Parks and Recreation Local 733

LMC Met on January 11th

2012-01-31T14:49:00.001-08:00

Labor Management Committee met at the Fairgrounds on January 11th. Topics that were discussed included Schedules and "Operational Need", Park Ranger Supervisor Roles, OPRD's interpretation of SB2020 (1-11 management to employee ratio), and future topics.

To view the LMC minutes follow the link to the right of this page.

New Contract!

2012-01-23T12:19:00.000-08:00

Its finally here! To download the contract in PDF format follow the link on the right of this page.

HINT: If you are having trouble finding a certain contract subject while viewing the contract in PDF form simply type the subject in the box labeled "Find."

Boot Allowance Forms on the Blog

2012-01-22T20:08:00.001-08:00

Having trouble getting the boot allowance forms? They are now available on the blog. Go to the right and click "Boot Allowance forms" under "The file cabinet." Due to Internet Explorer being difficult, the first form is viewable on the blog and the rest of the forms are available by clicking on the links. The bottom links are completed examples of Hazard Assessment forms.

New contract language now applies to anyone who is eligible per Article 122.3 A,B

HEM Penalty Charges Dropped?

2012-01-22T12:51:00.000-08:00

Recently (January 10th) our HEM Labor management committee unanimously agreed to recommend to PEBB that the HEM surcharges be suspended. Thousands of members throughout the state were unhappy being penalized for not participating with the HEM program during open enrollment. A common suggestion was to offer an incentive rather than a penalty to participate.

To view other recommendations by the committee to change HEM, click on the "January 10th HEM Committee minutes" page on the right under FILE CABINET heading.

Labor Management Committee for Parks Begins

2011-10-28T18:47:00.000-07:00

On November 4th Members of Parks Local 733 and management will meet for the first time to begin Labor Management Committee (LMC) training. An LMC is another tool that our Local can utilize to solve member issues at the lowest possible level without resorting to grievances which can lead to arbitration or avoiding possible debates at contract bargaining. This is an opportunity for nominated members and management to discuss issues on equal terms as per Article 106 stated below.

"To facilitate communication between the Parties, joint Labor-Management Committees may be established at the Agency level by mutual agreement of the Union and the Agency Administrator and the Department of Administrative Services. The Committees shall take steps to ensure consistency with the Collective Bargaining Agreement."

Peggy Rink, Barb Lakey, Steve Hernandez, and Joe Bubier (Fairgrounds) will be representing labor. Sherri Miller (RNW), Rebeca Lasso (Accounting Manager), Steve J (District Manager), and Ann Madson (Fairgrounds) were nominated to represent management's side.

If members have any issues that the committee needs to address let us know!

Bargaining Update detail

2011-07-10T11:54:00.000-07:00

If you haven’t already heard ODOT Coalition Bargaining is finished but Central Table Bargaining continues while we work without a contract (expired June 30th)! Below is a summary of article changes that will affect OPRD employees when contract negotiations are completed. Remember, these new article changes were based upon the bargaining surveys that you (members) turned in several months ago and communication with members in the field.

Article 10.3ABE
Gained one additional steward position: Allows us to nominate a “Chief Steward” at a worksite even if the MU already has a steward, creates a chain of leadership for tackling complicated grievances /issues

Article 45.3AB
Eliminated State Fair Language regarding filling of vacancies, to consolidate into Parks language

Article 58.3
Holiday Language Change: Adopts most of LOA that gives comp for non-M-F workers whose holiday falls on regular day off. Otherwise holidays observed on actual except for M-F worker observe Sat holidays on Friday and Sunday holidays on Monday

We (your delegates) decided to go along with what ODOT proposed in regards to Holiday language.

Article 66.3
Includes Parks in Section 1 allowing seasonals to carry over vacation into next season HOWEVER this only includes seasonals that do not have a break between seasons for more than 17 days. We tried to redefine the break between seasons to include OPRD seasonals, but no movement maybe next time.

Letter of Agreement 66.3B (summary not exact language)
Allow Parks full-time permanent employees to use up to 1 week of vacation for the season of they’re choice. Agency will grant requests of more than 1 week when the workload of the unit will permit.

This language will allow Rangers to have a week of vacation at parks that have “blackouts,” Parks that don’t allow staff to take time off during certain seasons. This LOA mirrors Section 3 of 66.3. Management wanted to include “based on Operation Need,” but after repeated debate they proposed “mutual agreement between employee and supervisor.” Your manager cannot arbitrarily deny vacation during any season!

