SEA News August 5 2010
SEA Applauds Senator Shaheen's Vote
To Save Jobs and Sustain Public Services
The U.S. Senate today approved a $26 billion plan to save the jobs of thousands of teachers and other public employees. New Hampshire will receive up to $95.6 million that will help balance the state budget and keep teachers throughout the state employed.
The legislation will be voted on by the House on Tuesday before sending the final version to the White House for President Obama's signature before the August Congressional Recess.
Maine's Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins crossed party lines to advance the $26 billion package. Many states, including New Hampshire, are struggling to close budget deficits and are straining to provide public services as needs increase.
Gary Smith, President of State Employees' Association of New Hampshire, SEIU Local 1984, applauded today's vote by Senator Jeanne Shaheen to stand with teachers and first responders.
"Senator Shaheen put economic recovery and public services ahead of party politics. She upheld our proud tradition of thinking first about the common good of the people of New Hampshire by directing a total of as much as $95,614,000 to balancing the state budget and preventing the loss of teachers in our local school districts. We believe that the best way to continue our fragile economic recovery is to keep public workers working.
"The 11,000 hardworking men and women represented by SEA/SEIU Local 1984 stand with Senator Shaheen in support of helping thousands of our neighbors get the services they so desperately need, supporting public education excellence, and allowing public sector employees to keep delivering the high-quality services they provide with courtesy and professionalism each and every day."
"It is no surprise, but nevertheless yet another disappointment, that Senator Judd Gregg voted to protect overseas tax breaks instead of helping our state keep teachers, public employees and first responders on the job."
"We know how fragile our economy is right now," Smith said. "Our state budget continues to be precarious. But public employees believe we must continue to provide quality public services for the people who most need our help in this recession. These funds will help us to continue to provide quality services and keep our schools and local governments operating during the recovery."
"We look forward to continuing to work with Senator Shaheen and our other Congressional Representatives during the August Congressional recess to find more ways we can restore fairness to our economy."
Wall Street Reform
Why it matters to us, part 2
On June 30, 2007, before the Wall Street meltdown, the NH Retirement System had $5.9 billion in investments, including
- $29.7 million of stock in Citigroup, Inc.
- $23.5 million of stock in American International Group, Inc. (AIG)
- $14.0 million of bonds issued by Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (Freddie Mac)
- $13 million of bonds issued by Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae)
Two years later, NHRS had restructured its investments to minimize losses, after
In those two years, the stock market had lost 37% of its value. NHRS had only lost 25% of its investments' value.
Pension fund money that is lost when Wall Street crashes has to be made up somewhere. For NHRS, this "asset loss" was "the primary driver" in this year's increase in employers' contribution rates.
So, keep following the money: increased employers' contribution rates puts strain on municipal budgets, causing most cities and towns to raise property taxes. The money NHRS lost in the Wall Street meltdown will come out of state and municipal budgets for a long time to come.
NHRS lost $2.5 billion during those two years. Most of us think that's a lot of money to come out of the pockets of New Hampshire residents.
But people like John A. Paulson might not think it's a lot of money. It's only about two-thirds of what he earned in 2007. Paulson is the "prominent hedge fund manager" at the center of fraud charges lodged earlier this year against Goldman Sachs. Paulson has not been charged in the case.
David Tepper might not think it's a lot of money. Tepper is another hedge fund manager. He made $4 billion in 2009, betting "that the government would not let the big banks fail" and benefitting "from a successful investment in bonds of American International Group."
After sparking the Wall Street meltdown that cost the NHRS (and New Hampshire residents) $2.5 billion, the top 25 hedge fund managers earned a collective $25.3 billion in 2009.
That's why Wall Street Reform matters to us. Wall Street's reckless actions crashed the economy. Their irresponsible games hurt our pension fund and hurt our State's economy. Then they spent millions on lobbyists, fighting Wall Street Reform, so they could keep playing under the same rules they had benefited from for years - rules that allowed them to gamble big. But now that they've lost, all of us have to pay.
