SEIU 1199WKO

Research Analyst/Policy Analyst

2010-03-12T16:55:29Z

Summary

Research/Policy Analyst needed to provide ground-breaking research and analysis concerning the health care industry. The position is full time and based in Columbus, Ohio

SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH has unique work for an individual who is comfortable with numbers and looking for a meaningful role in the labor movement. The successful candidate possesses excellent interpersonal skills, is not afraid to draw his or her own conclusions and looks forward to joining health care workers in a fight to change their lives and their industry for the better.

Description

A Research Analyst in SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH is responsible for:

• Analyzing publicly available data
• Interpreting budget information
• Creating and manipulating Excel spreadsheets
• Gathering, summarizing and interpreting primary and secondary data from a variety of sources
• Performing analysis of corporate or governments finances and public/private health care programs
• Rapidly synthesizing substantial amounts of information

Who is SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH?

We're nurses, caregivers, support staff and professionals. We work in hospitals, nursing homes, mental health and DD care facilities, social service agencies, Head Start programs, libraries, schools and other health and human service centers.

We're 35,000 people united by our belief in the dignity and worth of workers. We organize to improve the lives of working people and their families and lead the way to a more just and humane society.

We're part of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), America's largest and fastest-growing union. We're the union of health care and social service workers in Ohio, West Virginia and eastern Kentucky: SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH.

If you want to put your mind and heart to work in the cause of a better world, there's a role for you in SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH.

Qualifications

• General research experience
• Comfortable working with numbers and spreadsheets
• Ability to communicate effectively- verbally and in writing
• Experience with healthcare financing/revenue a plus
• Policy or political experience a plus
• A passion for justice, a willingness to learn, the ability to work hard with irregular hours, and the ability to travel frequently

Women and people of color are urged to apply.

Compensation

SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH offers competitive salaries and a full range of benefits.

Location

Columbus Office
1395 Dublin Rd.
Columbus OH 43215

Submission Instructions

E-mail a résumé, a letter explaining why you want to do this work and names and contact information of three references to Sara Frank, researchjobs@seiu1199.org. Please include Research/Policy Analyst in the subject line.

Legislative Liaison

2010-03-12T16:40:41Z

Summary

Legislative Liaison needed to develop and implement legislative strategy for growing Union representing members in health care and social service industries. The position is full time and based in Columbus, Ohio.

SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH is looking for an individual who has a high level of knowledge of the Ohio legislative process and looking for a role in the labor movement. The successful candidate possesses proven success in political campaign practices, excellent interpersonal skills, and looks forward to joining workers in a fight to change their lives and their industries for the better.

Description

The Legislative Liaison in SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH is responsible for:
• Collaborating with Director to develop legislative strategy
• Lobbying and maintaining relationships with legislators
• Advising Director on all legislative matters effecting the Union
• Providing Union with weekly legislative update

Who is SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH?

We're 35,000 people united by our belief in the dignity and worth of workers. We organize to improve the lives of working people and their families and lead the way to a more just and humane society.

We're part of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), America's largest and fastest growing union. We're the union of health care and social service workers in Ohio, West Virginia and eastern Kentucky: SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH.

If you want to put your mind and heart to work in the cause of a better world, there's a role for you in SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH.

Qualifications

• Ability to work with teams of diverse groups of staff and members of the community
• Ability to exercise good judgment in political matters
• Ability to communicate effectively - verbally and in writing
• High level knowledge of Ohio legislative process
• Exemplary proficiency in listening, conflict resolution and organizing with politicians and allies
• A passion for justice, a willingness to learn, the ability to work hard with irregular hours, and the ability to travel frequently
Women and people of color are encouraged to apply.

Compensation

SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH offers competitive salaries and a full range of benefits

Location

Columbus Office
1395 Dublin Road
Columbus OH 43215

Submission Instructions

E-mail a résumé, a letter explaining why you want to do this work and names and contact information of three references to Sara Frank, jobs@seiu1199.org. Please include Legislative Liaison in the subject line of your email.

Legislative Update - March 10, 2010

2010-03-09T16:51:53Z

Proposed Legislation Changing Public Pension Benefits Not Yet Introduced
Legislation to address long-term stability of the public pension systems is still in draft form at this point. Even if the legislation is introduced in the near future, we expect the legislative process to be slow and deliberative in this crucial political year. It is likely any votes on such a proposal will come post-election this fall.

Still, the long-term challenges facing the public pension systems continue to be front-page news in Ohio. The historic downturn in the stock market has had a significant impact on all five public pension funds, including the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS). The drop has caused the amortization for the OPERS pension fund (the number of years to pay off obligations) to increase from 14 years in 2007 to beyond 30 years today. The fund is required by law to have a plan to keep that number below 30.

