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IN THIS ISSUE
SSDP BENEFITS:
MEMBER OF THE MONTH: Kiara Vigil
GEO ELECTIONS: Officers, Committee Chairs, Stewards
JOB POSTING: Labor Notes
Responding to SSDP Benefits: GEO’s Benefits for All Campaign
Some of you may have heard about the recent court ruling to prevent the provision of same-sex domestic partnership benefits in the state of Michigan. For the past 32 years, GEO has consistently worked toward a climate of inclusion and equality, and to end discriminatory practices. We assure you that our union has been working with the university toward solutions on this issue since the ruling on SSDP benefits was announced. We thank the dedicated GEO members who have put effort into organizing this campaign, and welcome any others who want to get involved.
Chris Estrada, Solidarity & Political Action
GEO’s Benefits for All plan protects the right to health care by providing the University of Michigan with a workable solution for maintaining its commitments to its employees. GEO believes that the University of Michigan shares our understanding that making the university a safe and accessible space for all requires equal access to benefits. This access has been threatened by a recent ruling of the Michigan Court of Appeals. With the Benefits for All plan, GEO members have developed a new approach to the provision of health care benefits which accommodates the law. We are working with others in the university community to call for implementation of this plan.
When Proposal 2 was passed in November 2004, many believed that the amendment would not affect same-sex domestic partner (SSDP) benefits. The Michigan Court of Appeals’ recent ruling contradicts this belief. It is now necessary to rebuild the structure of health benefits to ensure that institutions like the University of Michigan can continue providing benefits for all.
The Benefits for All Designated Beneficiaries plan enables employees to elect one other adult and that adult’s dependent children as recipients of their health care. Provision of benefits is based on criteria including shared property, joint living, and shared responsibility for minors. Like existing benefits structures, the plan includes provisions to safeguard it against misuse. This type of plan, while new to the University of Michigan, has been used successfully by other organizations and provides benefits for all while accommodating Michigan law.
The University promises to honor existing obligations to unionized employees, but SSDP benefits are at risk if the court orders UM to immediately stop providing benefits. While the ban most directly targets those receiving SSDP benefits, this issue affects all GEO members and other members of the university community who currently receive benefits, including graduate students, staff and faculty. More broadly, the university’s ability to attract and retain the best faculty and graduate students is undermined if we cannot find the means of maintaining benefits for same-sex domestic partners.
GEO’s goal continues to be equal rights to benefits for all. During this time of damaging legal precedents, overt discrimination and economic uncertainty, it is important for us to join together to protect existing benefits. As a community, we have the collective power to protect benefits for all. For more information about the Benefits for All campaign, the Designated Beneficiaries plan, or to get involved, please email umgeo@umich.edu, or call the GEO office at (734) 995-0221.
FAQ on Same-Sex Domestic Partner (SSDP) Benefits
www.umgeo.org/benefitsforall
Can the University of Michigan still provide same-sex domestic partner benefits to GEO members at this time?
Yes.
How long can the University continue providing these benefits?
UM has asserted that current benefits will be maintained until the end of GEO’s contract in March 2008. Employees without a contract will maintain their current benefits until the end of the 2007 calendar year. For more information, please consult http://www.umich.edu/~hraa/ssdp/index.html.
What impact do the recent court cases have on the University’s ability to continue this coverage?
The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that the 2004 marriage amendment “prohibits public employers from recognizing same-sex unions for any purpose,†which includes the provision of employee health benefits. The court also added that this ruling should take “immediate effect.â€
The Michigan American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed an appeal asking for the ruling to be put on hold until the immediacy of the decision could be reconsidered; they also appealed the decision to the Michigan Supreme Court. At present, both courts are still considering these filings. This means the Appellate court’s ruling is not yet in effect.
What is GEO doing to help members and others keep their SSDP benefits?
GEO’s position is to make sure all members and their families have access to health insurance. The loss of coverage for even one member of our team puts GEO’s entire contract at risk. As a collective force, GEO is working to create and implement a more inclusive health care plan to ensure coverage for all members. GEO’s Benefits for All plan protects the right to health care for our families by providing the University of Michigan with a workable solution for maintaining its commitments to its employees.
