Blog of OCSEA / AFSCME Local 11

Will intimidation, fear of retaliation leave with IC director?

2008-07-16T14:20:00.003-04:00

The Strickland administration has replaced and demoted Industrial Commission executive director Patrick J. Gannon .

The agency has been plagued with "widespread fear and mishandling of equal-employment complaints," according to one recent report. And union grievances have skyrocketed under the new leadership.

Gannon's replacement will be Christa D. Deegan, a New Albany lawyer formerly with the U.S. attorney's office in Cleveland and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, who, the Dispatch reports is a registered republican. Will things change in IC or will there be more of the same???

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Read more on the department's history of fear and the DAS probe into the issue HERE

Flexible work gets politicans' attention

2008-07-11T09:06:00.008-04:00

With elevated gasoline prices, reduced tax revenues, and crunched budgets, it's not terribly surprising that the concept of flexible work is garnering much attention and, even, some implementation by government agencies and businesses alike.

However, it didn't occur to me that U.S. lawmakers, according to a Workforce.com news article, would be taking a second look, too, due to the looming exodus of an aging workforce and falling birth rates:
The U.S. is behind the majority of developed nations when it comes to having statutes in place to allow for flexible work arrangements, according to a study published in May by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research and the Center for WorkLife Law at the University of California Hastings College of Law. Of the 21 “high income” countries examined in the study, the U.S. finished last.
....
“Mothers and older workers are the two populations that if they don’t have some flexibility, they will just cease to exist in the labor market,” she says.

Democratic hopeful Barack Obama and his former opponent Hillary Rodham Clinton had also expressed support for legislation that would allow flexible work hours.

While legislators from both parties have introduced legislation, it will be interesting to see what kind of real change that matters can be achieved with the help of a new administration that works for families and not just big business.

Strickland orders group purchasing to save dollars

2008-06-25T15:43:00.009-04:00

Gov. Ted Strickland wants state agencies, colleges and even local governments to start paying less for office supplies, services, and such by leveraging the purchasing power of this large group. Strickland, who says he'll hire a chief procurement officer to oversee this venture, hopes to save about $72 million annually.

On a related note, the governor said more state contracts should go to minority- owned companies, according to today's Plaindealer.

If you have a suggestion about saving agency dollars and improving work processes, please check out www.ocsea.org/quality.

State managers' salaries thawed

2008-06-25T15:34:00.005-04:00

The Associated Press reported that on Friday Gov. Ted Strickland lifted the pay raise freeze on salaries of about 3,400 non-union managers.

Get the full story from today's Plaindealer.

Capital budget / corrections bill signed; Hold on MH closings among veto items

2008-06-24T15:36:00.007-04:00

Gov. Ted Strickland today signed H.B. 562, the state's two-year capital appropriations and budget corrections bill, after using his veto power to ax 13 items. According to a special report from the Gongwer News Service:

Among the more notable deletions was a six-month moratorium on the closure of mental health facilities and the use of Budget Stabilization Fund monies for various purposes. (Veto Message)

Mr. Strickland called the GOP-led legislature’s moves to direct the use the “rainy day” BSF in lieu of some of his planned budget reductions “an intrusion in the executive and management prerogatives of the administration.”

The bill (HB 562) includes about $1.3 billion in mostly bond-backed appropriations for state facility construction and improvements during fiscal years 2009 and 2010. Also in that total is about $120 million for “community projects” such as arts and sports initiatives.

Gov. Strickland and the General Assembly employed the voluminous measure as the vehicle for numerous major policy changes. The legislation also has a few provisions the administration sought to help address a projected biennium budget imbalance of more than $730 million.

The Board of Regents received the largest single appropriation of $495 million for college and university facilities and capital improvements. Other major agency allotments in the measure are (Breakdown, Comparison Chart):

· Public Works Commission: $189.5 million
· Department of Mental Health: $104.5 million
· Third Frontier/Wright Centers: $100 million
· Natural Resources: $89.2 million
· Rehabilitation and Correction: $72 million
· Development: $70 million
· Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission: $46.2 million
· Administrative Services: $30.3 million
· Mental Retardation: $21.5 million
· Youth Services: $20.5 million
· e-Tech Ohio: $10.2 million

AFSCME ENDORSES SENATOR BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT

2008-06-20T14:00:00.003-04:00

In a Thursday, June 19 news release (PDF), AFSCME International announced its support for Sen. Barack Obama.

The International Executive Board of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, today unanimously endorsed Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States.

