BARBARA’S CORNER

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT…

With the Presidential elections less than six months away, I wanted to talk a little bit about those elections. Your union has endorsed Senator Barack Obama for President.

Just to give you a bit of background information on Senator Obama. The Senator has said that “politics didn’t lead me to working folks; working folks led me to politics.” The Senator made this a quote at the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Conference. After college, he worked with a church-affiliated organization as a community organizer in a Chicago neighborhood devastated by the closing of their steel mills- sound familiar? He worked with community members to get a job-training program in the area and get the city to test the housing projects for asbestos. He talks about his time in that community as being the inspiration for what he does as a public servant.

Barack will side with workers. In the Illinois Senate and the U.S. Senate, he has consistently supported our issues, living up to his words. He supported strong wages by voting to raise the minimum wage, enforce prevailing wages and guarantee equal pay. Obama wants to close corporate tax loopholes so we don’t reward corporations for sending our jobs overseas. He believes in fair trade policies that protect workers’ rights and will only enter trade agreements with strong labor protections.

Barack Obama was an original co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act and has pledged to sign it into law when elected to protect the middle class and give every worker the right to decide if they want to join a union and bargain collectively. He has a good health care plan that will cover all workers and ensure high-quality coverage. Obama will work on behalf of all economically disadvantaged workers, regardless of their race. He will get us out of Iraq so our family members can come home safely and proud of all that they accomplished.

John McCain would be a disaster for working families! McCain strongly opposes the Employee Free Choice Act and long has worked to take away our unions through “right to work” for less laws and by blocking our collective bargaining rights. He voted to allow companies to hire permanent replacements for striking workers and believes workers are “crippled” by union contracts that protect their rights. McCain stated this ate an Address to the Oklahoma State Legislature on 5/21/07.

McCain supports Big Oil over working families. He wants to give the largest U.S. oil companies $3.8 billion in tax breaks but tax workers’ health care benefits. One of his top advisers created loopholes for speculators that allowed then to drive gas prices up even higher than market forces would take them. McCain has never met a trade agreement he didn’t like and wants to privatize Social Security.

We need a President who will help us turn around America, not one who will fight us every step of the way. That’s why your union has endorsed Barack Obama for President!

Portions of this article were provided by the International AFL-CIO. Please don’t forget to register to vote if you not voted in the last election or if your address has changed. While you are at it ask for an Absentee ballot!

MEMBERSHIP MEETING

September 23rd

NEW LOCATION

Cleveland Public Library

Brooklyn Branch

3706 Pearl Road

Across the street from Wendy’s

QUOTES OF THE MONTH

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

Voltaire (1694-1778) (attributed)

Sometimes it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.

Unknown

QUESTIONS OF THE MONTH

What happens if two employees have the same department date which is used to award vacation?

If two employees have the same department date and it is necessary to use a “tie breaker” to determine who would be awarded the vacation the first date used should be the date that the employees were hired at the Hospital. If those dates happen to be the same and this can happen then the last four digits of the social security number are used to determine the granting of the vacation. It is the lower number that is granted the vacation.

If I have 6 weeks of vacation accumulated in my vacation bank because I have not used all my vacation time in previous years how many weeks may I take this year?

According to the contract you can request up to the number of weeks you accumulate each year? For example if you are accumulating at 3 weeks a year you can request 3 weeks. This does not mean that you will not be able to take more since you have time in the vacation bank. You will be granted the 3 weeks requested and once the vacation schedule is posted you may request additional time as is available.

Am I guaranteed my breaks?

According to the contract page 46 paragraph 67 it reads; there shall be two (2) fifteen minute rest periods. This covers regular 8 hour shifts. If you are working an alternative schedule which is any shift greater that 8 hr you are then entitled to two (2) twenty minute rest periods.

If you are not getting your breaks approximately please contact the union office.

Am I guaranteed my breaks?

According to the contract, page 46; paragraph 67, “there shall be two fifteen minute rest periods... one each regular shift each work day.” This covers regular 8 hour shifts. If you are working an alternative schedule which is any shift greater than 8 hours, you are entitled to two (2) twenty minute break periods.

