di�erent approach to the issues,” said Gail Silva who works for the Town of Westborough. ”I feel much better informed now and I’m really glad I came.”

“It was so wonderful to be involved in this process,” said Ben Evans a public defender with the Committee on Public Counsel Services in the Fall River District Court. “You could feel the power of so many union people in the room. I appreciate having the opportu-nity to personally ask the candidates a question.”

Added Evans, “SEIU Local 888 is helping the public defenders to form a union and win new state legislation that would allow us to collectively bargain. I feel very grateful for the support.”

Attendance was open to all SEIU members and their immediate families. The forum was sponsored by the SEIU State Council, 1199SEIU, SEIU Local 32BJ District 615, SEIU Local 509, SEIU Local 888, and the SEIU Committee of Interns and Residents. Nearly 90,000 members of SEIU in Massachusetts work in the �elds of health care, home care, social work, property maintenance, security, janitorial, child care, and a broad range of public services to help keep our roadways, schools, airports, o�ce buildings, and health care facilities safe, clean, and operational.

Spotlight on Community Organizing

State-wide campaign for “Jobs, not jails” gears up for Boston rally on 4/26

For the past eight months, community organizations throughout Massachu-setts have come together to build a grassroots campaign with one clear and simple message: “Jobs, not jails”. The campaign is being led by organizations

like Ex-Prisoners and Prisoners Organiz-ing for Community Advancement (EPOCA), the Boston Worker's Alliance (BWA), Black and Pink and Families for Justice as Healing. Endorsing organiza-tions includes dozens of other advocacy groups, youth and student organiza-tions, local churches and several labor unions.

Launched in July, the campaign is centered as a response to the growing epidemic of mass incarceration and unemployment, issues that have disproportionately hit black and brown communities throughout the state. In 2013, Massachusetts spent $1.28 billion on prisons, probation and parole related costs alone. In a 2012 report called the “Master Corrections Plan”, the Governor's o�ce estimated it would need to spend between $1.3 and $2.3 billion to build over 10,000 new prison beds, allegedly needed to keep pace with increasing levels of incarceration and prison overcrowding. At the same time the state is dedicating billions in tax dollars towards jailing poor people, unemployment and underemployment continues to plague communities throughout the Commonwealth. Cuts to vital services such as food and nutritional assistance, transportation and housing are pushing thousands more into poverty every day.

The “Jobs, not Jails” campaign has collected tens of thousands of signa-tures for a petition calling for billions of dollars, currently allocated for incar-ceration and prison expansion, be redirected towards jobs programs and criminal justice reforms. Several legisla-tive campaigns are already under way, including a bill addressing automatic license suspensions following certain criminal convictions. As most of us know, the collateral consequences following a conviction are signi�cant hurdles and can include losing your drivers license, �nancial student aid, immigration status, housing and your job. Even getting arrested can shatter someone's life, especially if you are unable to a�ord bail and are detained pre-trial.

The right to public counsel isn't divorced from it's historical context and exists within the con�nes of the social movements of that era. Throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s, millions of people throughout the country mobi-lized in their neighborhoods and campuses. Many issues of that time faced decisions in the courts, from Brown v. Board of Education to Gideon. The deciding factor, however, was that millions of people voted with their feet in the streets, working together to build a movement that could stamp out for good all forms of inequality and injus-tice. It is in that same spirit that we seek to build the Mass Defender's, a union that can not only advocate for all sta� at CPCS, but a union that builds a relationship with the communities we serve.

On Saturday, April 26th, thousands of people will rally on the Boston Common under the banner of “jobs, not jails”. Transportation is being organized throughout the state, with buses, vans and car pools set to converge in down-town Boston. We are calling on all sta� to join in this important e�ort to redirect our priorities and our tax dollars towards jobs and education, and not incarceration. Let's stand with thousands from across the Common-wealth in voicing loud and clear that we need jobs, not jails!

The DeliberatorWelcome to the Spring Issue of The Deliberator

This is the second issue of The Deliberator. This is a newsletter that is by and for the Service Employ-ees International Union Local 888 Chapter of the Mass Defenders. This newsletter is intended to build a stronger community among Mass Defenders, answer questions about the organizing campaign, and keep everyone up to date on the progress of forming our union.

