July 2010
Agreement on New Pima County MOU
After a long series of Meet & Confer discussions that took place in a challenging budget year, SEIU Arizona's Pima Chapter Meet & Confer Team have reach agreement with the County on a new Memorandum of Understanding.
At a time when public service workers across the country have been confronted with layoffs, furloughs and benefit give-backs, SEIU-represented employees in Pima County have fared remarkably well.
The new MOU must be ratified by SEIU members to determine whether we send it to the Board of Supervisors for approval. All Pima County employees are invited to learn more about the MOU at ratification meetings August 4 and 5. All SEIU members can vote for ratification at those meetings or online. Here are all the details ...
Highlights of our 2010-11 MOU includes these new agreements:
Health Care - Continued the County's contributions to the HDHP health savings plan and ensured no increase in our costs for the PPO this year - saving almost $3 million in threatened health care cost increases for SEIU-represented employees! Plus the right to meet again in October about any potential changes in our health insurance for the next plan year.
Grievance Procedure - Process for pursuing employee rights if the MOU is violated, including arbitration by a neutral third party.
Wage Review - Commitment to meet about employee wages and deliver recommendations to the Board of Supervisors by next June.
Union Leave - Clarifies that SEIU member leaders give 3 work days' notice to conduct union business on work time (except for more immediate representation demands).
Improved Communication - Better union access to represented employees - through bulletin boards, work emails, and workplace mailboxes - so we can know the news that affects us.
Additional highlights include numerous renewed agreements and the addition of a number of other workplace issues to be addressed by the Meet & Confer Committee.
Congratulations to the Meet & Confer Team on a job well done!
Tempe's Water War Contribution
Tempe's membership worked hard, and collected cases of water, plus over $500 in contributions to the Tempe Community Action Agency.
TCAA's Executive Director Beth Fiorenza sums it up: "Thank you very much for the donation of funds and water to Tempe Community Action Agency from the SEIU! We really appreciate your support as we help families through the summer months."TCAA reports they distribute 50-60 bags of groceries DAILY to Tempe's working poor families. They're in need of peanut butter, tuna, beans, and any other canned protein that can be shelved without refrigeration. See here to contribute food or money.
And Tempe SEIU...Congratulations on your well-fought Water War! (Pictured: Members Sylvia Whittle, Jackie Awosika, and Dora Chavez present the check and water to TCAA Food Resources Coordinator Monica Tegg)
Hey, Chandler: LET'S VOTE!
200 Chandler employees and union members supported our bargaining team this year as we faced off over the cost of our health care benefits. We've made big strides on that issue as well as improvements in vacation and other benefits. Be counted in the ratification vote!
Voting on the MOU and for Chapter President takes place Wednesday, August 4 and Thursday, August 5 in Room 202 of the Chandler Community Center. You can vote betwen 11 am and 2 pm both days.
If you can't get to the Community Center, email Mike Potavin or give him a call at 480-347-5421 to schedule a time to cast your ballot.
Get the Latest Aug. 3
What's the latest on our new Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of Gilbert? What kind of progress are we making on workplace issues? And what's on your mind?
Stop by to get the latest news, ask questions and offer your ideas at the Union Update meeting Tuesday, August 3. Three sessions are available to give everyone a chance to participate. To RSVP, email Mike Potavin or call him at (480) 347-5421.
Union Update at
The Fieldhouse
1661 S. Val Vista (SE corner of Ray and Val Vista)
Gilbert, AZ
2:30 pm - First session
4:30 pm - Second session
6 pm - Third Session
Celebrate Tucson's Birthday with Supervisor Elias and SEIU!
County Supervisor Richard Elías, along with co-sponsor SEIU Arizona, presents a FREE CONCERT at the beautiful, and air-conditioned, Fox Theatre. Local gospel and Latin music will be featured. See the details here.
Tucson Weekly Prints Letter About County's Leave Policy
Speaking of Meet & Confer...the last Meet & Confer session this year will be July 29th. Dates for Member Voting to ratify the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), nominations for next year's Meet & Confer team, and the formation of an Elections Committee all are happening in July-August. Watch this space for details!
Who Will Be Our Union Representatives?
Nominations for Gilbert Chapter Union Representative are now open. Elected Union Reps will serve a one-year term and are responsible for ongoing member communications and participation in union activities in their workplace.
You can nominate yourself or any member you respect and trust to be an effective Union Rep. Download the nomination form, fill it out, and contact Mike Potavin by email or call him at (480) 347-5421 and he'll pick up your form. The deadline for submitting nomination forms is Tuesday, August 10.
Nominations Open For Chandler Union Reps!
Download the nomination form and choose the co-worker/s you feel will best represent you...or nominate yourself!
Chandler Chapter Members Score Victories!
SEIU Chandler Chapter members are stronger together and their successes in improving workplace standards prove it!
Check out some photos of the Chandler members and see highlights of their accomplishments.
What is the human cost of Arizona's budget crisis?
Budget cuts are impacting the lives of Arizona's public employees and the people they serve.
A new report reveals what DES employees need to know about their jobs and their future.
For a copy of the complete report, send an email including your mailing address to barb.maack@seiu5az.org or call 602-263-2031.