The Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth’s Division of Media Technology just won 4 Telly Awards for their 2008 cable television shows. Sue Willers, a Technical Unit member, is the Director and editor of the shows. Alison Rodgers, a Technical Unit member, designed the sets. The shows that won were Consumer’s Corner, The Job Show, The Job Show for Teens and House Michigan.
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Clarification of Temporary Layoff Language
May 26, 2009
There seems to be some confusion among the membership on the interpretation and implementation of Article 13, Section 6, B, (3) which states;
...Such sequential layoff days shall be on successive workdays.
This does not mean the proposed layoff days must be implemented together! (I.e. Monday thru Friday and again the following Monday)
The simplest way to explain this language is to give the following example;
The Technical unit has six members at a work site/work location. By inverse seniority, the two least senior employees are laid off on Monday, the next two are laid off on Tuesday, and the final two are scheduled for lay off on Wednesday, thus making the temporary layoffs sequential and successive workdays.
Given the announced lay off schedule we are waiting to see how the employer plans to implement these layoffs for the technical unit.
Letter of Understanding Concerning Leave Time
May 6, 2009
The following Letter of Understanding was agreed to between the Technical Bargaining Unit and the Office of the State Employer May 4, 2009:
LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING
SEIU Local 517M, Technical Bargaining Unit
ARTICLE 25, Leave and Holidays
The parties have discussed the current requirements that newly hired employees complete 720 hours of paid service before being able to use or be paid off for bi-weekly accumulated annual leave credits. The parties agree to remove this limitation by deleting the language referencing the completion of 720 hours of service in Article 25 Leave and Holidays, Section 2.B. Allowance and Section 2. E. Transfer and Payoff.
View the appropriate provision of Article 13 dealing with Temporary Layoffs.
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2009 Education Support Program Accepting Applications
April 28, 2009
The 2009 Education Support Program (ESP) is now accepting applications through Friday, June 12, 2009. This program provides administrative leave to accepted employees who are pursuing associates, bachelor's, and master's degrees from accredited institutions in fields specific to MDOT's most needed job classifications. Employees must demonstrate how their participation in ESP will benefit MDOT, including their impact on MDOT's Strategic Plan. Go to ConnectMDOT to review the eligibility requirements or to obtain an application. From the "Services" drop-down menu, select "Employee Services" and then "MDOT Education Support Program." If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Kristie Cheadle in the Performance Excellence Division at cheadlek@michigan.gov or 517-241-4697.
IN THE OFFICE:
The Office of the State Employer has aided in settling a grievance arbitration. On March 31, 2009 a grievance arbitration hearing was set. With the assistance of the Office of the State employer the Technical unit reached a settlement with the Department.
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