American Income Life

Monday, September 29, 2008

REDDING - During the month of September, UPEC assisted American Income Life (AIL) with the distribution of their information on the free $3,000.00 life insurance policy for UPEC members. Business Manager Chris Darker provided a letter along with a card for members to complete should they desire additional information on other services offered from AIL.
Darker said he wants the members to know that they DO NOT need to complete the card and mail it back to AIL. “Members that mail the card back to AIL will get a phone call from them asking to set up an appointment to discuss the free policy and review other services and insurance benefits”. All members of Local 792 will receive the free $3,000.00 in Life Insurance Benefits whether they mail the card back or not.
Darker said that AIL has good products and is a 100% Union Company. AIL is not affiliated with UPEC Local 792 or Laborers International Union of North America.

Red Ribbon Week

REDDING - Mark your calendars for Red Ribbon Week that officially start October 23, 2008. Red Ribbon week is widely recognized in schools across the nation to increase awareness of drug-free living and to support those who make the commitment to a drug-free lifestyle.
This year, UPEC will purchase Red Ribbons and make them available through UPEC Board members. If you know of a local school in your area and is in need of Red Ribbons, contact your Board member or the UPEC Office for further information.

TC Employees to Recognize Firefighters

WEAVERVILLE - The month of October is “National Fire Prevention Month”. UPEC President Mike Cottone will run a weekly newspaper ad in the Trinity Journal to recognize the many businesses, citizen volunteers, local fire and law enforcement agencies who provided services and support during this wild fire season. UPEC members in Trinity County will be receiving a red and white bumper sticker in the mail and are encourages to display it on their car, home or office during the month of October. “I am asking all of our members to honor their fellow public employees, the firefighters, by proudly displaying our bumper stickers during October. They truly deserve our recognition, thanks, praise and our prayers”, said UPEC Business Manager Chris Darker. The Thankyou Firefighter bumper stickers are available from UPEC. Call,email or drop by the office to get one.

Members Endorse Candidate for Congress

REDDING - Members from Local 792 and the American Postal Workers Local came together on Saturday morning to listen to 2nd Congressional Candidate Jeff Morris of Weaverville. Members from both local unions had questions and comments concerning the district. Steve Suske, UPEC Board member for the Shasta Region expressed his concern and questions over rural healthcare and government financial accountability. Mike Kargas, UPEC Board member for the Siskiyou Region asked questions about rural education funding and a 4 year College for the far north County. Larry Olsen, UPEC Past President and Board member told Morris we need more trade and vocational type schools to keep our children from leaving to larger cities and other states.Morris believes that public employees and “Union jobs” are important to the district and that unions play an important part in the economy of the northstate. Members talked with Morris for nearly 90 minutes and were pleased with the answers Morris provided. UPEC members continued the discussion after Morris left and voted to endorse Moriis over current congressman Wally Herger. Herger dis not request a meeting with UPEC. 

UPEC to Join Central Labor Councils

Redding - The UPEC Executive Board voted Saturday to affiliate with the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council and the South Bay Central Labor Council. Joining these CLC’s will bring to a total of four CLC’s that Local 792 belongs to. The Local recently joined the San Francisco Labor Council last fall as a result of expanding representation to the Bay area. On January 1, 2008, Local 792 accepted responsibility of 16 bargaining units from Local 270 expanding representation to Carmel, Capitola, Monterey, Milpitas,and Seaside to name a few. Local unions are encouraged to join CLC’s in the area’s where their members live and work. The purpose of Central Labor Councils is for all of the different unions to work together on political, community projects and other working family joint interests. UPEC Business Manager Chris Darker will appoint delegates to these councils.

UPEC Board Set’ Conference for 2009

REDDING - The UPEC Executive Board approved organizing the second UPEC Local 792 Conference next year.  The Conference is scheduled for June 26-28, 2009 in Redding. The Conference will coordinate with the 2009 Local Election. The Board has been interested in holding a conference for members either on an annual basis or every 3 years during the local 792 election’s. Business Manager Chris Darker has been involved in Regional and International Conferences for many years and has seen the value of bring members and Local leaders together. “We have come along way with our communication capabilities and platforms that I felt were necessary to inform and sustain a diverse Local Leadership Team that could build member solidarity and strength”, said Darker. Local 792 currently has approximately 130 members who are involved in bargaining, bargaining support teams and trained union stewards. Darker plans to bring the number up the member involvement number to 300 by September 2011 before the next LIUNA Convention. “I see these conferences as a time to train our UPEC leaders and members, and to recognize and award those who give of themselves for the benefit of our working families”, Darker said.