Sometimes that's all we can do
By Kathy Frenette
Benevolence Fund Review Committee
I have been volunteering on the Benevolence Committee since September 2009 to assist co-workers who are experiencing financial difficulties because of layoffs, curtailments, illness or injury.
For many of the applicants, this is the first time that they have had to ask for help. They are facing sudden and, in some cases, catastrophic changes in their ability to support themselves or their families. They have turned to the Benevolence Committee because they don't know where else to go.
This year, we have been able to help people buy groceries, make their car or rent or mortgage payments, or avoid disconnection of their utilities or phone service. Sometimes that's all we can do -- but we know it makes a difference.
We also try to refer Benevolence Fund applicants to other agencies for further assistance.
Among the agencies we recommend are:
- AHEAD (Affordable Housing, Education And Development) in Littleton NH which can help people statewide to renegotiate their high-interest-rate mortgages with their mortgage company or bank. AHEAD has been very successful in keeping many people in their homes at an affordable payment.
- "211" is a statewide United Way-supported agency that anyone can call, explain their situation and what their needs are and they will then give them the contact information for agencies that can help them in their area of the state. We have referred many to contact 211 and most if not all of the co-workers that we referred had never heard of 211. You can also reach them at www.211nh.org.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a state program offering counseling and other services to state employees. Call 271-4336 or 800-852-3345, ext. 4336 for more information.
We try to assist applicants as best as we can to hopefully get them through the difficulty that they are experiencing, usually within 24 to 48 hours. Many of them tell us that they are grateful and that we were their last hope.
We are at a critical time: Benevolence Fund requests for assistance may have to be turned away due to lack of funding. You can make a difference by making a one-time donation to the fund or you can donate to the Fund with a payroll deduction. Please click here to access the payroll deduction authorization form.
Any amount that you can give will mean so much to a co-worker in need.
Kathy Frenette works in the Department of Resources and Economic Development in Concord. She also serves on the board of United Way of Northern New Hampshire in Berlin.
State Executive Branch Bargaining
Begins Again Soon!
Bargaining Team Elections to be held next month
The Collective Bargaining Advisory Committee voted on July 28th to begin the election process for the 2011-2013 State Employee Executive Branch Bargaining Team. The next round of state bargaining should be an interesting one. Clearly, the economic picture for NH - and all across the country - is uncertain at best. With workers ranging from labor grade 5 to 35, young to old, single to with a large family, blue collar, white collar or somewhere in between, we are a diverse workforce that needs a diverse and hard working bargaining team to ensure we do the best job for all of our members!
The team will be comprised of nine members and two alternate members who will be elected at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 23rd at the Collective Bargaining Senate to be held at the SEA Headquarters. Nominees will be expected to give a short speech (no more than three minutes) at the meeting and then written ballots will be issued to all eligible meeting attendees to vote on all of the nominees. Eleven members will be elected based on the minimum threshold of receiving at least a majority of votes. A majority of votes means that the nominee has received at least 50% of the votes plus 1 vote - based on attendance and eligibility to vote. Subsequent ballots may be needed in the event there are ties for persons receiving the lowest number of a majority vote or if enough members do not achieve the minimum threshold of a majority of votes. In each ballot in which more than eleven nominees remain, the lowest vote getter will be removed from subsequent balloting.
In addition to those eleven members, the team will include the Collective Bargaining Advisory Committee Chair and three appointments made by the Chair and approved by the Committee, for a total of fifteen members. Plus, serving in an ex-officio capacity will be the SEA/SEIU Local 1984 Contract and Field Operations Administrator, Dennis Kinnan.
Members interested in running for a seat must submit a nomination form to the SEA by September 3rd. If you're not sure you want to be on the bargaining team but have wondered what it would be like, what's involved, or if it's something you think you'd be good at, you are encouraged to attend training we are offering on Wednesday, August 25th at the SEA. The training is also open to any member in good standing that may wish to run for a state sub-unit bargaining team seat!
