TOP STORY
Dedication held for Public Works memorial 
On Wednesday morning, a large group gathered in front of the Department of Transportation building on Hazen Drive to dedicate a new memorial for public works employees lost in the line of duty. The Public Works Employees Memorial honors 36 killed in the line of duty in New Hampshire, with some dating to the 1890s. The families of those who died were joined by dignitaries including Gov. Chris Sununu, with the most poignant moment coming as Jim Rivers, whose father is named on the wall, read aloud the names of the 36 who were lost as a bagpiper played in the background. You can read more on our website.
GOVERNANCE
Reminder: Council meeting is next Thursday
Meeting will include special elections and annual barbecue dinner
The next quarterly Council meeting of SEA/SEIU Local 1984 is set for next Thursday, June 13, and will include a special election for two seats on the Board of Directors. As has become a tradition, we’ll hold our annual barbecue for councilors before the meeting.
The special election is being held to fill two seats: the private sector seat that went unfilled at convention last year, and the at-large seat that was left vacated when Mary Fields was elected First Vice President at that same convention. You can find more on the election on our website.
STATE HOUSE UPDATE
Governor signs child protection bill into law
We are planning an event in recognition of this major win
On Monday afternoon, Gov. Chris Sununu signed our child protection bill, SB 6, into law. After years of work, this is a massive win for our members at DCYF and the families they serve. We need to start by thanking those members for their advocacy and dedication to their work. We also thank the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jon Morgan, for his work to bring this effort along.
SB 6 adds 77 positions at DCYF over the next two years, which will help finally get child protection caseloads down to national standards. Just a few years ago, caseloads were nearly triple the standard of 12 cases per worker. The understated bill signing did not provide much opportunity to recognize the people who made this happen, but we plan on remedying that. We’ll be in touch with members soon with plans for an event celebrating this momentous win.
HEALTH BUZZ
Data breach hits Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics, which provides lab services here in New Hampshire and around the world, announced Monday that a data breach had impacted an affiliated billing collections service provider. The breach is widespread, impacting as many as 11.9 million Quest patients.
Quest has released little information so far outside of a press release issued on Monday, but that is not surprising given that the breach apparently occurred at a separate company. This separate company, American Medical Collection Agency, provides billing collections services for a third company, Optum360, which is a Quest contractor.
If you’ve had diagnostic testing completed at Quest, it appears there is a chance you may be impacted. Quest is still investigating and said in the release that it would notify impacted patients. We will continue to provide updates as they become available.
MEMBERS IN ACTION
Members get lesson in making good trouble
On Saturday, a contingent of SEA/SEIU Local 1984 members and staff headed to Worcester, Mass., for what was dubbed the Troublemakers School. The event, which included workshops on building power at your worksite, open bargaining and health and safety, drew rave reviews from members, so we’re looking at bringing something similar to New Hampshire.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Last call for Foxwoods; Camping trip returns
Foxwoods Casino bus trip: There are limited seats available for the Social Activities Committee’s all-day excursion to the Foxwoods Resort Casino on Saturday, June 8. For just $35, you’ll get transportation to and from the casino, a $10 meal voucher and a $15 bonus slot play. The trip is open to SEA members and guests – you’ll want to act fast to reserve your seats. Read more on our website.
Play and Stay Weekend: The annual Play and Stay Weekend returns for a few days of family fun in the sun from July 19-21 at the Pemi River Campground in Thornton. There will be plenty to do for all between activities planned by our members – there’s an ‘80s theme this year – and everything the campground has to offer. The cost of camping is $10 a night per adult – kids are free. And this year, you can sign up and pay for your reservation online. You can find more information and an RSVP form on our website. If you want to let your friends and colleagues know you’ll be coming, you can RSVP on Facebook.