GEO is building alliances with other groups. Efforts to preserve benefits will be more effective when we are all united behind a collective goal to end discrimination and expand the right to health care benefits for all. We are talking with other labor unions, both on campus and across Michigan, to formulate political strategies in response to these rulings. We are also supporting the campaigns initiated by other groups on campus and are building relationships with media outlets to discuss the consequences this decision will have at UM.
Although the option to re-enter bargaining over this issue exists, GEO has decided not to re-open negotiations at this time. We are awaiting the outcome of the appeals filed in the wake of the court’s decision. When final decisions are announced, GEO will reconsider its legal right to re-open bargaining. Members of the GEO benefits team are meeting administrators from Academic Human Resources, the Benefits Office, General Counsel’s Office, and Provost’s Office to stay informed and vocal during this time. Talks will continue throughout the semester.
What if U-M is required to end SSDP benefits immediately or during the summer?
According to the University’s legal counsel and based on Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox’s advisory opinion issued in 2005, benefits will stay in place as long as GEO’s contract is legally binding. In the case that benefits must change suddenly, GEO will immediately re-open talks to negotiate a new benefits article. GEO is also drafting contingency plans that could be put in place as a stopgap solution should benefits be cut off before a more permanent solution is found.
What resources are available to SSDPs if benefits are denied?
The University has stated that GEO members, as employees of the University of Michigan, will be available to receive benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA coverage). COBRA allows an individual to purchase health insurance at the group rate for up to three years. However, COBRA requires the individual to pay the full premium, most of which is currently paid for by the university under GEO’s contract.
What is GEO’s long-term plan for securing benefits for our families?
With the help of the Triangle Foundation, the ACLU and other organizations, GEO is researching a designated beneficiary-based health care plan.
What is a Designated Beneficiary Health Care Plan?
Under a Designated Beneficiary plan, employees are allowed to select one adult to be covered by their insurance plan, regardless of their personal relationship status. In a designated-beneficiary plan, the designee does not need to be the employee’s spouse or partner, although you do have the option to designate a spouse or partner. Dependents are included in this plan as well.
GEO is already working with Human Resources and outside organizations to draft a designated-beneficiary affidavit, which would require designated beneficiaries to meet certain criteria. Although the plan does not refer to marital or domestic partner status as criteria for potential health insurance beneficiaries, the designated beneficiary and the employee would have to demonstrate both financial and legal ties.
vote!
ON WHAT? GEO’s proposed constitutional changes and dues increase
HOW? Ask your department steward or call the GEO office if you need a ballot. Then, drop it in the mail, give it to your department steward, or return it by hand to the GEO office
BY WHEN? Before April 5!
HAVE YOU VOTED?
MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Kiara Maria Vigil, American Culture
How are you involved in GEO?
I’m a member of the Solidarity and Political Action Committee (SPAC). In the fall I worked on the campaign to educate people about voting no on proposal 2. This semester I am working with the Solidarity and Political Action Committee to address the recent court ruling that has affected same-sex domestic partner benefits in Michigan.
Prior to attending UM, GEO worked to get me the compensation and benefits I have now. Also, it got me in touch with people who care about social justice. In addition to working on campaigns related to state issues, through SPAC I was able to go to the Detroit airport this winter to assist efforts to form a union by trying to get information from workers there. It was a good opportunity to get involved in labor-related activities outside the academ
What would you like to see from GEO/in our next contract?
Certainly, I would like the same-sex domestic partner benefits that were in place to be maintained, and even better for a more inclusive healthcare structure to be negotiated with the university.
What does the Same-Sex Domestic Partner campaign involve?
SPAC is building a coalition with faculty, staff and community members who want to discuss the effects of the recent court ruling and possible solutions. We are considering convening a convention to generate discussion about the revocation of same-sex benefits. How well we and UM succeed in preserving these benefits may set a precedent.
LAST MEMBERSHIP MEETING OF THE YEAR
on the SSDP issue and the Benefits for All campaign; get an update on the referendum vote
with Critical Moment at ABC, 8-midnight
and get revved up for bargaining next year!
Administrative Director (full-time) • Conference Organizer (1 year position)
Salary: $24 – 28,000, depending on experience. Benefits and generous vacation time.