This training has been designed to help you decide if you want to be a candidate for a Bargaining Team.
Wednesday, August 25th at 6:00 pm
SEA Office, 207 North Main Street, Concord, NH
If you plan on attending this training, please RSVP by August 18th. Call Marianne Estey at 271-3411 or 800 852-3737 x100.
Nomination forms are available here. Nomination forms must be returned to the SEA Office by September 3, 2010.
State Workers Urge New Hampshire Residents
Try To Stop
A new New Hampshire Smokers' Helpline ad airing on Channel 9/WMUR features familiar faces from the Department of Transportation, urging NH residents who want help quitting tobacco to call the free Helpline counselors.
In addition to DOT Commissioner George Campbell, the ad also features Chapter 8 member Ben Tatro, Chapter 17 member Chris Rose, and Chapter 3 member Carol Pittman giving a series of testimonials about their success in stopping the use of tobacco.
Chapter 16 member Christin D'Ovidio coordinated production of the commercial. She is optimistic that the ad will be effective in reaching NH tobacco users because "it shows real people that those who are thinking about quitting can relate to. Many times it's hard to be compelling in commercials, without being shocking. We were very grateful to the DOT employees who were willing to share their success stories."
Commissioner Campbell is an ex-smoker himself, and has focused on employee wellness during the two years since he was named to head the Department. The State's Tobacco Prevention & Control Program is also working with DOT on a pilot project to help employees quit tobacco use. The pilot project will include both nicotine replacement patches and counseling provided by Certified Tobacco Treatment specialists. Free, confidential counseling is currently available to all NH residents through the Helpline.
"Quitting is a 'learned' behavior, just like using tobacco is learned," Christin explained. "You don't start out smoking two packs a day."
Under the new collective bargaining agreement, the State's health plan will include a Smoking Cessation Program starting October 1, 2010. We will provide details about that program as soon as they are finalized. As Ben says in the commercial, "Quitting chewing tobacco was one of the hardest things I've ever done. Knowing I didn't have to do it alone made all the difference."
You can watch the commercial here.
Visit the Try to Stop Tobacco website at www.TryToStopNH.org.
You can reach a Tobacco Treatment Specialist at 1-800-Try-To-STOP (1-800-879-8678), or click here to have them call you at a convenient time.
Operation Santa Claus Summer Raffle
The Operation Santa Claus Committee is holding a series of raffles as fundraisers, rather than the golf tournament which we have held in previous years. The money raised will allow Operation Santa Claus to provide presents to children who are not matched with sponsors. If you are interested in selling or purchasing raffle tickets, please contact Terri Wright at 271-3411 x108. Raffle winners will be drawn on Tuesday, August 17th at 2:00 pm at the SEA-NH office. Winners will be notified immediately and may pick up the tickets or request mailing.
Also...
- Please join us for our Kick-Off Celebration at the Mall of New Hampshire on August 28th from 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm. We will celebrate our "Golden Anniversary" with an ornament contest for kids and everyone's favorite, cake.
- The Operation Santa Claus Committee is looking for members interested in creating a Christmas float, so we can participate in the Concord parade and possibly others. Do you have a truck, a trailer, crafts, or the interest in designing and putting together a float? Please contact Terri Wright.
- Do you know someone who received gifts from Operation Santa Claus years ago? If so, please tell us the story. We are especially interested in stories from the 1960's when the State Police delivered gifts for us.
Reminder:
Compass SmartShopper Program
Information Sessions
The incentive-based health care pilot program "Compass SmartShopper" is now available. All active State employees currently enrolled in the health benefit plan, and enrolled dependents, are eligible for the Compass SmartShopper program. In addition, State retirees and their dependents in the Under Sixty Five Retiree Health Plan (who are not Medicare eligible) are eligible to participate in the Compass SmartShopper program.
