UPEC792 Web Log

Local Nominations Held

2012-05-06T17:43:00Z

REDDING - Local 792 held nominations yesterday for the Executive Board seats. Assistant Regional Manager Ken Casarez from the Sacramento Regional Office conducted the election. Chris Darker will continue as Business Manager through through 2015. Most of the current Board Members will continue. Shasta Region: Steve Suske, Tom Pringle and Teri Bono, Trinity Region: Mike Cottone, Lassen Region: Keith Coker, Modoc Region: Steve Jacques, Glen-Colusa Region: Larry Olsen, Butte Region; Robert Thomas, Sacramento Region: Steve Souza. The San Francisco Seat will have an election between current Board member Paul Honn and Chief Steward Norm Infusino. Vacant seats are Siskiyou, Santa Clara and Monterey.

KNOW WHEN YOU SHOULD GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM

2012-05-03T14:47:00Z

* Heart Attack Symptoms:
Women are less likely to have the stereotypical chest, left arm, or jaw pain, so you should also look for other symptoms women get, life shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, weakness, or nausea, or unexplained sweating and fatigue.
* Signs of Stroke:
Signs of stroke like sudden numbness or weakness is a limb or one side of your face; sudden speech difficulties (such as talking gibberish or jumbling words); trouble seeing out of one or both eyes; unexpected dizziness or loss of balance; or an excruciating, inexplicable headache.
* A Blow to the Head that results in loss of consciousness, a seizure, or vomiting (especially if you vomit more than once), even if it happens a few hours after you hit your head.
* Any loss of consciousness or fainting - even if you think it’s just because you haven’teaten all day. It might be nothing, but it could also signal a heart or circulation problem or even a stroke. “There’s no way to determine the cause on your own,” says emergency physician Richard O’Brien, MD, an associate professor in the division of medicine in the clinical sciences at the Commonwealth Medical College of Pennsylvania.
* A Possible Broken bone.
Red flags include a joint or limb that looks drastically misshapen or out of place, swelling and bruising, and not being able to bear weight on an injured foot or leg.
* Bleeding that doesn’t stop when you apply pressure for 10 to 20 minutes; any wound that impairs your ability to function (like a leg injury that bleeds like crazy when you bend your knee); or a gaping wound that fully penetrates the skin (so you can see muscle, for example).
* Sudden disorientation or confusion, like not knowing where you are. This could be a sign of stroke, seizure, dehydration, or other major problem.
* A Serious Burn that covers an area larger than 2 or 3 inches or goes all the way around an area like the wrist; breaks the outer layer of skin; or causes numbness.
* Repeated episodes of vomiting that make it impossible to keep fluids down, or nonstop diarrhea that keeps you in the bathroom either of which can quickly lead to dehydration.
* Severe Pain halfway down your back on either side of your spine, which could signal a kidney stone or infection. Any severe abdominal pain also warrants immediate care. Ectopic pregnancy, appendicitis, and gallstones are a few of the possible causes.

MAY is PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL MONTH

2012-05-03T14:45:00Z

Since May of 1988 a ceremony has been held in May to recognize officers who have died in the line of duty. This May the Ceremony will be held Thursday, May 17th beginning at 11 am on the front steps of the Shasta County Court House. In honor of the slain officers a special Memorial Run is held. The run consists of Law Enforcement Officers running one mile for each officers who died in the line of duty. The runners pass a police baton at each mile. The Baton bears the names of each slain officer and the date they died. Over the years a monument has been dedicated along with the formation of the PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL COALITION. Please join us in taking time to remember and honor the slain peace officers who have given their lives to serve the North State.

ATTENTION GOLFERS

2012-05-03T14:43:00Z

STILL TIME TO SIGN UP FOR THIS FUN EVENT
UPEC Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament
Saturday, June 9th, 2012, 12 Noon shotgun
Gold Hills Golf Club, Redding, Ca.
4-person scramble
$99.00 per person: includes Green Fees, Range Balls, and golf Cart
Dinner, Prizes, Live Entertainment included.

