eNewsletter - November 2, 2007
Local 21 Delegate Assembly
The union's Delegates met last Saturday in San Francisco for a packed agenda with presentations covering contracting out and the political structure of the union. Dave Low, Assistant Director for the California School Employees Association and Chair of the Labor Coalition, gave an interesting presentation on Californian's opinions on contracting out, and spoke of efforts up and down the state to battle the privatization or, as he calls it, outsourcing of public services. Low also spoke of Design Build contracts and how they are very problematic for many jurisdictions who are lured into such contracts. Following Low's presentation, a panel of Local 21 members from several jurisdictions responded to questions about various efforts and strategies for battling contracting out. Members on the panel included CCSF-based members Richard Isen, Peter Gabancho, and Lois Scott; Julia Halsne from East Bay MUD, and Mary Follenwieder from the City of San Jose.
Vice President of Legislative and Political Action Dean Coate, along with staff member Michael Seville, gave a presentation on the union's political structure and current efforts to build a vibrant and strong structure to increase our power at all levels of our jurisdictions. There was also a raffle for those delegates who are contributors to the T.J. Anthony Fund, our Political Action Committee fund.
The Delegate Assembly also passed a resolution calling on the San Francisco-based chapters to fund the $50,000 which has been approved by the union's Executive Committee for the Pension Reform effort currently underway in San Francisco.
Ammiano Fundraiser
Local 21 is holding a fundraiser for San Francisco Supervisor Tom Ammiano in early December. Ammiano, who is running for the State Assembly in District 13 in 2008, is a great friend of Local 21 and other San Francisco-based unions. He has a long history of working side by side with us on very important issues. We need advocates like Tom in the State Assembly for years to come!!
Please join us on December 3, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Modern Tea restaurant in San Francisco's Hayes Valley. This will be a great opportunity to meet a pioneer in civil rights and the champion of San Francisco's living wage ordinances and universal healthcare, while enjoying a wonderful neighborhood restaurant. We are requesting minimum donations of $25 but we encourage those who can give more to do so.
If you are not able to make the event, we still encourage you to send checks to the Local 21 main office. For more information, please contact Michael Seville at 415.864.2100.
Matt Loesch Running a Great Campaign
Union member and President of the Association of Engineers and Architects chapter in the South Bay, Matt Loesch is running a great campaign for the City of San Jose's Federated Retirement Board. He has garnered endorsements from a wide range of unions and employee associations including Operating Engineers, IBEW, MEF, ABMEI, CAMP, CEO, IBEW, AMSP, FACES, and that of the South Bay Labor Council's executive officer Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins. He is well versed on the issues and is committed to using a strategic, collective approach to deal with the retirement medical benefits in San Jose.
Holiday Party Fast Approaching
Remember to mark your calendars as the all-union Holiday Party is set for December 12 at the Moonstar Restaurant in San Francisco. Your 2008 membership card is your key to admission to the party - membership cards and the party announcement will be mailed at the end of November. If you have moved within the last year, you need to contact the union office immediately to update your address file or your card will be delayed in the mail. See you there!!
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
