Indianapolis, IN

Organizer’s notebook: Indianapolis social workers decide to go union

Published

2 years ago

June 21, 2022

Organizer’s notebook: Indianapolis social workers decide to go union

Social employees on the Step-Up company in Indianapolis sport ASCME t-shirts. | Jason Jones / Folks’s World

INDIANAPOLIS—Motivated by union victories at Amazon and Starbucks, my co-workers and I at Step-Up, a social service company right here, determined that it was time to demand illustration and democracy in our office.

The 23 social employees and case managers at Step-Up present care coordination, case administration, and psychological well being counseling to shoppers dwelling with HIV and AIDS in addition to to folks transitioning again to the group after incarceration. Our jobs contain the whole lot from particular person and group remedy as a part of psychological well being therapy to coordinating medical appointments and helping group members with acquiring reasonably priced housing and job coaching.

As a licensed scientific social employee in re-entry companies, my job requires that I present particular person and group remedy to shoppers with a variety of psychological well being diagnoses. Along with counseling the 30 shoppers on my caseload, I additionally carry out the entire similar case administration duties that my colleagues do. Together with the direct companies—that’s, companies that I carry out on to or on behalf of my shoppers—I additionally assist out with group outreach to different service organizations and help with grant writing. Along with all these issues, all of us need to sustain with persevering with schooling hours to keep up licensure.

On June 14, our organizing committee delivered our discover asking for voluntary recognition of our union to administration of the not-for-profit.

Ana Cooper, who works as a non-medical case supervisor and is a member of the organizing committee, believes that employees had been impressed by organizing drives throughout the nation. “It’s a new world we’re in, and we live by true revolutionary occasions within the workforce,” she mentioned. Ana helps group members with insurance coverage, housing help, employment expertise, accessing meals, coordinating appointments, and transportation. There’s additionally plenty of time spent on documenting every factor she does in every consumer’s digital medical file.

Ana’s job requires 37.5 hours of billing every week. It is a requirement of all non-medical case managers on the company. This equals the variety of hours labored as full time workers at Step-Up every week. All of us have more and more excessive caseloads and hourly billing quotas.

Our company has skilled elevated turnover not too long ago as a result of low pay and poor advantages. A number of care coordination and case administration positions have been left vacant, which elevated the workload of my colleagues. Regardless of the rise in obligations, there has not been a increase in compensation.

Well being care prices rise, no employee enter on plan

Early this 12 months, administration carried out insurance coverage profit adjustments that elevated prices to workers.

Our extra prices are resulting from a change within the date the brand new coverage took impact. Many people who had met our deductible final 12 months would have had medical prices lined till the top of the 12 months, however a brand new coverage chosen by Step-Up’s president and CEO took impact two months earlier, in November. There was no enter from workers.

The brand new deductible 12 months didn’t begin till January 1, so medical bills we paid for 2 months didn’t rely towards the deductible. The brand new well being care plan is exceptionally expensive for these of us with households. Larger deductibles and workplace go to co-pays that don’t go towards the deductible, end in many people spending a big portion of our paychecks to cowl drugs, physician and hospital visits, and well being protection for youngsters.

Maternity go away is one other difficulty for brand spanking new dad and mom at our company. After Abby Foltz, a non-medical case supervisor who has labored at Step-Up for 4 years, gave start to her daughter in November final 12 months, she didn’t receives a commission for a month. “I used to be informed I may use my trip and sick time to complement what short-term incapacity wouldn’t pay, however then that turned out to not be true.” Abby waited a month with out pay, after which, as an alternative of a paycheck, solely obtained the year-end bonus round Christmas after which her precise paycheck every week later.

Dwelling surveillance sneaked into worker handbook

In January this 12 months, we additionally found that administration had inserted new guidelines about telecommuting into a brand new Worker Handbook. The brand new telecommuting guidelines increase critical privateness considerations.

The brand new requirement states: “The worker might be accessible at any time in the course of the work schedule hours for visits from his or her supervisor and different Step-Up, Inc. workers.” This means that employees permitted to earn a living from home can discover a supervisor or one other worker displaying up at their door with none discover.

The brand new Handbook additionally made this stipulation to these of us with children: “The worker will handle any dependent care or private obligations in a manner that allows her or him to efficiently carry out his or her work obligations. All major take care of any little one or disabled or aged grownup within the dwelling should be offered by an individual aside from the worker in the course of the worker’s work hours.”

On this not-so-subtle vogue, Step-Up was telling us to pay for daycare and eldercare or we’d get a go to from administration with penalties to comply with. Once more, Step-Up doesn’t present any little one care help or maternity go away.