Make Checks payable to: UPEC Local 792,

Milpitas Public Works Director Resigns: Over 100 LiUNA Members Picket against Outsourcing (updated)

2012-05-02T20:27:00Z

MILPITAS - In an unexpected move today, Milpitas Public Works Director Greg Armendariz resigned his position effective immediately. This marks the 5th City Department head in just 12 months to jump the ship steered by City Manager Tom Williams. Union officials questioned if Armendariz is the latest “fall guy” for the City Manager. Armendariz presented the proposal to outsource his own department. UPEC/LiUNA members dressed in “We Build America” orange tee shirts filled the sidewalks in front of the Milpitas City Hall last night. City employees carried signs in protest of the April 17th surprise proposal and decision by the Milpitas City Council to outsource the Public Works Department. “This is union busting plain and simple”, stated UPEC Local 792 Business Manager Chris Darker who attended the picket yesterday evening. “City Manager Tom Williams made the recommendation to not only lay off our members but also to outsource our work! The City has to pay equal wage and benefits to the outsourced workers so what other reason would the City manager have for outsourcing our work?” said Darker. The City Resolution 5981 also requires the union be granted a 120 day notice and there be public hearings conducted neither of which have been done. The Union believes Williams was trying to slide another one past the City Council and the union. City Attorney Michael Ogaz has stated that the City has an unfettered discretion to lay off employees under the Municipal Code however this is subject of course to meet and confer obligations imposed by state law over the effects of the layoffs. What City Attorney Ogaz hasn’t acknowledged is that under the State Law, the City must provide proper advance notice and allow for meet and confer sessions prior to the decision to outsource city functions to third-party contractors where these are undertaken primarily as cost-cutting measures rather than a cessation of the City providing those services. These notice and meet and confer requirements have not been honored by the City, although the decision and direction to proceed with plans to outsource was made on April 17th, 2012. Several members of the union and the community spoke against the April 17th decision made by the Council. Concerns were raised about the type and character of people who might fill the positions particularly in the parks and ball fields. Darker told the Council it was the third year in a row he has had to appear and demand the City Manager “meet and confer” over changes in working conditions. “My guess is the City Manager didn’t tell them (Council) about the resolution and already had his layoff notices ready to be mailed. You would think after three consecutive years of cuts Williams would know he can’t get away with sneaking one past us”, said Darker.

On Monday United Public Employees of California Local 792 filed a case with the California Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) alleging the City violated several sections of the California Government code including the failure to meet and confer over changes in working conditions.

City Workers to Protest Outsourcing of Public Works

2012-04-30T22:45:00Z

Milpitas, CA. - The City of Milpitas Public Works employees announced today they will protest the City Managers recommendation to eliminate their jobs and outsource their positions.

On Tuesday, May 1, 2012, Milpitas Public Works employees, members of the United Public Employees of California/ Laborers International Union Local 792, and working class people affiliated with the South Bay Labor Council will conduct an informational picket. The picket will take place from 5:00 pm—7:00 pm immediately prior to the City Council meeting at Milpitas City Hall at 455 E. Calaveras Blvd.

The Milpitas City Council recently approved a recommendation to outsource core city services currently provided by dedicated, trained and knowledgeable city employees, the very same employees who gave up a 15 – 16% reduction in salary or equivalent just last year following a previous year of furloughs.

According to UPEC Business Manager Chris Darker, who represents the affected City workers’, “The City Council’s terrible decision was based on inaccurate information, trusting that the information provided by City Manager Tom Williams was factual. The employees submitted an alternative budget reduction strategy that was rejected without reasonable and honest evaluation.” Darker added, “As proof of the City’s misplaced priorities, the City Council granted the City Manager a two year retroactive pay increase, enhanced his benefit package for him and his family, and added additional job protection while our members took significant pay cuts.”

Following the informational picket a number of employee representatives and concerned members of the community are expected to address the City Council requesting a more reasonable approach to reducing the budget deficit be considered and that the employee plan actually be looked at before being dismissed.

Firefighters, SEIU Local 1000 give $500,000 to fight ballot measure

2012-04-28T03:46:00Z

Sacramento - California Professional Firefighters and SEIU Local 1000 recently donated a combined half-million dollars to the group combating a Nov. 6 ballot measure aimed at curbing unions’ political power and banning direct contributions to candidates from corporations and unions.