Mass Defenders is a newly formed chapter within SEIU Local 888 that is made up of all the sta� working for CPCS. This includes, but is not limited to, administrative assistants, social workers, investigators, and sta� attor-neys. We have been working with Local 888 over the last year to help us have a voice in our working lives. The e�orts of organizing our union have brought us from Hyannis to Pitts�eld, where we have begun to build the networks of a strong union and met with legislators on behalf of our legislation (House Bill 2389).

Founded in 2003, Local 888 is the Massachusetts Public Services Division of SEIU, which unites more than 8,500 public service workers. Our future brothers and sisters provide vital support and services working for the state, in cities, towns, school districts and places of higher education throughout the Commonwealth. The Mass Defenders will be part of a diverse, powerful and progressive union that stands for winning contracts that improve working conditions for its members—both in economic and non-economic ways. Local 888 takes seriously the task of building public, community and legislative power to maintain and improve the lives of its members, their families and the communities they serve.

In this column Frankie, our resident union cat, will address any concerns you may have. If you have any inquires, just email Frankie’s mom at

krenaud@seiu888.org. She isn’t allowed on the computer but her mom will pass along the question.

Frankie, with all this talk of us getting a raise, does this mean forming our own union isn’t necessary after all?

Au contraire, mon frère. For one, look at it this way, if just starting the process of getting organized gets you a raise, imagine what you might gain if you actually had the power of being a real, recognized union. And it’s common for non-union work-ers to get a raise during the course of an organizing campaign. The reasons

are varied. Sometimes it’s coincidence. Other times management �gures that if they give their workers a raise, they’ll stop the union talk. Sometimes, it makes management realize how underpaid their workers are. Yes, cést vrai, mon amis, sometimes manage-ment does the right thing, without it necessarily being a veiled union avoidance strategy on their part. Also, money is just part of the reason the Mass Defenders are organizing. There are a whole lot of other issues to deal with at the bargaining table, many that aren’t even economic. Though more money does buy more anchovies.So let’s hope the raises happen, and at the same time, keep our eye on the canary! Ahem, I mean eyes on the prize!

Spring, 2014Vol.1.2

Free

Ben Evans from the Committee on Public Counsel Services asks the candidates a question at the Governors forum (See story on Page 3).

a1a4The Deliberator Spring 2014

Ask Frankie:

Speaking of issues for the bargain-ing table, what other types of things do we bargain over?

All your work conditions are subjects of bargaining. Besides pay, that includes bene�ts, time o�, discipline and discharge, seniority, continuing educa-tion and training, extended leave, layo�s and career ladders. Anything else I can’t remember. I did just have some catnip.

Frankie, what makes you so knowledgeable about unions?

I’m glad you asked that question. Some years ago, I was a founding member of the International Union of Barn Cats (IUBC) Local 1. It was a particularly cold winter, and the farm girl kept forgetting to give us milk. The barns were dealing with an infestation of big city rats, who’d traveled north on the freight trains. A group of us got together and decided we wanted a voice on the job. Our jobs of course were to keep those sharp toothed rats and all other pests from the barns and �elds. All we wanted in return was fair compensation: fresh milk, a trout or two, organic catnip from the �elds and warm barn beds. It took a lot of work but eventually we accomplished our goals. We stuck together, stayed focused, and the farmers ultimately recognized our union. IUBC Local 1 is a great local, and it really taught us what it means to be part of organized labor.

Once I hit two years old, had a couple of kits, and negotiated our �rst contract, I got an o�er I could not refuse – head cat in Rudy’s household. So I retired and made way for the next wave of IUBC leaders. I’m currently working on organizing Rudy’s other cats and dogs. They are a rough bunch, but we have shared goals. So far, our requests for midnight meals and a cat condo in every room are going unanswered. We might have to march on the the Boss.

Upcoming Statewide Organizing Meeting:10:00 am Sat. April 12@ the Worcester O�ce330 Southwest Cuto� Worcester, MA 01604

Mass Defenders:Our Bill is HB 2389,

We need the House to pass it for Fairness, Certainty & Savings

at CPCS. Don’t forget and call your Rep.

617-722-2000

Rally to End Mass Incarceration

and Fund Job Creation

The Boston Common, 1-4pmSaturday, April 26, 2014

Continued on p. a2 -->

Welcome to the Spring Issue of The Deliberator

This is the second issue of The Deliberator. This is a newsletter that is by and for the Service Employ-ees International Union Local 888 Chapter of the Mass Defenders. This newsletter is intended to build a stronger community among Mass Defenders, answer questions about the organizing campaign, and keep everyone up to date on the progress of forming our union.

