http://68.189.99.101/index.php/site/index/ en daveritchie02@mac.com Copyright 2010 2010-09-03T18:50:01-08:00 http://www.upec792.org/index.php/site/union_label_week/ http://www.upec792.org/index.php/site/union_label_week/#When:17:50:01Z From Labor Day, Monday, September 6, through Sunday September 12, 2010 American labor will observe Union Label Week—the time traditionally set aside for union families and all consumers to make a special effort to support good jobs by looking for union-made goods and union-produced services when they shop. In these difficult times, when everyone is looking to stretch their paycheck, quality and value take on added importance—and that’s where union products and services beat the competition every time. When you buy union, you’re supporting good jobs in American communities, jobs that provide living wages and benefits, safe working conditions and dignity and respect for work. So, please join with us on Labor Day and the week that follows to celebrate the skills of union workers and honor the work they do by looking for union-made goods and services. The Union Label Department has produced a special cartoon graphic to convey the Buy Union message. Please feel free to use it and help us promote the message. Sincerely, Richard Kline 2010-09-03T17:50:01-08:00 http://www.upec792.org/index.php/site/modoc_county_voters_appprove_hospital_district_and_tax/ http://www.upec792.org/index.php/site/modoc_county_voters_appprove_hospital_district_and_tax/#When:17:14:00Z On August 31, 2010 a special election was held in Modoc County for all landowners who lived within a twenty mile radius of Modoc Medical Center. The County has been in dire straits and has been facing the possibility of bankruptcy because of a 14 million dollar debt. This debt has accrued over the last ten or more years based, for the most part, on debts incurred by Modoc Medical Center. United Public Employees of California (UPEC), Local 792, saw that there was a real problem and without a hospital district and a parcel tax the hospital would be forced to close its doors which would impact all of the residents of Modoc County. Business Manager, Chris Darker, and Union Relations Representative, Christine Perry, met with the “Save Our Hospital Committee” and saw the need for financial support. The information that was gathered was taken back to the UPEC Executive Board who voted to send the committee $1,000 to help with their campaign. This was all done with the full knowledge that if the campaign was successful UPEC would have to work to seek re-representation of the members and that the existing Memorandum of Understanding would be null and void once the new district took effect. The other alternative was that if the vote failed, the hospital would close its doors, and the approximately one hundred employees, that we represent, would be out of jobs. On Election Day approximately 63% of the eligible voters showed up at the polls. Both measures required a two-thirds approval (super majority). The tax measure will assess a $195 a year parcel tax on all land owners within this twenty mile radius and should generate approximately $3.1 million a year for the hospital. This measure passed with 68% of the vote. The other measure was to create an independent health care district. This measure passed with 70% of the vote. The hospital will be giving each land owner that is charged the parcel tax a $150 credit voucher for the hospital for services rendered. This credit voucher system will then be reviewed annually. This election is the first step in getting the entire County of Modoc back on the road to recovery and saving many jobs. 2010-09-03T17:14:00-08:00 http://www.upec792.org/index.php/site/upec_to_host_pers_retirement_workshop/ http://www.upec792.org/index.php/site/upec_to_host_pers_retirement_workshop/#When:23:24:00Z REDDING - UPEC Business Manager Chris Darker announced today that there will be two (2) workshops held at the Redding Office on Wednesday, September 8, 2010. The first is at 10:00am and the second is at 5:30pm at the UPEC Training Center. The workshop is 90 minutes to 2 hours. The workshop is sponsored by the Californians for Healthcare and Retirement Security (CHCRS) based out of Sacramento. UPEC is a member of CHCRS a multi-public employee union coalition representing thousands of State, County, City and Special District employees throughout California. The workshop will reveal the latest polling data on public employee benefits, the facts and concerns related to public employee benefits. “This is an interesting look at PERS and I highly recommend all union leaders and members to attend”, said Darker. Members may call or email Patti Wyatt at UPEC (245-1890 or pwyatt@charterinternet.com) to make a reservation. Presentations are also being made across the state. Business Manager Chris Darker is a representative on the CHCRS Committee. We are currently looking into the possibility of broadcasting the meeting over the internet as well. An update on whether or not this will be an option will be posted to the website as soon as possible. 2010-09-02T23:24:00-08:00 http://www.upec792.org/index.php/site/flu_season_approches/ http://www.upec792.org/index.php/site/flu_season_approches/#When:16:35:00Z For those who are interested or concerned about the upcoming flu season and where to get vaccinated, here is some useful information.  