2011 AnnuAl RepoRt Local 509 News

the Fight FoR A FAiR economy tAkes oFF in mAssAchusetts

Last year, very few people outside of Wisconsin knew who Scott Walker was. Unfortunately for organized labor, that didn’t last long into 2011. In January, the newly-elected governor of Wisconsin quickly moved to strip bargaining rights from many of the state’s public employees, and unions in Wisconsin were dragged into a long fight to preserve their basic right to collectively bargain.

What many didn’t realize at the time was that this attack, and others in states like Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana, would serve as a rallying call for many of our nation’s unions. Coallitions were created on

the spot, and even in states where unions weren’t directly under attack, rallies and marches were held in solidarity with the public employees in Wisconsin. Local 509 was well represented at these rallies with DOC chapter president Kenny Gorman addressing thousands gathered in front of our State House

oveR 4,000 childcARe pRovideRs in mAssAchusetts pRimed to Join locAl 509

Over the last several years, Family Childcare Providers have worked hard organizing for respect and dignity on their jobs. Operating home-based daycares in communities across the state, they care for children from infancy up through school-age adolescents and are often the first educators in a child’s life.

This year, Local 509 took the first step toward welcoming these providers into our union. In the spring, SEIU began a thorough study to determine which local in Massachusetts would be the best match for these providers. On July 19, SEIU’s International Executive Board voted to approve the results of that study, and Local 509 was granted jursidiction to the over 4,000 family childcare providers in Massachusetts.

The next step in the process of getting their union formally recognized is to pass legislation that will grant providers the right to collectively bargain in Massachusetts. Providers have worked diligently to build awareness of

SEIU LOCAL 509 — BRINGING TOGETHER HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS ACROSS MASSACHUSETTShttp://www.seiu509.org

Inside:

Officers’ Reports pg 2

Unions and the Economy pg 4

Committee Reports pg 5 & 15

Local Campaigns pg 6

Chapter Reports pg 8

Continued on page 5

Continued on page 7

Family Childcare Providers on a Lobby Day for the legislation that would grant them the right to organize in Massachusetts

Kenny Gorman (COPS) in support of Wisconsin

workers at the State House

LocaL 509 annuaL RepoRt 2011 — 32 — LocaL 509 annuaL RepoRt 2011

seiu 509 leAdeRship

SuSan TouSignanT President

STephen LewiS Treasurer

Derek gooDwin Secretary

paTrick Barry Trustee

Bruce caLLahan Trustee

MichaeL grunko Trustee

John DacoSTa Sgt. At Arms

chApteR pResidents

peTer Mackinnon DCF

STuarT DickSon DDS

John LaBaki DMH

kenny gorMan DOC

peTer cirioni DOE

John TorTeLLi DOR

Taiye anJorin DPH

arThur caSey DTA

Maria TorreS EEC

SuSan SouThey IST

aDrianne weiSS MassHealth

cheryL riverS MCB

JuDiTh coSTeLLo MRC

DenniS MacDonaLD PSHS

Seiu LocaL 509100 Talcott Ave, Building 313

Watertown, MA 02472

617.924.8509800.632.8079

617.924.8248 (fax)www.Seiu509.org

The 509 News is published five times a year by SEIU Local 509. The articles are written by SEIU Local 509 Members and Staff. It is edited by the SEIU Local 509 Communications Department.

The 509 News is printed by Red Sun Press. Red Sun Press is a union print shop

pResident’s messAge – A yeAR in Review

SuSan touSignant

Dear Local 509 Members,

The last twelve months at Local 509 have been quite the eventful to say the least. We’ve elected new officers, welcomed over 1,200 members through new organizing, negotiated new contracts with the Commonwealth and many of our private agencies, organized in our neighborhoods for economic change, and begun working with over 4,000 family childcare providers who are looking to join Local 509.

We were happy to announce in September that our public-sector chapters had overwhelmingly ratified their new contract. This contract not only ensures modest wage increases over the next three years, it also improves the health and safety language, deals with a number of agency specific points, and creates what we call the Efficiency Working Group. This project is an exciting collaborative effort between our union and the state to save our state money and time in the course of our work.

The past twelve months have been the most productive in our union’s new organizing history, 500 caregivers at Guidewire (formerly Sullivan & Associates) and over 700 at Bridgewell voted to join our union, and with these new agencies joining us, our union is now over 13,000 members strong. Gaining momentum from their election victories, both agencies are now well on their way to successfully negotiating their first contracts.

Along with those negotiations, we’ve had a very successful year of contract negotiations in our private sector agencies. Almost all have completed their contract bargaining, with a number of improvements that were won through effective bargaining in a very difficult economic climate.

As we go to print, the Quality Care Fund , which has been a multi-year project of our local, has passed the Massachusetts House and Senate. While the final amount of money that is allocated to the fund has not yet been determined, it’s passage is a massive step forward that will increase training and reduce turnover in the human services.

Despite all of the headline events, some of the most important things that we’ve accomplished this year haven’t been as obvious but have gone a long way toward building a stronger union.

Throughout the public sector chapters we’ve held a series of trainings for stewards so that they will be able to better represent you in your workplace. By doing these trainings in smaller groups than our tradtional Stewards Assembly events, we’ve been able to ensure that everyone gets an opportunity to participate fully and address issues particular to their workplace.

In our private sector chapters we did tremendous internal organizing work around our contract campaigns. Over the course of these campaigns, we’ve been able to create stronger structures within our private sector agencies as well as developing new workplace leaders and stewards.

