Work Emails, Text Messages Start Out As Private, Court Rules

Employers can't read employee emails or text messages without either the worker's knowledge or consent, ruled the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals last week. Furthermore, the court found, federal law doesn't allow service providers to simply release the contents of the messages to the employer who pays for the service.

The court found that an employee's expectation of privacy depends on various factors -- including whether such communications are commonly regarded as private, as well as whether a worker consents to a review. Click here to learn more about the ruling.

New Youngstown Library Contract a Step Forward

Several gains were made in the new SEIU District 1199 contract for workers at the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County:

Wages will increase 3.5% the first year of the contract and 3.25% in the second year, with wage scale steps frozen for both years. Mileage reimbursement will be at the IRS rate each year. Spouses will have to take their employer's health insurance if the employee is responsible for less than 45% of the insurance premium, with the library's insurance moved to secondary coverage. Part-time library employees will pay 40% of their health insurance premiums, down 10% from the last contract. A Health Savings Account was added, and the library will introduce a wellness program.

A major negotiation issue was the role of the librarian, whose job duties have been eroded with the introduction of a higher-level clerical position, as well as a new administrative position with librarian components. Contract duration was another big issue, and for the first time, the librarians' contract and the SEIU 1199 CMT clerical contract will expire only one month apart.

Educator Misconduct Bill (HB 190) Passed Last Year Impacts SEIU Members

SEIU members who work for school districts and Head Start agencies are subject to new, mandatory criminal record checks because of an Ohio law passed late last year.

When introduced early last year HB 190 was a simply a bill to specify administration dates for the elementary achievement tests, but it ended up becoming the vehicle for amendments to address educator misconduct issues that were swirling in the media during the latter half of 2007.

The amended bill was passed at the end of October 2007 by an overwhelming bi-partisan margin and signed into law on November 14, 2007, going into effect immediately. The educator misconduct provisions included in HB 190 would:

• Require school districts, educational service centers, community schools, STEM schools, and chartered nonpublic schools to request criminal records checks for all job applicants and employees, not merely those whose duties entail the care of children.
• Require private contractors hired by those employers to request criminal records checks for job applicants and employees who will work in schools.
• Require subsequent criminal records checks every five years for school employees who are not subject to periodic post-employment records checks under other laws.
• Require that the initial and periodic criminal records checks of school employees, including State Board of Education licensees, include checks of FBI records as well as state records.
• Permit the State Board of Education to revoke an expired educator license for misconduct.

Click here for an Ohio Department of Education webpage on educator conduct that includes resources and tools, as well as a helpful "frequently asked questions" document.

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Mission Statement

SEIU District 1199's Public Division consists of nearly 11,000 members at higher education facilities, libraries, head start agencies, local government and local agencies.

Public Division employees provide safety, health, education, child care and other vital services to our communities. The Public Division's mission emphasizes leadership development, advocates for member participation in politics, and bargains contracts to connect industries.

Most importantly, the Public Division works to expand public worker rights and gives public workers the freedom of choice.