Lassen County General Unit Given Proposal for One Year Contract Extension

Thursday, March 05, 2009

On March 3, 2009 the Union and other bargaining units in Lassen County were given a proposal by the County for a one year contract extension. The proposal offered no salary change, a change in when pay actions occur, life insurance being paid by employees who enter a “no pay status”, new employees hired after June 30, 2009 paying the employee portion to CalPERS until they have worked 1000 hours, health insurance coverage for retirees will require five (5) years of continuous employment with Lassen County immediately preceding their retirement, and a change in the overtime calculation.

The County made this proposal based on the financial uncertainty faced at the County, State, and Federal levels. All Lassen County General Unit members are encouraged to go to the “Forum” section and place their comments under their forum in the bargaining section. A general membership meeting was held on March 4, 2009 and eight members attended. The forum gives all members the opportunity to voice their opinion on this offer from the County.

Monterey Bay Central Labor Council Announces 2009 Scholarships

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

The Monterey Bay Central Labor Council has announced two $500 scholarships for 2009 (students in the 2009-2010 school year).  UPEC Local 792 is a member of the MCLC and our members in the Monterey area are qualified to apply for these scholarships. A link to the scholarship rules and an application form are available on our “Scholarships” page.  To qualify, the student or a parent must be a member in good standing of an affiliate in good standing with the Labor Council.  Students who are current students or within two years of their last attendance in an educational setting must demonstrate a 3.0 GPA and complete a 100-200 word essay requirement, as well as satisfy all other delineated requirements.

Robbery Suspect Arrested as he Tries to Take Police Exam

Monday, March 02, 2009

CHULA VISTA, CA - A San Diego County man wanted for a store robbery was arrested after he showed up to take an examination to become a police officer, authorities said.
Romeo Montillano, 40, was arrested Wednesday for investigation of robbery, making criminal threats and grand theft. He remained in the San Diego County jail on Saturday on $110,000 bail, according to the county sheriff’s Web site.
Investigators had identified Montillano as a suspect in a Dec. 8 robbery at a Chula Vista Kmart where a man stole a television, DVD player and telephone, then beat up employees who confronted him in the parking lot, police spokesman Bernard Gonzales said.
A short time later, investigators learned that Montillano had signed up to take the February Police Department entrance exam, Gonzales said.
Police called to Montillano, who apparently was unaware he was being sought for the robbery. Montillano said he was in Las Vegas but would return for a Feb. 18 orientation for police applicants, Gonzales said.
Montillano didn’t show up but called police to apologize and explain that his car had been impounded in Las Vegas, Gonzales said.
In a later e-mail, Montillano told officers that he planned to take a bus and would be there for the police exam.
On the day of the test, Montillano signed in and was arrested, Gonzales said.
Gonzales said as Montillano was being taken into custody, he asked whether he would still be able to take the police exam. Told he couldn’t, Montillano asked whether he could reapply and take the test later.

From The San Jose Mercury News, February 28

Trinity Superior Court Units Settle Two Year Contracts

Friday, February 27, 2009

The three unit’s of the Trinity County Superior Court recently settled two year contract’s. The Trinity Superior Court General Unit contract gave the employees up to an 18% salary increase in the first year and a 3% salary increase in the second year. The position of “Assistant to the Family Law Facilitator/Court Mediator” was added to the MOU. The Courts have agreed to pick up any increase in the health insurance premiums for the life of the contract. It was also agreed that up to one year of accrued sick leave credit can now be utilized as service credit with PERS upon retirement. Overtime for the members will now be calculated on any hours worked over eight (8) hours in one day. The Court has agreed to involve one member from this Unit in the formation of changes to the travel policy. If an employee from this Unit opts out of the current health insurance (with proof of other health insurance) they can now receive $250 in cash monthly or $501 monthly placed in an individuals deferred compensation plan account.

