From: 1021 NewsWire <seiu1021@me.com> Subject: Join the call to action with the 1021 NewsWire - Oct. 21, 2011 Date: Vol. IV, Issue 10.3 - October 21, 2011 4th Anniversary Issue: Introducing the new MRC on the FRONT PAGE. SEIU 1021 election endorsements in ACT! HERE! NOW! Charting our future in 1021 CONVENTION. New moon, new start this week in CALENDAR. Aren't you in the 1021 Network yet? 1021 NewsWire The Live Wire Facebook Twitter YouTube This week on the new moon, as it happens the 1021 NewsWire turns four years old; Issue #1 appeared on October 26, 2007. But rather than reflect on the journey (or on four-year-olds), I'd like to mark the occasion and express thanks to our loyal readers by reviving a video we made back in pre-newswire August 2007 that not enough people got to see. It's a video of our members being interviewed for a project (supported by SEIU California) called New California Dream, which got people from all walks of life to talk about their hopes and dreams for our troubled state. We set up our own camera alongside and made our own video. Four years later, the words of our members haven't aged a day. The California they describe sounds like our own, and one presumes their hopes and dreams remain much the same too. But that's not why I bring this up. It's because the feelings of pride and inspiration and determination I experience while listening to our members talk about themselves and their union activism haven't changed in four years either. With Wisconsin still a fresh memory and the 1021 Convention and 2012 elections just over the horizon, it seemed like a shot of pride and inspiration and determination coming from our own members would be a good thing for all of us to hear right now.
Randy Lyman Editor "1021 California Dreamin'" [16 mins.] Or watch in 4 parts on YouTube (Featured Playlist) Front Page OUR-1021: Same name, but a whole new Member Resource Center Pictured: The faces of the 1021 Member Resource Center (l. to r.): Corey Rothwell, Vickie Dean, Ed Hanley (director), Verge Chatman, Lillian Cervantes Thousands of SEIU 1021 members have called the 1021 Member Resource Center since we introduced it a few years ago. This summer, however, the MRC underwent more than a little change. You still call the same numbers, but now you'll talk to staff of the SEIU 1021 Membership Department instead of representatives out of the area. Since opening in 2008, the MRC has been staffed by an independent organization in Pasadena. But on August 31, 2011 a day earlier than planned we brought the entire MRC operation in-house to our 29th Street office in Oakland, where your calls are handled by people you already talk to when you call our offices. Four full-time MRC staff are supplemented by six more in Membership. "What we want to emphasize is that every member should have a good experience when they call," said Ed Hanley, who runs the new in-house Local 1021 Member Resource Center. What's the same, what's different The original idea for a Member Resource Center came from a finding that 80 percent of member inquiries requests for information, RSVPs for events could actually be handled with a single phone call; the other 20 percent were grievances or required other action by a field rep. Most of that is still the case. You still get information about union events and activities, and can RSVP for many of those events. And the MRC is still multi-lingual, utilizing Spanish and Cantonese speakers on staff and private translators if needed. The Pasadena MRC reps often filed grievances and answered basic questions about contracts as well. "The key difference from Pasadena is we're not trying to interpret the contract and determine if something is a grievance. That's the responsibility of field staff," Hanley said. "We're doing only an intake process, then emailing a report to the appropriate field rep so they can determine how to handle each member's case: what's an emergency, what's a grievance, what needs action." The Pasadena member resource reps were competent, but in retrospect "they really couldn't be expected to know the in's and out's of more than 170 different contracts like we have in SEIU 1021." Field tested
When a member calls, the MRC reps email a full case summary report on the case to the member's field rep, who can access it anywhere. "What improved is now we're getting information immediately. We don't have to worry about dropped calls or garbled voicemails," said Ian Arnold, field team supervisor for Schools, Courts, Cities, Special Districts and Counties north of the Bay Area. "From the report we know exactly what a member's issue is so we can call right back. And because it's a small, close-knit group of people in the MRC and because they know us, follow-up is much better," he said. Calling the future Bringing the MRC in-house means we can better track and keep records of member representation issues, which means better directing the local's budget and other resources to strengthen representation even more. This week Hanley attended a conference in Chicago of