Remember that there are usually also several flu clinics (even a drive-through has been done in several past years) so watch for more information to come. From CNN - Five important things to know about this years’ flu: All people 6 months and older need to be vaccinated The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends the influenza vaccination for all people ages 6 months and older. This is a change from previous guidance, which stressed the need for vaccination for a few groups including the elderly, the chronically ill and women who were planning to become pregnant. The advisory committee says that with the expanded recommendations they hope to minimize confusion about who should and should not get the annual vaccine. Adults will only need one flu vaccine this year Unlike last year, when both a seasonal flu vaccine and an H1N1 flu vaccine were recommended, this year only one vaccine is necessary. Each year, government health officials make predictions on which influenza viruses will be the most prominent to circulate, and a vaccine is created to combat those specific strands. The vaccine approved for this year protects against the H1N1 virus that circulated in 2009, as well as H3N2 and an influenza B virus. The CDC answers several questions about the 2010-2011 inactivated flu vaccine on their website. Some children need two doses of the flu vaccine The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children between ages 6 months and 9 years who have never been vaccinated, or who received only one dose of the H1N1 flu shot last year, should have a minimum of two doses this season. On the Healthy Children website, the AAP provides information for parents to help you determine the number of influenza vaccine doses your child needs. Flu vaccines are available now in most locations Flu manufacturers began shipping doses of the flu shot and nasal spray in August, and many pharmacies have already begun offering them. Here is a comparison of prices for some national pharmacy chains where flu shots are currently available. Rite Aid pharmacies offer the seasonal flu shot for $24.99 and many insurance plans cover the cost of the shots. Walgreens is offering seasonal flu shots for $29.99 and the FluMist Intranasal Spray for $34.99. CVS is offering seasonal flu shots for $29.95. The cost is covered by many insurance plans. Wal-Mart offers the seasonal flu shot for $24.00, or the co-pay as designated by your insurer. Target pharmacies are offering the seasonal flu vaccine for $24.00, and some clinic locations also will offer the nasal spray for $36. A Flu Clinic Locator from the American Lung Association will be available in late September to help you find local clinic in your area. A new high-strength vaccine is available for people ages 65+ This year an alternative vaccine that provides a higher dosage will be available for people ages 65 and older. Fluzone High-Dose, an inactivated influenza vaccine produced by the drug manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur, was approved by the FDA in December 2009. “Elderly people have less responsive immune systems,” explains Edelman. “The higher dose induces a stronger immune response, and provides better protection for this age group.” More detailed information about this vaccine option is available on the CDC website. For the full article, visit:  http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/09/02/flu.guide/index.html?hpt=C1 2010-09-02T16:35:00-08:00 http://www.upec792.org/index.php/site/butte_college_police_negotiate_pay_increase/ http://www.upec792.org/index.php/site/butte_college_police_negotiate_pay_increase/#When:15:14:00Z Butte College POA President Doug Sloan and UPEC negotiator Steve Allen, recently concluded negotiations with the Butte-Glenn Community College District.  This is one of our Local’s smallest bargaining unit of 2 Police Officers and one Sergeant. Evidence that the downturn in the economy is a hit and miss proposition depending on each agency’s circumstances, this Community College District was able to grant a 5% pay increase and also pick up the entire 9% increase in health insurance. This result is due to tying salary to any increases granted teachers. For this year, the 20 district survey conducted by the College District for teachers resulted in the 5% increase for Officers. In addition, the POA will begin representing Community Service Officers. 2010-09-01T15:14:00-08:00 http://www.upec792.org/index.php/site/orland_city_employees_settle_contract/ http://www.upec792.org/index.php/site/orland_city_employees_settle_contract/#When:15:13:00Z The two bargaining units (general unit and mid-management unit) represented by UPEC at the City of Orland ratified new two year contracts with the assistance of Chief Steward Jack Deniz and Union negotiator Steve Allen. Orland employees suffered greatly last year in a cooperative attempt to successfully resolve a gaping hole in the City’s General Fund, taking an eight percent (8%) wage cut by paying PERS Member Contribution, freezing step raises and losing vision and dental coverage. This year was better, with the cuts taken last year paying off to help right the City’s budget.  No further cuts were taken and the frozen step increases were unfrozen so that employees may once again progress through their 5% merit steps. The ratified contracts focused on insurance, agreeing to change medical insurance cover from PERS to CSAC-EIA.  