In contrast to all of the good news this year has brought, early in the year we were faced with a challenge that was outside of those expected in a year of contract campaigns. The on-the-job deaths of human service workers Stephanie Moulton and Jose Roldan were a shocking reminder to those working in our field that job safety is of paramount importance. We’re saddened by the losses of two dedicated caregivers, and we hope that out of these tragic events there will be increased awareness and respect for the work that human service workers do in this state. We are committed to continuing our work with OSHA and the Commonwealth to make sure that incidents like this do not happen again.

With my first year as your president coming to a close, I’m looking foward to another twelve months of success and growth here at Local 509. During that time we hope to pass the legislation that will see us gain over 4,000 new members in family childcare, and continue the growth in our private sector.

RecoRding secRetARy’s RepoRt

DeRek gooDwin

What a year it has been! Since the last annual meeting, Local 509 has transitioned seamlessly into new and exciting leadership, began to take on the Fight for a Fair Economy, and continued to grow our own membership ranks.

Thanks to the progressive organizing efforts of the SEIU International and our own local, more working

people in Massachusetts can now enjoy the secure benefits that collective bargaining offers. Speaking of bargaining, the public sector recently negotiated and overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year contract in the face of a still fragile economy, and increasing resentment towards unionized public sector employees. But the work has just begun! The leaders, employees and members of 509 are working every day to bring us closer to achieving our goals.

I have been in the position of Recording Secretary now for a little more than six months. The primary responsibility of my job is to record accurate and impartial minutes for union meetings. However, I have also begun to look at the ways in which to expand upon this role. One area I find important is emphasizing where we have come from. We need to focus on how Local 509 has arrived where we are today, and the lessons we’ve learned along the journey from the leaders and members of 509 who were there. As members have retired, this has become increasingly important, and frankly, an urgent issue. My own chapter, the Department of Revenue, has seen a great deal of attrition over the last few years, particularly with our own Chapter leaders. And within the next few years, retirements will claim even more seasoned leadership, including Chapter President John Tortelli. The outcome and outlook of attrition has renewed my focus not only on my Chapter, but all of Local 509. Take the most recent contract negotiations for example: This was my second negotiations and already many faces in the room have changed, but the talks of past negotiations were still alive. How we arrived at previous language agreements and salary schedules were again part of the discussion among the bargaining committee. So it is evident to me that as attrition occurs, younger workers must take up the cause and become involved. Younger workers must join their Chapter Boards and the Joint Executive Board. They need to branch out beyond an office Steward and approach a role that connects themselves with other members of our Local.

How will the younger workers become involved? Start by coming to a Young Worker Committee meeting. As I write this, I am traveling to the Young Workers Summit hosted by the AFL-CIO. It is my goal to network with other young labor leaders from not only SEIU, but also other unions across America. The strategies of building upon our current foundation will come back with me to Local 509. Director of Administration Vanessa Story and Field Rep Israel Pierre are also attending, so contact one of us to find out how to become involved in securing your future!

4 — LocaL 509 annuaL RepoRt 2011 LocaL 509 annuaL RepoRt 2011 — 5

tRustees RepoRt 2011pat BaRRy, BRuce caLLahan, MichaeL gRunko

The 2010 audit of SEIU Local 509’s finances was completed by Manzi & Associates LLC. Our auditor said we were using sound financial and accounting procedures and practices. We have been following the Investment Policy passed by the Joint Executive Board in 2003. We continue to be challenged on the expenditure side because of SEIU’s COPE requirements and additional spending to fight the state budget cuts in our agencies. On the plus side we did not have to spend heavily in contract negotiations.

We continue to grow in the private sector as workers vote for SEIU Local 509 to represent them. Our Local has had a couple of large organizing victories in 2011, but the additional dues will not be reflected until after the contracts are negotiated. The Local has reserved money for possible strikes in the private sector. The total sum of the strike fund is $583,214, invested in CDs. Our other reserves are managed by RBC Dain Rauscher; per request of the Joint Executive Board most of these funds have been transferred to CDs The First Trade Union Bank is used for our current operating expenses.

We meet monthly at Local 509’s headquarters to review the financial records and reports. During the year we oversaw the balloting for Joint Executive Chapter Board elections. The accrual systems are now in operation for our financial reports and records, which are now online. We continue to work with Treasurer Stephen Lewis to explore ways to increase the Local’s yield on its reserves.

We are working diligently towards assuring SEIU Local 509’s financial security. Strong financial health coupled with steady revenues, prudent expenditures and investments are of paramount importance in supporting the Local’s members, officers and staff. During these trying financial times you can be assured that we will continue our efforts to assure the financial security of the Local.

We appreciate the opportunity to serve you, the members. Our thanks to Treasurer Stephen Lewis, Joyce Lui and Rick Cooney for their guidance and expertise.

the importance of this legislation. There have been numerous meetings with local elected officials, including some where the politicians joined the providers in their homes to work with them for a day. In April, dozens of providers packed a hearing room at the State House in support of the bill, and with that momentum, we’re hopeful that the bill will be passed out of committee shortly.