"Barack Obama has mobilized a historic movement to reclaim the greatness of America. With his leadership, our nation will rise up to rebuild the middle class at home and restore America’s reputation in the world," said AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee. "AFSCME will mobilize more members and invest more resources than ever before to help Senator Obama win the White House. We will turn out an army of 40,000 AFSCME activists to knock on doors, make phones calls and talk with their co-workers and neighbors to produce an unprecedented turnout in the 2008 election."

"Barack Obama is a proven fighter on the issues our members care about most, such as ending privatization, providing state and local fiscal relief, fully funding and supporting public services and the workers who provide them, and guaranteeing that everyone in our country has access to quality, affordable health care they can count on," McEntee said. MORE...

State Courts says Vallandingham killer should be put to death

2008-06-17T14:01:00.004-04:00

Just in from the Columbus Dispatch:

A mentally handicapped man who helped plot the murder of a Lucasville corrections officer during the 1993 riot should be put to death, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled today.

Read MORE

UPDATE: UHC/ OhioHealth sign contract

2008-06-09T12:27:00.003-04:00

UPDATE: UnitedHealthcare and OhioHealth reach an agreement

OhioHealth announced today that it has reached agreement with UnitedHealthcare and signed a three-year managed care contract. All scheduled appointments and treatments should continue uninterrupted.

Read the entire OhioHealth release HERE
------------------------------------------
It was reported that a deal has been reached between UnitedHealthcare and OhioHealth and that sometime today the two groups will sign a contract. The present contract was set to expire today at 11:59 p.m.

A spokesperson for United said there are no changes and OhioHealth hospitals and associated providers will remain in network.

As soon as we get the whole group together, it will be all signed up," [Debora] Spano said. "Life continues; there are no changes, everything's in network."

Read the complete Columbus Dispatch story HERE.

Day off

2008-06-09T09:33:00.001-04:00

In Columbus, some employees of three state agencies are getting the day off because of trouble with the air conditioning in their building.

Employees of the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, the Ohio Department of Health, and the Rehabilitation Services Commission who work at either 246 N. High St or 35 E. Chestnut St. were told not report to work today.

Read the full story HERE

DRC announces central office consolidation, job cuts

2008-06-06T09:21:00.009-04:00

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction announced that it will consolidate offices in Central Ohio into one facility located just west of downtown Columbus.

The move to the new Franklinton location is projected to save "700,000 next fiscal year and about $3.2 million in the next decade," according to a June 5, 2008, Hannah News.

Collins said about 150 employees in exempted positions – non-union managers and supervisors – were told this week their positions would be eliminated by June 21. Other exempted staffers were bumped to different positions or facilities. With about 30 unclassified positions eliminated earlier this year, the department is a third of the way toward the target of cutting roughly 540 positions. (Collins outlined planned cuts of a total of 701 jobs in April, but about 160 of those were already vacant).

Parole officers, guards, teachers and nurses are exempt from the cuts because the department didn’t want to affect safety, DRC has said.

DRC officials this week notified OCSEA-represented employees who face cuts in central office, while layoffs for SEIU- and OEA-represented employees follow and finish by late July.

As the department also looks at other ways to spend less, it is grappling with the fact that the inmate population has been increasing steadily and is likely to keep doing so. State prisons house just under 50,200 inmates now, and back in April the department projected that number could jump to 55,000 within two years. Collins wants more beds in community corrections programs to offset population growth and the associated cost of processing inmates.

Bill would stop MH closures for 6 months, reverse $18 million in budget cuts

2008-05-22T12:25:00.007-04:00

According to a special update sent today by the Ohio Gongwer,

An omnibus amendment to the fast-moving capital bill that was unveiled Thursday morning would, among many other things, reverse some of the Strickland Administration’s proposed program cuts, force the use of rainy day funds for certain Medicaid shortfalls, and delay plans to close two mental health facilities for six months.

The amendment (GOP Synopsis Document) was introduced during the morning meeting of the House Finance & Appropriations Committee.

The bill also would rescind $18 million in proposed budget recalibration cuts, intended to help offset the budget gap, in the areas of child support, corrections and school bus purchases.

ODNR - This bill would commission a legislative study on the financial state of state parks and recreational areas.

ODJFS - This legislation requires the agency director to "prepare quarterly updates on cost containment and submit report on doing those initiatives."

DEVELOPMENT - Interestingly, the criteria for a company to qualify for the Job Retention Tax Credit would become more strict, requiring the recipient to double its commitment length of the credit "plus 3 years or 7 years, which ever is longer."

