SEIU 668
CHAPTER  4

  

Chapter 4 Meeting

26 January 2006

 

Meeting opened at 6:40pm after an ample supper was provided. 

Members said the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

  • Chair John Terpko suspended the normal order of business in order to elect a Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. 
  • Chair John Terpko opened up nominations for the position of Vice-Chair.

 

Gail Terpko nominated Keith Saunders (accepted nomination)

Pat Stefanon nominated Natalie Keys (accepted nomination)

Nominations closed.  Voting occurred using the written ballot.  Votes were tallied and Natalie Keys won the vote 9 to 6.

  • Chair John Terpko made the following motion:

That Chapter 4 pay the expenses for Natalie Keys (Vice-Chair) to attend the March State Wide Executive Board meeting to include mileage, lodging, meals and any other applicable expenses.

Motion seconded by Natalie Keys.  Vote taken: 17 Yea   0 Nay   0 Abstention – Motion passes.

  • Chair John Terpko opened up nominations for the position of Secretary.

 

Tim O’Donnell nominated Sister Bea Abril (accepted nomination)

No one else nominated for the position. 

As Sister Bea is running unopposed a hand vote is all that is required. 

Hand vote was called for and Sister Bea was unanimously elected.

  • Chair John Terpko opened up nominations for the position of Treasurer.

 

Gail Terpko nominated Keith Saunders (accepted nomination)

No one else nominated for the position.

As Keith is running unopposed a hand vote is all that is required.

Hand vote was called for and Keith was unanimously elected.

  • Chair John Terpko made the following motion:

In accordance with Article 1X of the SEIU Constitution, a Retired Affairs Officer position be created for Chapter 4.  The Retired Affairs Officer will have all the rights and privileges afforded other officers of the chapter.

The duties of the Retired Affairs Officer is to recruit and retain retired dues paying members of SEIU 668 Chapter 4 for political, public affairs and participation in union activities.

As such, dues paying retirees participating in the aforementioned activities, with the approval of the retired affairs officer and Chapter chairperson are entitled to the same reimbursement policy as active members, with the exception of per diem.

The retired affairs officer may create any structure/committee that he or she deems necessary to fulfill the duties of the office.

In the event that reimbursements to the retirees affects the finances of the Chapter in such a way that the Chapter has difficulty in meeting its normal operating expenses, the Chapter board may suspend reimbursement to the dues paying retirees until the Chapter treasury is again able to sustain these reimbursements.

Motion seconded by Joe Donahue.  Vote taken: 15 Yea 1 Nay 0 Abstention – Motion passes.

  • Chair John Terpko opened the floor for nominations for Retired Affairs Officer.

Pat Stefanon nominated Linda Andrews (accepted nomination)

No one else nominated for the position.

As Linda is running unopposed a hand vote is all that is required.

Hand vote was called for and Linda was unanimously elected.

 

READING OF MINUTES

Minutes were distributed prior to meeting. 

Chair John Terpko made the following motion:

I make a motion to accept the minutes of the meeting of 11/30/05.

Motion seconded by Pete Lorenzo.  Vote taken.  Motion passed unanimously.

ROLL CALL

Chair John Terpko – present

Vice-Chair Natalie Keys – present

Secretary Sister Bea Abril – present

Treasurer Keith Saunders – present

OFFICER’S REPORTS

  • Chair: SWEB reports are on the table.  Diversity training received at last SWEB.
  • Vice-Chair: No report.
  • Secretary: No report.
  • Treasurer: See handout.
  • Retired Affairs Officer: Attended the Workforce Investment Board meeting.  A lot is going on and if anyone wants Linda’s notes they are to contact her for a copy.  Linda did say that Beaver Plumbers Local 47 is preparing for the retirement of 36% of their workers.  They are looking for apprentices or workers.  If interested call Linda or Local 47.

 

BUSINESS AGENT REPORTS

  • Jim Falorio: See handout.
  • Rose Cindric: See handout.
  • Jim Boyd: New appointed to Westmoreland County.  Currently involved in negotiations with WC Residual Unit jointly with 1199P and State Units in Blairsville.

