eNewsletter - May 9, 2008
Local 21 Takes Proactive Steps as
Budget Deficit Looms over San Francisco
Local 21 is partnering with Steven Raphael, Associate Dean of UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy, to conduct a close examination of the City and County of San Francisco's upcoming budget deficit and revenues. In 2006 when Local 21 was negotiating its current contract with the City, Raphael analyzed the City's budget and prepared an economic analysis that illustrated how the City consistently uses inflated expenditure projections year after year to justify budget cuts. While there is no question that the City's deficit is real this year, Raphael will help Local 21 in evaluating what the financial reality of the City is.
On May 14th, Raphael will meet with the Controller to examine the City's projected budget deficit, which is current estimated at $338 million out of a $1.1 billion general fund. The City has asked for concessions from employee unions to balance some of the projected shortfall.
Local 21 is hosting two informational meetings for its CCSF members on the City's budget, seniority rights, and layoff protocol:
- Members whose last name starts with the letter A through L, are invited to attend the Monday, May 12th meeting at noon at the Local 21 office.
- Members whose last name begins with the letter M through Z are invited to attend the meeting on Thursday, May 15th, also at noon at the Local 21 office.
May Day Unity Rally in Oakland a Huge Success
Demonstrating unity and support for their bargaining team, more than 300 Local 21 members at the City of Oakland joined with hundreds of SEIU, IBEW, and IAFF-represented City employees in a rousing demonstration at the City Hall Amphitheater. Leaders from Local 21 and SEIU spoke to rally-goers, who were wearing blue and purple t-shirts with union logos and the word "Unity!" emblazoned across their chests. Speakers talked about the need for unity in the labor movement and the common challenges we all face at the bargaining table in 2008.
The event could not have been as successful in sending a loud and unified message had it not been for members of the Contract Action Team (CAT) and their tireless effort and communication with Local 21 members across the City of Oakland.
Contra Costa Organizing Committee Speaks Out to Protect Benefits
The Local 21 Contra Costa County Organizing Committee and scores of unrepresented employees protested cuts to retirement and health benefits at the County Board of Supervisors meeting in Martinez on May 6th. Speakers supporting Local 21 pointed out that normally salaries and benefits are negotiated with the several County unions and then passed on to the over 1,100 unrepresented employees in the County. The reversal of that practice to impose the benefit cuts, they advised the Board, would surely lead to unionizing with Local 21.
Leona Hartmann took the opportunity when speaking to the Board to invite all unrepresented employees to attend an upcoming Local 21 organizing meeting on May 21st at the UFCW Hall in Martinez. Despite requests by the Board to have the audience hold their applause, the audience continued to thunder their approval of those speaking against benefit cuts. Nonetheless, the Board approved the cuts by a unanimous vote.
City of East Palo Alto CalPERS Election
On April 16th Local 21 members in the City of East Palo Alto voted for an enhancement to their retirement benefit along with all non-sworn and confidential City employees. The amendment change enhances the retirement benefit from 2% @ 60, to 2.5% @ 55, effective June 29, 2008. The enhancement will be presented to the City Council for their formal adoption in the next several weeks.
A special thank you goes to EPA Chapter President, Marie McKenzie and our members who assisted and monitored the polling location.
Local 21 Leader Successfully Lobbies Congresswoman on
Public Oversight Bill
David Lynch, Senior Civil Engineer and Golden Gate Highway and Transportation District Chapter President, represented Local 21 at the National Association of State Highway and Transportation Unions (NASHTU) conference in Washington, DC.
The conference, which was attended by labor leaders employed by public transportation departments nationally, included a panel discussion on public/private partnerships. Panelist Ed Wytkind of the AFL-CIO talked about the importance of demanding accountability on votes dealing with partnerships from members of Congress who want endorsements from the AFL-CIO. There was also discussion about the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act, which authorizes the Federal surface transportation programs for highways, highway safety, and transit for the 5-year period 2005-2009.
