Welcome to the web page for the Professional Education & Librarian Chapter of SEIU Local 509.

This page belongs to all the members of the chapter.  The material posted here is intended to reflect the labor concerns of our chapter's diverse professional membership.  We hope to provide current information about upcoming events as well as ongoing issues important to our chapter.  You can also find information on how to contact your chapter representatives.

Feedback regarding the information here is welcomed, and remember that the web page is also yours.  Let us know what you want to see on this site.  Please email Chapter President Peter D. Cirioni at pcirioni@doe.mass.edu, Chief Steward Meg Murphy at mmurphy@doe.mass.edu,  Steward Stacey Klasnick at sklasnick@doe.mass.edu, or Bette Siegel at bette.siegel@state.ma.us with suggestions for items to post.

Member Update – June, 2010

I’d originally planned this update to be about good news:

• We’ve basically completed our furloughs and received our 1% raise, and the 1% retro.

• The health care reimbursements for co-pays, deductibles, etc. are due to start in July for the months of February, March, and April 2010.
• The 3% wage increase for 12/31/2010 was included in the Commonwealth’s FY11 budget.  This is also good news for ESE.  Previously, the additional raises of a contract weren’t specially funded and had to be absorbed by each agency.
• We retained the Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day holidays.

However, by now you’re aware that management is happy to announce an open enrollment period for the renewal of our alternative work option schedules (see V. Norris email of 7/1/10).

I do not share their happiness, even though management has not implemented the open enrollment provision since 2005 when the Alternative Work Option (AWO) agreement was negotiated and implemented with Commissioner Driscoll (7/1/05).

I’m not happy because getting an AWO is not guaranteed, and I understand the impact a denial could have on your life.  The Contract, Article 7, S1, F states:

“The parties acknowledge the benefit of establishing alternative work schedules, including but not limited to flexible hours, staggered hours, part-time, telecommuting and job sharing where such programs contribute to the efficient delivery of state services,” and as the AWO policy reads participation is “contingent upon the changing needs of the Department.”  (Emphasis mine.)

In addition, I have heard – as many of you probably have also – probably because HR personnel have made the statement – that this Commissioner wants a 9-5 agency and seems ready to turn the clock back on this important personal, family friendly no-cost benefit. 

When the policy was negotiatiated, the Union asked for and gained an appeal provision – to a joint Labor/Management Committee – for members who are denied an AWO.  I strongly urge that anyone denied an AWO appeal the denial. 

Note: Do not confuse an AWO with Family/Medical Leave Act (FMLA) accommodations. With the appropriate medical certification, members are entitled to an FMLA accommodation (Article 8, S8). 

Another disturbing issue has come to our attention.  A 16 year employee with no discipline history was called to HR to explain a 3:00 Outlook Calendar entry – Pick-up son – because he had not used either personal, vacation or comp time for the rest of that day. 

The member’s answer was simple: the calendar entry was only a reminder that the individual needed to ensure somebody in the family made the pickup.  But the lesson is clear; management monitors your computer use, right down to your Outlook Calendar.  Be careful how you use the agency’s equipment. 

As stated in the Acceptable Use of Technology Resources POLICY AND PROCEDURES employees “have no expectation of privacy and should be aware that systems may be monitored.” Use Outlook Calendars for work purposes only. 

In solidarity,

Peter