The California Professional Firefighters Independent Expenditures PAC donated $250,000 on April 11 and Local 1000 kicked in $252,762 a couple days later, according to a report filed this week with the state.

Local 1000 and the state council with which it’s affiliated have given nearly $1.1 million since last summer. Professional Firefighters, between its independent expenditure committee and its ballot issues committee, has donated $800,000 over the past nine months. Contributions to defeat the measure now total $5.7 million.

Supporters raised about $2.9 million so far.

The proposal would stop unions and businesses from donating money directly to political candidates, although both groups could continue spending freely on independent expenditure campaigns.

Labor groups would have a harder time raising money for those independent campaigns, however, because the measure also eliminates payroll-deducted contributions, unions’ primary means of raising money. Corporations couldn’t use payroll deductions either, but they raise the bulk of their campaign money from checks written by top executives and shareholders.

SEC sues former CalPERS Chief Executive

2012-04-23T19:29:00Z

By Dale Kasler
dkasler@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Apr. 23, 2012 - 11:40 am
Last Modified: Monday, Apr. 23, 2012 - 11:48 am

SACRAMENTO - The Securities and Exchange Commission today sued CalPERS’ former chief executive, as well as former board member Alfred Villalobos, in connection with an alleged bribery scheme that rocked the big California pension fund.

In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Nevada, the agency sued Villalobos and his longtime friend Fred Buenrostro, the former chief executive of CalPERS, alleging they engaged in a “fraudulent scheme.”

Villalobos acted as a “placement agent,” securing big investment deals from CalPERS for his Wall Street private equity clients. He earned at least $58 million in fees from his CalPERS deals, the SEC said.

The lawsuit was filed in Nevada because both men live there.

In the suit, the SEC says the two men fabricated letters and other documents to make it look as though CalPERS was aware of the fees Villalobos was being paid by his most important client, Apollo Global Management. The SEC said the two men “tricked” Apollo into paying $20 million in fees to Villalobos that it otherwise wouldn’t have paid. Apollo required that its investment partners know of the fees the firm was paying to placement agents like Villalobos. The suit seeks to have the two men “disgorge all ill-gotten gains from their illegal conduct,” plus interest.

It was the second big legal action to come out of the Villalobos scandal. The two men were sued by the state of California in 2010; the case is still pending.

California High Court Rules in Lunch Break Case

2012-04-14T22:01:00Z

SAN FRANCISCO—The California Supreme Court said Thursday, April 12th, that employers are under no obligation to ensure that workers take legally mandated lunch and rest breaks.
The ruling came after workers’ attorneys argued that abuses are routine and widespread when companies aren’t required to issue direct orders to take breaks.
But the high court sided with business when it ruled that requiring companies to order breaks is unmanageable and that those decisions should be left to workers.
The case was initially filed nine years ago against Brinker International, the parent company of Chili’s and other eateries, by restaurant workers complaining of missed breaks in violation of California labor law.
The workers’ lawyers said that by not ordering breaks at regular intervals throughout the workday, employers are taking advantage of employees who don’t want to leave colleagues during busy times.
In 2001, California became one of only a few states that impose a monetary penalty for employers who violate meal and rest break laws, requiring the employer to pay one hour of wages for a missed half hour-meal break. There is no federal law requiring employers to provide such breaks.
Joan Fife, a San Francisco labor lawyer who represents employers, said uncertainty over the law’s requirements have already led many California businesses to implement internal policies designed to make certain that employees take their breaks.

By JASON DEAREN
Associated Press
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/12/4408402/calif-high-court-to-decide-lunch.html#storylink=cpy

UPEC Email Delays

2012-04-07T01:24:00Z

HEADQUARTERS - The Redding Office is updating the local server. Members may experience delays in email responses or be redirected. Hopefully, communications will be back to normal by April 9th. Thank you for your patients.

Sign up now for the UPEC Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament

2012-04-02T21:01:00Z

Article by Christine Perry:

We hope you can place this event on your calendar now and plan to join us for a great day of golf and fellowship, while helping youth further their educational goals. All proceeds from this tournament go the UPEC Local 792 Scholarship Fund.

Friday, June 9th, 2011, 12 noon shotgun

Gold Hills Golf Club, Redding, Ca.