Currently, a majority of providers in the state have voted to join SEIU and despite needing passage of legislation to begin negotiating a contract with the state, they have begun taking the first steps toward that successful contract. In August the providers’ steering committee met with representatives from the Department of Early Education and Care to begin a process called “Meet and Confer” by which they can work together and discuss improvments in rules and regulations that affect their work.

locAl 509 oRgAnizing committee

DenniS MacDonaLD, pRivate SectoR co-chaiR

(The Public Sector Co-Chairs of the Organizing Committee are Derek Goodwin and Chris Landry)

Since October 2010’s Annual Meeting, the Local 509 Organizing Department, working in conjunction with the Organizing Committee, has been on a roll. On December 14, 2010, workers from Sullivan & Associates (now renamed Guidewire) had their ballots counted. They won their union election in a landslide victory and are getting close to completing their first contract. When bargaining is done and their contract is ratified, we will be welcoming over 450 sisters and brothers who work in Mental Health and Developmentally Disabled programs in the Worcester, Springfield and Pittsfield areas. Local 509 NOC-trained members were key in talking to workers throughout the organizing campaign as bosses tried to dissuade them from forming a union and 509 members were invaluable in the “Get Out The Vote” or “GOTV” efforts. Thanks to all of you who worked on this campaign.

In addition to Gudiewire, Local 509 also had a huge success in winning the Bridgewell campaign, with nearly 700 workers voting Union YES! See the separate article in the Private Sector Human Chapter report on page 15.

In addition to the ten NOC (National Organizing Corps) trainings held in 2010, we also had two in 2011 that were tied to specific campaigns. Newly trained NOC members, as well as 2010 “NOC veterans,” have helped immeasurably with campaigns that, at press time, are not yet complete: the NLRB (National Labor Relation Board) found 34 violations in last year’s MHA (Mental Health Association) election so we are currently in the midst of trying to win a new election, by using a fairer system of voting, the mail ballot. A campaign at Alternatives Unlimited, an agency that cuts a wide swath through Central Massachusetts, from the Rhode Island to New Hampshire, is in full swing; their GOTV is supposed to be timed with the Annual Meeting.

The next Organizing Committee meeting will be held in Watertown on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, from 5:30-6:30, prior to the PSHS CEB meeting. We invite anyone who is interested in helping the union grow to attend a meeting, and see what we do. This is an opportunity to help others achieve what we may take for granted, e.g. “Just Cause” and rights to the grievance and arbitration procedures. Officers of Local 509 take a pledge, “to organize the unorganized workers.”

oveR 4,000 childcARe pRovideRs in mAssAchusetts pRimed to Join locAl 509Continued from page 1

Family Childcare providers with EEC commissioner Sherri Killins

Bridgewell workers celebrate their victory

CSO workers rally for a new contract in Greenfield

509 members unite to rally for

respect and dignity for private

sector human service workers in

Malden

6 — LocaL 509 annuaL RepoRt 2011 LocaL 509 annuaL RepoRt 2011 — 7

mentAl heAlth AdvocAtes united toBy FiSheR, Seiu inteRnationaL

SEIU Local 509’s Mental Health Advocates United Campaign has been building statewide partnerships with families, trade associations, clubhouses, advocacy organizations, legislators, and consumers to improve funding and safety in the mental health field. Highlights from this year include:

Supporting meaningful oversight for our mental health professionals: SEIU drafted House Bill 1429, a bill to create a Community Based Flexible Support Oversight Commission, which was filed by Representative Jim O’Day in the spring and is currently moving through committee. The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee reported out unanimously in favor of this bill, and it is now being considered by the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing.

Fighting for safe, secure and fair working conditions for mental health workers: SEIU is currently collaborating closely with the family of Stephanie Moulton -- the human service worker allegedly killed by a mentally ill client in Revere -- on many legislative initiatives, including “Stephanie’s Law”, which would require DMH facilities to be equipped with panic buttons. Local 509 is proud to provide key advocacy support for this bill as part of a comprehensive campaign working with stakeholders to improve all areas of safety in the mental health system.

Providing key leadership in efforts to hold the DMH system accountable for workplace safety: In response to Ms. Moulton’s tragic death, SEIU Local 509 held a candle light vigil to prompt DMH to initiate a statewide safety review. Consequently DMH created a State Safety Task Force. DMH Chapter President John Labaki Local 509, Jon Grossman, Local 509, and Toby Fisher, SEIU all served on the Task Force. In its final report, the Task Force advocated strongly for improving safety protocols, maintaining safe staffing ratios, initiating competitive salaries, and insuring reasonable caseloads. SEIU is now taking a lead role in working with families, providers, consumers, and legislators to begin implementation of the Task Force recommendations.

Improving safety regulations and enforcement for mental health group homes: SEIU is working with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to seek accountability from employers of mental health workers. OSHA investigated Stephanie’s death and cited the employer as well as fining them and mandating a number of safety recommendations. Local 509 members are working with OSHA to implement that specific safety plan as well as a statewide training initiative.

Building coalitions to fight for fair funding and fair workplace conditions: SEIU is partnering with the Massachusetts Coalition for

Occupational Safety and Health (MassCOSH) to end unsafe work conditions and building coalitions with families, providers, consumers, and legislators to work for more mental health funding

SEIU Local 509 joined a rally spearheaded by The Massachusetts Club House Coalition at the State House to demand increased mental health funding. We also joined with many other advocacy organizations and legislators to demand restoration of services lost due to mental health cuts. Subsequently, the final FY 12 Budget that was released for DMH was actually higher than either the Governor’s or the legislature’s original recommendations.

The success of our advocacy work can been seen in the extensive coverage in major news outlets, ranging from a full front page story in the New York Times, repeated stories in the Boston Globe, and a radio interview on WBUR that included SEIU Local 509, NAMI-Mass, and the family of Stephanie Moulton. Read those articles and more at: http://spsc.seiu.org/

in February.