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

Congratulations: To Sandy Genovese a CCP on 9c, who is also a union steward for Local 3360? Sandy has stepped up to the plate and organized a MetroHealth Softball Tournament for all MetroHealth employees and she has also organized an Employee picnic. The picnic will be held on August 30^th. Thank you Sandy for bringing the MetroHealth family a little bit closer

Get Well Wishes: Are being sent out to Carl Bohannon of ESD who is also a union steward for Local 3360.

Condolences: To the friends and family members of Luis Xavier Gonzales. Mr. Gonzales passed away suddenly on August 3^rd. He was an employee in ESD. Our deepest sympathy to the family and the department.

Condolences: To Robert of ESD and his family and friends. Robert’s son recently passed away suddenly and tragically. Our thoughts and prayers are with Robert and his family.

Membership news information can be submitted to the Union office or called in to ext 82552.

WHAT’S IN A NAME? AFSCME!

Local 3360 recently received official word from AFSCME International that the merger between Local 3353 and Local 3360 is officially complete. As a result of this our name has been changed to MetroHealth System Employees Local 3360.

AFSCME INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

In April, the Local held nominations and elections for the International AFSCME Convention which was held in San Francisco, California July 27^th thru August 1^st. The delegates elected were Tammara Williams-Scott, Margaret Wright and Michael Lancaster. Julie Albers, the President of Local 3360 attended by virtue of her office.

All attendees were required to attend workshop sessions. All Delegates will be required to report on the workshops they attended, via a short presentation at the next membership meeting. Please come to the August membership meeting to heart these important presentations. The meeting will be held Tuesday August 26^th at the Brooklyn Branch Library which is located at 3706 Pearl road, directly across from Wendy’s restaurant. See you there!

INSURANCE COVERAGE INFORMATION

Members don’t get caught opening your wallet!! The Aetna Health Plan does not cover routine podiatry visits. If you are a diabetic, the plan will cover your visit if you are under MetroHealth’s Medical Insurance. If you are not a diabetic, the plan will not cover your visit, including the removal of corns, calluses and ingrown toenails. Please be aware of this gap in coverage when you make an appointment. Too many of our members have been caught unaware. They felt that since it is a MetroHealth service, they would be covered under the medical plan. If there is any question of coverage, please call the benefits office to obtain pre-approval and review of benefits.

Robin LaGorin, steward and Secretary-Treasurer of Local 3360 contributed to this article.

ATTENTION ALL PSR’S – DUTY ALERT!!

The Union has been made aware of some PSR processes that the Hospital is beginning to scrutinize. This article is to encourage all of our PSR’s to be aware of all of the processes that are required of them.

When you are registering Medicare patients, make certain that you ask all of the questions on the MSPQ questionnaire. Due to our recent financial difficulties, the Hospital is reviewing all of the Medicare claim denials. How does this relate to the PSR’s? If the claim denial is due to an incorrect or incomplete MSPQ, they will begin the disciplinary process on the PSR who did not complete, or properly complete the form.

Medicare is looking for the form to be filled out correctly. Is the patient there due to an injury? Does the patient have Healthcare through a retirement plan? Is the patient on Medicare due to End Stage Renal Disease or another disability? Is the patient in a Skilled Facility? It is very important that these questions be asked of all Medicare patients and documented appropriately. Let’s help ourselves and the Hospital at the same time!! If you have any questions on the process, please call Robin LaGorin in the Orthopedic Clinic. She would be happy to guide you through the process.

Robin LaGorin steward and Secretary-Treasurer of Local 3360 contributed to this article.

CONSUMER BOYCOTT=SOLIDARITY!!!!

The Teamsters are asking all AFL-CIO affiliates to boycott the following:

Gallo Wines Great Lakes Beer

Coors

All of these products are distributed by Superior Beverage. Superior Beverage bought the distribution company from a long-time union company. When Superior took over, it forced all of the union employees to reapply for their jobs. It did not hire the long term employees – some with 20 to 30 years in the former company back. In addition, they refused to bargain with the Teamsters for a new contract or card check agreement so the employees could choose to join the Teamsters – again. The only true way to combat this outrageous injustice is to hit their pocketbook. The only way we can really and legally do that, is to not buy the products they distribute and pressure the breweries and winery that use them to change distributors. Let’s all pull together in Solidarity and not buy Gallo wines, Coors and Great Lakes Beer. There are plenty of other options out there!!! Thank you for your support!!

