Workers protest over talks

Springfield Republican

Friday, March 21, 2008

By KEN ROSSkross@repub.com

HOLYOKE - Frustrated over contract negotiations, workers at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children took to the streets yesterday in protest.

"We're hoping this will spur the management to bargain in good faith," Gerry E. Fredette said yesterday.

A clinician who helps counsel children and families at the organization's Holyoke office, Fredette was one of more than 50 people who picketed yesterday on Maple Street outside the organization's Holyoke office. Workers from the organizations other offices in Springfield, Greenfield and Pittsfield also took part in the Holyoke protest.

The union's contract ended on Nov. 12. It has been extended to March 26. Under that contract, workers made approximately $20,000 to $35,000 annually.

Workers voted last week 151-7 against a proposal that would have phased out salaried clinicians and replaced them with staff members who do not receive benefits, according to Brian Wilder, a staff member for SEIU Local 509, the union which represents 205 workers at the organization.

The other points of the contention between the workers and the union include:

The organization's rejection of the union's 6 percent raise request. Instead, the organization wants to continue to provide 3 percent raises given on an employee's anniversary date.

Increasing the starting wages for many job titles, but not increasing the salaries for staff members already working in such positions.

Freezing the salaries for salaried clinicians as proposed by the organization.

Preventing fee-for-service staff members from ever becoming salaried employees, a proposal by the organization and which the union opposes.

"Everything we're talking about they (management) have said no," Wilder said.

Fredette and Wilder also noted that the organization has closed offices in Chicopee and Athol in the past three years.

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