At these rallies, union members, community leaders, and politicians from all across the Commonwealth spoke about the importance of the work that state and public employees do every day on their jobs. Firefighters, health care workers, and building tradespeople all stood up with their union sisters and brothers working for the state and teaching in our schools, they said it wasn’t the public employees who take care of our society’s most

vulnerable citizens, that tanked our economy, but somehow those workers seemed to be shouldering the blame.

Around this time, SEIU locals across the country came together to talk about how to change the conversation that our nation was having about the economy. How could we get people talking about the real reasons that our nation’s unemployment was growing and real wages were being driven down? Why did people see teachers who earn $50,000 a year as the problem, but give Wall Street banks that took billions in bail-out money a free pass?

Out of these discussions, a plan called the Fight for a Fair Economy was created. We decided that in order to change the discussion, SEIU had to reach outside our membership, knock on

doors in our communities, and do the hard work of organizing people who have been without a voice for a long time. Here in Massachusetts dozens of canvassers, including a number of Local 509 members, hit the streets, talked with their neighbors about what was really going on in our economy, and plugged them in to events in their area where they could make a difference.

But rather than going out on our own and trying to reinvent the wheel, SEIU joined with other community organizations who had similar goals. Along with groups like Mass Senior Action, the Chinese Progressive Association, the Chelsea Collaborative, and City Life/Vida Urbana, we’ve formed a coallition called MassUniting that serves to unite our causes and build a stronger working and middle class in Massachusetts.

So far the campaign has been a tremendous success. Community rallies and actions have stopped foreclosures in Dorchester, shamed Bank of America for letting forclosed properties in Malden become eyesores in their neighborhoods, and drawn attention to the anti-worker policies advocated by Senator Scott Brown.

Nationally, the community work that SEIU and other labor unions have done is starting to yield results. The conversation in the media has begun to shift towards the problems created by the banking industry in our country, and just last month, the #OccupyWallStreet movement’s protests have drawn national attention. Local 509 and MassUniting have both endorsed the group in Dewey Square, and we have been jointly organizing a number of rallies and events with #OccupyBoston.

We have also started working within our membership to provide educational presentations about the economy to union members in offices around the state. Over the course of the summer and early fall, a number of Local 509 members in the Member Leadership in Action program have participated in trainings on these presentations, so be on the lookout for one being held in your office in the coming months. Our goal is to use these meetings as a way for union members to learn about what actions they can take to bring about a fair economy for working people in our country.

the Fight FoR A FAiR economy tAkes oFF in mAssAchusettsContinued from page 1

MassUniting protests Scott Brown bobblehead night in Lowell

Local 509 marches with #OccupyBoston

Dennis MacDonald (Private Sector), State Rep Jim O’Day, Cliff Cohn, Toby Fisher, and John Labaki (DMH) after testimony on the CBFS Oversight Bill

Toby Fisher and the Moulton family

8 — LocaL 509 annuaL RepoRt 2011 LocaL 509 annuaL RepoRt 2011 — 9

depARtment oF childRen And FAmilies

peteR Mackinnon, pReSiDent

Brothers and Sisters,

This past year has been a busy one for the DCF Chapter. From our fight on Group 2, to our win at the Division of Labor Relations, to a new aspect of the ICPM being introduced, there has been a lot going on between DCF and our Union.

Overall, this year has brought important victories for the Chapter. Our Group 2 bill has moved successfully along in the legislative process, quicker than ever before. We worked hard to get the endorsement of many legislators, labor councils, and advocacy groups. We know that this is a benefit that our members deserve, and we are winning this fight.

In August, the Division of Labor Relations issued its ruling on the Union’s unfair labor practice charge, finding that DCF had in fact violated the law when it implemented the ICPM without bargaining the impact with the Union first. While we knew this to be true, it is vindicating to have this decision made in our favor, as it reinforced that DCF must treat the Union as an equal at the bargaining table.

DCF heard the Union’s concerns about the ever increasing burden ongoing social workers have faced regarding the demands of the ICPM. DCF has offered to modify the ICPM to help balance the workload of ongoing workers. The Union demanded that we needed a commitment from DCF to adjust the caseload weightings and for the agency to seek the funding for the staff needed to achieve these new weightings; the Union got both of these things for the first time in the history of Local 509.

We’ve had these victories, but much work lies ahead. We will remain vigilant and will hold DCF accountable at

the bargaining table as we continue to negotiate ICPM. We have work to do to ensure that our Group 2 bill passes this legislative session. We will continue to work to be sure that your voice is heard.

This year has been busy for me in the Union. I have met many of you. I have heard your praise, your concerns, and your suggestions for how to make your union a better union. I continue to be

amazed and humbled by who you are and the work you all do. It has been an honor to be able to serve as your chapter President. I look forward to continuing the fight.

I want to give my sincere thanks to your Chapter Leadership Team, the Vice Presidents (Ethel Everett, Greg Sanford, Joe Manna, Brett Cabral, Anthony Labo, and Julie Cardoza-Pietruszka) and the Chapter Executive Board. We are effective when we work together. In union there is strength and without the help of all involved, our victories this past year and in the future would not be possible.

depARtment oF developmentAl seRvices

StuaRt DickSon, pReSiDent

2011 started out on a difficult note with regard to the real threat of layoffs in the budget. For the first time since 2007, the DDS Chapter was able to avoid significant layoffs and actually started to see the recall of some laid off Service Coordinators. Important milestones involve the start of some Service Coordinator Supervisors obtaining Group 2 retirement, and the SC Support Broker MOU. The Chapter was able to reach agreement with DDS regarding a new ISP process to start in 2012. Input from our union has ensured that the new format is greatly streamlined with much redundancy removed. DDS further agreed to phase this in over a two year period with a simple one page ISP Update form for alternating years.