4-person scramble $99.00 per person: includes Green Fees, Range Balls, Golf Cart, Dinner and Prizes.

Make Checks payable to: UPEC Local 792.

Spring Cleaning….getting your life in order

2012-04-02T20:55:00Z

Article by Christine Perry:

With tax season upon us the timing is perfect to gather information to better organize our lives and help those we love. Take time to organize the important medical, financial and even the end-of-life decisions. It may be time for you to help your parents with these decisions such as a legal will and power of attorney. Everyone should ask themselves if the following information has been given to someone they trust to carry out their wishes and requests;

The names of their doctor, lawyer and whoever they have appointed to make decisions for them should they become unable to do so.

Do you and your parents have a legal well and Health Care Power of Attorney and do those you love know where they are located?

Be aware that banks require a signature on file and a key in order to search for a will in a lock box.

It’s not about giving up control of your assets. It’s about enabling your loved ones to do the right thing when the time comes.

TEE UP FOR THE THIRD ANNUAL CITY OF ORLAND GOLF TOURNAMENT TO SUPPORT RECREATION AND THE LIBRARY.

2012-04-02T20:48:00Z

Article by Christine Perry:

UPEC Golf Team supports “TEE UP FOR THE THIRD ANNUAL CITY OF ORLAND GOLF TOURNAMENT” TO SUPPORT RECREATION AND THE LIBRARY”.

Using their own resources and personal time, UPEC Local 792 Staff Team: Chris Darker, Mike Lyon, Steve Allen and Christine Perry traveled to Willows on Sunday, April 1st to support the fund raising event for new library books at the Orland Fee Library and also help purchase equipment for the Recreation Department. It was a day of fun and challenge. The UPEC team stayed focused and was able to win Second Place in the Tournament. This year Orland projected they were able to accrue almost $6,000 toward their fund raising from the event. This is the third year for UPEC’s participation in this worthy community event.

UPEC to Host FPPC Reporting Training

2012-03-30T23:25:00Z

REDDING - UPEC Local 792 and the Redding Joint Political Action Coordinating Committee will sponsor FPPC Reporting Requirements Training on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.at the UPEC Headquarters 1800 Park Marina Drive. The training will cover the laws and forms of the State Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) for Political Action Treasurers and Campaign Managers. There is no cost to UPEC members or members of participating JPACC sponsoring unions. Members interested in running for local office or participating in political campaigns are encouraged to attend. Reservations must be received in advance,

Federal Employee Unions are Calling on Lawmakers to Oppose Ryan Budget

2012-03-30T19:49:01Z

WASHINGTON D,C, - UPEC Local 792 Business Manager Chris Darker and UPEC Executive Board member Paul Honn joined several LiUNA’s Federal Employees and other unions on Capitol Hill this week calling on legislators to oppose cuts in Federal Employee wages. UPEC represents Federal Employees in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Veterans Cemetery District and Presidio Trust in San Francisco. The House on Wednesday began debate on the fiscal 2013 budget and passed legislation Thursday that includes $368 billion in cuts to the federal workforce during the next decade. The Budget Committee last week approved a measure offered by Wisconsin Republican Paul Ryan that would extend the federal pay freeze through 2015, reduce the size of the government workforce by 10 percent and increase employee contributions to their retirement plans. In addition to the Republican proposal, lawmakers on Wednesday and Thursday will be debating six other budget measures, including one from Democrats and President Obama’s fiscal 2013 plan.

“It is simply unacceptable for the House Republican budget resolution to, yet again, unfairly single out the federal workforce for a vastly disproportionate share of budget reductions,” said a March 27 letter from the Federal-Postal Coalition which our Union, LIUNA, is a member. This group includes various groups representing the interests of federal employees and managers.

The House GOP’s $3.5 trillion budget plan is similar to their 2012 proposal, which also called for an increase in the amount federal employees contribute changes to their pensions, a smaller government workforce and an extension of the two-year pay freeze on civilian employees. In addition, the current Republican measure would relieve the Defense Department from significant budget cuts resulting from sequestration, which takes effect starting in 2013. The House Democratic budget plan would cancel the governmentwide automatic spending cuts and replace them with targeted spending reductions and tax increases.

The Democratic budget proposal does not include any provisions that would affect the pay or benefits of federal employees.