MSEA-SEIU Representational Services Roundup

MSEA-SEIU Field Representative Robin Upton-Sukeforth, standing in back, leads a training March 31 for new MSEA-SEIU stewards at our union headquarters at 5 Community Drive, Augusta. Congratulations to our new stewards: Jake Adams, Maine Maritime Academy; Patrick Simpson, Maine Community College System; Kevin Marin, Maine Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management; Kristopher Segars, Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles; Robert Tibbetts, Maine Turnpike Authority; Bonnie Richards, Maine DHHS; Alex Klein, Preble Street; Bob Avery, Preble Street; Bekah Howley, Maine DHHS; Caitlin Dyke, Child Development Services; and Tina Driscoll, Maine DHHS.

City of Auburn
After meeting several times in March and April to work on proposals, members of our City of Auburn negotiating team met with management April 20 for their first contract negotiations session. Our bargaining team: Anna Brown, Heath Crocker, Lindsay Harford-Waller and Weston Woodward.

Judicial Branch of Maine State Government
Members of our bargaining team and management are in negotiations for new contracts. Our bargaining team members are:

• Administrative Unit: Sue DeGroot, Team Captain, John Mannino, Rhonda Ouellette, Stephanie Molaver, and Shannon Cashman, Alternate;
• Professional Unit: Robyn Saucier, Team Captain, Markayla Morris, Christen Haskell, Curt Lefebvre, Lisa Lamothe, Alternate, and Kevin Fogg, Alternate
• Supervisory Unit: Andy Frechette, Team Captain, and Ronda Nelson.

City of Lewiston
Members of our bargaining team with the City of Lewiston have reached a tentative contractual agreement with management. Ballots will be sent to members April 22 for a ratification vote. Our bargaining team members: Adam Jones, Carol LeClair, Tammy Gray, Caitlin Rider and Allison Pease.

Maine Community College System Adjunct Faculty
Members of our Adjunct Faculty bargaining team recently secured tentative-agreement language for nondiscrimination increasing protection from harassment and discrimination. The team also secured tentative-agreement language providing professional-development funds for the first time — a longtime goal for the adjunct faculty. The $50,000 fund will be for courses, workshops, conferences and similar professional development activities related to teaching area. The fund will utilize the same process for approval as other units including MSEA Support and MEA Faculty. In addition, an Adjunct Faculty Unit member may enroll in one course tuition free per semester during any semester in which they are teaching. This course does NOT need to be related to the area they teach — just so long as there is available space in the chosen course.

SASSMM (Sexual Assault Support Services of Midcoast Maine)
Workers at Sexual Assault Support Services of Midcoast Maine (SASSMM) have concluded bargaining their first contract and will be voting on whether to ratify the tentative agreement. Their contract includes the establishment of a minimum wage of $19 for workers at the agency with a 4% and then 3% annual COLA, as well as a commitment from the agency to maintain 100% employer-paid healthcare during the current health insurance policy and the right to renegotiate cost sharing of insurance premiums should they exceed 3%. SASSMM workers won a discipline and just-cause article with the possibility of paid administrative leave during investigations. They won a grievance procedure with the right to strike. The bargaining unit also won strong protections in the following articles: rights of nursing parents, bullying and non-discrimination, and equity, inclusion and diversity.