The vote came in with 88% voting yes.

The biggest news right now is that OUS has reached a tentative agreement. If you have more information on this, or the of the other ongoing bargaining, please post that information here.

The vote on the DAS tentative agreement is imminent. We'll update when those results are known as well.

Happy First Birthday to Eye On The 503!

This month, we're celebrating the one year anniversary of the site.

For those that don't know, here's a brief timeline:  read more »

Even after all this time, there are people dissatisfied with the DAS contract that has been negotiated. I'll admit that I'm one of them! Let's look at some of the reasons being given:  read more »

This is a question rather than an answer. The reason I ask it is that I have observed staff going beyond what I think their proper role should be. Staff makes no secret that they support certain candidates for office at the local and state levels. Is this proper? My guess is no. Staff regularly influence committee appointments, and according to a friend on the staff screening committee, staff coach candidates they want to pass and sometimes even accompany them to their interviews. Yes, according to my friend, staff have actually sat through the interviews with candidates they like.  read more »

As promised, here's a report on the Bargaining Conference that took place last Saturday, August 15^th, 2009. There were a lot of familiar faces, and some new ones (to me).

The conference started at 9:00 AM with a welcome from SEIU Local 503 President Linda Burgin. She spoke about how the initial fast-track bargaining had served to involve the members and keep them involved for the entire bargaining session. She also mentioned that we came out of this with a, "fair contract in the worst economic times of our lives."  read more »

LIVE from the bargaining conference.

Everyone seems hyped about the possible end to DAS bargaining. Resounding and unanimous endorsement by the bargaining team.

Updates after discussion and the vote!

The vote is in!!!

The tentative agrrement has been approved for ratification!