The proposal that has been presented by OPERS to the Ohio legislature modifies several major elements of the pension plan to restore balance (outlined below).

Current Pension Benefits	Proposed Reform Plan
Unreduced retirement at 65 (with at least 5 years service) or any age with 30 years.	Raises unreduced retirement age to 67 (with at least 5 years service). Raises retirement at any age to 32 years of service.
Reduced retirement at 60 (with at least 5 years service) or 55 with 25 years service.	Raises reduced retirement at 62 (with at least 5 years service) or 57 (with 25 years service).
Benefit formula: 2.2% for first 30 years of service, 2.5% thereafter.	Benefit formula: 2.2% for first 35 years of service, 2.5% thereafter.
Annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) set at 3%.	COLA tied to Consumer Price Index (inflation) not to exceed 3%.
Final Average Salary determined by 3 highest years.	Final Average Salary determined by 5 highest years.

In addition to other smaller changes, the proposal recommends a transition to the new structure. Those within 5 years of retirement eligibility would be grandfathered under the current structure, except for the COLA change. Those within 10 years of retirement eligibility would be grandfathered in most elements, except COLA and the reduced retirement benefit calculation for those who would retire early. The new structure would apply to all OPERS members more than 10 years from retirement.

It is important to remember that the legislature will likely make changes to the proposal as it moves through the legislative process, so nothing is set in stone. It will be important for SEIU members to advocate for common-sense reform at the appropriate time to stave off any efforts by those who would rather dismantle our public pensions. Stay tuned.

State Revenue Update: CAT and Personal Income Tax Revenue Weaker than Expected
Although total revenues coming into the state's General Revenue Fund are at one percent below expectations for the first seven months of the fiscal year, January's income tax receipts were a different story. Income taxes for January were 15.6% below expectations (or $139.5 million.) If shortfalls of this magnitude continue in the second half of the fiscal year, additional budget cuts may be necessary.

In addition, the Commercial Activities Tax (or CAT), which was phased-in beginning in 2005 as other business taxes were being phased-out, is coming up short of projections. Even before the recession, the CAT was not expected to generate enough revenue to replace the other eliminated business taxes. Those taxes were helping fund school districts and local government. Without adequate CAT revenue, additional general revenue funds will need to be diverted to fill the hole, adding to the projected $8 billion shortfall we could be facing in the next state budget. All of this points to the need to focus on having a serious debate about how we raise revenues to adequately fund the services provided through the state budget.

Decision Time for National Health Care Reform, Let's Get It Done!
President Obama has called on the Congress to take action on comprehensive health care reform. He also recently released his vision for health reform legislation. The President's plan starts with the Senate-approved bill as a foundation and includes several key changes. Major provisions include:

• It makes insurance more affordable by providing the largest middle-class tax cut for health care in history, reducing premium costs for tens of millions of families and small business owners.

• It sets up a new competitive health insurance market giving tens of millions of Americans the exact same insurance choices that members of Congress will have.

• It brings greater accountability to health care by laying out common-sense rules of the road.

• It will end discrimination against Americans with pre-existing conditions.

• It reduces the deficit by $100 billion over the next ten years by cutting government overspending and reining in waste, fraud and abuse.

• It eliminates "special deals" such as the arrangement made for Nebraska.

• It includes a new provision to prevent insurance companies from making arbitrary rate hikes.

President Obama hosted a televised bi-partisan summit in an effort to get both parties to come together on issues of common interest. Unfortunately, very little common ground was found. The current thinking is that in order to enact comprehensive health care reform, the House would pass the Senate bill, and the Senate would make improvements to the bill through a simple majority up-or-down vote. Votes are expected by the end of the month. We encourage all members to contact their members of Congress to ask them to support President Obama's comprehensive health care plan.

Prepared by SEIU District 1199 Public Affairs Division Staff
REMEMBER: POLITICAL ACTION TAKEN ON THESE ISSUES MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS TO COPE/PAC

Boccieri Needs to Stand for Health Care for Working Families

2010-03-08T18:05:24Z

The following letter to the editor was recently submitted to the Canton Repository by SEIU 1199 President Becky Williams:

Dear Editor,

There's lots of talk in our community about how Congress will move forward with passing health insurance reform, and now outside special interest groups (see: Republican robo-calls target Boccieri, CantonRep.com, Mar 5) like "Code Red" are attempting to scare seniors and mislead our friends and neighbors. The facts are that none of the health care reform proposals would cut Medicare benefits or increase your out-of-pocket costs. In fact, health care reform will reduce costly, preventable hospital readmissions, saving patients' lives and money.

