MAOF Employees Win Strengthened Contract

Wage increases, job protections, and a stronger voice for employees!

Throughout the day on Saturday, May 1, 2010, SEIU Local 99 members from Mexican American Opportunity Foundation visited the Lynwood satellite office to cast their vote on the new contract proposal. At the end of the day, several MAOF members who’d stayed to learn the results counted the votes. Members overwhelmingly ratified the contract, effective through October 2012.

By showing our unity—including wearing stickers and attending union meetings—we won a strong contract that ensures job protections, a strong voice, and provides quality services for our kids!


Improvements include:

• Union Rights—A union information packet will now be supplied by H.R. to all new hires during orientation, ensuring that all of us know our rights, our contract protections, and how to get involved.
• Grievance Procedure—A loophole was closed, now ensuring that suspensions, demotions, or dismissals can no longer occur without due process. These grievances will no longer move directly into arbitration and H.R. will meet first with the employee and a union representative to try to resolve the matter before arbitration.
• Hours and Overtime—Employees’ hours won’t be changed unless there’s a specific operational need and the time has been pre-approved.
• Wages and Salary—Head Start workers will receive salary “parity” adjustments for 2009-2010, assuring that those in the same job classification and with the same seniority are being paid equally.  For 2010-2011, Head Start workers will receive one-time COLA of 1.84%. For 2009-2010, State Preschool and Child Care already received a 3% wage increase.
• Benefit Plan—If MAOF wants to make changes to carriers, levels of coverage, or their contributions, they must negotiate any amendments to this contract with SEIU Local 99.
• Mileage Reimbursement—When using our personal vehicles for work, our mileage will now be reimbursed at rates established by the various program funding sources.
• Working out of Classification—If we are asked to perform duties of a higher-paid classification, we will be paid at that higher rate for the time worked in that classification, beginning with the first day worked.
• Labor Management Committee—The employer and union members will meet as equal partners to discuss work-related issues at regularly-scheduled meetings. The committee will be made up of up to seven employees, all from different sites.

“I really enjoyed being a part of the Bargaining Team,” said Claudia Iraheta, a Home Visitor. “I have a feeling of satisfaction that we made some real improvements in this contract—especially the Labor Management Committee. This will give us a chance to come together as a group of equals to discuss situations that need to be resolved, instead of it being administration versus employees.” Claudia Iraheta Home Visitor

“This was my first time being a part of the Bargaining Team,” said Lorena Castro, also a Home Visitor. “It was a good experience. I got to voice my opinions and see how it works. Like Claudia, I’m most excited about the new Labor Management Committee. It will benefit the families we serve when those of us who are face-to-face with the families can bring issues directly to top decision-makers.” Lorena Castro Home Visitor

Special recognition goes to our hardworking SEIU Local 99 Bargaining Team:

Lorena Castro, Home Visitor
Arcelia Duenas, FSA
Maria Isabel Gomez, FSA
Marisela Hernandez, Teacher Assistant
Claudia Iraheta, Home Visitor
Monica López, Home Visitor
Sofia Valdivia, Head Teacher