KNOW YOUR REPRESENTATIVES

It has recently come to your Leaderships’ attention that advice is being given and looked for from individuals who are not part of the Steward Body or the Leadership of this local. It is important that when you need help or have questions that the information you are given is correct. Our steward body is trained through training classes in which the experience and knowledge of your leadership is shared. If you act on information not obtained by this local you could be putting yourself at risk. Below is a list of your Leadership and Steward Body. If you do not see your department represented please contact the union office some stewards cover multiple areas. We also have a few vacancies for steward positions especially on second and third shift. If you may be interested please contact the Union office.

Leadership

President, Julie Albers ext 82551

Vice-President, Charlotte Maschack ext 82552

Recording Secretary, Roosevelt Jaimson

Secretary Treasurer, Robin La Gorin

Stewards

Frank Allison, Transportation

Carl Bohannon and Margaret Wright, Environmental Services

Mary Booth, Medical Records (3^rd shift)

Lisa Bowie, PM&R

Jack Bukszar, Lula Clayton, Alena Shaw, and Marilyn Ziad, Old Brooklyn Campus

Roderick Butler, Buckeye, Lee Harvard, J. Glen

Rita Cellura and James Cramer, Prentiss Ctr

C. Denise Ciresi, Cancer Care Clinic

Barbara Clausing, WIC

Loretta Davis, Admitting/Patient Access

Darla Ealom, Pathology/Blood lab

Erin King, Social Work

Sandy Genovese, 9c Nursing

Helen Gondorchin, Pulmonary

Ron Kollmorgen, Emergency Room (3^rd shift)

Robin La Gorin, Ortho Clinic

Kim Lewis, Broadway

Nicole Machovina-Herman, Radiology OPC/Pharmacy

Vanessa McDouglar, McCafferty

Brenda Mitchell, Textile Care

Rich Nutiatis, Facilities Management

Melanie Salem, Brooklyn/Strongsville

Tamara Scott, 8c Nursing

Michelle Sigler, Materials Management/Food Service

Bryan Suesse, Emergency Dept (on shift until 7p)

Lori Ellis-Thomas, Pathology

Rose Wolf, Radiology/Pharmacy/Operating Room

Cleveland Young, Nursing 4 (second shift)

Alternate stewards

Dave Norris, Pathology

Betty Harris, Pharmacy

Joe Mion, Facilities Management

NEW MEMBERS

Linda Banks, Michelle Bell, Marilyn Betancourt, Linda K. Bird, Wylonia Bradford, Ashley Brown, Julie Cardona, Margaret Coffman, Crystal Cummings, Teana Daniels, Martha Dgrave, Gabrielle Donley, Jon Dunbrook, Cyrita Evans, Nicole Fisher, Jessica Flores, Junene Frounder, Mark Funkhauser, Monica Gaughan, Robert W. Gray Jr., Ashley Green, Dominque Hackney, Jerome Henry, Deonte Howard, Sierra Howard, Mark Ikard, Ashley Innis, Cheryl Jones, Jennifer Kabicek, Ebony King, Ann Byrne-Klink, Dwight Lee, Linda Lee, Sarah Longly, Owen Lynch, Kamile Madison, Kimberly Manuel, Sandra Marshall-Beavers, Lisandro Mellado, Lisa Meadows, Carlie Meyer, Kimberly Michaux, Kiwanike Middleton, Miloca Milojkovic, Andrew Musca, Tracy Nevels, Zora Papp, Jaimee Rivera, Shelby Parsons, Pamela Patrick, Frank Pinkston Sesama Pulliam, Carmen Quinones, Lisa Rodriguez, Wanda Ruperto, Diana Voulgaris-Russo, William Samson, Kelly Sue Scharr, Henry Smitley, Wanda Spence, Lois Strickle, Ronald Summers, Darla Sutphin, Barry Sweeney Jr, Terry Taylor, Jennifer Thomas, Tamara Tirak, Loriangelie Torres, Neferiti Upshaw, Theresa Vales, Nicky Veima, Michelle Villeneuve, Kimberly Wagner, Tyrone Walker, Brandi Williams, Jayne Willard, Barbara Williams, Dorothy Williams, Maurita Williams, Nicole Yarber, Shoko Yoshimura-Beneo, Brandi Young, Sharon Zavatsky, Albin Zdesar, Angela Zola.