Changing of The Guard: In the next 2 years many of the

2011 chApteR RepoRtschApteR on public sAFety (cops)kenny goRMan, pReSiDent

Changes continue at a regular pace in agencies under the governance of the Chapter on Public Safety. Parole has seen operational changes along with several new members. This past year saw a proposal from the Governor to consolidate all children services which would have a direct impact on the Department of Youth Services. A process the Chapter has been monitoring closely. A new Commissioner is on board at Corrections with a number of recent management changes.

The merger of children service, with consequences for DYS, initially appeared to be on a fast track. Although recently movement has not been as pronounced. More recently we were able to address concerns of the Clinical Social Workers in the agency. The addition of a new Parole Board Chair and several new members has resulted in operational changes which effect not only Parole but Corrections as well. We will be working with the Chapter’s representatives in Parole to address those changes.

For the first time unions were at the table during the selection process for a new DOC Commissioner. This gave the unions the opportunity to express our concerns and hopes in a commissioner. It also gave the Chapter exposure to several community stakeholders in Corrections. Initially it appears our new commissioner has heard some of those concerns. The Labor/Management process has been more open and fruitful, he has established increased communication and involvement with the union.

There are a number of efforts moving forward within the Chapter. We have established a Workload Committee to address overlapping duties and outdated procedures. We will also address workloads in general, and the direct impact on providing needed services. The Chapter has been closely monitoring the more recent DOC transfer and promotions to ensure compliance with the contract and Civil Service.

Corrections recently graduated over twenty new CPOs from the Academy. We are looking at another twenty some in the upcoming class and will be working with the

Commissioner for additional positions in a proposed class early next year. Staffing will continue to be a prime concern

of the union.

The Chapter is also working with the DOC to initiate a mediation program. The Department has secured funding for this program which will hopefully address individual conflicts before they requires management and union attention. The chief mediator was at a recent Chapter meeting outlining the program and emphasizing it’s confidential nature.

The Chapter and Local will be closely monitoring Pension Reform legislation presently in the legislature. Public hearings have increased at the State House in recent weeks. We will continue to testify and lobby on behalf of Chapter related legislation. We will also be closely monitoring a “special commissioner” resulting from a outside section of the budget. This commission calls for a review of the “criminal justice system” which could directly impact both Parole and DOC.

Finally I would like to thank all the Chapter Board members and stewards for their efforts. It is only through their effort that we are able to be more effective.

Desmond Carter (Private Sector - Guidewire) speaks at a rally on national labor

board reform in Springfield.

Owen Bailey (DCF) and Mimi Gordon (EEC) march with #OccupyBoston

10 — LocaL 509 annuaL RepoRt 2011 LocaL 509 annuaL RepoRt 2011 — 11

the Chapter as we continue our fight to: “Respect the work and Respect the workers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

• An agreement has been reached and signed relating to the Alternative Work Schedule Options for the Social Work Program at Worcester State Hospital. It may be useful in applications to different facilities in other areas.

• The Supplemental N Language guideline for Social Workers was noted by Deputy Commissioner Marcia Fowler and her Management Team as a great piece of work prepared by the DMH Chapter Committee. Several of the recommendations are already in progress. This document will have to be presented to the DMH Directors before final agreement.

• As you know, we have been urging DMH to restore all Case Managers who, we believe, were unfairly laid off. Please sign the Petition to Reinstate the CMs and send it back to me soon.

• Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital: DMH con-tinue to say that they do not have any new information about what work force would be joining Worcester Staff at the new hospital. We are getting a meeting scheduled with DMH Management to talk about any potential issues. Also, there’s some related good news. We were told by DMH Management that there will be no layoffs among 509 titles at this time, and there will be no reduc-tion in in-patient beds.

• Many different issues have been raised at the State Wide Labor Management tables, some focusing on coverage concerns while others are geared toward working to improve wages, work conditions, and others. Be assured when or if Management does not come around to seeing things our way we will aim at putting pressure on them.

• Many training opportunities have been made available to our members this year. A stewards training/retreat is scheduled for October.

Due to the great work and the long hours and efforts of energetic members, stewards, and Chapter leaders, we were able to successfully achieve the results mentioned above. Thank you.

I also want to express my gratitude to Local 509 for the unconditional support to our Chapter. All of the good results we’ve seen in the past year have been due to the hard work of the Executive Board members. Special thanks to the Chairs and Committee Members: Mary Stanton, Sheelagh O’Connor, Jane Malkiewich, Robert Carey, Cassadra Sampas, and Noel Johnson.

As always, I am interested in hearing from you about the issues that are vital to us.

In solidarity,

John

depARtment oF Revenue

John toRteLLi, pReSiDent

We wish to welcome Will Tatten of our Brockton office and welcome back Mary Brawn from Worcester to the DOR Chapter Board. I am sure that our two latest members will bring hard work and dedication to the position. We also have one more vacancy so now is your chance to become active.

A big Thank You to Derek Goodwin and Chris Landry for doing a great job on the office visits to present the contract updates for me while I was out sick.

The DOR chapter continues to offer day long training for its officers and stewards. By now most of you should have had a opportunity to attend. I wish to thank Kevin Preston, Jeff Knopf, Darrel Cole, Elaina McDowell and Fred Trusten for the workshops and material that they presented. This was a good chance to meet others, share ideas and learn how to address workplace issues.