Attendees also learned about important two bills that are currently before Congress. The first bill requires a cost-benefit analysis before hiring consultants for work that could be performed by a public agency. The second deals with requiring public oversight of any construction involving federal funds (already the practice in California). Lynch participated in lobbying on behalf of both bills and was successful in getting Congresswoman Jackie Speier of California's 12th District to agree to co-sign the public oversight bill.
Victory for Santa Clara County Traffic Engineers
During the 2007 negotiations with Santa Clara County, SCCEAA chapter leaders and Local 21 Staff demanded a reclassification study for the County's Traffic Engineers. The Traffic Engineers' salary and job specifications had not been revised for many years, and while the County Administration acknowledged the need to address this issue, they refused to take any action.
After much pressure from Local 21 to address the issue during bargaining, the parties agreed the study would be completed by December 31, 2007, followed by a meet & confer process. After numerous sessions, Local 21 reached a successful settlement on April 24th. Not only were all the issues and concerns raised by the Union resolved in our favor, but the County adopted versions of the new job specifications that were written by our members. The commitment and dedication of Khoa Vo, Masoud Akbarzadeh and Local 21 South Bay Representative, Nancy Ostrowski resulted in a 10 percent salary increase over the previous range.
Health Care Reform - HR 676 Provides Vital Opportunity for Progress
Recent opinion research and national polls show that union members, retirees, and the general public overwhelmingly agree on the need for health care reform. 71 percent of union members believe it is ÒcriticalÓ for elected officials to address health care. We have an opportunity now to make real progress.
The Local 21 Executive Council, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), and several hundred unions nationally, have endorsed HR 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act. The legislation guarantees health coverage for every American through a national, single payer health care system, with cost reductions in administration as well as out of pocket costs for consumers. In the coming weeks, informational packets about HR 676 will be made available at Local 21 Chapter meetings, and on the Local 21 website.
Political Action in San Jose -
Great Turn Out by our South Bay Leaders!
On April 29th leadership from AEA, SCCEAA, and TAEA attended a political fundraiser for City of San Jose Vice Mayor Dave Cortese. Cortese is running for Board of Supervisor in Santa Clara County. Local 21 South Bay Vice President, Ananth Prasad presented Cortese with a campaign contribution on behalf of Local 21 and our South Bay chapters. The event was co-sponsored by Chris Platten, Esq. and Neil Struthers, President of the Building Trades.
Contributions to the union's Committee on Political Education (COPE) Fund go a long way towards advancing the interests of Local 21 members. Click here to learn more about the T.J. Anthony Fund and how you can help Local 21 make a difference in political campaigns impacting your chapter.
Save-the-date! Oakland City Council Budget Meeting:
Thursday May 15th, 5pm
On April 30th, City Administrator Deborah Edgerly held a meeting with all City unions to discuss how the City's financial status and upcoming budget may impact contract negotiations. While there are no formal proposals from the City Administrator at present, Edgerly mentioned the following budget balancing options (see PDF):
- 1 day per month furlough without pay
- No Cost of Living Increase / 12 month wage freeze
- Increase in employee retirement contribution with a
reduction in net pay - City shutdown between Christmas and New Years
Please wear your Local 21 UNITY t-shirts to the budget hearing. Additional shirts will be available for members who attend the budget hearing. We need you there!
Save-The-Date! Delegate Assembly - June 7th
Local 21's Summer 2008 Delegate Assembly will be held in San Francisco on Saturday June 7th. Delegates from all Local 21 chapters will be present to discuss and make decisions on Local 21 issues including politics, union administration, and finances. The Assembly will take place at Hotel Whitcomb, located at 1231 Market Street (at the corner of 8th & Market). Registration and breakfast begins at 8:30am, and the Assembly starts at 9:00am. All delegates should R.S.V.P. to Mandy Bratt at mbratt@ifpte21.org.
L21 Express is the bi-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