 

SHOP REPORTS

  • Susan Cowan from SEI in Fayette County shared about grievances that have been settled and one that is at Stage 4 in the grievance process.  Staff members have been given pre-release and/or parole quotas.  Every single inmate is to be processed for pre-release.  Inmates are being paroled to the streets.  Kathy Jellison interjected that the MH system is doing the same thing.

 

  • Keith Saunders from Fayette County CAO shared that work was being shifted from Montgomery to Fayette County.  They are currently over complemented staff-wise and so workload is getting shifted over to Fayette County.  SEIU needs to get involved in this issue.

 

  • Kevin Szallar from Washington County CYS stated that they began negotiations in May and have only met 7 times.  Health information is still being waited on.  2 arbitration awards were given to the Jail/Sheriff’s Department.  Office if federally and state funded and 90% of CYS’s budget if reimbursed by the federal government.

 

  • Bud Santimyer from Westmoreland County Tax Assessment office spoke about having pressure placed on workers to bring in more money.  No flex time and other changes taking place.  They’ve had 2 retirements and have 2 trainees.

 

  • Jeff Seabury from Washington County OVR introduced new steward Darla Openbrier.

 

  • Kathy Jellison discussed business over the last 3 weeks since she took office.  Working on committees and going to budget hearings.  Budget will lead to cuts.  Hopes to have Newsletter out by the second week of February.  It will contain a lot of legislative and budget information, plus much more.  Leadership training is being changed to September or October 2007.

 

OLD BUSINESS

None

 

NEW BUSINESS

  • Lobby Day is May 23rd.  It is a wonderful opportunity to discuss our issues with our legislators.  A bus and wages for the day will be provided.

 

Chair John Terpko made the following motion:

 

I make a motion to approve payment of lost wages for PSSU members employed full time to attend Lobby Day.  All fiducial requirements must be met by members and verification must be presented before payment will be received.

 

Motion seconded by Pete Lorenzo.  Vote taken: 18 Yea 0 Nay 0 Abstention – Motion passes

 

Chair John Terpko made the following motion:

 

I make a motion to pay all expenses for Lobby Day in May 2006.  These will include transportation and meal expense, which must comply with PSSU fiducial policies.  Verification must be presented before payment will be made.

 

Motion seconded by Jeff Seabury.  Vote taken: 19 Yea 0 Nay 0 Abstention – Motion passes.

  • Chair John Terpko asked the group: “What should our major focus be?”

 

Response: “Stewards Training.”

 

Chair John Terpko made the following motion:

 

That Chapter 4 pays the expenses for Steward’s Training that will be scheduled at a later date.

 

Motion seconded by Dan Leiden.  Vote taken: 17 Yea 0 Nay 0 Abstention – Motion passes.

 

  • Keith Szallar if planning on putting information out to members to let them know what is being done Union-wide.  Possible use of web page to disseminate information.

 

  • Sister Bea made the following motion:

 

I make a motion to pay travel expenses and meal expenses for retired members when they engage in Chapter business as directed by the Chapter chair.  Approval of Chapter chair must be secured prior to reimbursement.

 

Motion seconded by John Terpko.  Vote taken: 19 Yea 0 Nay 0 Abstention – Motion passes.

 

GOOD AND WELFARE

Chair John Terpko shared that he has a registered a website for information dissemination.  Address is www.seiu668ch4.org

The website allows 1000 e-mail addresses.

Names of dues paying members will be placed on e-mail list for politicizing.

It is safer to use while at work.

It will easier to notify all members.

E-mail may be used in any way except illegal, immoral, etc. reasons.

Sub domains are available.

 

  • Bud Santimyer made the following motion:

I make a motion to adjourn.

 

Motion seconded by Pat Stefanon.  Vote taken and motion passed unanimously.

 

Chapter 4 meeting closed at 8:30 pm.

 

 

Minutes respectfully submitted by

Sister Bea Abril, SC

Chapter 4 Secretary

Minutes of Chapter meeting at Strykers Bar and Grill, Waynesburg; June 14, 2006

 

Dinner started at 1800 hours.  Menu selections of Bourbon Chicken, Rigatoni, Green Beans, Roasted Red Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Salad, Rolls and Butter and SEIU cake for dessert.