MRC directors from all over SEIU. The International formally adopted a program to create local MRCs union-wide at the 2008 Convention in Puerto Rico. "Meeting and talking with MRC directors from 15 other SEIU locals was great, and I learned a lot," Hanley said. "Depending on the number of members in the local union, the number of contracts, which industries the members work in, and how geographically spread out they are, there are different approaches that seem to work better in different situations. We have to continue to evaluate our MRC, learn from our experience and the experience of other local unions, and keep improving based on what is best suited to our situation and our members." SEIU 1021 Member Resource Center 1-877-OUR-1021 (687-1021) More (local) news from the occupation Santa Rosa Press Democrat: "Occupy Santa Rosa draws big turnout" The Occupy Santa Rosa event, modeled on Wall Street protests that began last month, was twice as large as organizers expected, suggesting it is gaining mainstream momentum. Santa Rosa Press Democrat: "Occupy Petaluma protest planned for Oct. 29" Sacramento Bee: "Anti-war activist Sheehan speaks to Occupy Sacramento protesters" Act! Here! Now! John Avalos Campaign Minute Leland Yee Campaign Minute SF mayoral candidates speak to SEIU 1021 San Francisco mayoral candidates John Avalos and Leland Yee took a moment this week to speak directly to SEIU 1021 members about the elections and the future of the city. Hear what they have to say on 1021 YouTube:
John Avalos Campaign Minute Leland Yee Campaign Minute SEIU 1021 Endorsements: Nov. 8 Local Elections Find our complete endorsements in The Live Wire: SEIU 1021 Political Action Central. Pictiured: Leland Yee (top photo) and John Avalos (bottom photo) stand with SEIU 1021 members and staff as our 1st and 2nd choice for mayor in San Francisco's new ranked choice voting system. ALAMEDA COUNTY Emeryville City Council: Ruth Atkin, Jacqueline Asher Oakland Special Election (Mail-in only: Nov. 15) 1) NO on Measure H: Would change the Oakland City Attorney from an elected to an appointed position, serving at the pleasure of the council and Mayor and not accountable to the voters. 2) YES on Measure I: Parcel tax to maintain city services; will bring in about $11 million a year for the next 5 years to help Oakland recover from years of cuts to services due to the recession. 3) YES on Measure J: Retirement plan reform measure that allows Oakland to keep its promise to pay police and fire retirees while reducing costs to the city. MARIN COUNTY San Rafael Mayor: Greg Brockbank San Rafael City Council: Damon Connolly City of Fairfax: Yes on Measure D, a half-cent sales tax to prevent additional cuts to city services; sunsets in 5 years. College of Marin: Eva Long, Joan Lisetor, Stephanie O'Brien MENDOCINO COUNTY YES on Measure A: - 1/8-cent sales tax to save county library services; sunsets in 16 years. SAN FRANCISCO Mayor (ranked choice voting) First & Second Choice: John Avalos, Leland Yee (either first, the other second) Third Choice: Bevan Dufty District Attorney (ranked choice voting) First choice: David Onek Second choice: Bill Fazio
Third choice: Sharmin Bock Sheriff: Ross Mirkarimi Propositions YES on Prop A: Bonds to Repair Our Schools YES on Prop B: Bonds to Repair Our Streets YES on Prop C: Real Pension Reform NO on Prop D: Tea Party Measure/Anti-Working Families NO on Prop E: Protect the People's Voice NO on Prop F: Unnecessary Regulation YES on Prop G: Funds for Public Safety, Children and Seniors NO on Prop H: Don't Turn Back the Clock on Education SOLANO COUNTY Fairfield City Council: Pam Bertani Dixon USD School Board: John Gabby, Joe DiPaola SONOMA COUNTY Sonoma County Employees Retirement Association Board: Jerry Allen SEIU 1021 Convention Feb. 11-12 Convention aims to set our course for the future Since the economic crisis started we have survived crippling layoffs, working longer hours with fewer resources. Our employers are looking to our wages and benefits to fill budget deficits instead of cutting back their own wasteful spending and misguided priorities. We are not alone -- workers from all over our union, all over the nation, are fighting cuts to services. Many are fighting back and saving jobs and services. The crisis was caused by people, and it can be turned around by people. On February 11-12, 2012, member delegates will gather for two days at the SEIU 1021 Convention to provide maximum input and vote on major plans and projects setting the direction of our union for the next two years. The convention will explore: New strategies in fighting back our employers' misguided priorities Electing and putting pressure on politicians Fighting for a fair economy and taxing the rich. The biggest corporations and the wealthiest Americans must pay their fair share. Two ways to attend the inaugural convention: As a Chapter Delegate. Each chapter in our union will be electing at least two delegates to represent you and your coworkers at the convention. Only delegates vote at the convention.
