Department of Mental Health

John Labaki - Chapter President

Dear Chapter Members,

This year, 2011, has been a busy one for the DMH Chapter. We have been working on several issues. Ensuring safety in the workplace and healthy environmental work conditions has been a priority.

Some uplifting news for our members:

• The DMH budget for the fiscal year 2012 was increased by $20 million. With the support of Union leadership, and our sisters and brothers from the private and public sectors, and by working in coalition with MH advocates and friends, we were able to communicate our message to the legislature and policy makers to increase DMH budget and forestalls cuts. Many thanks to all of you who attended state rallies, made calls, and sent letters.
• Safety Task Force (Community and In-Patient) committees: DMH Chapter won the lead on this endeavor. We had a seat and a voice in both committees. (Please read both reports on the DMH website.) We continue to maintain our pressure on DMH to execute the STF recommendations without delay. We plainly insist upon a safe work environment with zero tolerance for violence.
• It is important to point out that there has been concerted hard work by the Union and the Chapter mounted by members in their agencies/facilities to tackle environmental safety and concerns. Progress has been made and will continue to address this chronic problem.
• The Chapter membership continues to increase. Some positions were back filled since my last report. The Peer Specialists have joined us months ago, and as of this writing, we learned that DMH is looking to do some additional hiring in this title and in the MH Coordinator II position as well. We welcome all our new members into the Chapter as we continue our fight to: “Respect the work and Respect the workers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”
• An agreement has been reached and signed relating to the Alternative Work Schedule Options for the Social Work Program at Worcester State Hospital. It may be useful in applications to different facilities in other areas.
• The Supplemental N Language guideline for Social Workers was noted by Deputy Commissioner Marcia Fowler and her Management Team as a great piece of work prepared by the DMH Chapter Committee. Several of the recommendations are already in progress. This document will have to be presented to the DMH Directors before final agreement.
• As you know, we have been urging DMH to restore all Case Managers who, we believe, were unfairly laid off. Please sign the Petition to Reinstate the CMs and send it back to me soon.
• Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital: DMH continue to say that they do not have any new information about what work force would be joining Worcester Staff at the new hospital. We are getting a meeting scheduled with DMH Management to talk about any potential issues. Also, there’s some related good news. We were told by DMH Management that there will be no layoffs among 509 titles at this time, and there will be no reduction in in-patient beds.
• Many different issues have been raised at the State Wide Labor Management tables, some focusing on coverage concerns while others are geared toward working to improve wages, work conditions, and others. Be assured when or if Management does not come around to seeing things our way we will aim at putting pressure on them.
• Many training opportunities have been made available to our members this year. A stewards training/retreat is scheduled for October.

Due to the great work and the long hours and efforts of energetic members, stewards, and Chapter leaders, we were able to successfully achieve the results mentioned above. Thank you.

I also want to express my gratitude to Local 509 for the unconditional support to our Chapter. All of the good results we’ve seen in the past year have been due to the hard work of the Executive Board members. Special thanks to the Chairs and Committee Members: Mary Stanton, Sheelagh O’Connor, Jane Malkiewich, Robert Carey, Cassadra Sampas, and Noel Johnson.

As always, I am interested in hearing from you about the issues that are vital to us.

In solidarity,

John