Buy Union Made Halloween Treats

Friday, October 30, 2009

http://www.unionplus.org/union-made/halloween-treats

Monterey Airport Employees Set for Negotiations

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

UPEC represented employees at the Monterey Peninsula Airport District are set to begin negotiations Thursday in an effort to bargain a successor MOU to the previous four-year contract that had expired in June despite prior efforts in negotiations in early 2009.  The Airport District and employees face many of the same types of challenges in negotiations as are currently impacting local government agencies in the down economy, however it is hoped that an agreement can be reached that contains advantages for all parties.

Glenn County Employees Vote 4% Decrease

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

WILLOWS - In an emergency member meeting held last night, the Glenn County General unit voted to decrease their pay by 4%. The unit of over 220 employees will begin paying 4% of their PERS retirement effective October 18th. The County was hit with another State of California take away in August leaving over a 1 million dollar hole in their balanced budget. County employees came to the rescue last night when they voted themselves a decrease in pay. The decrease will save jobs and services in the already short staffed County. The cut will be effective through July 1, 2011. Business Manager Chris Darker attended the meeting along with Executive Board member and Past UPEC President Larry Olsen and Stewards Ken Hahn and Silvia Hoenike. Glenn County employees were under no obligation to take any action since they had a contract in place. 
“This is a selfless act on the part of every employee to save jobs and services that are vital to the County. This was not an easy decision for our members but certainly exemplifies the meaning of UNION”, said Business Manager Chris Darker. 

UPEC Meets with Shasta County on Shortfall (UPDATED 10-15-09 @ 3:45pm)

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

REDDING - UPEC Staff Representatives Steve Allen, Cinamon Pitts and Business Manager Chris Darker meet with Shasta County Officials this afternoon to hear how they would like their employees to pay for County Government. The County had reported that every employee needed to give back 5% of their income to help make the County budget work. After a lengthy discussion it looks like the County would like UPEC represented employees to give back more like 12% in pay and benefits. UPEC’s contract is closed until April 2010 but representatives wanted to meet with County officials to hear what they had to say. “I don’t think it comes a a surprise but 12% from the lowest paid employees is a lot to ask, in fact too much,” said UPEC Business Manager Chris Darker.  The County has eliminated some 250 positions over the past eighteen months leaving employees with more work and mounting stress. “I think the County is going to need to cut services and perhaps even close a few days a month. Asking those who are left to do more work with less people and for less money and in a shorter time period is nuts!” said Darker. The County suggested the employees eliminate a 3% increase scheduled for the end of this month, start paying 4% toward their CalPERS retirement plan, pick up more of their medical premium and furlough 1 day a month at a loss of 4.62% of salary. County employees over the years gave up salary increases to have their PERS retirement paid by the County. This has been a good deal for both the County and the Employees. Likewise, City of Redding employees have had their PERS retirement paid. The union will meet with the members next week to review the proposals from the county and discuss what they might be willing to do to help with the county budget situation. MEMBER MEETING’s ON MONDAY, OCT 19th and TUESDAY, OCT 20th FROM 5:15 - 7:30 PM AT THE SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHAMBERS BOTH NIGHTS. MEMBER MEETING THE BURNEY AREA ON MONDAY, OCT 19th FROM 12:00 - 1:00 PM AT THE BURNEY ROUND TABLE.

UPEC to File Suit on City of Susanville

SUSANVILLE - The City of Susanville City Council voted to approve and unilaterally implement a two-tier retirement system for the Susanville Police Officers Association (SPOA) in June 2009. Unfortunately, despite the Union telling City officials they can’t unilaterally adopt the new plan without bargaining! UPEC Business Manager Chris Darker directed it’s attorney today to proceed with formal legal action against the City in Superior Court.

Glenn Supervisors Respond to Unions Concern (Update #2- 5:30PM 10-14-09)

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Willows - The Glenn County Board of Supervisors met with UPEC Staff and members in an open meeting this afternoon. The Union requested an open meeting for represented units to discuss the Board’s plans to unilaterally implement a 36 hour work week as soon as October 18, 2009. The 36 hour week was equal to a 10% pay cut for every county employee and reduced services to the public. Business Manager Chris Darker had made the meeting request September 29th to explore proposals to help solve the County budget shortfall other than a 10% pay cut. Shortly after the meeting began today the union learned that the board may still consider layoffs as a viable solution. This was something the union thought was no longer the case after the comments at the September 29th meeting. Board Chairman Mike Murphy said there were two directions the board could legally go in to resolve the budget problem. Layoffs or reduced workweek. The union disagreed that the Board could unilaterally implement a 36 hour workweek since contracts were in place. Representative Steve Allen said UPEC attorney’s also disagreed with the county on a unilateral move. Allen reviewed concessions that union employees had offered that were immediately rejected because they did not completely solve the budget shortfall. Union members took a short caucus to discuss the two options offered by the Board. At the conclusion, union representatives and association presidents unanimously stated a 10% cut was not something they and their members could agree to. The Board went into closed session and returned giving the county representatives the authority to continue discussions with the union. County representatives met with all bargaining unit union leaders and proposed that employees begin paying 4% of their PERS Retirement contribution. Representatives have until 2pm Thursday to render a decision on the proposal. THE GLENN COUNTY GENERAL UNIT AND THE DEPUTY SHERIFF"S ASSOCIATION SUBMITTED THEIR COUNTER PROPOSAL THIS MORNING (10-14-09) and to the 4% PERS contribution.