Beginning January 1, 2010 the City will pay the entire medical premium for employees and dependents, with future increases beginning January 2012 to be shared on an 80/20 split between the City and employees. Rebuilding what was lost, the City will re-implement dental and vision coverage beginning January 2012. Success in these difficult times can sometimes be measured by regaining what was lost.  That is the case this year in Orland where the success in negotiations can be attributed to the cooperative and positive relationship between the City employee, the City Council, City Manager Paul Poczubut and the Union. 2010-09-01T15:13:00-08:00 http://www.upec792.org/index.php/site/glenn_county_board_of_supervisors_discuss_additional_11_million_shortfall/ http://www.upec792.org/index.php/site/glenn_county_board_of_supervisors_discuss_additional_11_million_shortfall/#When:23:09:00Z In June 2010 the Glenn County Board of Supervisors approved the 2010-2011 budget with $2.4 million in cuts. While reviewing the 2010-2011 budget in July and August the County became aware of a shortfall of an additional $1.1 million. At the August 31, 2010 Board of Supervisors meeting the board directed the department heads to determine the effects of the potential cuts and how the cuts would be implemented. Some departments like the Assessor Recorders Office have a voluntary retirement that will help them meet this shortfall, however, most departments are not in that position. UPEC represented employees have already been voluntarily paying 4% of the PERS payment to help with the budget crisis. The Board has to adopt a balanced budget by October 2, 2010. The discussion regarding the upcoming cuts was continued to the next Board of Supervisors meeting on September 7, 2010. Below are the cuts per department that was discussed at the August 31st meeting, please note that these numbers can be changed by the Board until the budget is adopted. Sheriff’s Office $225,000 Planning and Public Works $235,000 District Attorney $100,000 Finance $220,000 Personnel $80,000 Clerk of the Board $80,000 Assessor/Recorder $40,000 County Counsel $80,000 Agricultural Commissioner $40,000 Probation $15,000 Total: $1,115,000 2010-08-31T23:09:00-08:00 http://www.upec792.org/index.php/site/updated_member_handbook_available/ http://www.upec792.org/index.php/site/updated_member_handbook_available/#When:17:46:00Z A revised version of the UPEC Laborers’ 792 Member Handbook is now available from our downloads page.  You will need an account for our website to access this page - if you do not have one, please register through the link on the right-hand side of this main page. 2010-08-24T17:46:00-08:00 http://www.upec792.org/index.php/site/de_la_torre_appointed_to_liuna_general_executive_board/ http://www.upec792.org/index.php/site/de_la_torre_appointed_to_liuna_general_executive_board/#When:16:31:00Z WASHINGTON D.C. - Northern California District Council Business Manager Oscar De La Torre Appointed Vice President, Joins General Executive Board Oscar De La Torre, Business Manager of the Northern California District Council of Laborers, has been appointed to LIUNA’s General Executive Board to fill the position of VicePresident-at-Large. De La Torre is a third-generation Laborer who first joined LIUNA in 1985 as a construction laborer and member of Local Union 261 in San Francisco. De La Torre served as Secretary-Treasurer and Business Manager of Local 261. In 2009, he was elected Business Manager of the Northern California District Council of Laborers, a position he will continue to hold as he serves on the General Executive Board. “The service, dedication and commitment Oscar has shown to his Local Union and the Northern California District Council of Laborers will benefit all of LIUNA,” said General President O’Sullivan. “He has strengthened a foundation built over generations and is a true asset to our union.” During his career, De La Torre has built strong coalitions with non-profit groups and currently serves on the board of the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association, the Mission Housing Development Corporation and the Instituto Laboral De La Raza.  De La Torre also serves LIUNA through his work on the boards of the Northern California Laborers Pension Fund, the Northern California Laborers Health and Welfare Fund, and the Training & Retraining Fund and the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee. De La Torre called his appointment a “profound honor” and said, “I look forward to working to make LIUNA even stronger and to creating more opportunities for the men and women we represent.” 2010-08-24T16:31:00-08:00 http://www.upec792.org/index.php/site/liuna_to_rejoin_the_afl_cio/ http://www.upec792.org/index.php/site/liuna_to_rejoin_the_afl_cio/#When:20:44:00Z San Diego - In a Laborers meeting at the LiUNA Tri-Fund Conference in San Diego Sunday, President Terrence O’Sullivan announced that the Laborers will rejoin the AFL-CIO on October 1, 2010. Several hundred LiUNA Representatives cheered the decision made that day by the LiUNA General Executive Board. He also announced that the Laborers will end the affiliation with Change to Win at the end of the month. General President O’Sullivan added that Change to Win had served the union well and it was time to move forward and build and strengthen the AFL-CIO. 2010-08-16T20:44:00-08:00