The Chapter Board continues to try and come up with

Chapter leadership will be retiring from state service. It is more urgent then ever that people consider becoming stewards, stewards learning how to chair Regional Labor/Mgt and Regional Labor/Mgt members considering stepping up to State Labor/Mgt, Chapter and Joint Board leadership. Without this, there will be a huge vacuum that Management won’t hesitate to exploit at the expense of all Chapter members. The Chapter has 5 Regional Reps with 20% backoff on caseload/workload so there is some workload relief offset for some of these leadership positions.

Self Determination MOU: The SC Support Broker MOU is completed for this Pilot to begin. The MOU has been signed by 509 and is waiting for signature from DDS and OER. Management has begun to fill 4 new SC positions so as to not negatively impact other SC caseloads in the Greater Boston Area office and the Merrimack Valley Area office. Management has stated they are committed to creating an SC Support Broker position in each Area Office to gain momentum for this program. This will mean increased 509 jobs as well as a possible new job classification. The pilot is in the early stages of implementation.

Contract Ratification: The contract that was voted on September 15, 2011 was passed, and the contract will now need to be funded. The Local is working on the Legislature to ensure the contract is funded.

Group 2 For SC Supervisors: At this time is being reported that up to 4 Service Coordinator Supervisors have been granted Group 2 status for retirement. Members must be 55 years of age or older to apply and once approved this is only good for 6 months. It is beneficial to attach the SC Job Description, a copy of the EPRS and

a Form 30 to the Retirement questionnaire Classification Questionnaire form when applying. The Service Coordinator Supervisors are being approved as a result of carrying cases and for the times they are covering caseloads due to vacancies, absences or retirements of SC’s.

depARtment oF mentAl heAlth

John LaBaki, pReSiDent

Dear Chapter Members,

This year, 2011, has been a busy one for the DMH Chapter. We have been working on several issues. Ensuring safety in the workplace and healthy environmental work conditions has been a priority.

Some uplifting news for our members:

• The DMH budget for the fiscal year 2012 was increased by $20 million. With the support of Union leadership, and our sisters and brothers from the private and public sectors, and by working in coalition with MH advocates and friends, we were able to communicate our message to the legislature and policy makers to increase DMH budget and forestalls cuts. Many thanks to all of you who attended state rallies, made calls, and sent letters.

• Safety Task Force (Community and In-Patient) commit-tees: DMH Chapter won the lead on this endeavor. We had a seat and a voice in both committees. (Please read both reports on the DMH website.) We continue to maintain our pressure on DMH to execute the STF rec-ommendations without delay. We plainly insist upon a safe work environment with zero tolerance for violence.

• It is important to point out that there has been concert-ed hard work by the Union and the Chapter mounted by members in their agencies/facilities to tackle environ-mental safety and concerns. Progress has been made and will continue to address this chronic problem.

• The Chapter membership continues to increase. Some positions were back filled since my last report. The Peer Specialists have joined us months ago, and as of this writing, we learned that DMH is looking to do some ad-ditional hiring in this title and in the MH Coordinator II position as well. We welcome all our new members into

Philip Wachsler (DTA) and Deborah Terzian (DCF) join MassUniting members in shaming Bank of America for their neglect of foreclosed homes in Malden.

Local 509 and other MassUniting coalition members hold a press conference out-

side Scott Brown’s office in August

12 — LocaL 509 annuaL RepoRt 2011 LocaL 509 annuaL RepoRt 2011 — 13

principals and several teaching positions. There appeared to be no end in sight as the economy continued to look bleak and the assumption was that the DOC was trying to save money by not filling positions. The burden it placed on existing staff was large as principals had to try and anticipate how the directors would respond when problems arose and deal with them as they saw fit, and students’ needs went unmet when teaching positions were not filled. Therefore, we were all pleasantly surprised when the position for the deputy director for the Division of Inmate Education was filled over the summer, and two principals’ positions were posted and filled in the same period. We continue to be surprised, still pleasantly, as other positions which have languished on the back burner for a while are being posted and filled. This includes a possible O3 conversion which appeared to be stymied for many years, and now has a new lease on life, as will the teacher when it happens. We continue to meet over the extended school year to 52 weeks, still strictly voluntary, and contingent upon funds which the DOC does not have right now. Although we are close to an agreement, there are still a few issues to iron out. Your chapter board members will keep you posted.

I look forward to meeting with our fellow Chapter members at the Mass Hospital in Canton in the very near future and hope that we can learn how best to meet their needs.

Happy Fall everyone.

mAssheAlth

aDRianne weiSS, pReSiDent

As I look back at the previous annual reports, one thing comes to mind: the more things change the more they remain the same. The MassHealth chapter has fewer members than we did at this time last year and many more clients. There is too much work and not enough workers to do it. Although the overtime we have received is welcome, it is not a solution to the problem. Management seems to believe that technology will solve all of our problems. We, as frontline workers, know that this is not the case.

During the past year, two major technological changes have occurred. The first change was the VOIP (voice

over internet protocol) telephone system. The second and most drastic was the implementation of EDM (electronic document management). We have yet to see the full implications of EDM. One of the things I will be addressing is the health and safety issues that have and will result from EDM: the ramifications of sitting in front of a computer screen all day long and the ergonomics involved with that.

Over the next year, I will be counting on you, the membership, to keep the Union leadership informed of any and all issues regarding EDM or anything else.

Communication is important. If the Union doesn’t know about something then we cannot take the concerns to management. Union stewards and officers play a major role in information gathering. If you see something, then say something to someone.

