DMH Minutes
DMH Chapter Board Meeting Minutes September 16, 2008Attendance: Phil Mente, Ralph Nalbandian, Jane Lefkowitz, Brian Morrison, Gamal Lumunba-Neriemah, Marilyn Pucillo, Nina Benjamin, Liana Fantasia, Gary Dauer, Corey Gabowitz
Excused: Janet Jones, Andy Kolhohfer
AnnouncementsAndy K. resigned from the chapter board. Motion passed to send Andy a letter asking him to reconsider and thanking him for his service to the Union and the board.
FY 09Cuts in the budget 9c cuts.
Children’s Behavioral Health initiative – It is still not known how this will be implemented with the budget cuts to Medicaid.
Contract negotiationsSept 4
th meeting with quasi state agencies – State offered 2% pay increase and loss of six months of retroactivity.
Anti–bullying language in Article 8 discussed with possible use of JAHCO language on bullying discussed. State is bargaining in good faith but definitions needed.
Not discussing money at this time.
CM office coverage in Pittsfield office Management adding duties to Case management. Case managers asked to sign up for 3 hour blocks of time, unsecure office discussed. Changes were made to the Form 30. Issues to be addressed at local labor management meeting. EPRS standardization also to be discussed.
Chapter ConferenceFall is not a good time due to current fiscal difficulties. John L. reports solid support for spring conference. John to obtain 200-250 days commitment in writing. Committee will meet in November to finalize plans for conference in the spring.
State wide Labor ManagementBeginning discussions concerning working from home.
Review of system of caseload management.
Discussion of workplace violence and reporting of incidents.
Nina Benjamin discussed the Union participating in tracking of workplace violence. Discussion of how to collect necessary data that will be useful and how to encourage safety. Current methods in use at DMH do not accurately reflect violence against 509 members.
Union Leave with PayJohn L. discussed release time and accountability. Six people have 20% back off time. Chapter president has 50%.
Steward AssemblySeptember 22 - Over 150 stewards have requested attendance. Some issues with release time.
Annual Meeting October 18
th at the Doubletree In Westborough, 9am-3pm . Child care provided. Sign up to attend on SEIU website or through the mail.
OrganizingCollaboration with Maine and New Hampshire SEIU locals to acquire new membership software. This software will decrease costs in operations.
Door Knocking in New Hampshire for Presidential CampaignOctober 25
th, Nov 1
st, and Nov 2
nd. Contact union office if want to participate.
New BusinessDiscussion of vacation time benefits for new hires. 2 week policy is a disincentive as most private sector jobs have much more.
Discussion of office space in hospitals.
Career Ladder applications.
Meeting adjourned.
August 19, 2008Attendance: Gamal Lumumba, Ralph Nalbandian, Gary Dauer, Marilyn Pucillo, Nina Benjamin, Janet Jones, Andrew Kohlhofer, John Labaki
1. Introduction - see sign-in sheet.
2. Acceptance of minutes - accepted after review.
3. New CEB member sworn in - Marilyn Pucillo.
4. Fiscal statement for Local 509 - discussion re: DMH budget? # 13 (tax)
5. Stewards Assembly - pass outs for this.
6. E-mail arbitration - ?? Maydad Cohen is contract, for receipt of evidence.
7. Constitutional Amendment proposal - Art. 9 section 4 to be replaced - re: stewards training.
8. Training and career ladder program - $150 per person reimbursement for courses related to work.
9. Comprehensive assessment of service needs: Case Management - __________ assessment people seem to like it, it is a simpler (the draft for case management).
10. Examples of bullying - bullying examples: D. Cole wants examples in the workplace (3-4 years).
11. Politics: travel to NH for Obama - Aug. 23, Sept. 20, Oct. 25, Nov. 1, 2. 8:30 am - 6:00 pm to work for Obama Campaign.
12. Negotiations: public sector - negotiations meeting 9/4? Economic issues - no $ on table! Promotions, upgrades, staffing, technology MFMA etc. are issues. Discussions about economy and impact on services.
13. Health and Safety: noted at JEB noted, looking for volunteers for a committee for this, Andy volunteered - suggested more publicity regarding this. 4th Wednesday 8:00pm at the Union office.
14. DMH chapter Conference - M. Fowler in full support, details need to be worked out re: agenda. Maryanne Dill to review with 509 prior to submission to commissioner after pre approval, we need two months lead time for organizing and planning.