Capital appropriations & budget correction bill introduced

2008-05-19T14:23:00.018-04:00

J. Pari Sabety, Director of the Office of Budget and Management, today offered testimony (PDF) before the Ohio House on FY 2009 - 2019 Capital Appropriations and budget corrections bill. According to a breaking Ohio Gongwer Report,
The bill proposes budget changes intended to help the state address an expected budget shortfall, makes appropriations for public construction and community projects, and includes a slew of program language changes.

The recalibrated budget proposal was formally unveiled and introduced in HB 562. The proposal addresses pay for exempt employees, closes two psyhiatric hospitals, doubles Ohio's investment in community mental health projects, and limits state hiring and equipment purchases. The bill also funds a few items that impact our workers in the correctional and youth services system.

The capital approprations include funding for the "man down" alert system implementation and funds "substantially all security projects for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections," Sabety said.

The bill, however, increases funding for community corrections for adults and juvenile offenders as well as the conversion of up to 100 ICF / MR beds to community placements if the operator agrees.

OEA joins OCSEA, other backers of Ohio Healthy Families Act

2008-05-09T09:08:00.016-04:00

An Ohio Education Association Vice President says paid sick leave will help Ohio's school children, too. OEA Vice President William Leibensperger told reporters this week:

"All too often, because of the lack of paid sick leave, loving parents have to make the... difficult choice between a pay check and caring for the child. As a result, sometimes children will come to school when they are too ill to be active participants in class, and they risk spreading illness to their classmates and others in the school building."

The OCSEA Board of Directors last summer endorsed the Ohio Health Families Act to ensure that middle-class workers—the backbone of Ohio's economy—have the opportunity to earn paid sick days.

And, now coalition partners like OEA, OCSEA, and many other groups will work to collect signatures again (since legislators failed to act on the proposed legislation) and submit signed petitions asking Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner to place the issue on the November General Election Ballot for voters to decide this time.

The bill would legislate employers to provide up to 7 days a year for full-time workers and 3 days for part-time employees. Currently, more than 2.2 million Ohio workers currently are unable to earn a single paid sick day. In the May 8, 2008 Ohio Gongwer Report, Leibensperger continued,

"Over three and one-half million workers in our state can't take a paid sick day to care for a sick child. And an astounding 670,000 workers in this state who every day come in close contact with the public cannot take even a single paid sick day when they are ill."

Get the facts about why OCSEA got involved, and what you can do in your community to help make paid sick leave a reality for your friends and neighbors, too.

Go ahead: Ask any working woman....

2008-05-08T13:20:00.004-04:00

Ask her about finding a job that pays the bills and provides good benefits that she and her children can count on. Do you know if she's able to earn sick leave, time off for funerals, vacation, and other basics?

I challenge you to take time to learn more about her family's health care concerns. Is she satisfied just to have medical coverage, or does she long for vision, dental and mental health benefits, too?

Is she able to keep enough gasoline in her 8-year-old minivan to get to work? Oh, yeah... she carries the insurance (spouse is self-employed), so she must get to work and maintain the medical benefits that help her buy life-saving insulin she relies on to live!! :

What do you know about her plight to secure equal pay, retirement security, and balanced work and family time?

This "she" that I'm writing about is your daughter, your aunt, your sister-in-law, your neighbor, and your friend. She matters and so do her issues. That's why I'm inviting you and all of the women in your life to take the "Ask a Working Woman Survey 2008."

Survey results found value in flextime

2008-05-07T10:27:00.008-04:00

The New York Times picked up on the plight of state workers whose flextime has been curtailed significantly, starting May 2, 2008.

In an article titled, "Ohio State Workers Are Coping: It’s Now 8 to 5, With a 5-Day Week" OCSEA said the arrangement had been working for state agencies and their customers. However, the new policy will unnecessarily hurt state employees, and will force families to rearrange ride-sharing, child care, after-school activities and other responsibilities.

In fact....

Deirdre Wedig, a spokeswoman with the association, said a 2001 survey by the state’s Office of Personnel Management found that the benefits of flextime included increased productivity, increased morale, reduced tardiness and less use of sick leave.

For more facts about flextime, browse http://www.ocsea.org/flextime

Gov. Strickland: Ohio's public employees do excellent work

2008-05-06T10:08:00.002-04:00

Gov. Ted Strickland yesterday signed a proclamation (PDF) recognizing OCSEA members and other state and local government workers for their excellence in delivering public services that make the:

"lives of our neighbors better and the hearts of our communities stronger."

May 5 - 11 is the 2008 "Public Service Recognition Week" here in Ohio and across the nation.

