There are several proposed takebacks from the employer still on the table. Below is a short description of the current takebacks on the table and previous takebacks the bargaining team was successfully able to negotiate with our employers to remove.
Current takebacks (on the table):
Previous Takebacks
Today, Governor Dayton signed into effect the Vulnerable Adult Felony bill, which, for the first time, increases the charge for neglect of vulnerable adults to a felony. The bill creates a felony provision in state law that would target caregivers who intentionally deprive vulnerable adults of food, clothing, shelter, health care or supervision.
Minnesota has been one of five states that classified such crimes as misdemeanors, with little or no jail time and minimal fines even in cases where vulnerable people were found suffering in squalid conditions. The new law will create a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Healthcare Minnesota, and others in the care industry worried their workers could be punished for honest mistakes or lack of resources, but the compromise reached in the bill creates some protections for workers and facilities. Healthcare Minnesota worked with the County Attorney Association and Representative Gottwalt to make sure that felony neglect in the vulnerable adult bill included an affirmative defense for workers. This defense protects care workers if they can show neglect occurred because of inadequate staffing levels or lack of training. Minnesota will be the only state that includes such language.
Want to work for economic justice?
SEIU Healthcare Minnesota is hiring organizers as part of a bold new effort to fight for economic justice for all Minnesotans. These organizers will help workers build power in their workplaces and in their communities. They will support workers in the struggle to take collective action and form a Union, sometimes in the face of fierce attacks. And they will confront corporate power, whenever and wherever the exercise of that power infringes on workers’ livelihoods and dignity.
Organizer responsibilities include:
Qualifications:
This is a temporary position.
Movement building is not a 9-5 job. Organizers will be expected to work long and irregular hours, including evenings and weekdays. Organizers must be willing to travel.
Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
Qualified applicants should send a résumé and three references, by Monday April 23, to Mike Kramer at mike.kramer@seiuhealthcaremn.org
Banks, and other big corporations across the United States are receiving huge tax breaks while foreclosures, schools cuts, and antiimmigrant politicians hurt our families. We know that Wells Fargo is a tax-dodger, and received 17.96 billion in tax breaks over the last three years, and even received $681 million in federal tax refunds.
We need to tell U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo to pay their fair share, stop foreclosures and keep their hands off our democracy. No more tax breaks for the 1%!
Join us for a rally on Tuesday, April 17th from 11:00am – 1:00pm outside of the U.S. Bank Shareholders Meeting at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Following the rally, we’ll march to Wells Fargo Center in downtown Minneapolis. Tell bank CEOs that we have to pay our taxes, and so should they!
Before the march and rally on the 17th learn how we can use direct action as a tactic in a strategic campaign at the 99% Spring Direct Action Training. You’ll learn how we can take action to create great change in this country, then plan and carry out an action!
The training will be held on Saturday, April 14th from 8:30am to 5pm at the Carpenter’s Hall, in St. Paul. Click here to learn more about the training, and sign up!
Please join us as we challenge corporate power, end tax giveaways to the 1% and fight for an economy that works for all of us!
Two days after 1,600 working men and women protested against a proposed “Right to Work” constitutional amendment at the State Capitol, about 200 SEIU Minnesota members lobbied against the measure through meetings with their state representatives.
SEIU Minnesota’s annual Lobby Day event carried added significance the same week of the larger protest—and many said they felt like they were helping continue to build momentum against the measure. SEIU Healthcare Minnesota President, Julie Schnell spoke during a morning “teach-in” for SEIU member lobbyists. “There is more to winning for workers than showing up for one important rally. Winning on the issues that matter to us means taking time to talk one-on-one with our family, friends, neighbors and yes—even our lawmakers. Remember, over time…a constant dripping of water can wear away stone.
And that is what we mean by lending our strong collective voice to the issues critical to hard-working Minnesotans—one drop, one voice, at a time—-over, and over and over again means we will eventually wear away attempts to dismantle unions in this country, dismantle the middle-class in this country and dismantle a fair economy.”
Member lobbyists also told their lawmakers of their opposition to two other proposed constitutional amendments: First, a so-called, “Supermajority” budget amendment that is short-sighted and would result in even more government shut-downs, legislative gridlock, budget gimmicks and cuts to critical local government services such as law enforcement and fire protection. Second, a co-called “Voter ID” amendment that is nothing more than a radical and partisan attempt that’s overly restrictive and would block many Minnesotans from their constitutional right to vote.
Schnell said that the protest earlier in the week and the successful SEIU Lobby Day were two events that were simply a taste of things to come as hard-working Minnesotans, and union members, continue to exercise not only their right to speak out against harmful measures but as they prepare to exercise the power of the vote come November.
Here’s your weekly update from your co-workers on the SEIU Healthcare Minnesota bargaining team:
There was no movement at the table today, despite the fact that we came ready to come to an agreement on a fair and just contract. Management seems more concerned with leaving early than staying to work with us.
We have a 30-day extension, yet management has only agreed to meet one day between now and April 18th.
The proposals that management still have on the table are loaded with takeaways.
These proposals are on the backs of the entire membership. The hospital is making huge profits, while they continue tell us that we need to be good stewards of our limited resources in the ever-changing world of health care.
Bargaining team members will be out in the facilities within the next few weeks to talk about bargaining, and how we can all come together to show our support for a contract that is fair and just for all.
We meet again on April 18th.
Remember, we are STRONGER TOGETHER!!
Despite bipartisan opposition, supporters of the irresponsible “Right to Work” constitutional amendment are trying to move the bill forward. They know Minnesotans oppose this unsafe, unfair and unnecessary law, and are using desperate gimmicks at the State Capitol to try to pass it.
The Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee is hearing the bill on Monday March 12th. SEIU needs you! to come to the State Capitol Monday morning at 7 to help stop this harmful proposal.
This bill is not what its supporters say it is. Plain and simple, this isn’t a right to work; it’s the right to hurt workers, our economy, and the middle class. If this should pass it would weaken our rights and lower our wages and benefits.
Union members have negotiated in good faith with their employers and have sacrificed to help weather the tough economic times by taking wage freezes, cuts in benefits and furlough with days without pay. But despite hardworking Minnesotans’ efforts to carry their load, corporate CEOs and the politicians they helped elect are pushing this amendment forward. Plain and simple, it is wrong for working families and wrong for our state.
At the February 15th Membership meeting SEIU HCMN delegates and alternates were nominated for the 2012 SEIU International Convention. After each member accepted their nomination, the full list of delegates was approved.
Congratulations to the delegates attending this year’s 2012 International Convention in Denver, Colorado.
Jenny Johnson
Brittney Yennie
Elsie Urman
Mindy Tomfohrde
Laura Miller
Marty Zahn
Jacqueline Omurwa
Mark Freeman
Mary Bale
Melvin Anderson
Yankuba Fadera
Trustee Emma Woodard
Trustee Kurt Back
Trustee Natalie Jackson
Trustee Dan Mintey
Guard Irene Hollman
Assistant Guard Renee Burman
President Julie Schnell
EVP Jigme Ugen
EVP Tee McClenty
EVP Jamie Gulley
EVP David Blanchard
The total number of members nominated did not exceed the number of delegates we are approved to send, therefore an election will not take place on March 14 and 15.
Here’s your weekly update from your co-workers on the SEIU Healthcare Minnesota bargaining team:
We had a very long day. A mediator from FMCS was present at negotiations all day.
We attempted to remove the rest of the disappointing demands from the employers’ offer. We were prepared to stay through the night to reach an agreement. Unfortunately we were not able to do so.
The only advance that we did make was a 15-day extension to our current contract. Though we left disappointed, there are some benefits from having the 15-day extension. For those eligible members, they will still receive their uniform allowance and their floating holidays. Be sure to check the contract to ensure you are receiving the correct benefits.
Now is the time for all of us to stand strong, and show the employers how important we are to these hospitals. Wear your buttons, and show your pride. Let the employers know that we deserve an offer that shows dignity and respect for all of us.
If you have any questions about negotiations up to this point, please contact a bargaining team member (pictures on back side).
We will be meeting again on March 15th.
OVERALL JOB STATEMENT
Internal Organizer at SEIU Healthcare Minnesota carries out a variety of job functions. An Internal Organizer “IO” will be asked to participate in organizing, legislative and political action, training of members, building worksite leaders, contract negotiations, and other tasks as the need arises. Any candidate must be willing to work long and irregular hours including weekends and evenings when called for. The IO must also be willing to travel with some possible overnight stays.
The Union IO shall be required to perform services in accordance with the needs of the Local and at such times and places as are necessary. The Union IO must have a dedication to improve the position of our members and strengthen the role of our Union in every venture. There must be a willingness tobecome educated in health care issues, and a desire to lead and inspire our stewards and rank and file.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
- Continuous work on internal organizing within facilities.
- Identify, recruit, train and develop stewards and work-site leaders; assist in defining steward role; assist in developing plans for work-site campaigns.
- Create and implement an onsite visit schedule to be posted on the internal shared calendar
- Support the steward team/group in developing a process for new member orientation
- Develop a program for COPE
- Support steward in processing grievances and carrying out investigations.
- Create or assist members in creating communication systems; write and edit leaflets, proposals, newsletters, etc.
- Negotiate contracts and assist other staff in negotiating contracts – from proposals through strike preparation.
- Train Stewards to ensure accordance of collective bargaining agreements at your work-sites by management; meeting timelines and procedures related to labor contracts.
- Participate in organizing campaigns when requested, lead residual organizing campaigns in existing jurisdictions.
- Monitor policies in work sites, concerning members, ensuring contract compliance.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
- High School Diploma or GED, Secondary Education preferred.
- Previous work experience in Union setting required.
- Ability to communicate well in writing and orally.
- Good personal organizational skills; good record keeping.
- Must be computer literate; advanced computer skills a plus.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and vehicle in good working condition. Must have proof of auto insurance.
SKILLS NEEDED
- Knowledge of labor rights and contract language.
- Ability to negotiate collective bargaining agreements and develop and execute contract campaign plans.
- Ability to gather, analyze and present statistical data.
- Ability to establish rapport with members in widely diversified ethnic, social and economic groups.
- Ability to mobilize membership around issues.
- Ability to maintain a commitment to educating the members on the Union and their contract.
BEHAVIORAL QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED
- Good judgment and ability to discern priorities when faced with many important tasks.
- Ability to handle very negative situations where in fact, you may be the target of the negativity; and turn the situation around to have the best outcome.
- Manage conflicting demands.
- Maintain rapport and be able to deal with difficult members.
- Show extreme amounts of patience.
- Reassure members, by your actions, that you are for them and will not take management’s word over theirs or “favor” management.
- Work under pressure independently.
- Maintain HIGH degree of confidentiality, both for your members and internal Local issues.
- Show professional demeanor at work-sites and in the community.
- Maintain respectful, professional relationship with Union stewards; monitoring and supporting them in their roles.
- History of high level of proven leadership.
Candidate will be assigned to meet the needs of SEIU Healthcare and management may alter assignment as those needs change.
Compensation and benefits as set forth in contract with USW Local 7263-21 for “Union Representative and Organizer.”
Qualified Applicants may send resume and cover letter to jobapplications@seiuhealthcaremn.org or fax to 651-294-8200 by Monday, March 12, 2012.
Daily Kos Labor