The Compass website is available here. More information about the program is available here. The State and SEA have sponsored informational sessions to answer any questions you may have about the new program.
* Tuesday, August 17 at 5:30 pm at White Mountain Community College, 2020 Riverside Drive, Berlin
* Tuesday, August 31 at 5:00 PM Great Bay Community College, 320 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth
Granite State Fair Tax Coalition
House Parties/Discussion Groups
The Granite State Fair Tax Coalition is working this election season to make tax reform a top campaign issue and to use the elections to get people talking about the need for reform. GSFTC plans to hold 30 house parties or discussion groups around the state, in August, September and October, with help from partners like SEA. Can you help host or arrange one in your town? Please contact SEA Communications Administrator Mike Barwell at 271-3411 x105, or email info@nhfairtax.org.
Fisher Cats vs. Portland Sea Dogs
The Social Activities Committee invites you to join other SEA members in a night out at the ballpark -- Saturday, August 28th starting at 7:05 pm. Field seats are available for $9 each. It will be "80's Night" with Atlas Fireworks.
Game will be at Merchantsauto.com Stadium in Manchester. Transportation will not be provided. Purchase tickets at the SEA Office or contact Tina McKnight at 271-3411 x122.
Join other SEA, SEIU Local 1984 Members
on a Trip to
Mohegan Sun
Saturday, September 25, 2010
The Social Activities Committee will be sponsoring a trip to the Mohegan Sun on Saturday, September 25th. The trip will be an all-day excursion. The bus will leave the SEA parking lot at 8:30 am and make a stop in Manchester on the way, departing from Manchester at 9:00 am. We will leave the Mohegan Sun promptly at 5:30 pm. We expect to return around 8:30 pm. Transportation will cost $30. It will include round-trip bus transportation to Mohegan Sun and six hours on-site. It also includes a $10 meal voucher and a $10 betting coupon.
If you are interested, please contact Tina McKnight at 271-3411 x122. Please also submit your payment as soon as possible, so that you will have a seat reserved. You can download a registration form here.
As with our other trips, the Mohegan Sun trip is a member benefit. SEA members may bring guests with them on the trip.
Save the Date!
The full calendar of SEA events is available here.
Friday, August 6, Candidates Forum Sponsored by Residents of Glencliff Home, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm, Glencliff Hall Rec Room, Glencliff Home. Candidates for all races (State Representative through Governor) have been invited. The public is welcome to attend.
- Monday, August 9, Political Education Committee Meeting, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, SEA Office
- Tuesday, August 10, Operation Santa Claus Committee Meeting, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm, SEA Office
- Tuesday, August 10, SEA Chapter 20 Meeting, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, SEA Office
- Wednesday, August 11, SEA Infrastructure ad hoc Committee Meeting, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, SEA Office
Thursday, August 12, SEA Board of Directors Meeting, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm, SEA Office. SEA members are encouraged to attend Board meetings. If you cannot attend, click here to read the Board meeting minutes.
- Tuesday, August 17, Compass SmartShopper Information Session, 5:30 pm, White Mountain Community College, 2020 Riverside Drive, Berlin
- Wednesday, August 18, Communications Committee Meeting, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, SEA Office
- Wednesday, August 18, Steward Committee Meeting, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, SEA Office
- Wednesday, August 18, Red Sox Game at Fenway Park sponsored by the SEA Social Activities Committee. Transportation details are available here.