Union: Cutting frontline positions to hurt JFS services

2008-05-05T09:09:00.005-04:00

An Associated Press article, published Sunday, May 4, in the Toledo Blade, reported:

The state agency that oversees food stamps and health insurance for the poor is eliminating about 554 jobs to comply with Gov. Ted Strickland's order that the agency reduce spending by $67.5 million.
The reduction represents about 14 percent of the agency's 3,900 workers.
Under the plan, 180 positions will be abolished and 254 vacancies will not be filled. An additional 120 employees are expected to take an early retirement offer. Nearly all the positions are in the Columbus area.
The Ohio Civil Service Employees Association, which represents many of the agency's union employees, said deeper management cuts should have been made.
"Our members are front-line employees who provide services to the public. If you want to reduce the impact on customer service, you shouldn't be eliminating our positions," said Bruce Wyngaard, the association's operations director.

Check out the union's website article for complete details about the layoff rationale and help for displaced workers.

Report finds recession in many states; Ohio projects $1.9 billion budget gap

2008-04-25T13:17:00.008-04:00

According to today's Associated Press article, most states are in recession. No kidding!?#!%

But what does that mean for the State of Ohio, the services public employee union members deliver everyday, and our communities?

The weakened economy is negatively impacting tax revenues in the Buckeye state. In fact, Gov. Ted Strickland is projecting a budget shortfall of up to $1.9 million by 2009.

The finances of many states have deteriorated so badly that they appear to be in a recession, regardless of whether that's true for the nation as a whole, a survey of all 50 state fiscal directors concludes.
...
The weakening economy is hitting tax revenue in a number of ways: People's discretionary income is being gobbled up by higher food and fuel costs, while the tanking housing market means people are spending less on furniture and appliances associated with buying a house.

Record job loss in Ohio, home foreclosures left-and-right, sky rocketing health care costs, and now rice (people rushing out and buying bulk, depite customer limits)! People are actually stocking up on rice!

What's next in this down turning economy? When and how are we going to turn around America? Got ideas? Enter the AFL-CIO video contest and express your views.

Women with kids earn less - Really?

2008-04-22T16:08:00.009-04:00

Today is Equal Pay day. Yes, it's the year 2008 and a wage gap still exists between the earnings of men and women. Who'd think it?

Get the facts and a fresh perspective on what's really happening, what the data suggests, and, most importantly, what women are doing to address this issue.

A host of facts -- some that you may be familiar with and others that might come as a surprise -- are detailed in the following blogs.

Check out AFSCME's Greenline blog: Equal Pay - Not Yet.

And, the AFL-CIO Now offered at least two good reads on the topic:

Equal Pay Day to Spotlight Pay Equity Legislation and

Women Don’t Ask? No, Employers Don’t Pay.

Save environment, jobs by signing Screw That Bulb petition

2008-04-22T15:21:00.003-04:00

In recognition of Earth Day, stand with your union brothers and sisters who are employed by GE. Do your part for good jobs and the environment, sign the online petition asking GE to manufacture green bulbs in the U.S.

Represented by 13 unions, these working men and women have launched a "Screw That Bulb" campaign to save the environment and their jobs.

The good news: GE is promoting new, energy-saving bulbs known as compact fluorescents, or CFLs.

The bad news: These CFL bulbs are made in China only.

Environmentally sustainable technology was supposed to stimulate our economy, not lead to more jobs in China, they say. But GE is refusing to invest in the advanced technology needed to produce the bulbs here so U.S. workers can have a future.

Sign the online petition

Report: Climate of fear, retaliation at Industrial Commission

2008-04-16T09:32:00.005-04:00

The management of a 500-employee state agency is under fire this week for allegations of contributing to a workplace filled with "fear and retaliation," according to an article in the April 16, 2008, Columbus Dispatch.

More than 90 percent of employees of the Ohio Industrial Commission complained about retaliation and other management issues when interviewed by officials from the Ohio Department of Administrative Services as part of an investigation into the commission's handling of employee complaints.
Two of the Industrial Commission employees were "visibly shaking and trembling" when interviewed, the [Inspector General's] report (PDF) said. Another cried. Seven were "very hesitant to speak."

The state's investigation at the Ohio Industrial Commission was initiated in response to the agency's "handling" of Equal Employment Opportunity complaints.

Many of the 111 union grievances filed in 2007 alleged retaliation and unequal application of policies such as timekeeping, pregnancy leave and outside employment.
...
DiCeglio said the commission has nearly worked through the backlog, while labor management issues have improved. DiCeglio and other Industrial Commission officials met in mid-February with leaders of the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association to try to iron out the disputes.
...
The outside review was prompted by a glut of calls from commission employees requesting a look at their agency, said Ron Sylvester, spokesman for Administrative Services.