The Trinity Superior Court Peace Officer’s Unit members will immediately receive an approximate 14.6% salary increase and an additional 3% salary increase in year two. The Court has also agreed to pick up increases in the health insurance premiums and allow the members the same “opt out” benefits as listed in the General Unit above. Overtime is calculated on all hours over eight (8) hours worked in one day. The Court has agreed to have forty (40) hours of vacation credited to one employees account for service rendered as the “Acting Marshal”.

The Trinity Superior Court Supervisory Unit members will receive salary increases of up to 22% for one employee. All members will receive a 3% salary increase in the second year of the contract. Members of this Unit will not have their insurance premium’s increased during the life of the contract and they have the same “opt out” benefit’s as the other two units listed above. Members of this Unit can now receive overtime which is calculated on all hours worked over eight (8) hours in one work day. Employees who were hired prior to 3/1/96 can also cash out a maximum of 480 hours of sick time upon retirement.

Thank you to bargaining team members Shelly Razo, Rosanna McCall, Dan Dias, Darlene Roberson and Laurie Cooke for their efforts in getting these contracts ratified.

Monterey County’s Workers Facing Layoffs

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Monterey - Facing a projected $163 million budget shortfall during the next three fiscal years, the county will need pay concessions from its employees soon or it will hand out major layoffs.
That was the message Supervisor Lou Calcagno sent loud and clear to county department managers, as well as union officials, at Wednesday’s budget committee meeting. He made his remarks after the presentation of a three-year budget forecast that outlined the challenges the county faces as a result of a sharp decline in revenue because of the struggling economy.
Calcagno said the reality is that pay concessions will have to be negotiated quickly or the county’s deficit will only get worse, which will ultimately mean more layoffs.
“I know we’re trying to be sensitive to people, but we can’t skirt it forever,” Calcagno said.
According to the forecast, the county faces a $41.6 million deficit by the end of the 2009-10 fiscal year without major spending reductions, and deficits of $55.8 million and $65.4 million in succeeding years.
County budget manager Dewayne Woods said the county will already have to spend about $11 million in reserves to balance its current year’s budget, but it can’t afford to continue that practice. The county has made a series of midyear budget cuts to help close part of a projected $24.9 million budget gap this year.
Woods said the county anticipates $19.6 million in revenue rolled over from the previous year, which could help close that gap, but he said no more funding of that kind is expected in future years.
Employee salaries and benefits are about 55 percent of the county’s general fund budget, and about 80 percent without entitlement program spending. Employee contracts are up for negotiation this year and in 2010.
County budget division director Rosie Pando said employee pay concessions may not be enough to avoid layoffs, depending on how supervisors decide to address the budget shortfall.
Pando said the county “has to get salaries in line” or continue facing deficits into the future. She said the supervisors have indicated they want to try to keep as many social service programs in place as they can, especially because of increased demand for them in the face of the recession that has cost many people their jobs and homes.
County Counsel Charles McKee said concessions and layoffs are both “time-intensive,” underscoring the need for immediate action.
More details about possible action the board can take will be presented to the supervisors Tuesday. A budget workshop will follow Wednesday.
Budget hearings and workshops will continue through April as county officials consider ways to close the gap, and a final proposed budget is due by the end of May. County budget hearings on that proposal are set for two days starting June 8.
Pando and Woods told Calcagno and Armenta they recommend the board incorporate a two- or three-year strategy as they consider next year’s budget.
“We need lots of action on July 1” to begin offsetting future deficits, Pando said.

By JIM JOHNSON
Herald Salinas Bureau
Updated: 02/26/2009 08:46:03 AM PST
Jim Johnson can be reached at 753-6753 or .

Meeting set with UPEC Represented SRMC Employees

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

REDDING - Senior Labor Representative Steve Allen has called for a meeting with SRMC RN’s and LVN-TECHS this Sunday at 5:00pm. The purpose of the meeting is to provide an update on the issues, outline the settlement agreement and discuss pending contract negotiations. The meeting will be held at the UPEC Union Office, 1860 Park Marina Drive in Redding.