Posted on December 28, 2011 by Laurie Couch
Photo courtesy of Debbie Kline, Cleveland Jobs with Justice
November 8th marked a major victory for workers all across the nation, when more than 2 million people voted NO on Issue 2 and repealed Gov. Kasich’s anti-worker Senate Bill 5.
Senate Bill 5 would have stripped Ohio’s public employees—firefighters, teachers, and nurses, among others—of their right to collectively bargain for fair wages and safe staffing levels. The effect of this bill on jobs and communities across the state would have been devastating.
That’s why SEIU Local 1 members joined their sisters and brothers across Ohio in working tirelessly to repeal SB5. Local 1 members helped gather a record number of signatures to get the issue on the ballot and spent weeks educating voters across the state about Senate Bill 5.
By using their citizens’ veto, Ohioans said loud and clear: working families are not punching bags. We did not cause the economic problems in Ohio and you can’t pick our pockets to fix them. This is a victory for the 99%, by the 99%.
The voice of Ohio’s middle class was heard ‘round the nation in November—but only because union members and working people across the state worked together and worked hard.
Posted on May 24, 2011 by Jill Raney
This Statement Could Save Your Job:
“If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or
terminated I respectfully request that my steward be present at the
meeting. Without representation present, I choose not to respond to any
questions or statements.”
If you are ever called into an interview meeting with your supervisor or manager so they can investigate a situation which might result in discipline, you have specific representational rights. These rights are summarized below:
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- You have the right to have a Union steward present.
- If you want a steward there, you must ask for him or her.
- If you do not know why your manager wants to meet with you, ask him/her if it is a meeting that could result in a discipline.
- If your manager refuses to allow you to bring a steward, repeat your request in front of a witness. Do not refuse to attend the meeting, but do not answer any questions either. Take notes. Once the meeting is over call your steward at once.
- You have the right to speak privately with your steward before the meeting and during the meeting.
- Your steward has the right to play an active role in the meeting. She or he is not just witness.
These rights are called “Weingarten Rights” based on a 1975 Supreme Court decision (NLRB vs. J. Weingarten). As with all rights, if we do not use them we lose them.
Posted on May 20, 2011 by andreperez
Workers’ compensation is your guaranteed right under the law. However, if you’re not aware of your rights, there’s a chance that you or one of your co-workers may not receive all the benefits that you’re entitled to. The following information gives you some of the basic facts about the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act:
* Illinois law specifically protects the rights of employees to file a work comp claim, without fear of discrimination. These protections are backed up by Illinois courts.
* You must report any work related injury or illness within 45 days – the sooner the better.
* If you suffer a work related injury or illness, you are entitled, at your employer’s expense, to receive all medical and hospital services.
* You have the right to select any physician you want, or to go to any doctor or hospital that you are referred to by that doctor. All medical bills related to treatment of an on-the-job injury will be paid by the employer or their insurance company.
* You are eligible to receive payments under workers’ compensation after you have been off work for more than three (3) days. However, if you are out for more than fourteen (14) calendar days, you will be paid from the very first day out.
* Pay under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act is at a rate of two-thirds (2/3) of your pay when you get hurt on the job.
* Your employer can require that you go to a doctor chosen by the employer. You still have the right to go to your own doctor. If your doctor does not agree with the medical decision of the employer’s doctor, you should call the Union in order to get referred to a lawyer who specializes in workers’ compensation law. Be sure to write on your own doctor’s statement that the employer is challenging your workers’ compensation claim. This will help protect your rights during any legal actions that you might take to get any money you deserve. Always keep a copy of any document that you give to your employer.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Many diseases and injuries, such as back pain, repetitive motion disease (i.e. carpal tunnel) and loss of hearing can be work related even though they usually are not caused by one incident. Handle these cases as you would any accident. For further information or lawyer referrals, call the Union office.