- Wednesday, August 25, Collective Bargaining Advisory Committee Meeting, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, SEA Office
- Wednesday, August 25, Constitution and Bylaws Committee Meeting, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, SEA Office
- Wednesday, August 25, Resolutions Committee Meeting, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, SEA Office
- Saturday, August 28, Kick-Off Celebration of 50th Anniversary of Operation Santa Claus, 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm, Mall of New Hampshire, Manchester
- Saturday, August 28, FisherCats Game at MerchantsAuto.Com Stadium sponsored by the SEA Social Activities Committee, starting at 7:05 pm, Manchester
- Monday, August 30, Social Activities Committee Meeting, 5:00 pm -7:00 pm, SEA Office
- Tuesday, August 31, Compass SmartShopper Information Session, 5:00 pm, Great Bay Community College, 320 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth
- Wednesday, September 1, Constitution and Bylaws Committee Meeting, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, SEA Office
- Monday, September 6, Financial Advisory Committee Meeting, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, SEA Office
- Wednesday, September 8, Constitution and Bylaws Committee Meeting, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, SEA Office
- Wednesday, September 8, Convention Arrangements Committee Meeting, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, SEA Office
Saturday, September 11, Guns & Hoses 911 Memorial Ride Fundraiser for Homes for our Troops, 8:30 am start, More Information and Registration at www.gunsandhoses.us.
- Saturday, September 11, SEA Labor Day Recognition Gathering, 10:30 am - 4:00 pm, Ellacoya State Park, 280 Scenic Drive, Gilford. Sponsored by SEA Stewards' Committee. Please RSVP to Terri Wright at twright@seiu1984.org or 603-271-3411 x108.
Tuesday, September 21, "Putting our Money Where Our Mouth Is: New Hampshire's Priorities and Budget" Panel Discussion and Community Conversation", 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Keene Public Library Auditorium, 60 Winter Street, 60 Winter Street, Keene
- Thursday, September 23, Collective Bargaining Senate Meeting, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, SEA Office
- Thursday, September 23, "Putting our Money Where Our Mouth Is: New Hampshire's Priorities and Budget" Panel Discussion and Community Conversation", 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Portsmouth Public Library Levenson Room, 175 Parrott Avenue, Portsmouth
- Saturday, September 25, Trip to Mohegan Sun sponsored by the SEA Social Activities Committee, 8:30 am - 8:30 pm, departing from Concord and Manchester. Contact Tina McKnight at tmcknight@seiu1984.org or 603-271-3411 x122.
- Wednesday, September 29, "Putting our Money Where Our Mouth Is: New Hampshire's Priorities and Budget" Panel Discussion and Community Conversation", 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Nashua Public Library, 2 Court Street, Nashua
- Wednesday, October 6, "Putting our Money Where Our Mouth Is: New Hampshire's Priorities and Budget" Panel Discussion and Community Conversation", 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Rundlett Middle School Activity Room, 144 South Street, Concord
- October 30 - 31, 70th Annual State Employees' Association Annual Convention, Attitash Grand Summit Hotel, Bartlett
SEA Member Benefits
You can browse the full list of SEA member benefits here.
SEA members are also eligible for benefits through our affiliation with SEIU. You can browse through the list of SEIU-sponsored benefits here. Visit the Union Plus "Coupon Center" here.
NOMINATION and ELECTION NOTICE
STATE EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION OF NH, SEIU LOCAL 1984
70TH ANNUAL CONVENTION
Saturday, October 30, 2010
and Sunday, October 31, 2010
Attitash Grand Summit Hotel in Bartlett, New Hampshire
Registration 8:00 AM, Saturday, October 30
Call to Order 9:30 AM, Saturday, October 30
Nominations will begin on Saturday, October 30, 2010 at 2:00 PM
The polls will be open on Sunday, October 31, 2010 from 8 AM to 9:30 AM
ELECTIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED:
- President (One position, two year term)
- 1st Vice President (One position two year term)
- 2nd Vice President (One position two year term)
- Secretary (One position two year term)
- Treasurer (One position two year term)
- Director (State, four positions, three-year term)
- Director (Retiree, one position, three-year term)
- Director (Private Sector, one position, term will fill the remainder of the unexpired term [two years])
Nomination Forms are available here. Nominations must be received at the SEA/SEIU Local 1984 at 207 No. Main Street, Concord, NH by 5:00 PM on September 30, 2010.
» Read more HERE