Mass Defenders is a newly formed chapter within SEIU Local 888 that is made up of all the sta� working for CPCS. This includes, but is not limited to, administrative assistants, social workers, investigators, and sta� attor-neys. We have been working with Local 888 over the last year to help us have a voice in our working lives. The e�orts of organizing our union have brought us from Hyannis to Pitts�eld, where we have begun to build the networks of a strong union and met with legislators on behalf of our legislation (House Bill 2389).

Founded in 2003, Local 888 is the Massachusetts Public Services Division of SEIU, which unites more than 8,500 public service workers. Our future brothers and sisters provide vital support and services working for the state, in cities, towns, school districts and places of higher education throughout the Commonwealth. The Mass Defenders will be part of a diverse, powerful and progressive union that stands for winning contracts that improve working conditions for its members—both in economic and non-economic ways. Local 888 takes seriously the task of building public, community and legislative power to maintain and improve the lives of its members, their families and the communities they serve.

In this column Frankie, our resident union cat, will address any concerns you may have. If you have any inquires, just email Frankie’s mom at

krenaud@seiu888.org. She isn’t allowed on the computer but her mom will pass along the question.

Frankie, with all this talk of us getting a raise, does this mean forming our own union isn’t necessary after all?

Au contraire, mon frère. For one, look at it this way, if just starting the process of getting organized gets you a raise, imagine what you might gain if you actually had the power of being a real, recognized union. And it’s common for non-union work-ers to get a raise during the course of an organizing campaign. The reasons

are varied. Sometimes it’s coincidence. Other times management �gures that if they give their workers a raise, they’ll stop the union talk. Sometimes, it makes management realize how underpaid their workers are. Yes, cést vrai, mon amis, sometimes manage-ment does the right thing, without it necessarily being a veiled union avoidance strategy on their part. Also, money is just part of the reason the Mass Defenders are organizing. There are a whole lot of other issues to deal with at the bargaining table, many that aren’t even economic. Though more money does buy more anchovies.So let’s hope the raises happen, and at the same time, keep our eye on the canary! Ahem, I mean eyes on the prize!

Members of Local 888 were joined by nearly 400 other members of SEIU from across Massachusetts at a forum with �ve candidates for governor in the election set for this November.

All of the announced candidates for governor were invited to participate, but only �ve Democrats agreed to attend the event. The �ve candidates were: Joe Avellone, Don Berwick, Martha Coakley, Steve Grossman and Juliette Kayyem.After opening statements, each of the candidates responded to questions from the membership. Members asked questions on key issues, including immigrant justice, promoting the right to organize, ensuring quality health care for all, and helping to raise low-wage workers out of poverty.

While they answered, SEIU members ranked the candidates on score cards which will be factored into the decision about who, if anyone, the union repre-senting approximately 95,000 people in Massachusetts will endorse.

“We had an excellent process that members can use to decide whether to

endorse a candidate for Governor, and if so, which candidate will receive that endorsement,” said Mark DelloRusso, President of SEIU Local 888.

“Members completed scorecards expressing their views on the candi-dates. Everything will be tallied and reviewed by the state council and that will be the driving factor in who SEIU endorses.” said Mark DelloRusso.

The entire forum was streamed live and can be viewed on masslive.com. “I feel like I got to really hear where the candidates stand on the issues that impact not just union members but all workers in Massachusetts,” said Anita Christon from the City of Boston Dept. of Neighborhood Development (DND). ”Now I feel like I know who they are and where they stand.”

“It was a really good forum,” said Annette Edler, also from Boston’s DND. “I didn’t know who was running or what they stood for. This has helped me a great deal.”

“Each candidate seemed to take a

The Deliberator Spring 2014a2 a3

The DeliberatorSpring 2014

Speaking of issues for the bargain-ing table, what other types of things do we bargain over?

All your work conditions are subjects of bargaining. Besides pay, that includes bene�ts, time o�, discipline and discharge, seniority, continuing educa-tion and training, extended leave, layo�s and career ladders. Anything else I can’t remember. I did just have some catnip.

Frankie, what makes you so knowledgeable about unions?

