Shasta County Supervisor Les Baugh to Run for Re-Election

Monday, October 12, 2009

REDDING - Shasta County Supervisor Les Baugh will run for re-election for a second term as District 5 Supervisor in Shasta County. Baugh will have his first campaign fund raiser this Friday, October 16th at Anderson River Park in Anderson. The event, labeled a Family BBQ, starts at 5:30 pm and features Vic Woolery’s famous ribs, beans, salad and bread. Adults are $20.00 and Kids (6 -12) are $10.00 5 and under are free. UPEC Local 792 endorsed Supervisor Baugh in 2006. For more info go to http://www.lesforsupervisor.com.

Calls Disturb Members (updated 10:45am PST)

Friday, October 09, 2009

LiUNA - Union members all over California woke up to recorded phone calls between midnight and 6 AM this morning. Business Manager Chris Darker said the Local Office has received calls all morning complaining of the early morning phone calls. Local 792 did not make the calls. “We have requested an explanation from the International this morning and as soon as we hear something we will post it. My guess is human error was involved in the programing,” said Darker. Members are welcome to contact the International communications department office at 202-942-2246 for further information.
EXPLANATION:  My name is Mark Sump and I’m the President of TNBT, Inc. the company which facilitates automated phone calls for the Laborer’s International Union of North America.  I apologize for calling and waking you up last night.  This was entirely TNBT’s fault, and was not requested by, nor condoned by, your union.  Our calls are controlled by a computer system that experienced a glitch last night, resulting in the call that woke you up.  Again, this is TNBT’s mistake entirely.  Please accept my sincere apologies and assurance that we have resolved this issue.

Dig Life Team

PINEDALE, WY - UPEC is a proud sponsor of the Shelby Lyn Allen Alcohol Poisoning Education Foundation. I am happy to see this program gaining the momentum that it has in just 10 months. In the little rural town of Pinedale, Wyoming, the Pinedale School girls volleyball team adopted the “Dig Life” theme in memory of Shelby Lyn Allen and to further the cause of Alcohol Poisoning Education. Last Friday the team received their printed sweatshirts with the “Dig Life” logo on the front. Many thanks to their corporate sponsor BP for buying the team these sweatshirts. The students at Pinedale heard the message last May and have become leaders for saving lives. We have received a couple of remarkable stories from students in that community on how the message of Alcohol poisoning has changed their lives and their behavior.

Every week, I get news that another teen or a young college adult has fallen to alcohol poisoning. Our young people today are killing themselves and they have no idea what they are doing when it comes to alcohol consumption. It’s not the college students who consume gallons of beer, its high school students who drink multiple shots of hard liquor in a matter of minutes. Why? to get high faster!

Debbie Allen continues to open the eyes of parents and young people through her 45 minute educational presentations and personal story. Her story has opened my eyes and those of my children and I thank Debbie for her bravery and conviction. Today, an estimated 13,000 more children will try alcohol for the first time in their life. One of these children may be someone you know. There will be no one there to tell them about alcohol poisoning and another young person will die needlessly.

I have always believed in giving back to the community both personally and through our jobs and our union.  I can think of no better way to give back and help our communities than to teach parents and our young people about the dangers of alcohol poisoning. I ask for our members to identify forums, health fairs, classrooms and churches where we can present this vital life saving information. Our goal is to make Alcohol Poisoning Awareness as well known as “Don’t Drink and Drive”. Visit our website at http://www.shelbysrules.com.

Sincerely,
Chris Darker, Business Manager
UPEC Local 792

Union says Redding Mayor is Wasting Staff Time and Tax Dollars

Thursday, October 08, 2009

REDDING - The leadership of United Public Employees of California, Local 792 weighed in today following the approval of the Redding City Council to move forward on a ballot proposal to modify employees retirement benefits.
“This is nothing but pure political grandstanding by Mayor Bosetti and a waste of city employee time and tax payer dollars.” said Chris Darker, Business Manager for United Public Employees of California.
The Redding City Council doesn’t need a ballot measure to increase or cut wages and benefits. “Citizens across the State of California have already had too much government run by initiative at the state level that has put the California economy in the toilet. Do we really want to repeat what the State has done? If those who are elected by the citizens don’t want to make those decisions, step aside,” said Darker.
“Having sat at the city bargaining table, I can tell you the City and the Police Association agreed to have the City pay the employee share of PERS retirement instead of increasing salaries. This was a concession granted by the Police Association at that time to save the City money in salaries,” said Darker. 

Goyette and Associates Training Invitation

Goyette and Associates are hosting a “Labor Relations Strategies in Lean Economic Times” training, as part of their “Advantage Training and Education Series (TM)” on November 4, 2009 from 8:45 to 5:00.  The training will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Rancho Cordova, CA.

The cost for this training will be $75.00 per person, with discounts available to multiple attendees from the same Association.  Conatct Jennifer Coalson-Perez at (916) 851-1900 for details and to RSVP for this important training event.

For more details, you may also visit our “Training” page or view the invitation at:  Goyette and Associates Training Event

Shasta County Asks Union To Reopen Contracts

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

REDDING - Shasta County has asked UPEC to reopen it’s contracts with the County in a letter received yesterday. The County says it needs assistance to solve unanticipated problems with its budget shortfall. “The magnitude of the cuts implemented by a combination of lower sales taxes, lower property taxes, lack of normal reimbursement of Williamson Act tax offsets, Sate of California cuts in programs and its normal contributions have presented the County with a severe gap between expected revenues and expenses”, said Michelle Schafer, Director of Support Services. The Union has until October 9th to respond to the request to meet.