I have lived in this community all of my life, and times are tougher now than I can remember. Working people are struggling from paycheck to paycheck, and one of the biggest costs is health insurance and medical bills. I feel that President Obama's health care reform plan is just what we need. His plan would be the biggest cut to middle class taxes in history and make insurance affordable for over 31 million Americans who can't get it today. With 14,000 people losing their insurance every day in this economy, we must pass this plan.

The following letter to the editor was recently submitted to the Canton Repository

Our Congressman, John Boccieri, needs to show his support for the working people of this area and vote in favor of health care reform. This reform bill will reduce the deficit by cutting overspending and waste, and make coverage more affordable for the families who need it. Plus, it will stop insurance companies from denying coverage because of pre-existing conditions or dropping coverage because someone gets too sick.

This community has suffered enough over the last decade because of inaction in Congress. We voted for change because we wanted our elected leaders to improve the lives of working people, and health care reform will do just that. Stand with us, Congressman Boccieri, and vote for the President's health care proposal.

Becky Williams | Massillon, Ohio
President of SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH

State of Ohio tuition reimbursement fund for this fiscal year drops below $63,000

2010-03-03T21:54:00Z

FYI: $62,962.69 currently remains in the 2010 fiscal year fund for tuition reimbursements.

Message to Congress: Put working families before insurance industry greed

2010-03-03T21:24:05Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 03, 2010

CONTACT:
Anthony A. Caldwell
Media Relations, Public Affairs
Phone: 330-519-1627 | acaldwell@seiu1199.org

It's Time to Move Forward - Americans Are Waiting
Message to Congress: Put working families before insurance industry greed

COLUMBUS, OHIO - Today, President Barack Obama announced that it's time for Congress to move forward with passing real health insurance reform.

The President's proposal for moving forward guarantees insurance will be more affordable by providing the largest middle class tax cut for health care in history. It puts in place a new competitive health insurance market, giving tens of millions of Americans the same insurance choices that members of Congress will have. Plus, insurance companies will face greater accountability - no more denying claims because of pre-existing conditions.

"It's decision time. Our representatives must answer: Will you side with working people who simply want to work hard, provide a decent life for their family, and have their shot at the American dream? Or will you stand with insurance companies who hike premiums just to make an extra buck?" asked SEIU District 1199 President, Becky Williams. "It's just that simple - this isn't about party, it's about doing what's right."

"After more than a year of debate, there's been enough talk. Enough politics. Enough excuses. It's time to get it done. Working families can't wait any longer for healthcare that works for them. And, we will remember in November who didn't fight for healthcare, and working families will hold them accountable."

SEIU 1199 Members Meet with Area Leaders During Columbus Visits

2010-02-26T19:38:24Z

Yesterday, SEIU District 1199 President Becky Williams and other Union officers visited members at State of Ohio agencies in Columbus.

Our Union's "Tour de District" program of site visits is designed to encourage greater communication and rank-and-file input within SEIU 1199.

An evening reception at the SEIU 1199 Columbus office featured State Representatives Ted Celeste, Dan Stewart, John Patrick Carney and Tracy Maxwell Heard, as well as experts on the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System. The reception also offered attending members the chance to discuss various issues with Union officers, including how 1199's political relationships impact our plans to protect and improve members' gains.

Click here for more photos of the event. Previous cities visited have included Cleveland; Lorain; Toledo; Youngstown; Cincinnati; Canton; Huntington, W.V. and Prestonsburg, Ky.

"At the River I Stand" Doc Canceled

2010-02-26T18:47:54Z

Due to inclement weather tonight, we regret to inform our Cleveland-area Union members that our showing of the documentary "At the River I Stand" has been canceled.

SEIU 1199 Summary of OPERS Propsal

2010-02-25T14:31:16Z

SEIU District 1199 does not currently have a position on the proposed change. This document is strictly for informational purposes only.

Proposed legislative changes to the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

The recent stock market downturn and other demographic changes driven by the economy have had a dramatic impact on the pension fund (below).

• Funded Ratio has decreased from 96% in 2007 to 75% in 2008.

• Amortization for the pension fund (the number of years to pay off obligations) have increased from 14 in 2007 to 30 in 2008, and continue to head in the wrong direction.

• The current solvency of the health care benefit provided by the fund has decreased from 31 years (2007), to 10 years (2008).

Healthcare fund could run out by 2020

Without being able to make changes in the pension benefits, the OPERS board has had to adopt a schedule of decreasing healthcare funding down to 0% by 2015, which would mean the healthcare fund could run out within 10 years.