15. Off-campus C.M office pilot study - re: working from home/car etc discussion of this, gather evidence and present to management. Discussion of telecommuting/4 day work week.
16. New/old business - Oct. 18 annual mtg. double tree Windham Hotel.
Chapter board: Holiday Inn mtg. Jan- Feb-March. Bldg. meetings are ongoing- Gary Dauer wants to go to ???? Travel allowance (Andy) DMH wants travel sheets in early, management is disputing mileage at times.
July 15, 2008DMH Fiscal '09 budget| | FY08 in $ | FY 09 in $
| Difference in $ |
Operation of the Department
Child and Adolescent Services
Adult Mental Health
Homelessness
CHOICE program
Emergency and acute inpatient
Forensic Services
Inpatient Facil. and comm. based
Total | 40,141,898.00
73,530,647.00
315,563,248.00
22,384,507.00
125,000.00
36,159,118.00
8,018,911.00
171,483,853.00
667,406,853.00 | 38,359,864.00
76,201,535.00
322,068,305.00
22,452,466.00
125,000.00
36,228,259.00
8,105,485.00
181,899,591.00
685,440,505.00 | -1,782,034.00
2,670,888.00
6,505,057.00
67,959.00
0.00
69,141.00
86,574.00
10,416,067.00
18,033,652.00
|
Discussion of the apparent cut in management budget and the positive nature of the budget. Any pay increases projected to result from current contract negotiations will be included in a supplemental budget.
Chapter Board Meeting locationMenu price increase at current location. Current location for the chapter board meetings will be closed for renovations in Jan 09, Feb 09 and March 09. Discussion of possible locations to meet in Westborough/Marlborough area. Louise Johnson to find the least costly in the area.
John L. to request Chapter Board budget from Stephen Lewis.
New Member Linda Tallman elected to the Chapter Board at the special chapter board meeting held in June. Two at Large seats remain open.
Special Membership MeetingVote on dues increase- 98 for / 90 against- vote appeared fair
Sheelah O questioned ratio of activist members vs. non activist members present at the meeting.
Andy K questioned how much of the increase would be going to the local. Discussion of the difficulty reaching a live person at the union office and problems with the phone system.
Themes discussed at the meeting
| Pros | Cons |
More equitable
Ordered by the international
| Big amount out of paycheck
Union is doing nothing for me/ not merited
Ordered by the international |
Negotiations: public sectorNot talking numbers at this time. Continuing to wrestle with language and management dragging feet.
Vacation/Leave sub committee 3 - starting to look at packaging language and moving discussions.
Subcommittee 4 – Technological changes- moving to increase the authority of the technology committee in the planning and implementation of new technology. Discussions of the implementation of trainings on line and increased use of technology
New CORI Language has been dropped.
Increase in Family and Medical leave.
Inclusion of Anti-bullying language in the contract.
Mileage reimbursement increase from .40- .45 Starting July 6, 2008. Seeking further increase in new contract.
Joint executive board increased milage reimbursement for officiers to .55 cents/mile effective in July. Car allowance $10.00. IRS rate is currently 58.5 cents per mile.
Statewide Labor ManagementMinutes will be available on the SEIU DMH Chapter website.
Rosie D. discussion 3-5,000 new employees in a new agency to manage Medicaid/ mental health changes.
Violence in the workplace discussion and union increasing its role in address and tracking violence in the workplace. Nina Benjamin proposed a hotline to at the union to address and track these behaviors.
DMH Web pageDiscussions of how to attract members to the web page. Possible solicitation of articles. Section titled Ask the Union , where members can ask union questions.
Motions- Motion approved to reimburse for monies spent for pizza at Case Manager meeting in Westborough.
Old Business- Grievance filed by SWs asked to work outside work hours was settled and the SWs were paid overtime. Discussion of working late and the need to obtain permission prior to receiving comp or overtime.
Meeting adjourned.
Next Meeting 8/19/08.
State Wide Labor Management Minutes9/10/08 Fitchburg
Marianne Dill, Marcia Fowler, John Labaki, Andy Kohlofer, Fred Trusten, Peter North, Sheelagh O’Connor, Bill Storie.
1.