I would like to thank three stewards who have retired this year. Brenda Cyr, from Taunton, Joyce Harvey from CPU

and Viola Tomm, from Tewksbury, all provided valuable information to the union and were not afraid to stand up for their rights and the rights of their members. Good luck in your retirement. Thank you to the Labor Management committee consisting of the two vice presidents, Carol Mellberg and Michael Vaillancourt, and the recording secretary, Erica Cormican, for your help, insight, and guidance during these meetings. Thanks to the Chapter Board members, Patrick Barry, David Cummings, Diana Hunter,

Glenn Woloski and Patricia Young who have made the effort to attend and contribute to the monthly meetings. A special thanks to the stewards in every office, including the new stewards who have not been trained yet, for keeping me up to date. Mary Burke, Ahsaki Hardy, Maria Luna, Helene Marcum, Olga Nizamova, Russ Olivera, Yamilka

a solution to the inequity of pay for the same work that has been prevalent at DOR since the inception of case management. If you have any new ideas please bring them to a Chapter officer. We have previously meet with DOR management, OER and Civil Service as well as seeking upgrades during contract talks, unfortunately we have come away empty. The only positive is that we were able to secure a number of C postings a few years ago, management has promised to look into obtaining more in the future.

We have also voiced our concerns to management regarding the amount of work and knowledge a case owner is expected to master. It’s like expecting every football player on the Patriots to be able to throw like Tom Brady wishful but not possible. I guess since none of them has ever managed a caseload they just don’t get it. Maybe they should try and see what the day-to-day reality is at CSE.

We continue to hold regular statewide labor management meetings so if you have a topic that should be discussed let us know.

We would like to wish the best to former Commissioner Navjeet Bal who was always open and a pleasure to work with and welcome back Amy Pitter whom we look forward to meeting with.

Wishing you all the best,

John

depARtment oF tRAnsitionAl AssistAnce

aRthuR caSey, pReSiDent

This has been a difficult year as we continue to deal with high caseloads and not enough workers to keep up with the volume of work.

To add to the confusion, we have had to endure the disruption to staff and clients caused by a hurricane and a devastating tornado. I want to thank all our members for their hard work in difficult times. We have received an unprecedented amount of overtime to get this extra work completed this year.

We filed a bill to have Civil Service exams given again in DTA. It passed out of committee favorably at the State

House and is now at House Ways and Means awaiting consideration. This is a great first step for us. We continue, in our never ending journey, to advocate for increasing Line Item 4400-1100 to obtain funding to hire more workers.

Thanks to all of you who have helped us lobby for this endeavor. I know I can continue to count on you for your support of this much needed funding.

In addition to our monthly Labor Management meetings at DTA, we have been meeting with the Dept of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).

I want to thank all the Regional Vice Presidents: Al Pierce, Boston; Mark Williams, Lawrence; Jamie Robitaille, Southeast; Kevin McKenna, Worcester; Joe Malone, Greater Boston; and Kirsten Myallaked, Springfield.

I want to thank all the Chapter Board Members: Philip Wachsler, Secretary of Grievances; Cheri Antelo, Recording Secretary; Alvina Silva; Dawn McConnell; Michelle Hussey; Brett Mazur; Ethel Baker; Russell Michaud; Mike McDonough; Roberto Sinni; Duane Dudek; Maius Sakalinkskas; and James Boyle. In addition, I want to thank all of the stewards for keeping up with the work related to contract enforcement and for being the backbone of our union. Everyone works hard to maintain the presence of our union in the many workplaces across the Commonwealth.

Special thanks to Mark Williams, Regional VP from Lawrence for running the Union Hospitality Room at the DTA Conference and for chairing the Grievance Appeal Committee for the Union. I would also like to thank Linda Johnson of DHCD for providing her expertise on homelessness.

I wish everyone safe and happy holidays and please a storm free winter would be nice!

institutionAl school teAcheRs

SuSan Southey, pReSiDent

For the ISTs and Vocational teachers, particularly in the Department Of Corrections, 2011 ushered in a year of uncertainty. We had no directors, and were down 2

Priscilla Lynch (DCF) and MassUniting rally against Scott Brown’s votes against

Medicare and Medicaid funding

14 — LocaL 509 annuaL RepoRt 2011 LocaL 509 annuaL RepoRt 2011 — 15

Local 509 grow. Our numbers will give us greater strength.

Looking back at the first ten months of 2011, this has to be declared as “The Year of the Pickets and Rallies.” Thanks go out to our sisters and brothers in the Public Sector who have stood strong beside us, sometimes in freezing weather, to fight for better wages or to help battle agencies over contracts. As one example, on June 10, there were five rallies against one agency in one day; Public Sector members showed their solidarity in Lynn, Malden, Roxbury, Arlington and Worcester.

2011 was a year marred by three tragedies that befell human service workers; in February, we united for a candle light vigil on the State House steps for fallen workers, Stephanie Moulton and Jose Roldan. See Toby Fisher’s article (on page 6) on what we are trying to accomplish with passage of Stephanie’s Law.

Due to these tragedies, several of us met with both OSHA and MassCOSH. We are forming a Health and Safety Committee that will be chaired by Mike Capasso of Eliot CHS. This is a Chapter Wide committee that is just now being formed; we will have had a “Violence in the Workplace” training by OSHA the day prior to the Annual Meeting, at a day long leaders training. By the Annual Meeting, we will have set up a date, place and time for the initial Health and Safety Committee meeting. Any Private Sector member also may join; you can contact me at dennismacsteward@gmail.com

In 2011, we either had to bargain for new contracts or wage re-openers at 31 of our agencies. In this tough economy, any wage increases, health care and/or other benefits we achieved at the bargaining tables have to be viewed as victories. Even holding on to what we already had beats backwards bargaining.

