UPEC Joins Statewide Coalition on PERS

Monday, December 28, 2009

REDDING - The public employee retirement system, CalPERS is under the microscope. With more propositions on the way to the 2010 ballot, the Californians for Health Care and Retirement Security (CHCRS) has come together again to stand up for California’s working families. CHCRS is made up of of several public employee union leaders who together will work to defend public employee pensions. Business Manager Chris Darker will represent UPEC at these meetings in Sacramento. “Our members have paid for their retirement benefits and deserve what has been promised to them by their employers”, said Darker. Darker said some reforms could be and should be made to the system but what the proposition hopefuls are proposing for November 2010 is unreasonable. 

UPEC Business Manager Accepts CLC Nomination

REDDING - LiUNA/UPEC Local 792 Business Manager Chris Darker announced today he had accepted the nomination for President of the Five Counties Central Labor Council. The Council is based out of Redding and recognizes all organized labor unions in Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, Trinity and Tehama Counties. Local 792 has maintained a membership with the Labor Council for over 10 years. The election and voting by union delegates will occur on January 28, 2010. 

Shasta County DSA Demand Fairness

REDDING - In less than 1 week ....2 bank robberies, citizens have been shot at point blank range.  During that same time a severely abused boy’s life was saved by quick response from Deputy Sheriff’s.  Services that are critical to the safety of our citizens are in jeopardy!  Shasta County Deputy Sheriff’s have seen dramatic cuts that have reduced patrol officers.  During these tough budget times Deputies were willing to agree to help with the county’s budget problems by matching proposed cuts that the Board of Supervisors were willing to take by taking a 5% cut in pay. Now the Board of Supervisors is demanding over 15% additional cuts, reducing deputy salaries by over $500 to $1000 per month.  The Supervisors should not try to single out law enforcement to balance their budget.  Why unfairly slash the income of deputies who risk their lives to protect the families of Shasta County.  The Board is scheduled to make their decision at the January 12th scheduled Board Meeting.

Best Wishes for the Holidays

Friday, December 18, 2009

UPEC Plans Training and Reception for Federal Members

Thursday, December 17, 2009

HEADQUARTERS - Business Manager Chris Darker announced today that he has made arrangements for a 2 day Federal Sector Steward/Leadership Training on February 10-11, 2010. The training will be held at the Presidio Golf Course. The training on Feb 11 will be followed with an evening reception beginning at 4:30pm - 8:00pm where special guests have been invited to attend. The evening event is open to all Federal sector LiUNA members represented by UPEC Local 792. Please mark your calendars and look for a mailer with information on the training and reception.

SRMC LVN/TECH Unit Bargaining UPDATED 12-28-09

REDDING - Union Staff and SRMC employee representatives are meeting this morning (12-17-09) to continue negotiations on the LVN/Tech Contract. Employees have been working without a contract since November 1, 2008 when Prime took over. The last contact vote was in September 2009 and was unanimously rejected. Chief Negotiator and UPEC Senior Labor Representative Steve Allen submitted a counter proposal this afternoon to Prime Healthcare management. As of December 28, 2009, PRIME has not returned the phone calls of the Union. Details will be provided to the bargaining unit membership at the next member meeting (to be announced).