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

Union Boots Discounted 27%

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

REDDING HQ - I am always advocating for the “Union Made” and “Made in America” brands. I just received this offer from Union Boots. Keep in mind these are NOT Walmart prices and not made in China. These are quality boots made by our fellow American and Union brothers and Sisters.  Here is the offer.
Here is your EXCLUSIVE 27% OFF union member discount. Tough American jobs deserve tough American work boots. We are proud to offer only the very best; Thorogood and WorkOne work boots—over 125 styles to choose from—made in America since 1892! Your purchase supports American made products and American union workers.  Remember only 2% of boots are made in America! Who made
your boots?
Union Discount Code:

Local: LiUNA Local 792
Union Discount Code: Li0792mD
Value: 27% OFF Suggested Retail for LIFE! 

As always, let me know what you think and your experience with this company.

LIUNA approves Variance request

Thursday, January 08, 2009

HQ - The New Year is off to a good start as of this morning. LIUNA Vice President Rocco Davis notified me that our request for a temporary per capita tax reduction has been approved for fiscal year 2009. Per capita tax is the amount UPEC pays to the International Union for services. The reduction places nearly $200,000.00 back into the Local budget allowing the local to continue to operate without laying off staff. The Executive Board will still need to make some cuts in the budget but not to the extent we would have if the International denied our request.
This downturn in revenue is a direct result of Prime Healthcare, Inc. taking illegal action against over 400 members at Shasta Regional Medical Center on November 1, 2008. CEO Prim Ready layed off 150 employees at SRMC and kicked out UPEC Local 792 and SEIU leaving our members unrepresented. This action is illegal and a violation of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). This is typical CEO Bully tactics to force the unions out temporarily while they make changes and threaten employees.
Bottom line here is we aren’t forced back into a position we had in 2003 when we had to lay off 4 UPEC employees and cut services and benefits. 

The Allen Family

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Dear Members - There are a few things I want to share with you about the Allen family. I have known Steve and Debbie and their children for nearly twenty years. Steve and I have worked together for thirteen of those years. Shelby Lyn Allen is a beautiful young lady. Her parent’s Steve and Debbie are the kind of parents you want to be around and you want your children to be around. You can trust them with your children. Debbie Allen gave up a career as a police officer to raise her daughters. Her last job as a police officer was working for then-governor George Deukmejian as his personal body guard with the California State Police. Steve has worked as a labor negotiator and representative for nearly thirty years. Steve is the best in the business and is well known and respected throughout California. Shelby has an older sister, Tera. Tera is twenty and a beautiful young lady who attends Shasta College, works hard at her jobs and gives back to the community. Tera is applying to the Arizona University to enroll in the Hourse Racing Industry.

When Steve is not home and on the road traveling to help our members he is on the cell phone talking to his daughters several times a day getting them through life’s challenges. Steve is a hard act to follow.

What happened Saturday morning was nothing short of a tragedy.  It’s difficult to understand exactly what a parent goes through when they lose a child. I know what I and my family feel for them pales by comparison.  Unfortuately, Steve and Debbie suffered an earlier tragedy before Tera was born when they lost their first child, three week old daughter Chelsea, to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome shortly after moving to Shasta County. 

Shelby attended Foothill High School in Shasta County and was involved in her school and community including;:

Club Cougar in the 2007 and 2008 productions and was recently selected for a lead role in the 2009 production,

Shelby acted in the 2007 Foothill High Fall play.

Shelby was on the Foothill High Cross County team

Shelby was on Link Crew, the mentoring program for incoming freshmen.

Shelby was a member of the Key Club, a community service organization.

Various other clubs and activities

Shelby was very interested in the acting and production industry due to being inspired by her Aunt, Belinda Casas-Wells, who has a well established career as a writer/producer in the entertainment industry in Santa Monica.

Shelby was a high GPA student taking many Advanced Placement courses with a very clear intent to attend UCLA or another University where she could major in Theater Arts. 

Many of you have asked me how are Steve and Debbie doing. Steve told me today, “Our family is devastated and inconsolable by the loss of our bright, beautiful daughter.  We are being held in the arms of our family and numerous friends and appreciate all of the outpouring of support.”

At the appropriate time, I will share more about thie tragic events that led to Shelbys death. For now, I encourage your continued support, visits, cards and phone calls.

Steve. Debbie and Tera, you are in our thoughts and prayers and we are committed to help you in any way we can both now and going forward.

UPEC Family Tragedy (Updated 12-22-08/6:00pm)

Monday, December 22, 2008

Dear Members - As many of you have heard through the news and emails, UPEC Senior Labor Representative Steve Allen and his wife Debbie lost their daughter this weekend. Shelby Lyn Allen (17) died at a classmates home on Saturday morning. The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident. We are working on establishing a fund for alcohol education for the schools. Tomorrow I will be at the bank putting that together. Also, we should have dates for the funeral and memorial event late tomorrow. Redding Fire Fighters Assn is working with Entree Express to open an account for food for the Allen family.  I should have that account number tomorrow as well. Steve is releasing a picture and a family statement to the Redding Record Searchlight this evening. More tomorrow.

John Darker back from Iraq

Monday, November 24, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3244/3058094790_81589d458f_m.jpg

REDDING - It was only a seven month assignment but to John and Chris Darker it felt like much longer. John is stationed at Elmendorff AFB Alaska assigned to Special Forces. In April 2008 John was sent to Iraq. “Out of the freezer and into the oven” said Chris Darker. With temperatures is the high 120’s everyday John is back to a calm 20 degrees at his base in Alaska. John managed to get a week off this week to come home and visit family and friends at Thanksgiving. “It feels so good to be back in the USA and home in Redding”, said John. John’s younger brother Andrew is getting ready for Air Force basic training coming up in January 2009. Andrew will be joining Special Forces.