The fund is recommending making legislative changes that will achieve the following goals:

• Ensures that the benefit plan (after changes) is more economically sustainable and reflects the longer lives of members.

• Provides time for members to plan for retirement.

• Provides economic stability for the state of Ohio, public employers, retirees and members.

• Restore healthcare funding to a level of 4% / year and allows OPERS to continue to provide healthcare coverage beyond 2015.

• Ensure amortization period remains under 30 years through 2012 in order to give the investment market time to recover.

• Corrects some of the current inequities where a group of members receive benefits that are funded by all other members.

Current Pension System Benefits

• Unreduced retirement at 65 (with at least 5 years service) or any age with 30 years

• Reduced retirement at 60 (with at least 5 years service) or 55 (with 25 years' service)

• Benefit formula 2.2% for first 30 years of service, 2.5% thereafter.

• Annual Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) is set at 3%.

• Final Average Salary determined by three highest years.

Proposed Reform Plan Major Elements

• Raises Unreduced retirement age to 67 (with at least 5 years service) Raises retirement at any age to 32 years of service

• Raises Reduced retirement at 62 (with at least 5 years service) or raises to 57 (with 25 years' service)

• Minimum age to retire is 55

• Benefit formula 2.2% for first 35 years of service, 2.5% thereafter

• COLA tied to Consumer Price Index (inflation) not to exceed 3%.

• Final Average Salary determined by five highest years.

Other proposed legislative changes:

• Eliminate subsidization of Purchase Service credit

• Increase minimum earnable salary to $1,000/month

• Establish a statute of limitations on membership determinations

• Grant Board authority to establish mitigating rate for Alternative Retirement Plans

The Board has also made changes to the disability program to limit eligibility and add exclusions.

The transition to this new plan will be important. The Board recommended the following three-group phase-in once legislation is passed. This will ensure adequate notice of the transition to members.

Group A - Must be eligible to retire within five years after the effective date of the legislation. Grandfathered under current plan design except for COLA provision.
Group B - Must be eligible to retire within 10 years after the effective date of the legislation. Grandfathered under current plan design except for COLA provision. Those seeking an early retirement will have their pension reduced to reflect longer life expectancies.
Group C - All others. All elements of the new plan design apply.

Important Note: Legislation on this issue has still not been introduced. It is likely that the time line for action will be drawn out given the dynamics of a political year. Still we want to keep our public employee members regularly informed about the latest proposals because there will come a time when legislative action will be necessary. So stay tuned for additional communication from the union as this issue develops.

Click here to download this aritcle

PAID FOR BY SEIU DISTRICT 1199 Political action taken on these issues made possible by voluntary contributions to the SEIU COPE/PAC by members like you.

SEIU District 1199 President Becky Williams Misquoted by Rush Limbaugh on Air

2010-02-24T19:13:53Z

President Franklin Roosevelt once said, "I ask you to judge me by the enemies I have made." The same goes for those leading the fight for healthcare for all, attacked on-air yesterday by Rush Limbaugh.

In yet another of his trademark personal smear attempts, the divisive talk show host mischaracterized remarks at Saturday's "Healthcare for America Now" rally at SEIU District 1199 in Columbus: "Obama's number-one supporters showed up," said Limbaugh, "these union thugs, and they said, 'We want to fight! We don't want any more rallies, we don't want any more speeches, we want to fight.'"

Limbaugh then misquoted remarks made by SEIU District 1199 President Becky Williams: "Becky Williams, president of SEIU 1199, was interrupted by loud cheers as she led off the rally, telling the crowd, 'We have three things to tell the administration and the majority in Congress: One, we worked for and voted for change last year. That means actually changing what was there when you got there. Two, we need for you to lead with courage, not be intimidated by Fox News and Teabaggers. Three, don't be fooled by lies!' she said. 'If you do these things we'll be with you, and the 66% of Americans who, according to polls are demanding that healthcare reform be passed.'"

Not referenced by Limbaugh, unsurprisingly, were remarks made by Williams underscoring the urgency of health insurance reform: "This is serious," she said. "This isn't just a number: Every week that goes by, 421 people are estimated to die as a result of not having healthcare."

Leave it to those who don't want to fix our healthcare system to spin a conscientious campaign to save tens of thousands of American lives into bogus threats of violence.

Columbus "Tour de District" to Take Up OPERS This Thursday

2010-02-23T20:57:27Z

Columbus is the next stop on our "Tour de District" outreach program this Thurs., Feb. 25!

SEIU District 1199 President Becky Williams and other Union officers will visit members at some of our area State agencies. Then a reception in members' honor begins at 5 pm & will run for about 2 hours at our office at 1395 Dublin Rd.