FY 09 Marcia Fowler reported on the FY09 budget. The additional 9C cuts (Gov Executive decision) are due on Oct. 15, 2010-2011 expect deficiencies. Spending plan to Sec Bigby on 9/8/08. There are projected 9C cuts coming. The 09 budget is deficient by 11.02 million $, the 010 budget by 20.5 million and the 011 by 3.0 million $. The reduction from the 08 budget to the projected 011 budget is 23.5 million $. The total DMH budget is 685 Million and already the administration has cut 1.2 million from the budget but there is a deficiency of 4 million due in part to fuel costs, BU contracts.
JL asked where the cuts may be made. MF replied everywhere. The revised spending plan went in on 9/8/08 and if/when any cuts impact BU 8/10 members then MAD will consult with the Unions.
2.
Children Behavioral Health Initiative - how is this affected, MF not known yet. Medicaid took 26, will cut in behavioral health alone. 09 + 9C cuts will have to take place by 11/3/08 or will continue with deficit spending.
3.
AWSO/work from home.
Directors of community service meeting on 9/8/08. Concept of working from home, 4 day work week, hoteling, working closer to home, was raised. Nothing definite in discussion. Safety was a concern depending on location or circumstances. MAD said this may not be available for everybody.
Concept has been raised but no real discussion yet. DMH may be interested but nothing has been decided yet. MAD “open to the concept”.
JL - 509 will consult it’s members and share interests.
4.
Supplemental Caseloads1st ¼ July, Aug, Sept. info in by 10/15. Give to 509 in Nov. to get accurate up to date info. AK - concerned about waitlist, and short term cases not in MHIS. MAD wants to try to look at #’s accurately with anomalies, changes in caseload, specialisms. Keep any issues at SWLM level so MAD + MF can monitor this new system of caseloads management.
Case management changes - MAD stated that RFR’s are out so CM is being reviewed and some changes could be coming, more info will be coming. RFR - going out in Nov. 08. Community Based Support Group have respite, CRS + SHP all being one service – being one model. This is 70% of community dollars leaves PACT + day TX services all under one program CBFS (Community Based Flexible Supports) to provide all services that one individual needs. Housing subsidies will be managed by area office. TX will be provided by CBFS.
Facilities changesMF- some ideas - forensic units, step down units, new facility at Worcester, all ideas at the moment nothing definite.
5.
Comp AssessmentPilot meeting on 9/16 at 1:00 pm in Westboro, completion soon. New comp assessments during the next year to be the new document. Statewide training scheduled for end of October 2009.
6.
Air quality, environmental issuesProblems being worked on at Mass Mental.
No air or ventilation at Fitchburg CM for 2/3 weeks. Now the landlord has rerouted air from 3rd floor. Air quality test has been requested. 509 will pursue this.
Situation at Westboro does not seem to be a concern now.
7.
Hiring + Vacancies - today there is no hiring freeze. MF will fill all vacancies ASAP.
8.
New State HospitalDemolition issues being looked at all the time, staff from all disciplines involved in planning meetings, to review ongoing issues - legislature approved a bond bill to bring the beds back up by 26 to original numbers. MF will bring a copy of the plans next meeting to review with 509.
9.
DMH website – MF will ask office of communication to contact Barry Ingber at 509.
10.
E-mail grievance509 in process of settling an agreement re: e-mail use, this is between the Commonwealth and 509. MAD not able to address this today.
11.
Stewards assemblyOver 150 stewards have requested attendance. JL some DMH members do not receive release time in timely manner. Any issues let MAD know.
12.
Onsite planning at ELMMCProblems is parking due to 3 inpatient units moving back to ELMMC.
13.
Technology committeeOctober meeting, MAD in contact with Ralph N regarding agenda and dates.
14.
Chapter conference200 members, commissioner Leadholme is interested and supportive but is overwhelmed by budget issues and RFR’s, fall is not a good time. BL would better able to approve the conference in the spring once the Dept. knows what the future of the dept. is giving he budget cuts and the expectations from providers given the new service plan.
ESP Emergency Services and MCL Managed Care are both also being reprocured.
15. AK - issues with training issues. MAD suggested issue taken up with training committee - FT is the rep on this committee, there is some supervisor training coming up but there is confused information on PACE.
16.
Chapter RepsMAD stated that we need to have representation from all areas. 509 need to get info out to all members.
Next meeting 11/12/ 09 at Shattuck.