My co-workers and I are feeling elevated stress to be within the workplace, despite the fact that it’s doable to do duties by telecommuting. The stress to be within the workplace is hitting us at a time when gasoline costs have soared to over $5-per-gallon, and with out value of dwelling will increase, we get no actual increase in wages to offset the burden.

Organizing committee fashioned

As working situations worsened, a few of my co-workers thought that writing a letter to the Board of Step-Up could be ample to handle these points. However that plan backfired. A co-worker was cornered and intimidated by administration when phrase of the plan to put in writing the letter leaked. It was then that I identified how powerless we had been with no union.

In a really cautious and arranged manner, I started speaking with my coworkers individually to get a way of the place they stood on the potential for organizing. All of us have an excellent working and private relationship with one another; we’re like household.

Provided that Step-Up is such a small company, we don’t simply spend time collectively at work, but in addition socialize and hang around after hours. So after getting an overwhelmingly constructive response to the concept of organizing, I solidified essentially the most passionate of us into an organizing committee comprising about eight of us. We met at a bar after work in the future in March.

*Step-Up employees meet with administration. | Jason Jones / Folks’s World*

Everybody confirmed up, excited, energized, and hopeful about making Step-Up a greater place to work and, in doing so, bettering the standard of the companies we offer to group members. As passionate advocates for these we serve, we all know that we additionally need to handle ourselves. Throughout our first assembly, we considered our message to administration and likewise divided up obligations amongst ourselves to evaluate our coworkers.

After this assembly, I reached out to a union brother at AFSCME Council 962, Michael Torres. In 2006, the Central Indiana District Communist Occasion membership the I’m part of was instrumental in organizing the Indianapolis library employees with AFSCME. I used to be acquainted with this union, having been monetary secretary of AFSCME Native 3730 after I labored for the state. Michael immediately put me involved with Tina Dillard at our native AFSCME Council.

As issues saved transferring into April and we obtained constructive responses from our colleagues, we held our first assembly with Tina and the organizing committee at AFSCME, and we obtained playing cards. Throughout breaks, lunches, and after hours, the committee gathered signatures of practically each worker.

Step-Up is a small company, however we’re pleased with what we’ve got achieved to this point. “This motion won’t solely profit me and my co-workers, but in addition these after us,” mentioned organizing committee member Ana Cooper, including that the marketing campaign can also be ”for the folks we serve.”

Administration has till June 21 to answer the union’s discover.

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Indianapolis, IN

Colts Have an X-Factor for Lions’ Defense

Published

7 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Colts Have an X-Factor for Lions’ Defense

The Indianapolis Colts (5-6) have arguably their toughest test of the 2024 season this Sunday as they host the Detroit Lions (9-1) at 1:00 p.m. E.T. at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Lions are revered as one of the best teams in the NFL, but it’s important to find out more about them ahead of time beyond what’s commonly known nationally. Are there areas the Colts can take advantage of to provide fans some hope, or are the Lions the giants they are perceived to be?

This week, Horseshoe Huddle exchanged questions with John Maakaron of Detroit Lions On SI to uncover more. Check out HH‘s answers for Lions On SI here!

HH: Jared Goff is playing out of his mind this year. What do you think is the biggest thing that Ben Johnson and Goff are leaning into to reach that level of efficiency?

JM: The Lions have placed an emphasis on taking care of the ball, and outside of the game against Houston, Goff has been very good at that. That’s not to say that he only makes safe throws, as the veteran quarterback has pushed the ball downfield as well. He also has several talented route runners around him, as they are able to beat coverages and get open on what seems like every play. All of this adds up to Goff being able to put the ball wherever he wants it, whenever he wants it.

HH: Given the short distance and indoor playing facility, this probably won’t feel like a typical road game for the Lions, but how differently do they play on the road versus at home?

JM: The Lions’ fans have traveled very well over the last several seasons, and with Indianapolis being a relatively short distance away, it’s likely that many fans make the trip. The team feeds off the energy that its fan base provides, and the fans take pride in making road stadiums feel like Ford Field. As a result, the Lions have played with a little extra edge in their road games.

HH: Is there a weak link on that Lions offensive line?

JM: When everyone is healthy, the Lions’ offensive line is one of the best units in the league. There have been some struggles at points this season, but overall, the unit has been solid and has lived up to expectations. Taylor Decker had some struggles for a stretch but looked better after returning from injury last week. As a whole, there are few issues with the group, but pass protection can always be improved upon.

What happens next for the Colts? Don’t miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Colts news delivered to your inbox daily!

HH: How is the Lions defense at defending the pass over the middle of the field?

JM: This is an area that the Colts can test on Sunday, as veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone will be out for the first of what is expected to be between six-to-eight weeks. Jack Campbell fits the physical profile of an ideal middle linebacker with his size, but has room to grow in coverage. Still, the safety tandem of Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph has been elite this season and will make throwing the ball difficult, particularly over the middle of the field where both often lurk.

