AFSCME Local 1368

51 A Charge / Investagations

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:30:46 -0400

Dear Members,

As part of our on going discussion with the Department at Safety Committee and Labor Management meetings, the topic of staff assaults and group disturbances, the union has been voicing its concerns around staff safety.

The department has now put out the attached documents in response to some concerns, the local is still in a position that more needs to be done around the changes of room confinements and when filling 51A result into investigations.

Please see the attachments know your rights during investigations.

Legistative Up-date - Health Insurance

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:55:59 -0400

General Membership Meeting

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:18:20 -0400

Start: 06/23/2009 - 9:00am

End: 06/23/2009 - 6:00pm

Threat to the jobs of AFSCME members

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:04:05 -0400

Two weeks ago we asked for your assistance in generating phone calls and e-mails to your legislators in an effort to minimize increases to state and higher education worker health insurance contribution rates. Thanks to all AFSCME members who took the time to make these important contacts and for encouraging your fellow members to do the same.

We now need your help on another very important matter related to the FY10 budget, which represents a very serious threat to the jobs of AFSCME members.

CASE WORKERS IMPACT OF LATE NIGHTS

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:17:33 -0400

Letter of Agreement and Grievance Update

The Department and Union met last on June 3rd, discussion continue and we where waiting for a response from the department in which a letter and agreement from Peter Forbes was forwarded by e-mail last night on June 11 this is not a acceptable agreement to me as the President of the Local 1368 and I will continue to do my part in Stopping this Action.

Unfair Labor Filling date change of in Case Workers Hours

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:24:20 -0400

Start: 08/04/2009 - 2:00pm

Case Worker Action Committee Meeting

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:30:30 -0400

Start: 06/11/2009 - 6:00pm

CASE WORKER HOURS MEETING

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:33:22 -0400

Yesterday's meeting June 3,2009, the Department is now proposing a 2 night work schedule for one year and before any other changes are made will met with us and discuss them. The possibility of the hours being 11-7 on those late days instead of 12-8 is being coincided. The safety concerns where a big part of the discussion as it has been since the start. Mr. Forbes has promised a larger effort of training and working thou the safety committee will continue. The Caseworkers shared some real and personal issues around hardship, family, and social concerns.

More to come will try to keep you up-to date.

Moving of Seacom

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:02:40 -0400

This is to inform all that SEACOM in Brewster is closing the responsibilities are going to be absorbed by Howland Programs as well the two ISO staff will be reassign from Brewster to Howland.

Yesterday, June 3, 2009 Vice President Bob Amaral and I met with the Department Area Director of Residential Services Robert Graham, Area Deputy Director Crag Curtin and Rhett Cavicchi Labor Relations Specialist. The following topics below discuss.

The transfer of SEACOM from Brewster to the Howland Unit. The plan will likely impact two State employees currently working at SEACOM, as well as some Staff at the Howland Detention Program.

Legistative Up-date - Health Insurance

Tue, 26 May 2009 12:40:22 -0400

The State Senate voted on May 15 to increase state and higher education worker health insurance contribution rates.The original Senate proposal called for a 70/30 split for all current and future hires. However, the Senate voted to increase the sales tax by 1.25% and approved using approximately $33 million of that new revenue to reduce their original 70/30 proposal to 75/25, which still represents a significant increase for our members. As you have been informed in prior e-mails, the House voted last month in favor of an 80/20 split for all current workers and voted to place any future hires at a 75/25 split. The House’s original proposal was also a 70/30 split for all workers but as was the case in the Senate, we worked with the Massachusetts AFL/CIO and other public sector unions to convince the House to use a significant portion of new revenues to limit the increase to our members. While the Senate is still in the process of completing its’ budget, the issue on state and higher education worker health insurance contribution rates will now move to a House/Senate conference committee. The legislative department will continue to lobby for the best possible contribution rates we can secure for our members. Once the Senate budget is completed, we will be calling on our members to support this effort by asking their respective senators and representatives to contact conference committee members in support of our goal. We will provide a list of conference committee members as soon as they are named.

Patrick wants union givebacks

Mon, 11 May 2009 10:36:46 -0400

Patrick wants union givebacks

Approved raises, but fiscal forecast worsens

By Andrea Estes and Matt Viser, Globe Staff | May 8, 2009

Union Scholarships

Wed, 06 May 2009 15:53:38 -0400

Your union provides scholarships in memoy of pased activist members.This is a valuable resource for the children of AFSCME Local 1368 Members.
Please download, complete, and mail the forms to the appropriate addresses.

SEE AFSCME INTERNATIONAL UNION SCHOLARSHIPS This is a link it will bring you to AFSCME Sholarships.

Legistative Up-date - Health Insurance

Fri, 01 May 2009 16:42:33 -0400

The MA House of Representatives voted last night to include language in their proposed FY10 budget that would require all state and higher education employees to pay 20% of health insurance premium costs. The House budget also includes language requiring any worker who is hired after June 30, 2009 to pay 25% of premium costs.

Under the current structure, workers hired before June 30, 2003 are paying 15% of costs while workers hired after that date are required to pay 20%.

Two Staff Attacked in Howland sent to Hospital via Ambulance

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:03:10 -0400

Multiple physical restraints occurred on April 26, 2009 on the second floor unit. The entire population was in transition to the second floor after the completion of their dinner period on the first floor. The entire population was being escorted back to the second floor unit by four staff members. The population arrived on the second floor unit at 5:30 PM. at 5:35 PM due to staff being in fear for their safety after some of the residents where involved in a altercation the other residents directed to the television room at the end of the hall and others to the rec. room. The population then proceeded to the television and rec. rooms. Residents from the same neighbourhoods in the city of New Bedford. and other residents be friended these residents upon their recent arrival on the unit. Residents quickly stood up from the television room and ran out in order to attack staff. Residents where restrained and mechanical restraints were used. All doors to these resident rooms were secured. All residents involved in the physical restraints were offered and refused any medical attention. GW III began vomiting, shaking, and blood could be seen trickling from his ear, A/D called an ambulance. The ambulance arrived shortly after GWIII travelled to Morton Hospital by ambulance, GWI complained of shoulder pain. GWI was relieved and was allowed to leave shortly after GWIII . Three members of GOSS I and GOSS II arrived on the unit to assist with staff at 6:15 PM. The diagnosis of these two injuries was multiple concussions (GWIII) and a separated shoulder (GWI).

Swine Flu Update

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:29:46 -0400

Below are some links to key guidance documents from various government agencies and other organizations. Every state has a preparedness plan which you can view by going to your state’s website. We will be updating the AFSCME website as new information becomes available.

Trust for America’s Health. Good site that has updates, reports, brochures: http://healthyamericans.org/