eNewsletter - October 19, 2007
Save the Date: Delegate Assembly
The Local 21 Delegate Assembly is fast approaching. On Saturday, October 27, at 8:30 a.m. delegates from all over the Bay Area will be meeting to discuss and here presentations on topics including Contracting Out, the political structure of the union and how we can grow our Political Action Committee into a major political force in the Bay Area, and membership and financial reports.
Save-The-Date! Ammiano Fundraiser at Modern Tea, December 3rd
Local 21's closest friend and longtime political ally, Supervisor Tom Ammiano, is running for State Assembly in the 13th district. After 13 years on the Board of Supervisors and almost 30 years of public service in San Francisco championing labor issues, health care, and civil rights, Tom needs our support! Please join us (and bring your checkbook!) in supporting Tom at a Local 21-hosted fundraiser on Monday, December 3rd at Modern Tea at 5:30pm. Modern Tea is located at 602 Hayes St. at Laguna.
AEA to participate in General Fund Structural Deficit Focus Group
The City of San Jose is in the process of developing a three-year plan to address alleged structural deficit. Two invitation-only focus groups have been scheduled for Local 21 and other labor organizations, city employees, and community stakeholders to take part in discussions on the city's deficit and strategies to addressing supposed shortfalls. South Bay Rep Nancy Ostrowski, AEA President Matt Loesch, and AEA Vice President John Mukhar will attend the first meeting, scheduled for Monday October 22.
Berkeley Unified School District Chapter Elects New Leadership
After several years of outstanding leadership, Francisco Martinez and Bernadette Cormier opted to step down as co-chairs of the Berkeley Schools Administrators Chapter. Francisco and Bernadette have been tireless advocates for Local 21 members in the District. Both were critical to successfully negotiating Local 21's contract settlement in May, 2007. These negotiations marked the first time Local 21 and the District used a total compensation formula to determine the salary increase of our members. At the October 3rd meeting, the membership voted unanimously to elect Steve Collins and Tim Mull as the new Co-Chairs of the Chapter.
Port of Oakland Prepares for Bargaining
Units I, K, and L at the Port of Oakland are gearing to bargain their first Local 21 contract. Negotiations will begin in November, and are expected to carry through early 2008. The bargaining team, made up individuals representing all three units, includes Aileen Evans (Chapter Vice President for Unit K), Dave Peixotto, Jacqueline Dempsey, Faith Fuller-Tompkins, Meg Vasey, Marvell Jones (Chapter Secretary/Treasurer), Chris Chan, Steve Gregory (Chapter President), Doug Johnson (Chapter Vice President for Unit L), and alternate Anne Henny. The 10-person bargaining team has been working hard to prepare for negotiations and ensure that all 175 Local 21-represented Port of Oakland employees have a place at the table and a voice at the Port!
County of Alameda Grievance victory
In October 2006 Alameda County notified Local 21 of their plans to change the County's Flexible Spending Account for Healthcare (Cafeteria Plan), and offered to meet and confer over the changes. We responded in writing and insisted on negotiations prior to implementation of any changes. The County, however, never responded and went ahead without negotiating the changes at the beginning of 2007. When it was discovered that the County had ignored their legal obligation to negotiate over changes to the plan, we filed a countywide Union grievance covering all affected Local 21 units.
After a series of meetings over many months with our committee of Tom McKimmy, Local 21 Civil Engineers Management Unit, and Local 21 Reps Vickie Carson and Bob Britton, a settlement of all issues has been reached. The County Salary Ordinance and the Cafeteria Plan itself will be amended to allow over-the-counter drugs as a reimbursable expense under the plan. Services covered under the employee's medical or dental insurance plans, but for which service is obtained outside of the plan will now also be reimbursable. The County will allow for employees to go back and submit for claims previously denied, but now reimbursable under our settlement.
The other concern that was raised during grievance negotiations was over medical confidentiality when the County, in some instances, asks for a diagnosis and prognosis before reimbursement. In order for the plan to remain a qualified cafeteria plan, claims must be for expenditures that would otherwise be tax deductible under the IRS Code. In the occasional instance where the expenditure may be for the general well-being of the patient, but not for a qualifying medical condition, many employers follow-up asking for more detail. Our concerns were resolved when the County presented us with a strict medical confidentiality procedure in the Auditor/Controller's Office that limits the accessibility of this type of information to a handful of employees.
Local 21 Votes to Endorse Mayor Newsom
On Thursday, the Executive Committee followed the strong vote of the San Francisco Council in our endorsement of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom in his bid for reelection.
Save the Date: All-union Holiday Party at the Moonstar
It's that time of the year again. Our annual holiday party is set to for December 12, 2007 at the Moonstar Restaurant on the corners of Market and Eighth Street, directly across the street from our main office. More information will be sent in the coming weeks but be sure to mark your calendar!
Save the Date: South Bay Holiday Party
Our south bay chapters are preparing for their annual holiday party, set this year for December 14, 2007 at the Dynasty Restaurant in Cupertino. More information to come but mark your calendars!
L21 Express is the weekly email publication of IFPTE Local 21. Local 21 represents more than 7,000 Bay Area professional public employees. Main Office Phone: 415.864.2100 South Bay Phone: 408.291.2200
