Business Manager Chris Darker

Monday, February 15, 2010

Trucks with Signs

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

REDDING - The campaign to elect 3 new Redding City Council members needs your help! Redding Firefighters have constructed campaign signs for pick-up beds. If you can help by putting a sign in the back of your truck, Redding Firefighters will install it for you Thursday, September 9th at the UPEC Office beginning at noon. If you can’t make it then, email me at and we will set up a day and time. Trucks with signs can be strategically parked and driven around town. Other activities are also planned.

End of Session Report

SACRAMENTO - Although the end of the 2009-2010 Legislative Session brought with it the usual flurry of activity including the cursory late night deals and last minute gut and amends of bills, as there was still no budget deal when the clock struck mid-night on August 31, many in Sacramento felt the session ended with more of a whimper than a bang.

With the Governor off on a trade junket, and the members of the Legislature in various other locations, a budget deal is still weeks away.  High level talks are said to be on-going, but the party-line acrimony and disparity of thought on how best to remedy California’s 20 billion dollar budget crisis means there is still a long row to hoe before a deal is struck.

The one bit of good news on the budget front is that the deal for the Courts has been struck and we have every reason to believe that sufficient money will be allocated so as to avoid any AOC mandated court closure days.

Unfortunately, all of the rest of the news appears to be bad.  As the Republicans continue to refuse to entertain the possibility of new or enhanced revenue streams, the Democrats are left to choose between draconian cuts to social services, public health, schools, transportation, public safety and every other program which employs and benefits the people of California.  While we don’t know what the final deal is yet, we do know it won’t be pretty.

Adding to the budgetary dilemma is the imminent Supreme Court decision regarding state worker furlough days.  If the decision is in the employee’s favor the 20 months of furlough days could wind up adding an additional $3 billion to the amount the state is in the red.

In Legislative news, we scored a major victory and ensured that our county transportation department employees will continue to be able to do road maintenance work when AB 1409 (Perez) (which would have imposed severe limits on the ability of county transportation departments to use their employees for such work) died at the end of session.  While we anticipate another attempt being made next year rest assured we will be ready to fight off this and any other attempts at taking work from our members.

Other bills which were of interest to us this year were:

AB 1651 by De La Torre which seeks to ensure that teachers, fire fighters and public safety personnel are not penalized in their final pension calculations because they are furloughed by employers.  This bill is currently enrolled to the Governor.

AB 1749 by Lowenthal provides the same whistleblower protections to court employees are currently afforded other public employees.  The Governor signed this bill on August 18.  Another bill, AB 2521 by Torrico would have required independent auditing of the courts and the AOC.  While AB 2521 did not make it’s way through the legislative process this session, the subject matter of the bill will be included in the Court’s budget trailer bill once the budget is finalized.

AB 2486 by Feuer, also signed by the Governor on August 18 enacted the “Teen Alcohol Safety Act of 2010” thanks in large part to the work of our own Steve and Debbie Allen.  The bill imposes social host liability on adults who knowingly provide alcohol to minors where the minors are subsequently injured or killed as a result of the alcohol.  This bill, along with a companion bill which would exempt minors from liability where they call 911 on behalf of an intoxicated friend (AB 1999 by Portantino—currently awaiting signature) will go a long way towards saving lives.

The big pension bills this year were: AB 194 by Torrico which limits the amount of salary or pay rate a member of a public retirement system may include for the purpose of determining a retirement benefit to 125% of the Governor’s current recommended salary.  This bill is currently awaiting the Governor’s signature.  Additionally, AB 1987 by Ma and SB 1425 by Simitian, both of which are awaiting the Governor’s signature, and both of which seek to establish minimum standards and requirements for all public retirement systems in California with respect to final compensation, ongoing audits with penalties for noncompliance, and prohibitions against a retiree from immediately returning to employment with the public employer on a part-time or contract basis.

Report written by UPEC Local 792 Legislative Advocate Libby Sanchez

Stewards Needed for SCGU

Sunday, February 28, 2010

It has been a while since we recruited for Stewards in the SCGU. I believe we have addressed as much communication issues as we can at this point. The County still refuses to allow Union Staff to send unit emails through the County email and we have few personal emails of our members. Timely Communication is important to our success. I will be scheduling a Steward information lunch for those who are interested in getting information on the duties of our stewards and answer any questions in general. If you are interested in finding out more, please call Pattti Wyatt at the union office to sign up for the informational meeting.

Board Receives Proposal from SCGU

Friday, February 26, 2010

Dear Shasta Members,
Shasta County Admin was a little upset with our staff last Tuesday over our presentation. Seems they wanted to meet and confer rather than have us respond to the concession request made by them back in October 2009.  Naturally the Board did not response to our letter in open session. This is normal operating procedure. I did get a phone call from Shasta County Support Services Director Michelle Schafer at 10:30 am Tuesday morning requesting to “start negotiations” on Wednesday, March 3rd. I said I would meet her at 9:00 am. Always open to listen to management which is all we can do at this meeting. On Wednesday, I received a followup report that the Board did not reject the concession offer made by the General Unit so my guess is that they would like us to agree to additional cuts. (NOTE: I will not agree to additional cuts not authorized by our members so that will have to come in the future if at all). I will be selecting a bargaining team and alternates on those who signed up last Monday. I appreciate the volunteers. See you all Monday the 1st and Bargaining Team volunteers on Tuesday the 2nd.