 

Meeting started at 1840 hours.

 

Vicki Tanner volunteered to act as recording secretary.

 

Officers Present:

 

John E. Terpko-Chapter Chairperson-PRESENT

Natalie Keys-Vice Chairperson-EXCUSED

Bea Abril-Secretary-ABSENT

Keith Saunders-Treasurer-EXCUSED

Linda Andrews-Retired Affairs Officer-PRESENT

 

Motion made to accept the minutes from the April meeting by Rocco Reynolds and second by Frank Chiarelli.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Chapter Chair reviewed voting rules.  Elected Chief Shop Steward; except if absent, then another elected Steward from the shop may vote in his/her absence.  Elected Statewide Committeepersons; Chapter Officers. 

 

Financial Report was given by acting Treasurer John Terpko.  Chapter is in good shape.  Review of mileage rates.

 

Chairperson John Terpko disseminated information from the Statewide Executive Board meeting 9, 10 JUN 06.   Numbers of chapter COPE contributors discussed.  Education on COPE will be directed by statewide; meetings were held at SWEB; solutions formulated.  President’s Report was distributed.  All committee and officer reports were available for review.  Solicitation made for chapter representation on statewide committees to include; Organizing committee, Courts Local Unit committee, MH/MR Local Unit committee, Prison Local Unit committee and YDC/YFC committee.  Gubernatorial survey answered by Governor Rendell made available.  It was noted that Gubernatorial candidate Swann did not respond to the SEIU Local 668 survey.  SEIU Local 668 is currently neutral on endorsement of Governor Rendell, even though the international SEIU may be endorsing the governor.  Steward’s training is scheduled for February, 2007 after January steward elections.  Tentative to be done at/by the PA Labor Education Center in Indiana, PA; additional training will be done by Business Agents, Chapter Officers and solicitation made of knowledgeable members.  CAO Workload Campaign discussed.  “Free” flu shots discussed.  Members were informed that only Business Agents could sign off on local agreements.  John Terpko welcomed Al Davis, newest Business Agent.

 

COPE/Retired Affairs Officer Linda Andrews discussed the Single Payer Healthcare Bill.  PNC broadcast with Richard Trumpka as speaker disseminated.  Saving National Public Radio discussed.  Spread the word that cervical cancer is caused by a virus.  Sister to sister program discussed.  Lobby Day events reviewed.  CLUW, a women’s only union organization is soliciting new members; contact Linda.

 

No Shop Reports given.

 

Business Agent Rose Cindrick discussed local contract negotiations and unfair labor practices.

 

Business Agent Al Smith explained COPE.  Only the last 4 digits of your social security number are needed on the COPE card.

 

Rocco Reynolds, Greensburg BDD commented and offered suggestions on “bridging the gap” between the membership and statewide leadership.

 

Old Business.  The tickets that the chapter was to purchase by chapter motion for the Washington/Greene Hall of Fame Banquet did not occur.  Linda Andrews purchased the tickets for the chapter.

 

New Business.  Motion made by John Terpko and second by Linda Andrews to pay expenses for June 21 meeting (1 member).  Motion passed 6-0.  Motion made by John Terpko and second by Linda Andrews to pay expenses for August 13-18, 2006 PA AFL-CIO Community Services Institute (1 member).  Motion passed 6-0.  Motion made by Rocco Reynolds and second by Frank Chiarelli to purchase shirts from SEIU store for year long mobilization event in Greensburg BDD shop.  Motion passed 4-1-1.  Motion made by John Terpko and second by Frank Chiarelli to allow purchase of items from SEIU store for incentive purposes.  Motion passed 6-0. 

 

Motion made to adjourn by Gail Terpko and second by Vicki Tanner.  Motion accepted.

 

Meeting adjourned at 2035 hours.

 

EXACT LANGUAGE OF MOTIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS SITE UNDER “MOTIONS”

 

Minutes by Vicki Tanner

Transcription by John Terpko