Ask the President

Do you have a question that you'd like to ask Local 509 President, Michael Grunko. Submit it here! All questions will be answered, in some cases right here on the website.

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Ask the President 470

Local 509 Q&As Online!

Michael wants to be accessible to Local 509 members regardless of your ability to call him during the day, so we are now making it easy for you to send your questions to Local 509 President Michael Grunko's through this website.

If you have a question about the union's positions on the issues of the day, how the union operates, or anything else, submit it here. All questions will be answered.  In some cases, the answers will be posted here.


Dear Michael,
As per media reports, you mentioned the possibility of furloughs. Would they be the same as managers have experienced, with time accrued to use as of the new fiscal year?
Ed Margosiak, DMH
Dear Brother Ed,
The possibility of furloughs for our members continues, but only as a possibility.  To date, we (and the other unions) have not received any requests to go to the bargaining table to discuss the matter.  Voluntary furloughs can be implemented quickly, but, if the state wants mandatory furloughs, we will have to call the negotiating team together, negotiate an agreement, and then submit it to the membership for a ratification vote. 

I do expect that, unless we can get the state legislature to go beyond the new taxes that are now in the different budgets approved by the House and Senate, there will be a request for furloughs.
In solidarity,Michael

Dear Michael,
Is there a possibility that we could bargain with Management around the definition of “family?” For all purposes I am “married” but my fiance and I have not gone through the formalities because of the alimony laws in Mass. I consider him my husband and consider his children my children. Realistically, he is 16 years older than me and I am worried about “family” benefits that apply to him.
Holly Neal, ESE
Dear Sister Holly,
The recognition of same gender marriage took the wind out of the movement to give "domestic partners" rights equal to those of married couples. That does not mean that the subject is dead. As far as redefining "family" in the contract, we just finished ratifying a three-year agreement. We should start bargaining the next one in July, 2011. In the spring of 2011, we will solicit suggestions for items to include in our proposal. If you have a particular concern, please send me a follow-up e-mail. Thank you.
In solidarity,Michael


Dear Michael,
With the talk of pension reform back on the front page of the newspaper, what impact if any would this have on 509's members? Also are there lobbying efforts being made by the local to ensure we are not negatively affected by any reforms made to prohibit abuse by a few?
Derek Goodwin, DOR/CSE
Dear Derek,
SEIU Local 509 staff is working with other public sector unions to monitor the legislation as it develops to insure that it does not impact our members. The vast majority of reforms proposed so far are aimed at eliminating gross abuses of the system, like getting a year’s credit for a day of work or counting housing included in benefits as income, abuses that our members are not a party to. The average state pension is only $23,000, so the vast majority of state workers clearly are not abusing the system. If changes arise that would affect us unfairly, we will mobilize our members to share our concerns with our elected officials.
In solidarity,Michael


Dear Michael,
What is the union doing to respond to the DCF commissioner's blatant disregard of our contract as he rapidly implements his stragetic plan to include differential response?
Derilyn Alden, DCF
Dear Derilyn,
SEIU Local 509 has filed numerous “demands to bargain” to deal with this issue. It isn’t over yet!
In solidarity,Michael


Dear Michael,
Can information or discussions held at a union meeting be shared by members with management? And if not, what can be done if members become aware of someone doing this?
Jim Desmond, DMH
Dear Jim,
Ideally, what transpires at a union meeting is for members only, but this can vary depending on the situation. Sensitive strategic or personal issues should never be shared with management, but some sharing is innocuous and at other times a member may be assigned the role of bringing a concern, question, or piece of information to management. If you believe that something was shared inappropriately, I encourage you to discuss it with your Field Rep.
In solidarity,Michael


Dear Michael,
On DMH pay advices, my mileage reimbursement is added to my gross pay. I asked about this at Human Resources and via the weekly newsletter. No one is giving me an answer. Accurate gross pay figures are needed for refinancing mortgages and other personal financial issues. Has the union taken a position on this?
Marilyn B Terry, DMH
Dear Marilyn,
The union supports you and has raised this issue with management in the past, but management has been unwilling to change their pay advices. Note that you are not taxed for these reimbursements and that they are separated on your W-2.
In solidarity,Michael


Dear Michael,
In my seven years at DCF, I haven't ever seen the union take on increasing vacation time in any of the contract negotiations, and I'm wondering why.
Jeri Field, DCF
Dear Jeri,
It is important to realize that our contract is negotiated. Both sides must agree on any changes. In every contract negotiation that I have participated in going back 30 years, the union has included increases in vacation across the board in its initial list of proposals. Except for the first few contracts over 20 years ago, there has been little progress on expanding vacation because management would not agree to it. In some contracts, management pushed hard for decreases in time off.

Member priorities are also important. We poll members to determine priorities. Of course, first place always belongs to “money.” Increases in vacation come in around #10. If, at some point, members demand it, we could make clear during negotiations that money was not as important as vacation. We could then make progress on vacation.
In solidarity,Michael