Shasta County Member Update

Thursday, February 11, 2010

REDDING - I did meet with CAO Larry Lees on Monday. I also spoke with the County Negotiator Gene Bell on Tuesday Morning. They are both aware of what the employees/members are willing to do to help the County budget woes. After discussion it appears the County may say thanks but no thanks to your generous offer. Bell said he would call me back by yesterday morning and I agreed to hold off on sending your proposal in writing to the Board until I heard back from him. Well, guess what? No call back as of tonight. My guess is since the County got SCEA to agree to a PERS Retirement formula change for future hires that item is on the list. And perhaps the retiree admin fee and few others. So if that is the case, I see no reason to submit a concession only to be rejected.
Unless I get further information, I will present the SCGU request to extend the contract for 2 years and begin paying 7% of the employee share of the PERS contribution on Tuesday, February 16th in open session with the Board of Supervisors. 

Shasta County General Unit

Sunday, January 31, 2010

On January 21, 2010, Shasta County General Unit members voted to extend their MOU for two additional years and begin paying the employees share of their PERS Retirement (7%). First, I want to recognize and thank the SCGU Union members who attended the 3 information/Question and Answer Sessions, the recommendations meeting and casting their vote on this issue. This is a major concession that will change this condition possibly forever. It was just a few years ago UPEC negotiated that new hires no longer have to pay their 7% for the first five years of employment.
I have to say that I am disappointed that 80% of the SCGU membership decided not to attend the four meetings on this issue or even bother to vote. I personally thought this was a huge issue for our members which is why we took our time on this and held several meetings with the members, County Staff and Union Staff. This decision affects approximately 775 members and their families. Every vote is important to the democratic process. Your Union Staff and Executive Board do not vote on these contractual issues. As I have said before, UPEC Staff will follow the members direction whether we agree with your decisions or not. This is your Union and you make these decisions.
I will be taking your concession offer to Shasta County CAO Larry Lees upon his return on February 8, 2010. We are fairly certain the Board of Supervisors will accept your offer. We should know for sure by February 16th. 

Dues Update

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

REDDING - At the Quarterly Local Membership meeting held on Saturday, November 14, 2009, members of local 792 voted to increase the UPEC Local 792 dues by an additional dollar to $37.50 per month effective January 1, 2010.

This increase will satisfy and complete the series of one-dollar dues increase requirements set forth by the delegates at the International Convention of 2006 and contained in the Local Union Uniform Constitution. There are no other dues increases scheduled beyond January 1, 2010.

UPEC 2010 Budget

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

HEADQUARTERS - A combination of budget cuts, layoffs, Increased costs, increased work load and hours for staff and implementing a scheduled dues increase a year early is the plan that the UPEC Executive Board has proposed for the 2010 budget.

Local Staff have been working hard to keep members employed and fighting off cuts in pay and benefits. Despite our efforts, the local has lost over 180 members so far in 2009 in the 12 counties that are represented. Membership is down mostly due to positions not being filled by employers.

Additionally, costs of doing business have increased and the agency fee is being reduced from 95% to 85% of full dues in 2010. This decrease in the fee is the result of the local staff putting more time and effort into recruiting members into the local. A double edged sword sometimes.

So, how are we handling this at the Local level? The Executive Board at my recommendation have made cuts in the 2009 budget. Effective July 1, 2009, UPEC salaries have been frozen at their current level. A scheduled 3% general increase for 2009 was not implemented. Additionally, UPEC staff will not receive a general increase in 2010. The local has laid off two (2) employees. Hearing Specialist Lee Dunlap in June 2009 and Labor Representative Rick Burruss in August 2009. We have also reduced our general fund budget in several areas.

We still have our sixty-five bargaining units and contracts to renegotiate and members to represent in grievances and disciplinary actions. Unfortunately, our costs and workload aren’t reduced when the income is reduced. As salaried staff, your labor representatives have easily added about another ten (10) hours to their work week averaging now 55-60 hours each week. I know each one of you can relate to this situation because you have been feeling it and doing it as well.

We have been successful in our representation and fighting against employers who discriminate against their employees. We recently settled the Raygoza discrimination case against the Glenn County Courts. We settled the Blood Borne Pathagen case in San Francisco for just under 1 million dollars putting cash in over 140 members pockets. We are preparing a lawsuit in Susanville against the City who unilaterally implemented cuts that violate bargaining law. And more recently won a termination case in Trinity County that has been going for 2 plus years. Today, we are standing up to local politicians who will sacrifice public employee pension benefits for their own personal political gain.

Our fight in 2010 includes preserving the PERS pension both locally and on a state wide level. There are those who today are working to tear down public employee pensions and health benefits. We have paid for our seat at the table in Sacramento and we intend to be there at the front lines on behalf of our members.

Yes, your Board is asking for additional dollars from each of you, our local and International staff to help get us over this hurdle. It is never easy nor do we take it for granted when we have to come back to you to ask for additional support. We know where our support comes from to do our work. We have an even rougher road ahead and we all need to stand strong and stand together. 

Please feel free to contact me. or 800-241-1890 ext. 104.

Dig Life Team

Friday, October 09, 2009

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. They heard the message 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