Article 122.3AB Section 3
Boot reimbursement: Increase from $100 to $175, includes for “repair of.” Rest of section remains the same including the safety-toe boot requirement. We worked hard to remove the Safety-toe language to include other types of work boots, but they would not move on this issue.

However, they did agree to an LOA of which each summer season at the Safety Review board boot reimbursement eligibility and how to apply for it will be discussed and these minutes will be posted on work crew message boards at every MU.

What’s next?
Bargaining delegates, stewards, and union officers will be meeting on July 23rd in Portland to talk about what direction we should take with our current contract negotiations.

Since we are currently operating without a contract, there are certain activities which are prohibited or suspended at this time. Standard labor laws are still in effect but movement on grievances and the use of state email for union communication, for example, will be suspended at this time. Further details on this subject may be posted.

Local 733 Meeting April 30th in Bend

2011-03-27T10:51:00.000-07:00

Mark your calenders Local 733's next statewide meeting will be on April 30th in Bend. Agenda topics will include bargaining updates. Registration forms will be sent out soon. Due to our budget, normal SEIU lodging and travel reimbursement policy will be practiced (on the back of registration form). If you are a represented employee of Parks and Recreation or a returning seasonal employee please come! This is your chance for us to hear your voice! Work site issues? Contract interpretation? Meetings are setup to encourage open discussion and participation.

2011-03-03T09:35:00.000-08:00

Bargaining Update!

Earlier last month we made our proposal to management. The main points of our proposal were decided by members at our bargaining conference in January (listed below).

4 year contract instead of 2
ending furloughs
ending step freezes
maintaining the 6% pickup for PERRS & fully paid health care premiums
Maintaining cost-of-living increases based upon a fair percentage increase over 4 years

On Monday the 28th of February, state representatives gave us they're proposal. Main points are outlined below.

NO step increases
Elimination of the 6% pickup for PERRS (employees would pick of the cost instead)
7 furlough days per/year or a 3% salary reduction at managements discretion
NO cost of living increases
A cap on health care costs per year (when costs go beyond the cap, the employee has to pay the difference in the form of a premium) Costs will go up, we could be paying a premium by next year

Its early in the game and keep in mind the state's initial proposal is very political. The figures mirror what AFSCME received from the state last week. We have a long road ahead of us!

Coalition (agency specific proposals)

Your Coalition bargaining team officially met with management on the 7th of February. We gave them our proposals (including the boot reimbursement language) and we received they're proposals. We had our second session on the 28th and we will have another on on the 7th (next Monday). Its still early in the game as well. OPRD related issues we currently covering are listed by Article number below.

10.3: number of stewards at Salem's HQ office, eliminating the 35 mile restriction for Stewards, chief steward language, more authorization to email for investigations
58.3: adopts a LOA developed by ODOT regarding holiday pay...remember July 4th?
66.3: Returning Seasonals allowed to carry over as much as 40 hrs VA season to season
32.3 (B)(3): to keep non bargaining unit employees from being called out for emergency work when represented employees who can do the work can be found within the district (applies to most agencies including ours).

....more to come!

The Governor's Proposals

2011-02-26T19:31:00.000-08:00

This Monday the 28th, the Governor will officially announce his bargaining proposals to SEIU. Stay tuned for updates.

We Support Wisconsin!!!

2011-02-26T11:12:00.000-08:00

On Monday the 21st thousands of people came to the Capitol in support of teachers and our brothers and sister in Wisconsin. Local 733 Parks and Recreation leadership was not only there, but Peggy our Local President received some media coverage as well. Follow the Link below to watch Peggy's interview with KGW.
http://www.kgw.com/thesquare/wisconsins_shadow_looms_over_salem-116638058.html

Why should we be so concerned with Wisconsin? If they lose they're Bargaining Rights, then we could be next! The right to Bargain is our voice. Without this right, we would be forced to take on whatever the state proposed without any discussion with management. I encourage you to look at you contract. Without bargaining rights, every page in that contract would be worthless, even on how you use vacation days!

DAS Bargaining Survey Results

2011-01-17T20:35:00.000-08:00

Charts and Graphs summarize the survey results received by all members including Parks.

