Obama Tells Union Leaders: “You Have a Place at the Table”

Monday, March 30, 2009

UCS News Service - President Barack Obama told the nation’s labor leaders in March that while the Bush administration had tried to undermine organized labor, the union movement would always have a “place at the table” under his presidency. “We need to level the playing field for workers and the unions that represent their interests,” Obama said in a video address to the executive board of the AFL-CIO, meeting in Miami. Obama said there could not be a strong middle class, the focus of his economic recovery plan, without a strong labor movement. He repeated his support for labor’s top legislative priority, the Employee Free Choice Act, and reminded union leaders he had acted swiftly to start reversing some of the Bush Administration’s harshest anti-labor policies. “We’ve overturned the previous administration’s executive orders which were designed not only to undermine critical government work but to undermine organized labor,” Obama said. Within days of taking office on January 20, the new president signed three orders helpful to unions and workers’ rights:
- Preventing taxpayers funds from being used to reimburse federal contractors who spend money to impede workers from organizing.
- Requiring federal contractors to inform employees of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act;
- Helping qualified workers keep their jobs even when a federal contract changed hands.

Scholarship Aid for Aspiring Union Leaders

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

UCS News Service-A union-affiliated group is offering special scholarship help to women and people of color who want to build their union leadership skills. The scholarship program provides annual awards of up to $3000 to help future leaders with the cost of continuing their education to build leadership skills and pursue their union careers.  Scholarships can be used for tuition, books and travel for leadership training at accredited labor schools, colleges, universities and community colleges.  A mentoring program helps the recipients set and reach defined union leadership goals.  Selected mentoring applicants are matched with current leaders in the union movement.  So far, the Union Leaders of the Future Scholarship Program has awarded $74,000 to 28 winners.  For further information go to http://www.unionplus.org. All applications must be postmarked by May 30, 2009.  Scholarship winners will be contacted by July 7, 2009.

WAGE INCREASES FALLING

UCS News Service- The number of jobs in the nation isn’t the only thing in decline. Wage increases are, too, according to a stuby by the Bureau of National Affairs.  The private publisher said wage increases have been in decline since the befinning of 2008.  By later this year the average increases could be as low as 2 percent-if your’re lucky enough to get a raise at all, that is.

AIL Agents Contacting Members

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

REDDING - Agents from American Income Life (AIL) have begun contacting UPEC members in Northeran California. Members who signed and mailed an interest card back will be contacted by phone to set up an appointment. UPEC has worked with American Income Life for over 10 years. Currently, there are four (4) agents working together in the Alturas area today through March 31, 2009. Members who would like to verify an agents name prior to making an appointment with an agent may contact the UPEC office. 

Monterey Members submit Agency Shop Petition

Friday, March 20, 2009

MONTEREY - The General Employees of Monterey (GEM) authorized UPEC Staff to collect signatures to petition the City of Monterey to grant Agency Shop. Members gathered for a membership meeting on March 9th and within a couple hours over 30% of the bargaining unit had signed the petition. The City has thirty (30) days to respond and negotiate the Agency Shop Agreement or be subject to an election conducted by the California State Mediation and Conciliation Service. “Members and non-members are wanting to strengthen their union”, stated Local Business Manager Chris Darker. About six (6) staff from the Local and International Union attended the meeting on March 9th. Senior Labor Representative Steve Allen said, “Our union is very concerned about what is happening in Monterey and that is why our top union staff were in attendance to show their full support”.

Monterey General Employees Vote Furlough

Monterey - Members of the General Employees of Monterey (GEM) voted to accept a furlough offer from City Management last week. The furlough calls for a 32 hour furlough between March 15th and June 30, 2009. City employees will reduce their pay by approximately 5.25% and place 32 hours on the books for time off. The time must be used by December 31, 2009. This provision will only go into effect if every City bargaining unit participates. As of tpress time, a City-wide buy in by every bargaining unit has not been accomplished. City Mid-Management added the same contingency.