THE ORGANIZER

On June 13, 2000, the Pasadena City Council chambers were packed to the rafters by Local 777 members, who came to tell the Council that the City's last, best and final offer was unacceptable, and that they were angry and weren't going to take it any more!

The members attending all wore red T-Shirts that said "Proud Local 777 Member" on the front with a very large picture of Rosie the Riveter on the back with the "We Can Do It" slogan as well. Rosie was the symbol of women overcoming discrimination during World War II, when they were "allowed" to work in heavy industry, as many men were fighting overseas. "Rosie" represented an early statement about women being equal to the task and it helped break down the prevalent stereotypes that existed (still do!) at the time.

As a result of the tremendous showing of strength and determination the turnout represented, the City made the union a new offer. As we go to press the membership is voting on the offer, which clearly represents a good faith effort at bridging the gap between the parties. Like all negotiations, it resolves key issues in some areas and falls short in others.

No matter what the outcome of the vote the membership took a big step towards understanding that they are the Union and that getting involved makes a big difference. They have gained a level of respect that did not exist before, and this represents a significant step in itself.

Like Aretha Franklin used to sing, "R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Find out what it means to me!"

Riverside County employees have something big to celebrate, as UPEC and the County have reached Agreement to eliminate the "three highest years average" PERS retirement formula, replacing it with the "single highest year" provision that employees hired before January 9, 1992 currently enjoy.

All employees represented by UPEC will now receive their PERS retirement pay based on their single highest year's pay. "This means that the two-tier Agreement negotiated between PERC and the County is dead and buried," reports Business Manager Fred Lowe. One down and one more to go," he continued, "as we still have to get rid of the clause PERC and the County negotiated that forces employees hired after January 9, 1992 to pay their share of PERS for their first five years. While that one is significantly more expensive to eliminate the County needs to do so if they want to continue to try and be competitive in the area of recruitment and retention."

The Agreement to eliminate the "three highest year average" came about as a result of PERS offering public agencies a "revised valuation" (additional money) if they could reach agreement with the Unions representing their employees on how a significant portion of the money would be spent. Agreement was reached after discussion with the County took place in the UPEC-County Labor-Management Committee as well as in the County-wide Committee comprised of all the unions representing County employees.

On April 20, a celebration was held to honor the women who are playing a leadership role in UPEC/LIUNA Local 777 and thank them for their contribution to the labor movement in general and their union in particular.

The Riverside Municipal Museum closed its doors to the public and welcomed UPEC members for this momentous occasion. In a festive atmosphere those who came were treated to an impressive Agenda, including some history of the labor movement by Laurie Stalnaker, Secretary-Treasurer of the San Bernardino/Riverside County Central Labor Council.

Lorna Ward, Chapter President from the City of Los Angeles, reflected on her more-than-thirty years of experience with the City, and what it was like when she first became began supervising maintenance crews as one of the first female Supervisors in the Department of Street Services in the city.

Union Representative Kathie Delgado recounted some humorous stories from the life of Mother Jones, one of the most colorful and influential women of the early labor movement.

The highlight of the event, however, was the recognition of the "Women of UPEC." Each steward attending was honored with a beautiful certificate and poster. UPEC Representatives handed out the certificates to their respective stewards to the appreciative applause of the audience.

Many thanks go to UPEC Riverside Office Manager Teresa Moreno. Teresa did an excellent job of preparing the gift packets each attendee received and decorating the museum.

UPEC Rep Linda Jefferson & an appreciative Marcia Cox

UPEC member Marcia Cox recently returned to her position with the County as a Secretary I with full back pay after being improperly terminated. A good deal of the credit goes to the hard work and diligence of UPEC Representative Linda Jefferson.

Marcia has asked that that UPEC print her letter of thanks so that her gratitude can be expressed in her own words.

"I had an encounter with the County of Riverside, which subsequently resulted in my termination on December 12, 1999.
"My union representative, Linda Jefferson, became my confidant, my mediator, my sounding board, my crying shoulder.
"In the beginning things looked pretty grim for me but Linda stuck by my side, never leaving a stone unturned and fighting for me all the way. She put in numerous days and nights working with me on my case. She always returned my calls and she made herself readily available to me despite her outrageous schedule.
"I owe a lot to Linda and UPEC, as the end result is that I got my job back. All I can say is the Union believed in me and they went the distance. To them I owe my return to work at the County and I will be forever grateful." Sincerely, Marcia Cox

County employee Rachel Reyes called the office recently to express her gratitude to her UPEC representative, Stephen Switzer. Rachel was recently approved for permanent disability. During her efforts to get what she rightfully deserved Stephen went well beyond the call of duty, includ-ing making calls to the gas company to keep her utilities from being turned off and putting her in contact with her Congressman who finally got her Social Security Disability approved.

Rachel said of Stephen: "Steve was a lot of help. He was the one that kept my gas on. I'll never forget what he did for me!"

On Wednesday, April 12, Trans-portation Inspector Mike Musser was killed in the line of duty after being run over by a dump truck driven by an em-ployee working for a private contractor.