I would like to thank all members who participated in this years Bargaining survey. Of the thousands of surveys recieved by represented employees from all state agencies over 230 of them were from Parks employees. On Saturday January 15th bargaining delegates from ODOT Coalition met in Salem to discuss the survey results and began developing proposals based upon the comments and suggestions that members have given us through the survey.

ODOT Coalition Bargaining begins February 7th.

DECEMBER 17th Bargaining Surveys Due

2010-12-11T22:54:00.000-08:00

Get those surveys done before December 17th! These surveys will be our primary tool for developing a strategy for our upcoming contract bargaining. You have a different approach besides furloughs? Get it in there! You want better boot language? Get it in there. You want clear and simple language for Holiday Pay? Get it in there! In January, we will determine what your priorities are based upon a the consensus of these surveys.

Kitzhaber's Pink Slip for Agency heads!

2010-12-11T22:31:00.000-08:00

Part of Kitzhaber's plan, when he takes office in January, is to shake up various state agencies by asking the resignations of its directors. He wants directors that will share his vision in transforming state government by improving its efficiency, productivity, and accountability. On the list of his priorities is Parks and Recreation! Other departments from his list include Transportation, Fish and Wildlife, Forestry, and State Police.

The material in this posting was taken from a recent article in Willamette Week. To view the original article and the rest of the list click the link below.
http://blogs.wweek.com/news/2010/12/06/kitzhaber-recruits-saxtons-issues-pink-slip-list/

What an Election!...now what?

2010-11-06T12:31:00.000-07:00

With the passing of Measure 76 and newly elected Governor Kitzhaber, it looks like a major step forward in the right direction for Parks, right? Keep in mind unemployment is still high, the state's big budget shortfall, the public's negative perception of state workers and our upcoming contract bargaining. Speaking of state worker/public percerption, check out the Statesmans Journal Article from October 26 on Stateworker Compensation.

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201010260312/NEWS/10260329

New Blog Stuff

2010-10-07T13:56:00.001-07:00

Check out the "File Cabinet" to the right to view pages of reports of past meetings/events and our Current contract. Thats right our Contract can be accessed electronically on this blog!

Parks Meeting in Florence - Oct 1st & 2nd

2010-10-07T13:13:00.000-07:00

I would like to thank everyone who came to our recent Parks Local 733 Florence meeting. We had over 20 participants and many were from HQ! The discussions between Field staff and members who work at Headquarters regarding volunteers/hosts was very productive. We will be posting the meeting minutes and possibly pictures within the next month. By the way big thanks for the two members who brought the BBQer's for our Saturday evening picnic!

We will also post the date for the next meeting along with the agenda within the upcoming months. Stay Posted

Bargaining Surveys: Your Voice Matters!

2010-10-07T12:38:00.000-07:00

The Bargaining Survey is the heart of how contracts are negotiated. Whether its about particular issues at your job site you wish to address or all-encompassing issues, such as furloughs, this is the tool that determines how our elected delegates bargain this coming winter. Please take some time and use the new online Bargaining Survey with the link provided below. This should take no more than 20 minutes. Yes, Seasonals you can do it to even if your season has just ended.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DAS_Survey

At the end you will be given a chance to list and describe specific changes you would like to see (example: Better boot reimbursement language that does not limit from boot models that do not have safety toes Article 122.3 A, B Section 3 ).

Personal Leave for Seasonals

2010-10-07T11:55:00.000-07:00

This year a seasonal employee attempted to use a fraction of an hour of their PB Time and was almost denied. Through further investigation, Payroll told the employee's OC that PB for seasonals was being rounded off (in thier interpretation of Article 55 Below). The employee had 12.27 hours, by rounding they would be denied the .27 hours.

Article 55 Section(1)Part-time, seasonal, and job share employees shall be granted such leave in a prorated amount of twenty-four(24) hours based on the same percentage or fraction of month they are hired to work, or as subsequently formally modified, provided it is anticipated that they will work 1,040 hours during the fiscal year.

It is a contract violation to deny an employee this fraction of time because our contract language specifies that PB time is prorated for seasonals. Thank you Maurice Wray Shop Steward for bringing this to their attention.

Dudley opposes Parks initiative

2010-09-08T11:38:00.001-07:00

Heres an interesting article about how Dudley feels about parks. Article was originally posted last month.

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/08/dudley_releases_budget_reform.html

Local 733 October Florence Meeting

2010-09-08T11:11:00.000-07:00

Register now for our upcoming meeting in Florence October 1st and 2nd. On the 1st we will have an evening networking dinner followed by a regular scheduled meeting the next day at 8am. After registration, travel and lodging is paid for (as long as you attend meetings, travel reimbursment depends on distance from florence).

