LiUNA-UPEC Local 792 2010 Scholarships

Monday, December 14, 2009

The LiUNA-UPEC Local 792 2010 Scholarships will be available online on the Scholarships page on January 1, 2010.  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. Last year we were able to award four $500.00 scholarships and we are hoping to increase the amount of scholarships this year with the help and support of our members and local communities.

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 “white elephant” gifts after the Holidays, find a great deal on an item, or have a cash donation and would like to donate it to the UPEC Scholarship fund 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. We are currently creating a volunteer list so that we may contact individuals with volunteer opportunities with future fundraisers as they arise. If you would like to volunteer or if you have any questions regarding the Scholarships please contact Cinamon Pitts by e-mail at or call her at (530) 245-1890 ext.101. Thank you in advance for your help and support.

UPEC Staff supports 2009 Adopt-A-Family

The UPEC staff is proud to have supported the Northern Valley Catholic Social Services 2009 Adopt-A-Family program. In the true spirit of the Holidays we were able to come together and give back to others in need and adopt a large family, ensuring that they will have a Christmas this year. If you would like to support this cause or learn more about the program, visit their website at http://nvcss.org. If any of our members know of other charitable causes that they would like the UPEC staff or Local membership to consider being involved with please email Cinamon Pitts at .
Happy Holidays everyone!

Capitola Employees Ratify Successor MOU

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Capitola City Employees have ratified a successor MOU, now set for final approval by the Capitola City Council.  After busy negotiations held throughout fall 2009, the one-year contract provides for increases to the employer share of health insurance premiums of $51 per employee per month and provides for a corresponding increase in instances where employees opt-out of City-provided health coverage and choose a cash-in-lieu option.  These adjustments bring the total City contribution per employee up to $650 per month.  Other items remain status quo as the City adjusts to declining sales tax revenue receipts and greatly reduced transit occupancy tax revenue woes through 2009 and are expected to continue into 2010.  The one-year agreement takes effect on January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010.

UPEC’s Phone System Being Repaired

Thursday, December 10, 2009

We are experiencing answering system issues due to a computer card that malfunctioned. The system should be operational the week of December 21st. At this time, callers are unable to access extensions and leave voice mails for individuals at this time, however, we do have a temporary answering machine taking messages and we are checking it frequently through the business day. We will be returning all calls as soon as possible. You can also contact a staff member via their cell phone. Below are their contact numbers. Thank you for your understanding. 
Mike Lyon 530-941-8960 ** Steve Allen 530-604-4874 ** Dave Ritchie 530-604-4872 ** Cinamon Pitts 530-941-9958

Shasta County Workers to Meet With CAO Tonight

Monday, December 07, 2009

REDDING - Shasta County CAO Larry Lees agreed to meet with two of UPEC’s Bargaining Unit’s tonight at 5:15pm at the Board Chambers on Court Street. The General and Professional unit’s have generated dozens of questions over the projected financial shortfall of $7.5 Million dollars. The County wants every County employee to take cuts of up to 10% and more to make up the current shortfall. 

General President O’Sullivan Attends White House Job Summit

Washington D.C. - General President Terry O’Sullivan attended the White House Jobs
Summit on behalf of LIUNA last week and in a detailed letter
outlined the union’s jobs agenda for President Obama. “It was an honor to
represent the leaders and members of LIUNA
and make sure that our perspective and the challenges we face
were made known to the Administration,” O’Sullivan said of the
summit.

In a letter to the President on the eve of the summit,
O’Sullivan praised the Administration’s focus on getting the
economy back on track and urged the Administration to seize the
opportunity to “make long overdue infrastructure investments in
such needful areas as heavy and highway construction, clean
water and schools.”

The General President underscored that the construction industry
is experiencing Depression-era levels of unemployment and that
“while we applaud the emerging green jobs effort, we know that,
by itself, it cannot reverse the downturn.” He called on the
Administration to “build America so America works again” by
investing in three areas:

- $140 billion for surface transportation projects under
existing formulas.

- $25 billion for states for water projects.

- $30 billion for school construction.

The General President also called for increased assistance to
states by dropping the 20-percent match requirement on highway
projects.

Regarding residential weatherization initiatives, O’Sullivan
informed the President that quality assurance through contractor
accreditation and worker credentialing was crucial if new jobs
are to be good jobs and provide homeowners the confidence needed
to create a viable weatherization market.