HH: Who wins and why?

JM: The Lions are hoping to get their ninth consecutive win. The Colts present a unique challenge with Anthony Richardson’s rushing abilities, as well as the threat he presents with his arm. However, he has been mistake-prone, and Branch and Joseph feed off mistakes. On offense, Detroit has been able to run the ball effectively for most of the season regardless of opponent, and this opens up the passing game. Indianapolis challenges early, but the Lions make enough plays to win comfortably: Lions 35, Colts 17

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Indianapolis, IN

Lions Matchup Huge Opportunity for Colts’ Anthony Richardson

Published

16 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Lions Matchup Huge Opportunity for Colts’ Anthony Richardson

The Indianapolis Colts need everything they can to defeat the Detroit Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium tomorrow afternoon. While there are plenty of players to highlight in this cross-conference battle, all Colts fans’ eyes will be on quarterback Anthony Richardson and whether he can build on a solid week 11 victory. Bleacher Report‘s Brad Gagnon believes this game against the mighty Lions will be a big one for Richardson’s outlook.

Is the sudden resurgence of Anthony Richardson a sign of things to come or an aberrational performance from a dude who is talented enough to put those together on occasion? Sunday’s matchup with the Lions will be telling.
– Brad Gagnon | Bleacher Report

Richardson can’t let up with Detroit, as the Lions have an impressive 14 interceptions led by safeties Kerby Joseph (7 interceptions) and Brian Branch (4 interceptions). The Lions also boast a solid run defense, ranking 5th in the NFL with 94.8 yards allowed per contest. In short, while the Lions’ defense is exploitable without defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and linebacker Alex Anzalone, they still take the football away from reckless passers.

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How Richardson plays at home tomorrow against arguably the Super Bowl favorites will paint somewhat of a picture of what type of quarterback he can be. The Colts offense has great weapons like Jonathan Taylor, Josh Downs, Michael Pittman Jr., and Alec Pierce to help Richardson progress Shane Steichen’s attack. Still, it will need to be at 100mph to keep up with a scary Lions offense led by coordinator Ben Johnson and quarterback Jared Goff.

The Colts are still in the mix for a playoff hunt in the AFC but will probably see their toughest game of 2024 when Detroit visits the Circle City. The Lions’ brutalizing offense has put up 52 points on two occasions this year (Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars), so the Colts can’t afford many miscues on offense or defense. However, Richardson’s performance will likely decide if the Colts are or aren’t in the game.

Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!

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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis man leads class action lawsuits claiming rental discrimination

Published

24 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Indianapolis man leads class action lawsuits claiming rental discrimination

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An Indianapolis man is leading two class action lawsuits, accusing two separate housing providers of discriminatory practices in their rental policies.

Marckus Williams and the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana are suing Tricon Residential and Progress Residential, two nationwide housing providers that collectively managing more than 130,000 properties.

Williams tells I-Team 8 that he had long since served his time for a felony conviction, and even had his record expunged, when both housing providers denied his rental applications.

“This is not just me. This is an everyday thing for people who have felonies,” Williams said.

Williams says he’s changed since being convicted on drug charges in 2012. He now co-owns the Indy Fresh Market, a grocery built to serve an Indianapolis food desert.

“I did my time, I came home, I’m an advocate for the community,” Williams said.

Amy Nelson, the executive director of Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana, says the lawsuits are aimed at ending “blanket bans” on criminal and eviction history. The center advocates for applicants to be judged on a case-by-case basis.

“Past histories, past crimes should not always be continually held against us,” Nelson said. “People deserve second chances, particularly those who paid their debt to society.”

The housing center’s lawsuit against Progress alleges “arbitrary criminal history policies.”

It claims a Progress “blanket ban” on renting to people with felony convictions led to Black applicants being disqualified at a rate more than eight times than the proportion of white people disqualified, between 2012 and 2021.

The housing center says Tricon’s ban on renting to people with felonies disqualified Black applicants more than five times the amount of white applicants in the last seven years.

Tricon Residential told I-Team 8 in a statement, “Tricon Residential adheres to all fair housing laws and believes the allegations in this suit are baseless. We review resident applications fairly, ethically, and objectively, employing a ‘blind’ screening process not dissimilar from procedures used to review applicants for mortgages, apartment rentals, car leases, and credit cards.”

A spokesperson for Progress Residential said, “As a leading professional property manager, we are committed to promoting a fair and equitable screening process for all applicants. Although we do not comment on pending litigation, we take these allegations seriously and are currently reviewing the claims made in the lawsuit.”

Both class action lawsuits are still adding plaintiffs nationwide.

The housing center asks that anyone who believes they have experienced similar discrimination involving this company to contact them.

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