To register download or print registration form found under "Pages" on right side of blog

Did you work the 4th of July but not the 5th?

2010-08-25T17:03:00.001-07:00

Are you one of the lucky (or unlucky) ones who are required to work on the 4th of July but get the 5th off and you did not recieve holiday pay? Then you you may be getting compensation (form of a check) after payroll finishes their recent audit of July timesheets.

Article 58 Section 5 talks about the observed holiday falling on Monday the 5th since the 4th was on a Sunday. In the last part of the section 5 it states that if you are an employee who is required to work on holidays and its in writting (like your job description?) then you are exempt from the observed holiday language and your recognized holiday is the actual holiday date outlined in Section 1 of article 58, which would be the 4th. So if you worked on the weekend and your day off started on Monday the 5th, then you would recieve your holiday pay on the 4th (not the 5th).

Thanks to Peggy Rinck (President of Local 733) for catching this and motivating HR to take corective action. Below is an excerpt from an email from Tasha Peterson (HR) that describes what they will do next, so stay tuned!

1. We are conducting a payroll audit on July time. The audit will be looking for the following:If folks worked both the 4th and 5th - we will make sure that HP was only paid on one of these days. This is past practice. Overpayment resulting from being paid HP on BOTH days will be collected via payroll.If folks worked on the 4th and not the 5th - they will be paid HO and HP on the 4th.If folks worked on the 5th and not the 4th - they will paid HO and HP on the 5th.Anyone shorted will be adjusted and paid.
2. Please DO NOT change any July time sheets. Payroll will make all the adjustments (that is why they want the paper time sheets sent in.)
3. After the audit is complete, we will change the designation of those employees who should be paid on the actual holiday. We will provide the notification to them and you (in additional to it appearing in the position description currently). We will update the Special Working Conditions Form to communicate to employees who will receive holiday pay on actual holidays (rather than observed).And finally, thank you for your continued patience with me.

Upcoming Parks and Recreation Union meeting

2010-08-25T16:54:00.000-07:00

Parks and Recreation Local 733 will be having a meeting in Florence on October 1st and 2nd. This will be a family freindly event that may include a Saturday BBQ. Travel and lodging costs will be paid for those traveling a considerable distance. On Friday October 1st the meeting will start at 6pm with a networking dinner. An official flyer with more information and a registration form will be posted soon.

Local 733 meets with Tim Wood on June 8th

2010-06-11T15:59:00.000-07:00

On June 8th, Bobbie Muncreif (SEIU organizer), Barb Lakey (Local 733 secretary), and Anne Madsen (State Fair Local President) met with our director Tim Wood to discuss the Agency's current budget situation. The direction of the meeting was to discuss the condition of our current budget projections, the remainder of the year, as well as up to 2013.

The Results? Plain and simple, OPRD's budget is in great shape.

Since it is not tied to the General Fund, these 9%budget reductions do not impact Parks at all. Director, Tim Wood also stated that Parks has dedicated dollars that keep their revenue in good standing like the Lottery dollars which are projected to go up in the next 2 years, 2011/2013.
Tim Woods last remark was by far the best when he stated, “ this should give hope to folks in this economic time.”

Eugene Quaterly Meeting in May 2010

2010-06-01T12:45:00.000-07:00

Parks Local 733 had a quarterly meeting in Eugene on May 7th and 8th. To discover what was discussed click on the "Minutes from parks local quarterly meeting" page in the upper right under the Pages caption on this blog page.

About our Meetings
I strongly encourage anyone in our local to attend these meetings. Lodging is paid for, as well as food (catered dinner and lunch), and your travel expense is reimbursed. Meetings are intentionally scheduled at attractive locations throughout our state to encourage members and their families to come as well (members only at the meeting). We are also trying to reach out to members in remote locations by bringing the meetings to smaller cities (like Bend or Florence).

Most important, these meetings will give you a sense of empowerment by participating with the direction of your Union. You will find that others like yourself may struggle with similar issues at their job sites as you do. The format of the meetings allow you to have a chance to express your opinions and bring up additional issues that maybe discussed in future.

Our next meeting: Florence, Friday September 24th (6pm-8pm) and Saturday the 25th (9am-2pm). Details TBA (watch for postcard in the mail)