We added four Chapter Wide seats to our Chapter Executive Board. There are many Agencies which do not have a seat to which they are entitled to on the CEB; see the website, and talk to me if you are interested, even if to only sit in. The CEB meets at 6:15 for dinner, in Watertown, and the meeting begins at 7; teleconference is available. At the JEB, a motion was passed that changed Appendix A language such that most seats are no longer designated by counties but rather are Chapter Wide. Agencies with 200 or more members may have one seat on the JEB; those with 400+ members may have two seats. For every two hundred members, we gain another seat on the JEB. The JEB meets on the second Tuesdays of

Ramos, Antonio Rodrigues, Alicia Rodriguez, Timothy Travis, Denise Vernaglia and Rosa Volmar. Also thanks to two members who are involved in SEIU’s Fight For A Fair Economy initiative Valerie Copeland and Ester Orellana.

I am looking forward to working with and for all of you. Get involved in the Union it can be fun and rewarding.

mAss RehAb commission

JuDy coSteLLo, pReSiDent

It’s hard to believe that it has already been a year since my last report. (Whoa, that sounds like I’m about to make a confession... don’t worry, I’m not.)

Our Chapter Executive Board members are, along with me: Pat Chabot and Rick

Hanauer who also are our Joint Executive Board representatives; Corey Durham, Mike Tomasko, Dawn Davis, Dick Gates, Nancy Donovan, Lynne McDonald, Jamie Leader, Jen Cornette and John Agboola from the VR Division; Liz Mahoney from AO; and Matt Dichard, Aja James, Paul Davenport, Alan Dennen and Gary Small from DDS and Jerry Levinsky our Local 509 Field Rep.

In addition to the work that they perform daily as the leaders in our Chapter some of them also serve on committees. Lynne and Rick are both representatives on an agency wide Governor’s Advisory Committee on Employee Safety and Health. Rick and Mike are both on the Committee for Joint Technology. We are all kept very busy but I hope anyone reading this knows

that all of us try to get answers to your questions and work on your behalf to make MRC a better, fairer workplace.

Some of the things which we have accomplished this year are securing additional supervisor positions in VR, preventing layoffs when programs were downsized in the Administrative offices, convincing the EOHHS Administration to consider the downside of cubicles and EHS centers, and encouraging promotional opportunities in both VR and DDS. We continue to work with management towards mutual respect in the workplace. MRC has begun to backfill SES positions with QVRC’s rather than PC’s. This is a first step in getting the positions correctly classified. Recently, we were able to get a year’s extension for the members on ARRA positions who had not been able to transfer to vacant positions. These are a few of the things that are resolved or heading towards resolution. We still have a number of grievances both individual and class actions which are making their way through the grievance procedure. We appreciate all of the support of the members and are proud to represent you.

pRivAte sectoR humAn seRvices

DenniS MacDonaLD, pReSiDent

Two years ago, the Private Sector Chapter had approximately 3,600 members. Since that time, we have grown significantly, with successful organizing efforts and contracts ratified at the Brien Center, CES (formerly HEC) and Delta Projects, totaling close to 800 more members. In addition to the 4,400 members we have spread across the State at thirty-four agencies, once contracts are settled and ratified at our two most recently organized agencies, Guidewire (formerly Sullivan & Associates) and Bridgewell, we will have over 5,500 sisters and brothers in the Private Sector Chapter. It doesn’t end there as the Local 509 Organizing Department, one of the leading organizing departments in all of SEIU, are always at work on new organizing campaigns, often with meaningful involvement from both Public Sector and Private Sector NOC-trained members (National Organizing Corps.)I can never thank enough the NOC members who give up evenings, weekends and other hours, dedicated to “organizing the unorganized.” Only through future organizing efforts will not only the Private Sector, but all of

the month, typically in Milford, at 7:30 p.m.; there is no teleconference.

With most of the contracts settled as we go to press, the Chapter Board and I will be working closely with the Private Sector Team Leader, Jon Grossman, to do long range planning on the future direction of both the CEB and the Private Sector in general. Never hesitate to call me or e-mail me for anything regarding the Chapter: (781) 883-7519; dennismacsteward@gmail.com

solidARity committee Founded

DenniS MacDonaLD anD BRian MoRRiSon

At the August 9, 2011 Joint Executive Board meeting, I made a motion that we form a solidarity committee to work with other labor and community organizations that share our goals.

This motion was not just in reaction to what was happening with Verizon workers, it was simply the right thing to do. At Local 509 pickets and rallies in Western Mass, we have been regularly been joined by Jobs With Justice and many other unions. We, as a Local, have not effectively mobilized our members when other labor or social justice causes need our support, and with this committee we hope to change that.

Brian Morrison (DMH), who is the President of the Berkshires Labor Council, will chair the committee, and anyone who wishes to join should contact Brian or I. We do not have a first meeting scheduled as yet but hope to set one following the annual meeting.

Bridgewell workers Kenny Odom and Cantave Pamphile receive the Organizing

Award from the North Shore Labor Council with Dennis MacDonald, Lynn City

Councilor capano and 509 Field Reps Israel Pierre and John Magner

Photo by Philip Wachsler (DTA)

Al Powers (DMH) speaks at an Alternatives Unlimited organizing rally in Worcester

Seiu LocaL 509100 tAlcott Ave, bldg 313wAteRtown, mA 02472

Non ProfitOrganizationUS PostagepaiD

Boston, MAPermit No 59649