I’m glad you asked that question. Some years ago, I was a founding member of the International Union of Barn Cats (IUBC) Local 1. It was a particularly cold winter, and the farm girl kept forgetting to give us milk. The barns were dealing with an infestation of big city rats, who’d traveled north on the freight trains. A group of us got together and decided we wanted a voice on the job. Our jobs of course were to keep those sharp toothed rats and all other pests from the barns and �elds. All we wanted in return was fair compensation: fresh milk, a trout or two, organic catnip from the �elds and warm barn beds. It took a lot of work but eventually we accomplished our goals. We stuck together, stayed focused, and the farmers ultimately recognized our union. IUBC Local 1 is a great local, and it really taught us what it means to be part of organized labor.

Once I hit two years old, had a couple of kits, and negotiated our �rst contract, I got an o�er I could not refuse – head cat in Rudy’s household. So I retired and made way for the next wave of IUBC leaders. I’m currently working on organizing Rudy’s other cats and dogs. They are a rough bunch, but we have shared goals. So far, our requests for midnight meals and a cat condo in every room are going unanswered. We might have to march on the the Boss.

Having a Voice MattersBy: Lily Lockhart

In 2011, I joined CPCS with the CAFL Unit in Lowell. I love the work I do, the clients I work with, and the opportu-nity I have to e�ect change in the lives of young people, parents and families. I also love being part of CPCS. Here I have the opportunity to work along side YAD, District and Superior Court attorneys, as well as having the input and support of social workers, investi-gators, and an administrative sta�. It’s great to be doing this challenging work, while knowing that I have a support system back at the o�ce, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Before law school, I was part of a union as a public high school teacher in New York City, and later I was a member of SEIU as a personal care attendant in Massachusetts. I enjoyed being part of these unions because it is important to me to have a voice within my community, whether it is at work or elsewhere. As a union teacher, I attended meetings at my work to discuss any changes in schedule, pay, curriculum, etc. It gave me the opportunity to ask questions, give input, and have a vote in the �nal decision. I had a real voice at work.

I started working at CPCS because I believe in the work this agency does, and I want to be part of the conversa-tion about how we are doing that work. By having a seat at the table, we can be part of solving our collec-tive problems, rather then being told what the solutions will be. This is especially important now that we are a larger agency, and it is often impos-sible to have a face-to-face conversa-tion with those who are making the decisions.

I am also at the beginning of my career, and I want to feel that I can plan ahead and have a sense of where my career is going. As it is now, there is little sense of where I could advance to within the agency, or when I could expect a salary increase, or even that I have basic job security. While I don’t need a large salary, I do want to be able to plan for the future, and have some knowledge and control over where my career and compensation are going.

The Struggle Continues Yet There’s HopeBy: Filipa Melendez

I have been with CPCS for almost seven years. I started in 2007 as an

investigator with the Bristol County District Court Public Defenders O�ce. During my years as an investigator in the New Bedford/Fall River area I learned the ins and outs of investigat-ing along with every corner of Bristol County. During these years I worked on hundreds of cases in District as well as Superior Court.

Two years ago, I switched gears and became an Administrative Assistant for the Fall River YAD o�ce. During this time I became a mother of twins, a boy and a girl. These times have not been easy for my family and me �nancially. With our union, we will have a collective voice regarding matters that a�ect our clients and ourselves. My husband and I have a mortgage, student loans, 15-month old twins, and other expenses. I know �rst-hand how harmful it is to the agency that we have to constantly retain investigators and administra-tion sta� due to high turn over. Over the years, I have seen too many of my colleagues leave for the same reasons we are now organizing. I don’t want to be one of them. Unfortunately though, our low wages cannot compete with today’s standard of living. But despite those facts I have hope that through gaining the right to collectively bargain all of our hard work will be compensated fairly and our voices will be heard.

Continued on p. a4 -->

Lily Lockhart

I started working at CPCS because I believe in the work this agency does, and I want to be part of the conversation about how we are doing that work. Filipa Melendez with her children

Maritza and Marcello.

With our union, we will have a collective voice regarding matters that a�ect our clients and ourselve.

Candidate forum gives members a strongvoice in who will be next Governor

Annette Edler and Anita Christon from the City of Boston Dept. of Neighborhood Development

By having a seat at the table, we can be part of solving our collective problems, rather then being told what the solutions will be.

Upcoming Statewide Organizing Meeting:10:00 am Sat. April 12@ the Worcester O�ce330 Southwest Cuto� Worcester, MA 01604