As a Union Member. All current members of SEIU 1021 may attend the convention and attend educational workshops. Register TODAY online and pay a $50 *refundable* deposit. Your deposit will be refunded if: you attend the convention; or you cancel your reservation by January 6, 2012. If you do not attend the convention or you do not cancel by Jan. 6, your deposit will *not* be refunded. SEIU 1021 Member Convention Sa/Su Feb. 11-12, 2012 Airport Hilton Hotel, One Hegenberger Road, Oakland To register and get convention updates: Visit the 1021 Convention Home Page Calendar 1021 Calendar Find an SEIU 1021 Office Moon Phases - New, Oct. 26-1st Q, Nov. 2 - Full, Nov. 10-3rd Q, Nov. 18 Download your free October social justice calendar from RLM Arts. October 24: Medicare Teach-In As Congress' "Super Committee" gets to work finding trillions of dollars in federal budget savings, President Obama has proposed $248 billion in cuts from Medicare and $72 billion from Medicaid... as a starter. He's also indicated he will support cutting more than $320 billion if Republicans agree with him on taxes. How much will your Medicare get cut? How much more will you have to pay? Come to this teach-in and learn what you can do about it. Sponsored by the San Francisco Labor Council. Mo 10/24-7-8:30p - Plumbers Union Hall, 1621 Market St., San Francisco (5 blocks from Civic Center BART) Info: Call Hene Kelly at 415-533-5244 or Carl Finamore at 415-829-3816 SEIU 1021 Leadership Committees Sa 10/22 - Phase 2 Bylaws Revision Committee - 10a-2p - SEIU 1021, 2300 Boynton Ave., Fairfield Sa 10/29-1021 Executive Board - 10a-5p - Saturday Afternoon Clubhouse, 107 South Oak St., Ukiah (tele/videoconferencing not available) Sa 11/19-1021 Executive Board - 10a-5p - Location TBA (Hayward/Fremont area) Committee On Political Education (COPE)
Tu 11/1 - Alameda County - 5:30-8p - SEIU 1021, 100 Oak St., Oakland Tu 11/1 - Sonoma County - 6-8p - SEIU 1021, 600 B Street, Santa Rosa We 11/2 - Solano County - 6p - SEIU 1021, 2300 Boynton Ave., Fairfield Tu 11/8-1021 COPE - 6p - 350 Rhode Island, #100 South Building, San Francisco - Live via videoconference at SEIU 1021 offices in Fairfield, Oakland (Myrtle), San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Stockton and Sacramento; phone conferencing available - RSVP for a location at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/v7x32wl Education & Training View the complete catalog and register at www.1021training.info. We 10/26 - Union? What's That? - 5:30-8p - SEIU 1021, 600 B Street, Santa Rosa We 11/9 - Getting Results from Meetings - 5:30-8p - SEIU 1021, 600 B Street, Santa Rosa Tu 11/15 - Union? What's That? - 5:30-8p - SEIU 1021, 37 Hunter Square Plaza, Stockton Sa 11/19 - Advanced Shop Steward Training - 