The article is titled: "Fear racks state agency; Audit of Industrial Commission cites rampant retaliation."

Workers to gather at main post office to oppose McCain plan to tax health care

2008-04-15T09:01:00.005-04:00

This just came in about a "new tax for working families" and what working men and women in Columbus, Ohio, can do today:
On Tuesday, April 15 at 5 p.m., the AFL-CIO is asking working people to gather across the country at their Main Post Office, to speak out against Sen. McCain’s proposed new tax on health care benefits, which would take money out of the pockets of middle class families at a time when they are struggling just to hold on.

What: Working People Speak out Against McCain Plan to Tax Their Health Care
Where: Main Post Office, 850 Twin Rivers Drive Columbus, OH 43216
When: Tuesday, April 15th
Time: 5:00-5:45 pm
More Info: Jim Tackett (614) 282-4901

McCain wants to shift the burden from employers to workers. He will make health care premiums part of taxable income, essentially creating a new tax for working families.

Troubled? Got ideas? Submit "Turn Around America" Video

2008-04-15T08:35:00.006-04:00

Are you deeply troubled by the impact of home foreclosures, skyrocketing health care costs, out-of-control gasoline prices, and people working 2 or 3 jobs just to survive? Can you answer the following questions:

What's wrong with America?
What changes would you like to see?
How do we turn it around?”

The AFL-CIO last week launched its first-ever online video contest, "Turn Around America" , and is asking people to tell their personal stories and voice solutions for turning things around.

Retired Steelworker Steve Skvara's question ("What's wrong with America and what will you do to change it?") last summer at the AFL-CIO presidential forum inspired this contest.

“Every day we hear from working people like Steve who believe that in order to make America work, we need to do a complete 180 degree turn,” said AFL-CIO Exec. Vice President Arlene Holt Baker. “This video contest is meant to inspire people to envision how we can create a better nation.”

RULES * GUIDELINES * PRIZES

If you want to share your ideas on how to make it happen, express yourself in a video using song, speech, comedy, poetry, skits, etc. Use whatever visual expression it takes to get your message across.

State to stop July 1 pay raises for non-union workforce

2008-04-14T10:38:00.005-04:00

State employees who are backed by the OCSEA and State of Ohio contract will receive 3.5% wage increases on July 1, 2008, per contract article 36.02 (PDF).

However, non-union co-workers will not, according to today's Columbus Dispatch article on the state of Ohio's budget.

Also, about 11,750 classified and unclassified state workers who are not part of a union and were scheduled to get a 3.5 percent raise starting July 1 will lose it, saving $17.4 million, if the Ohio legislature approves.

Budget cuts hurt all Ohioans - union members and our customers

2008-04-14T09:43:00.005-04:00

The pain of the Strickland Administration's cuts are beginning to be felt in real ways by Ohio customers and our members who serve them. An article in today's Dispatch reports on tears shed by Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities clients and their families.

Amanda, 23, said she "bawled all night" because she helps look after Beth, who suffers from mild retardation with the mental capacity of a young child after being deprived of oxygen at birth. Amanda's weekly visits to her sister probably will become monthly trips, she said.

Beth, 38, couldn't stop crying when she heard; her friends are at the hospital, the staff knows her and the surroundings are familiar and comfortable.

"Now she's going to be torn away," Amanda said. "I would ask Gov. Strickland, 'How would you like it if the state forcibly took your 9-year-old daughter and moved her 100 miles away?' "

The closing of two hospitals, Dayton and Cambridge, is part of the administration's plan to cut $741.8 million statewide to address an anticipated budget shortfall.

In the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, where prisons are busting with inmates, 701 jobs will be cut. 301 of those positions come from the rank and file of OCSEA and include Sergeants, Secretaries, Food Service Workers, Training Officers, Health and Safety Coordinators and others.

Director Terry J. Collins said he spared corrections officers, parole officers, nurses and teachers because of the services they provide but had to slash deeply elsewhere to account for a $71.7 million reduction in his budget.

Ironically, for a state that is suffering financially, in part, because of job loss, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services cut jobs, too. But a union taskforce is working to ensure that cuts are minimized. If you have cost-cutting ideas that will help save jobs, let OCSEA / ODJFS Assembly leaders know.

The Department of Job and Family Services, which has nearly 4,000 employees, is considering cutting between 350 and 773 jobs, depending on worker attrition. It also must find ways to trim $20 million from ongoing computer projects among $38 million in cuts, Director Helen Jones-Kelly said.