Send resume and cover letter to: Mark Brenner at Labor Notes, 104 Montgomery St, New York, NY 11225-2008. Materials can also be emailed to mark@labornotes.org. Phone 718-284-4144 or fax 718-287-3287.
Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
Administrative Director applicants should have experience using computers for accounting, databases, and word processing. Should be detail-oriented, able to manage ongoing responsibilities, able to troubleshoot and relate well to our subscribers, book-buyers, and supporters. Duties include accounts payable and receivable, payroll and other taxes, customer orders and daily mail, and maintaining files. Available immediately.
Conference Organizer applicants should have experience organizing conferences or comparable events. Should be able to juggle multiple responsibilities, meet deadlines, manage complicated logistics and schedules, and maintain ongoing communication with a large number of conference-goers. Bilingual Spanish/English a plus. Job duties include planning and executing a conference timeline, negotiating with hotels, coordinating schedules and handling scholarships for conference participants. This is a one-year position starting June 2007.
For more than 28 years Labor Notes has supported activists who seek to put the movement back in the labor movement. From our monthly magazine to our award-winning books, we have a reputation for providing union activists with valuable news and analysis, as wells as sound advice for winning on-the-job struggles. We also put on workshops across the country and organize a large biennial conference.
BECOME A GEO OFFICER or COMMITTEE CHAIR
We need to bargain a new contract! Next year, GEO members will need dedicated officers and committee members who will not only perform the union’s usual duties, but also take on the added needs of a union during a contract year.
We strive to have a diverse leadership in all ways possible. Positions generally require attendance at weekly officers meetings; more information on each position is listed below. All positions are for one year and are open to dues-paying members.
Interested, or have questions? Email umgeo@umich.edu with your full name, department/program, and a 250 word statement of interest about why you would like to run for the position, and what you can contribute to GEO. Statements will be posted on our website and emailed to members who are eligible to vote. Nominations are open now through noon, April 10.
Bargaining Chair: A special office for contract years, the Bargaining Chair leads GEO’s bargaining committee and serves as a liaison between negotiators at the contract table and GEO’s officers. Requires research for contract negotiations over the summer, to begin bargaining in Fall Semester.
Communications Chair: Works with the Communications committee to produce GEO materials, including monthly newsletters, publicity materials, press kits, web content and more.
Grievance Chair: Heads the Grievance Committee (GRRR); is responsible for training and overseeing committee members to take on grievances and special conferences. GRRR is responsible for contract education and implementation.
Organizing Chair: Directs the Organizing Committee (OC), which uses the collective power of mobilized union members to build GEO’s strength, achieve goals, and address members’ concerns. OC duties include recruiting new activists, organizing department steward elections, and turning people out for rallies and membership meetings.
Solidarity/Political Action chair: Directs the Solidarity/Political Action committee (SPAC), which builds coalitions, strengthens solidarity with other unions, and educates and advocates around political issues directly affecting members and the community.
Committee chairs generally hold committee meetings every other week, and give updates at Stewards’ Council meetings.
Officers meet weekly, alternating their Tuesday nights with Stewards’ Council meetings and meetings with GEO staff.
Questions? Email umgeo@umich.edu or call (734) 995-0221.
President: Represents the union’s officers and serves as the principal liaison between GEO and our parent unions at the local and national level.
Vice President: Serves as the main contact for Stewards Council and manages the union’s internal affairs. Vice President duties usually include assisting with committee work.
Treasurer: Works with the finance committee to establish and oversee financial procedures for the union. The treasurer drafts and maintains GEO’s budget and coordinates an annual audit.
Secretary: Works to create and maintain GEO communications internally and externally. Since the position is relatively new, duties are still being defined. Typically the secretary has been Communications Chair (see below), and has also worked to create the annual GEO planner.
Stewards serve as the principal liaisons between departments and the union, and form the decision-making body of the union (the Stewards’ Council). Duties include meetings twice a month and delegating duties to interested department members. Some departments have multiple stewards. It is recommended that departments hold official elections for stewards
Good news! The Grievance Committee helped a student win a $600 retroactive settlement from the University. His health insurance was denied because he was a late hire.
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