SRMC LVN-Tech Unit Rejects Contract Offer

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

REDDING - The LVN and Technical unit for Shasta Regional Medical Center met with Labor Negotiators tonight to review the latest offer from SRMC Management. Managements proposal was unanimously rejected. UPEC has decided to coordinate with the Service Employees International Union SEIU to mount a pressure campaign for a fair contract. Business Manager Chris Darker stated “this is a poor excuse for a contract with profit for Prime and Poverty for workers”. 

UPEC Objects to 36 Hour Work Week in Glenn County

WILLOWS - The Glenn COunty Board of Supervisors tried to pass a 36 hour work week on Tuesday, September 29th while union members and department heads looked on. The idea of changing the work week from 40 to 36 hours appeared late last week in an effort to balance the County General Fund. The Board had removed the idea of the 36 hour work week when they determined they had an obligation to notify the union bargaining units with a 14 day notice. Should the County implement a shorter work week, employees would see a 10% cut in pay and benefits effective October 18, 2009 and a change in work schedule to four-nine hour shifts with Wednesday off according to the County Resolution.
UPEC Bargaining units have met with County Administrators 4-5 times each and offered concessions prior to the latest reduced hours idea. The Board of SUpervisors has turned down those offers by the union.
Business Manager Chris Darker appeared before the Board on behalf of the UPEC Represented bargaining units requesting that the five Board members hold a Special Meeting to hear from UPEC Bargaining Unit Leaders and members to discuss how best to resolve the financial shortfall. “We believe that the people who are being personally and Financially impacted be afforded the time to have their concerns heard, their suggestions fully explained and considered” said Darker. Darker suggested October 6 or 8th but the entire Board was not available and both settled for Tuesday, October 13th at 1:00 PM.
The meeting continued for another hour over discussion of the reduced work week and contingency funds during which time Darker asked to again address the Board. “Yesterday, I advised County Personnel and the County Administrator that the union believes that changing the work week from 40 to 36 hours is a violation of our UPEC Contracts and we have referred this to our legal team”, said Darker. Darker mentioned the legal issue because he hadn’t heard it come up in the conversation or motion to pass the budget. “I guess it was just another detail that wasn’t passed on to the board and felt it might help them with their decision”, said Darker.
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The County finally did adopt a budget with a vote of 3-2 yesterday afternoon but the issue of layoffs and reducing the workweek hang in the balance.

Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Whitman Calls For Elimination of 40,000 Jobs

Friday, September 25, 2009

On Tuesday, multi-millionaire and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman officially announced her candidacy for governor of California. During her speech, she unequivocally stated that if elected, she intends to lay off 40,000 state workers and impose at least $15 billion in state budget cuts.

California certainly can’t afford another excessively wealthy and out-of-touch governor who thinks cutting jobs and services is the right move for our state. Tell us what you think about Meg’s disastrous plan for California on our Facebook page or on Twitter.

Join the discussion at http://tinyurl.com/yccxach or tag your post on Twitter #CAGov2010

California Labor Federation

Fax Machine and Fax Number Working Again

Thursday, September 24, 2009

The Fax Machine at the Local office is working again.Our Fax number is 530-246-1651. Please use this number when trying to send information to the office. 

Consider Helping A Great Cause

The LiUNA-UPEC Local 792 Scholarship Committee is preparing for the 2010 scholarships. We know that times are hard right now and the cost of continuing education after high school continues to increase. The Scholarship program is a great way that we can give something back to our members and to today’s youth. We are currently seeking volunteers to help with future fundraisers. If you would like to volunteer please contact Cinamon Pitts by e-mail at or call her at (530) 245-1890 ext.101. Your name will be placed on a list and you will be contacted with volunteer opportunities as they arise.

Also, as the Holiday season arrives please keep in mind that the Scholarship fund is in need of items to raffle off at a variety of events. If you have extra unwanted gifts after the Holidays, find a great deal on an item, or have a cash donation and would like to donate it to the Scholarship Committee it would be greatly appreciated. Items can be dropped off and/or mailed to the Local office at 1860 Park Marina Drive, Redding, CA 96001. We will also include your name, unless you wish to remain anonymous, upon the flyer or pamphlet created at the end of the year announcing our Scholarship Award recipients. Thank you in advance for your help and support.

Goyette and Associated Training Announced

Goyette and Associates will be conducting training on “Essential Labor Relations Strategies to Succeed in Lean Economic Times” on November 4th, 2009 between 8:45 am and 5:00 pm in Rancho Cordova, CA.  Check our Training page for more details and to download the flyer about this excellent training opportunity.