SEIU 668
CHAPTER  4
Minutes

 

  

 

AGING COMMITTEE

SEIU LOCAL 668

 

MINUTES FOR JULY 27, 2007 MEETING

 

MEMBERS PRESENT – Lisa Simrell, Rose Cindrick, Leslie Patton, Bernard Salera, Michelle Schaaf

 

MEMBERS ABSENT – Susan Crouse, Jody Kohser

 

ITEMS OF DISCUSSON –

 

ุ      Recruiting new members – Rose Cindrick will be sending letters to all chapters that do not have a representative active on the Aging committee.  Currently we have members from Chapter 2 (Jody Kohser), Chapter 4 (Sue Crouse), Chapter 8 (Michelle Schaff), Chapter 11 (Bernard Salera) and Chapter 14 (Leslie Patton), Chapter 14 (Lisa Simrell, Chair).

ุ      Encouraging members to come to meetings by providing them with the knowledge of lodging.  **If a member has to leave their home before 7am to attend a meeting they can request lodging for the prior evening.  If member cannot make it home before 10:30pm after a meeting they can request lodging.***  This will allow for all members in distant counties to attend meetings with less worry about traffic and making meeting on time.  REMINDER lodging needs pre-approval and is always pending there is money in the budget.

ุ      Discussion of other agencies having multiple responsibilities example – ACM required to manage case load with FCSP, PS & Waiver case load.  Chapter #8 is currently attempting to push this issue.  As Care Managers we have a huge amount of opposition toward this.  It is difficult to learn the ins and outs of one program as opposed to many different programs.  Reminder at negotiating time members should attempt to note this in their responsibilities or possibly discuss this with Civil Service as there is no direction as to what can and can’t be the responsibility of a CM.

ุ      Safety issues - discussions of personal protection on the job were discussed, Rose Cindrick proposed the idea of having the State Police or the local Police come to Aging offices to provide some type of training as they would more then likely provide this as a free service.  Additional knowledge needs to be provided to ACM’s concerning Hepatitis, Tuberculosis and other potentially deadly illnesses.  We all need to discuss this with our Directors.

ุ      Gathering of On Call info from other counties – in process of obtaining this info from other counties as the CM’s that were present were not sure what there policies entailed. 

ุ      Internal Organizing – Emphasize one day a month as a union day and have all members wear a color of choice to express their unity. Example 1st Friday of the month wears purple and is PROUD to be a member.  Display your SEIU pins, this is allowed.  

ุ      NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE ACT, House Resolution H.R. 676 - which will create a not-for-profit, comprehensive, cradle-to-grave, single-payer healthcare system. Physicians National Health Program which will create the same kind of universal healthcare system now operating successfully in many developed nations around the world.  Bernie Salera is attempting to organize a committee in order to assist with the up and coming health care woes.  This is currently being endorsed by Local 668, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Harrisburg, PA. 

ุ      Discussion over next meeting – The question was asked if members prefer Monday meetings or Friday meetings.  Everyone agreed Friday meetings are better. 

ุ      Patricia Vance – excellent advocate for the elderly – Bernie Salera has had discussions with her. 

ุ      Communication with Aging offices – very important to respond to emails as this is ultimately the most useful tool and cheapest. 

ุ      SAMS & OMNIA – Equal amount of frustration through out all agencies.  Some agencies were not doing worksheets while others were.  Lost info across the board. Many inconsistencies with other agencies.  More discussions to follow. 

 

 

Lisa Simrell Aging (Chair)