SRMCRN NEGOTIATIONS

Friday, March 28, 2008

The Registered Nurses from Shasta Regional Medical Center will begin negotiations with the hospital on April 10, 2008 at 0800 hours. Negotiation times have been set for three to five days a week over the next two months.

A meeting of the SRMCRN bargaining team is set for April 3, 2008 at 0900 hours at the Union office.

The following R.N.’s have volunteered for your bargaining team: Debra Belstad, Lee Sutter, Tina Eslinger, Robyn Nickels, and Mike Lyon, staff negotiator. I believe that a nurse from the Emergency Room has also volunteered and I am awaiting her name. If the Union members from the hospital have any questions they can reached Mike Lyon at 245 1890 extension 107.

Calendar Updates

Monday, March 24, 2008

Your staff here at UPEC are regularly scheduling meetings, and in some cases the dates, times and/or locations of these meetings will change according to the needs of the affected unit or demands on staff.  Be sure to check the website calendar before meetings to find out about changes.  Alternatively, contact our main office for the most up-to-date information. 

Our calendar is located on the right-hand side of our main page, and for most meetings, you will be able to get an at-a-glance update by hovering your mouse over a date on the month view of the calendar.

UPEC Team Meets Over Bargaining Issues

Friday, March 21, 2008

UPEC negotiators, including employees, continue to meet with representatives from Shasta County on bargaining issues; today receiving some limited proposals and new language from the County.  As yet, the team has not had an opportunity to review the materials in detail and there will be further information from the County provided to the team at the next bargaining session in the daytime on March 26th.

The team would like to note for the members that it is very important that they participate in the continuing meetings dealing with bargaining issues.  The next scheduled meeting for the SCGU is on March 26th at 5:30pm in the UPEC Conference Room.  Decisions about bargaining are made by members in attendance and so it is important to be there if your voice is to be heard and issues considered.

UPEC Board Approves Retiree Program

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

REDDING - The UPEC Executive Board approved a program to allow retired members to continue their membership and receive Union benefits. In a unanimous decision, the Board set retiree dues and benefits for past, present and future UPEC members who retire and were members of UPEC Local 792. Benefits include a $20,000 AD&D policy, PERKS Card (Local discount card), access to Union Privilege Programs, Access to the member attorney program, free notary service and full access to the website. Retirees can also attend Quarterly Local membership meetings and vote. The dues are set at 40% of regular member dues. Dues in 2008 are set at $13.80 per month. Additionally, retirees can access the union dental plan for an extra fee and receive a $600.00 discount on Family Estate planning through the Local’s law firm, Goyette and Associates. Business Manager Chris Darker said the local has wanted to provide something tangible for the retirees but didn’t really have much to offer them until recently. “I would like to see the program take off. Our retirees have a great deal of experience, are a great source of information and we want their involvement in our local union”, stated Darker.

UPEC PAC Endorse Heckman & Hawes

REDDING - The UPEC PAC endorsed two Shasta County Supervisor candidates on Saturday, March 15th. Retired Shasta County Sheriffs Sergeant Paul Heckman interviewed with the Committee Saturday and asked for UPEC’s endorsement and financial support for the DIstrict 2 seat. UPEC previously endorsed Supervisor Mark Cibula who is not running for a second term. Heckman, 62, has lived in District 2 for 3 decades and is not only familiar with the District but much of the County from his 22 years with the Sheriff’s Department. Heckman wants to ensure law enforcement and public safety continue to improve and bring about positive change in labor relations. UPEC Staff have been assigned by the PAC to assist Heckman with his first bid for office. Glenn Hawes is up for reelection for District 3 where he has held that position since 1996. The PAC interviewed Hawes and decided to support his bid for reelection. Hawes has had an open door to the union in previous years and has been instumental in supporting revenue generating projects that put more money in the County General Fund to support staffing. He has been very supportive of our veterans by contributing his time and financial support to ensure veterans are honored in Shasta County. 

Shasta BOS Candidate to Meet with Union

Thursday, March 13, 2008

REDDING - The quarterly UPEC Political Action Committee (PAC) will convene on Saturday, March 15th at 11:30 am at the Redding Office. As of this date, Candidate Paul Heckman has confirmed his attendance for an interview. All UPEC members are invited to attend and ask questions. Other political updates will be reported at the meeting.