The first Q&A begins at 6 pm and will include Union officers and State Representatives Ted Celeste, Dan Stewart, John Patrick Carney and Tracy Maxwell Heard.

At 6:30 pm, there will be a presentation and another Q&A about proposed changes to the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System. Please RSVP with your organizer.

SEIU 1199 President Becky Williams and other officers will visit members at some of our area State agencies. Then a reception in members' honor begins at 5 pm & will run for about 2 hours at SEIU 1199 in Columbus at 1395 Dublin Rd.

The first Q&A begins at 6 pm and will include Union officers and State Representatives Ted Celeste, Dan Stewart, John Patrick Carney and Tracy Maxwell Heard.

At 6:30 pm, there will be a presentation and another Q&A about proposed changes to the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System.

SEIU Sees Hope in New White House Healthcare Plan

2010-02-22T21:24:15Z

The White House released its reform plan today in preparation for the bipartisan healthcare summit later this week.

The plan increases affordability, expands choices, prohibits discriminatry insurance company abuses, and reduces federal budget deficits by $1.1 trillion over the next 20 years. Click here to read the proposal (pdf file).

SEIU signed a joint letter to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives urging those bodies to continue their healthcare reform efforts without further delay: SEIUletterSenate&House.pdf.

"The President recognized with his proposal today that people ... should not have to lose their life because of an insurance company refuses treatment," said SEIU President Andy Stern. "That insurance companies cannot be allowed to gouge Americans with rate increases that force them to pay up to 39% more for the exact same coverage. And that working families deserve health insurance that covers more and costs less."

Web-based Training for OIL and Salary Continuation Language

2010-02-22T18:33:03Z

In 2009 bargaining, the parties agreed that a web-based training would be provided for members to help understand the changes to existing OIL language and the newly created salary continuation language. The training is now available by clicking on the following link: http://das.ohio.gov/Divisions/CollectiveBargaining/SalaryContinuationandOilTraining/tabid/432/Default.aspx

"It is time for healthcare reform"

2010-02-20T20:13:07Z

SEIU District 1199 President Becky Williams was joined in a Saturday rally at the Union's Columbus headquarters by activists and a powerhouse lineup of Ohio officeholders urging Congress to "finish healthcare reform right."

"It is time for health care reform," Williams said. "If congressional opponents of reform won't cooperate, we must then use whatever legislative means are necessary to get the Senate bill passed by the House, signed by the President, and written into the laws of our country."

Echoing this call were Ohio Secretary for State Jennifer Brunner, Ohio Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, and Ohio Representatives Marian Harris and Ted Celeste. The dominant theme was that health insurance reform efforts cannot wait and should build upon what Congress has already passed instead of starting over again from scratch.

The 2 pm "Health Care for America Now" rally was sponsored by Progress Ohio and hosted by SEIU 1199. Due to the persistence of many Americans and SEIU members, our historic campaign to end abusive health insurance practices, expand coverage, and rein in runaway costs for all Americans is regaining momentum in Washington. Video of Williams below:

Ohioans to rally for health care reform Saturday in Columbus

2010-02-19T19:22:48Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2010

CONTACT:
Anthony A. Caldwell
Media Relations, Public Affairs
Phone: 330-651-2042 | acaldwell@seiu1199.org

Columbus, Ohio - SEIU 1199 President Becky Williams, Ohio Secretary for State Jennifer Brunner, Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, Representatives Marian Harris and Ted Celeste will be rallying for Health Care reform tomorrow. A special video message for activists from Senator Sherrod will also be aired during the event.

"It is time for health care reform. If congressional opponents of reform won't cooperate, we must then use whatever legislative means are necessary to get the Senate bill passed by the House, signed by the President, and written into the laws of our country," President Becky Williams said.

Health care reform is an important connection to our economic recovery. As a result of fixing health care the deficit will be reduced, up to 4 million jobs will be created in towns and cities across the nation, and millions of Americans will finally receive the coverage they need. Therefore, it is time to tell Congress to act now on health care reform.

The Finish Reform Right! Health Care Rally begins at 2:00PM on February 20th at the SEIU 1199 Union Hall located at 1395 Dublin Road in Columbus, Ohio. Doors open at 1:30PM.

WHO: Becky Williams, President SEIU District 1199
Jennifer Brunner, Ohio Secretary of State
Lee Fisher, Lieutenant Governor
Marian Harris, State Representative
Ted Celeste, State Representative

WHAT: Finish Reform Right! Health Care Rally

WHEN: February 20, 2010. Doors open at 1:30PM, rally at 2:00PM

WHERE: SEIU 1199 Union Hall, 1395 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43215