10a-4p - SEIU 1021, 600 B Street, Santa Rosa San Francisco All events take place at the SEIU 1021 San Francisco office, 350 Rhode Island, #100 South Building, unless noted otherwise. Every Wednesday - 5:30-8p - Phone banking for election Every Saturday - 10a-2p - Precinct walks - Info: Gabriel Haaland at 415-848-3628 or gabriel.haaland@seiu1021.org 10/22 - No on Prop D - SEIU 1021, 350 Rhode Island, #100 S. Bldg., San Francisco 10/29 - Ross Mirkarimi for Sheriff - SEIU 1021, 350 Rhode Island, #100 S. Bldg., San Francisco 11/5 - GOTV - Location TBD We 11/2 - Cancelled - Stewards Council Mo 11/7-5:30p - SF COPE - Regular meeting We 11/9-5:30p - SF Industry Council Social & Economic Justice Tu 10/25 - Lavender Solidarity Committee - 6p - SEIU 1021, 350 Rhode Island, #100 South Building, San Francisco Th 11/3 - Latino Caucus - 5:30-7:30p - SEIU 1021, 350 Rhode Island, #100 South Building, San Francisco Tu 11/15 - Peace & Solidarity Committee - 5:30p - SEIU 1021, 350 Rhode Island, #100 South Building, San Francisco Th 11/17 - Social & Economic Justice Committee - 6-8p - SEIU 1021, 350 Rhode Island, #100 South Building, San
Francisco Mo 11/21 - AFRAM Solidarity Committee - 6p - SEIU 1021, 100 Oak St., Oakland Mo 11/21 - Disability Caucus - SEIU 1021, 100 Oak St., Oakland Tu 11/22 - Lavender Solidarity Committee - 6p - SEIU 1021, 100 Oak St., Oakland Regions & Industries Sa 11/12 - Cities Industry Council - 10a-2p - Location TBA Sa 11/12 - Counties Industry Council - 10a-2p - SEIU 1021, 2300 Boynton Ave., Fairfield Sa 11/12 - Schools Industry Council - 10a-2p - SEIU 1021, 2300 Boynton Ave., Fairfield Tu 11/15 - East Bay (Region 4) Area Meeting - 5:30-8p - SEIU 1021, 100 Oak St., Oakland Tu 11/15 - Sonoma/Lake (Region 6) Area Meeting - 5:30p - SEIU 1021, 600 B Street, Santa Rosa - RSVP: Nancy Atwell, (707) 218-5195 or nancy.atwell@seiu1021.org Sa 11/19 - Health Care Industry Council - 10a - SEIU 1021, 155 Myrtle St., Oakland Retiree Councils Tu 11/1-1021 Retiree Council - 10a-1p - SEIU 1021, 155 Myrtle St., Oakland Th 11/3 - East Bay Retirees Chapter - 12-2p - Hs. Lordship's Restaurant, 199 Seawall Drive, Berkeley Th 11/3 - Sacramento Valley Retirees Chapter - 10a-12p - SEIU 1021, 1006 4th Street, 8th floor, Sacramento Mo 11/7 - Alameda Co. Retired Employees (ACRE) - 10a-Noon - SEIU 1021, 155 Myrtle St., Oakland Mo 11/21 - West Bay Retirees - 12-2p - SEIU 1021, 350 Rhode Island, #100 South Building, San Francisco * * * * Send all Calendar announcements, corrections and changes to calendar@seiu1021.org. * * * * DO NOT REPLY to this email. Send all comments and questions about the NewsWire or website only to 1021CAN@seiu1021.org. For all worksite issues or other questions, do not contact this email address; call the union office at (415) 848-3611.