Representation Election Set for SRMC

Friday, May 29, 2009

REDDING - UPEC and Shasta Regional Medical Center have signed a stipulation agreement with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to hold a representation election on June 10-11, 2009. Registered Nurses will have an opportunity to vote on whether they want Union Representation or not. Meanwhile, UPEC representatives are continuing to negotiate a new contract with the new owners of SRMC on behalf of the RN’s. Prime Healthcare purchased the hospital on November 1, 2008 which triggered voiding the current contract with the Registered Nurses and LVN/Tech employees. UPEC accepted a settlement offer from Prime in February whereby Prime recognized UPEC as the Union and agreed to begin negotiations on new Collective Bargaining Agreements for the two represented units.

Monterey Employees vote to delay 3% Increase

MONTEREY - UPEC members in the Monterey General Unit voted Wednesday to forgo their 3% raise scheduled for next month and delay implementation for a year. The City has already issued layoff notices for FY 2008-09 and FY 2009-10 to help balance the City budget. Todd Bennett, Chairman of the General Employees of Monterey and UPEC Labor Representative Rick Burruss will meet with the City on Friday to try and save other positions on the chopping block. The Monterey City Council will meet on June 2nd to consider the union concessions.

Milpitas Members Agree to Pay 2.5% toward PERS

MILPITAS - UPEC members in four Milpitas City bargaining units voted to increase their PERS contribution by 2.5% in the hope of preventing layoffs. The City needs $930,000.00 in cuts to help balance the 2009-10 budget shortfall. At least 24 employees have received layoff notices in the past 2 weeks. UPEC Representatives have been working through the layoff hearings this week to ensure the layoff rules have been exercised correctly and to try to place employees in other areas. UPEC Labor Representatives have spent a majority of their time reopening contracts to save jobs all over the northstate and south bay area for the past several months. “We are working with our members and management to keep members employed and provide services to the communities they serve”, stated UPEC Local 792 Business Manager Chris Darker. “Over the past decade UPEC has been working cooperatively with local government on job reclassifications, restructuring, downsizing, and layoffs designed to make government work more efficiently while continuing to provide services. Local government has nothing left to cut but services and employees”, said Darker. The Milpitas City Council meets on June 2nd to vote on the proposed cuts. 

2009 UPEC Conference Entertainment

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

REDDING - UPEC Business Manager Chris Darker announced today that Hollywood magician and comedian Austin Brooks will perform at the UPEC Installation Dinner on Saturday, June 27th.  Brooks performs at the Magic Castle in Hollywood as well as the Hollywood Improv. Brooks is one of the few “Master Magicians”. He is also an author and comedian. Additionally, live music and dancing follow the act with “Slant Six” from Susanville, California. UPEC Vice President Keith Coker is one of the music artists. The Annual Conference and Golf tournament starts on Friday, June 26th with the Scholarship Golf Tournament at Gold Hills Golf Course in Redding. The cost is $85.00 for 18 holes of golf and lunch. The Conference stars on Saturday, June 27th at 8:30am at the Redding Holiday Inn and the total cost per member is only $45.00. The registration fee covers the entire conference including a conference polo shirt, continental breakfast, lunch and dinner and much more. The price increases to $70.00 after May 31st. 

UPEC Files for Agency Shop Election

MONTEREY - UPEC has filed for an Agency Shop election on behalf of the City of Monterey employees this week. Senior Labor Relations Representative Steve Allen prepared the documents following the City’s refusal to bargain an agency shop agreement in April. Members of the General Employees of Monterey (GEM) signed a petition in support of Agency Shop in early March asking UPEC to bargain agency shop or file for an election with the California State Mediation and Conciliation Service (CSMCS). Agency shop is a provision allowing the Union to collect dues or fees from each bargaining unit member. Every employee in the GEM bargaining unit will be given the opportunity to vote on Agency Shop.

Monterey Bay Area Training (updated 05-26-09)

Thursday, May 07, 2009

UPEC - Business Manager Chris Darker today announced there are a few seats remaining for the new training on Employee Rights and Representation as part of the UPEC Training Series.  This training will take place in Monterey on Saturday May 30, 2009 between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm at the Embassy Suites Monterey Bay. The training includes a great lunch, snacks and learning materials. Please call ASAP to 800-241-1890 or email cdarker@charterinternet,com.

Click here: UPEC Monterey Training Announcement (May 2009) for additional details.

Reservations are required for this training.  Call the Union office toll-free at 1 (800) 241-1890 for more details or to reserve your spot today!