Our coalition bargaining team met with management again on Monday. There was some progress made as we tentatively agreed on a package that improved language for seasonals, won a compromise on transfer rights for DMV, and got a letter of agreement for Parks workers to be able to take a week of vacation during the calendar season of their choice. We also agreed to consolidate State Fair language into the existing Parks language for filling of vacancies.
There was a stand alone proposal for Transportation Maintenance Specialist 1s that the Union presented that would ensure TMS 1s get paid 5% extra when they are loaned out to maintenance crews. We had at least 8 TMS 1s show up with our bargaining team to tell management why this proposal was so important to us. We spent some time going over time-codes that we believe should be included as part of the proposal. Management listened and our team felt positive about the direction of the conversation but we need to keep the pressure on. We should hear back from them on this at the next (and likely final) coalition bargaining session.
The last remaining package is made up of ODFW proposals. We are close on a few of them and our two remaining priorities are getting the choice of cash or comp for night time on-call work, and finishing getting the clothing policy into the contract. Our team is working on crafting a counter proposal that will help us achieve these goals.
We need support from ODFW workers and TMS 1s to help us finish strongly at coalition so we can turn all of our attention to core economics. Please contact either of your bargaining chairs to see how you can help or, if you have questions, contact Kermit Meling (Kermit.s.meling@juno.com) or Deborah Corey (docorey@hotmail.com).
And most importantly, make sure to participate in your worksite actions and calls to the Governor between now and the end of the contract. We need to make a huge push against the attacks on our members.
Join us at our next session on June 27 at the ODOT HR Center
2775 19th St. SE, Salem OR
Dinner/Caucus at 5:30 pm
Bargaining at 6:00 pm
This update was brought to you by the elected ODOT Coalition Bargaining Team:
Kermit Meling, Cameron McGinnis, Gail Boatman, Deborah Corey, Catherine Petersen, Roy Ware, David Wells, Ashley Probst, Halden Boldt, Craig Maddux, Christopher Rodriguez, Joseph Sheahan, Leland Erickson, Katie Kroenlin, Mike Mooney, Michael Scott, Shirley Wait, Steve Hernandez, Peggy Rinck, Joe Lamont
If you have questions or comments contact your bargaining Chairs
Kermit Meling: kermit.s.meling@juno.com or
Deborah Corey: docorey@hotmail.com
If you would like to be added to the list to receive important updates about 2011 bargaining, you can sign up here: http://seiu503.seiu.org/page/signup/2011bargaining.
