eNewsletter - December 21, 2007
Matt Loesch appointed to San Jose Retirement Board
AEA chapter president Matt Loesch was victorious in his campaign for the City of San Jose Retirement Board in November and has subsequently been appointed to the Board by the City Council.
Loesch ran a great campaign with outstanding support from many in the South Bay including a number of unions and employee associations. He ended up with a nearly two to one victory over the second place finisher in the election and the Council respected the wishes of employees by appointing Matt to the seat.
Congratulations, Matt!
City of Oakland
Local 21 members in Oakland continue to gear up for the kick-off of contract negotiations with the City early next year. Preparation began this fall when our Oakland chapter leaders scheduled 'Know Your Contract' workshops with the membership to review the existing contract. These workshops were held on a weekly basis from October 10 until November 28 and we received valuable comments and suggestions which will be incorporated into our bargaining preparation. Following that, the 2007 on-line Bargaining Survey was sent to all Oakland members on November 17 and members had until December 7 to respond. We received a strong member response to the survey which will form the basis of our bargaining platform along with the comments collected from the workshops. The four Oakland chapters will finalize the selection of their bargaining team representatives by the end of January.
Note to Oakland Members: mark your calendars for these upcoming events...
In January, we will host a series of workshops for members on topics related to negotiations. On January 14, we will hold the first of a two-part training where Local 21's research staff, along with Oakland leadership, will introduce a new publication entitled, "Making the Case for Equity Adjustments: A Manual". This meeting will take place in Hearing Room 3 of City Hall. The second, more technical, part of this training will be presented on January 30 from 5-7 p.m., also in Hearing Room 3 of City Hall.
On January 30, Local 21 will be presenting and ratifying our 2008 Bargaining Platform at a noon-time membership meeting in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. All Oakland members are encouraged to attend.
PACE Reaches Tentative Agreement
with Alameda County Social Services Agency
After months of difficult negotiations, the PACE bargaining team and the Social Services Agency in Alameda County reached a tentative agreement (TA) on Friday night, November 30. Voting was held on Wednesday, December 12 at four different SSA offices in the County, and members ratified the TA with 83% of the vote. The agreement is a four year term from February 25, 2007 until September 17, 2011 and includes 13% COLA increases throughout the term of the agreement. The first of these adjustments, a three (3) percent increase, is retroactive to November 18, 2007. Two classifications will also receive small equity adjustments retroactive to November 18, 2007.
The agreement includes improvements in bilingual pay, shift differentials, dental plan reimbursements in 2009 and 2010, vacation sellback days increased from 15 to 20 for FY '07-'08 and '08-'09, along with improved language on Family Sick Leave and Pregnancy and Child Bonding Leave. Child Welfare Supervisors in the Emergency Response Unit Back-Up will also see improvements in reimbursement over the life of the agreement. In exchange, PACE agreed to modify the Management Benefits package and to an increase in co-pays for doctor visits and prescription drugs from $10 to $15, effective in 2009.
Hayward Chapter Organizes Turnout for Contract Support
Over 70 Local 21 members turned out to the Hayward City Council meeting on the evening of December 11th to support their contract negotiations.
Chapter President Danny Galang spoke about the importance of maintaining the historically good relationship between the Council and Local 21 leadership in the City. Incoming Chapter President and Negotiating Committee Chair Ed Pilling told the Council the types of important work performed and classifications represented by the Union.
Member Cindy Jordan told the Council how difficult it has been paying her increasing bills and raising a family in the face of a two year wage freeze by the City. Senior Representative Bob Britton pointedly reminded the Council of two previous signed agreements between the City and the Union that are to govern the manner in which pay equity adjustments are to be bargained in these negotiations. He urged the Council to bargain in good faith with the Union and, in return, the Union would return the good faith.
Each speaker was thunderously applauded when they concluded their remarks. At the end of the presentation, all of our members left in unison with the speakers, leaving the Council Chambers nearly empty.
Thank You to a Hayward Champion
We extend special thanks to Danny Galang for his eight years of commitment and dedication as President of the City of Hayward Chapter. Danny was proactive in keeping the membership appraised of political action, negotiation issues and the overall day-to-day issues that involved members at the City Hayward. Thanks, Danny!
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
