SoS Updates

Union News

July 3rd 

We sent a survey to membership regarding the July 3rd holiday request from SOS management. The Union initially told management no and that they needed to follow the contract then SOS came back and offered two separate offers one including additional pay. Since some members may have wanted the additional money the Union asked the membership for their preference. Below are the results. 

July 3rd M-F Survey Results: 667 members filled out the survey. 81% of members said No to the additional pay for working July 3rd. 83% of members said No to a floating holiday. 83.4% of members said Yes they prefer to keep July 3rd off. 

The Union made these percentages clear to management and insisted the contract be followed. Since then the holiday list has been posted on ABE including July 3, 2026 as a holiday. In the future, the Union will survey members on preferences, especially involving money to ensure we are advocating for what members want. We received feedback about how the survey is not anonymous because the name fields are required. I require the name fields so that I know that members are the ones filling out the survey and that no member fills it out multiple times. At no point are the individual responses reviewed by anyone other than me and the data is used in the aggregate for advocacy purposes. 

Facilities Reporting

A new form for facility repairs and issues is linked here. SOS personnel has created a new form system so members can directly report issues at the facility and no longer are fully reliant on managers reporting up the chain. This will hopefully lead to more timely results and is a direct response to our advocacy. 

Closing Procedures

Closing procedures memo is linked here. SOS personnel put out a new memo for closing procedures and trained all of management. We received a number of complaints that managers were making staff stay well past their end of shift sometimes until 6:30 or 7:00pm. This procedure is meant to clear up any confusion around cut off times. We have also filed an all affected grievance around road test cut off time signage that is missing across the state. 

Footstools One Stop Shop Conversions

We were made aware that several of the footstools were too short for employees. There are new footstools being ordered at places where the footstools don’t reach members’ feet. When we have set dates for delivery our reps will let facilities know.

Snow Removal

We received reports from members that snow was not plowed, shoveled from walkways, or cleared from drive test areas. Personnel sent letters to all property managers making it clear it is their responsibility to continuously plow and shovel. If your facility is not properly plowed/shoveled let us know. Additionally, personnel says management should reach out to them to pause road tests if unsafe. 

Membership Meeting

We will keep everyone updated. As a reminder the next general membership meeting will be on January 13, 2026 on zoom at 6pm. These meetings will occur every other month. 

Find Your Union Steward and Staff Representative

Staff at the local are assigned to work with specified buildings and departments. These assignments may change from time to time. Please see the list below for an updated breakdown of which staff are assigned to which areas and their contact information. If you do not see your area listed below, reach out to Stacia Scott Kennedy, sscott@seiu73.org, Executive Vice President.

Union Representatives:
Rose Sammons, RSammons@seiu73.org
Organizer for the following facilities:

Jarrell Patterson, JPatterson@seiu73.org
Organizer for the following facilities:

Alan Jones, AJones@seiu73.org
Organizer for the following facilities:

Chief Stewards:
Michelle Barnhart – Anna Facility
Norine Cadle – Chicago North Facility
Mary Kay Crawford – Silvis Hearings
Laura Paetzold – DeKalb Facility
Marketta Paylor – 17 N State Hearings
Ben Pfeiffer – West Capital
Georgina Poole – 721 Kress Rd (West Chicago)
Alexa Steele-Robinson – Marion Facility
Brian McDougall- Woodstock Facility
Ashley Wilhold- Mascoutah Facility
Titianna Ammons- Rantoul Facility
Brenda Nelson- Champaign Facility
Reagan Lewis- Chicago South Facility
Misty Caskey- Springfield

You can find a complete list of all Stewards on ABE.

Last Updated: 1/5/2026

Find your union contract here.

Use the Wage Increase Calculator to see your raises.