEIU 668 State Contract (Rank + File Members)