Mike had been a County employee since 1988. He started as a technician in the Materials Lab and had recently left the lab for the field.

Mike also left behind a wife, Colleen, and a nine-year old daughter, Michelle.

Mike's coworkers want him to be remembered as a team player with a ready smile. Larry Lamb spoke for everyone by stating "We will always feel that part of our team is missing."

Chairman of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, Tom Mullen, had this to say, "Words cannot fully convey our sense of sorrow over the loss of this valued employee."

The problems began in 1997 for Victor Cendena, Sr. Detention officer in the Jails division of the Los Angeles Police Department. He was informed that he was to be the subject of an Investigative Interview and he immediately called his Union Representative, Steve Belhumuer. This is what all members should do-- never go to a meeting with management alone, thinking that somehow they will go easier on you if you do…

He was subsequently informed that he would be receiving a five-day suspension. He then filed a grievance and, with the union's assistance, won his grievance at the Third Step of the Grievance Procedure, receiving his five days of pay plus 7% interest!

Charles Duncan, Sr. Detention Officer had a 60-day suspension entirely rescinded when his case was presented at the Civil Service hearing in Los Angeles. He got full back pay plus 7% interest! Charles also had a four-day suspension dropped by the Department earlier this year.

Senior Detention Officer Allison Sutton was recently suspended for twenty days for returning to work five minutes late from lunch (welcome to the LAPD!).

Local 777 Representative Steve Belhumeur, represented Allison in her Civil Service Hearing. The Hearing Officer later threw out the entire suspension!

As if that wasn't enough, she was later given a five day suspension on another issue. That suspension was rescinded at the Skelly Hearing that she attended with her Union Representative.

"If anyone's thinking is unclear about why we need a strong union to protect our rights just look at what happened to me," exclaimed Sutton, "and then think again!"

While the General employees have settled their MOU the Non-Sworn Police and Fire membership is at Impasse. Pay is not what is separating the parties but rather working conditions issues.

We want to say "Good-bye and Good Luck!" to Johnnie C. Kelley, who retires this month from the City and as Chapter President. Replacing her as Chapter President is Gail Fitz-Gerald, who we know will do an excellent job as Johnnie's replacement!

John Aguilar, Fred Sahadi, and Representative Paul Bechely report that Local 777 has asked that the City reopen the MOU to negotiate over enhanced PERS benefits, including 2% at 55 and EMPC.

Finally, after months of negotiations between the City and various Employee Organizations, an agreement was reached that provides a true full cafeteria plan of $434 per month, as well as the PERS 2% at 55 retirement program.

The 2% at 55 plan will be implemented at no cost to the employees. The 2% at 55 plan will be implemented at no cost to the employees, a position that the UPEC Committee members had been arguing for over the past three years, while other employee organizations were willing to give up pay increases for this benefit.

Cathy Ryne and Representative Paul Bechely report that Local 777 has filed a request with the City of Sierra Madre that they immediately obtain an actuarial evaluation from PERS to determine the cost of 2% at 55 retirement and EPMC-PERS on PERS.

A couple of observations about the recent election of Officers for Local 777, but first some history. In February of 1978 I started working for Unions on a full-time basis (as an Organizer for SEIU!) after having worked for many years as a rank-and-file member of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union unloading boxcars and later driving a forklift. This was the first time in all these years that I have had to run for office…

On May 13, the Nominations Meeting for Local 777 Officers took place, and all eleven members who chose to run were nominated without opposition. I am still trying to understand what the significance of this is. Because there was no opposition does this mean there was a conspiracy or something was done undemocratically? Certainly not, as the LIUNA Constitution calls for every member to receive written notice about the Nominations Meeting. Does this mean nobody cares? Hope not. Does this mean everyone is just thrilled with the way the union does business? Doubt it.

Does this mean there was a lack of understanding about the role of an Officer in Local 777? Probably, as this was our first Election for Officers.

Two of the members attending stood up and told those in attendance that they had come with the intention of running for an Officer position because they wanted to become more involved in their union. They both stated that when they saw whom the members were who had allowed their names to be placed in nomination they changed their minds.

It is clear that we need to do more to educate our members about the union they belong to, explaining in more detail its history, structure, the costs of functioning in today's environment, etc. For whatever the reason, thank you for your support for providing those that have been responsible for the opportunity to have three more years to try and tackle the above-mentioned goals along with many, many others.

I would also like to thank our hard-working Staff, as the average member judges the organization through the personal contact they have with the Staff. While there is no doubt that Staff plays a crucial role in any union it is only after going through a few battles with management does that same member learn that the Union is all of us…

Our first Dodger Day on June 17 was a great success so we are going to do it one more time!

The game will be on Sunday, August 6, against the Milwaukee Brewers with game time to start at 5 p.m.!

This time we were able to cash in early on a Dodger Special for Non-Profits and all tickets are just $5! The seats are in the Outer Reserved Section, Aisle 26, which is just past third base!