FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 10, 2010

CONTACT:
Cathy Kaufmann, Long Term Care Coordinator
Phone: 216-548-4316

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Thanks to the efforts of thousands of SEIU members contacting Congress, a Senate vote today cleared the way for passage of the much-needed extension of the enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP)

The extension provides critical funding to maintain jobs in the public sector, hospitals, nusing homes and other healthcare facilities. Ohio stands to receive about $513 million from the increased federal match through June 2011, while West Virginia will get $81 million and Kentucky will get $158 million.

"Today the Senate protected hundreds of thousands of American jobs," said SEIU President Mary Kay Henry. "Our economic recovery depends on putting people back to work in good jobs with decent wages and keeping the rest of us working. Thanks to today's bipartisan vote and the leadership of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, kids will keep their teachers and we can all still count on the cops, firefighters, and other public service workers who keep our communities safe and livable."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 1, 2010

CONTACT:
Frank Hornick

Spokesperson 
Phone: 304-617-3517

Wall Street values at the epicenter of American Red Cross mismanagement

Huntington, WV - Employees of the American Red Cross from Parkersburg to Huntington, members of Service Employees International Union District 1199, are taking their struggle to the picket line starting 7:00AM on Wednesday, June 2, 2010. Workers for months have tried to work with Red Cross management to address concerns of blood and donor safety to no avail.

"Red Cross workers in Huntington and Parkersburg have done all that they can do to and finally had to say 'enough is enough' when it comes to compromising blood and donor safety," said Frank Hornick, Long Term Care Coordinator with SEIU District 1199. "Cutting jobs, slashing wages and benefits of employees and cutting corners are affecting the safety of our blood supply."

Workers will take to the strike line beginning 7:00AM on Wednesday, June 2 at the Huntington (1111 Veteran's Memorial Blvd., Huntington, WV 25709) and Parkersburg (220 8th Street, Parkersburg, WV 26101) Chapters of the American Red Cross.

With the depth of their pockets and the reach of their influence, Wall Street insiders and their mega-billion dollar bankrolls have taken over the American Red Cross. While progressive allies were asleep at the wheel, former President George W. Bush and his friends on Wall Street were reorganizing the American Red Cross behind our backs. During this reorganization, the number of seats on the ARC Board of Governors shrunk from 50 to 25, removing regular Americans and members of organized labor - leaving only wealthy Wall Street values in charge of this American icon.

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A reminder: Due to reports of some employers successfully disciplining workers over posts to online social networks or blogs, please exercise caution if considering any posts related to residents or clients.

Specifically, members should avoid any identification of clients or residents, including photos, since such a post can lead to a discharge under HIPPA or the Patients' Bill of Rights. More employers are searching for such violations on Facebook, MySpace, blogs and other online forums.

Eight SEIU District 1199 members traveled to Stevens Point, Wis., in mid-April to help get out the vote in an election to organize 6,000 home care workers into SEIU.

These members were among 60 member organizers from SEIU healthcare locals across the country who campaigned across the state. Votes will be counted on May 6.

The members were: Carol Ford, Pattie Huckabee, Gwen Hinton, Chana Trimble, Vikki Tully, Vanessa Jones, Teresa Law and William Harper. Congratulations to each of them for their dedication to strengthening the Union and helping workers gain a voice!