eNewsletter - March 20, 2009
SCVWD Engineers vote to join Local 21!
Newly affiliated MMA leaders make statement on its affiliation with Local 21
Hayward Members to Walk, Phone Bank in Support of Revenue Generating Ballot Measure
AEA leaders participate in Community Budget Working Group
Local 21 Staffer elected President of Santa Clara County Employees' Labor Alliance
City of Oakland Continues to Persevere amidst Ongoing Negotiations, Budget Woes
AEA Ratifies Changes to Retiree Healthcare Benefit
Save-The-Date! Labor Endorsed Anti-War March & Rally - March 21, 11am
Save-The-Date! Cesar Chavez Holiday Breakfast - March 31, 8am
Save-The-Date! 7th Annual Cesar Chavez Day Celebration - March 31, Noon
Save-The-Date! William Greider, "Come Home, America" - March 31, 7pm
Reminder! Retirement Issues Briefing with Clare Murphy - April 3, Noon
Save-The-Date! Cesar Chavez Parade & Festival - April 4, 11am
Save-The-Date! Union Night with the San Francisco Giants - April 17, 7:15pm
SCVWD Engineers vote to join Local 21!
The Engineers Society (ES) at the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) held a vote on Thursday, March 12 to affiliate with Local 21. The group of 163 professional engineers will be joining a smaller group of 53 mid-managers at SCVWD, who voted to join our union in January. Local 21's South Bay leadership and staff took part in "colleague to colleague" presentations, which were instrumental in the ES affiliation. Some of the Local 21 leaders involved in the February 26 presentation include Ananth Prasad (SCCEAA), Mary Follenweider (AEA), John Mukhar (AEA), Raj Sedhev (TAEA), Khoa Vo (SCCEAA), and Wayne Lee (CCSF). These leaders were joined by Local 21's Executive Director, Bob Muscat, Senior Representative Nancy Ostrowski, and union attorney, Chris Platten.
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Newly affiliated MMA leaders make statement on its affiliation with Local 21
The Santa Clara Valley Water District Mid-Management Association (MMA) officially affiliated with Local 21 in January 2009. Chapter leaders have since issued a statement on their enthusiasm for joining our union:
"The Santa Clara Valley Water District MMA had decided to consider union affiliation when it became clear that the relationship between bargaining units and Executive Management had changed. MOU violations were becoming more frequent and members were becoming increasingly fearful of supporting positions that were not popular with the District's Executive Management.
Given the environment, MMA's Board surveyed its members on the issue of affiliation, and discovered a strong desire by a majority of members to affiliate. Following the results of the survey, MMA launched a year-long process to evaluate and consider various organizations for affiliation. At the end of the process, IFPTE 21 emerged as the preferred organization.
Local 21 differentiated itself from other unions by its professional demeanor, access to professional resources, and its ability to provide MMA with the political and subject matter expertise to deal with current and emerging labor issues. This choice has been validated further as we have moved forward in these challenging economic times. We look forward to becoming engaged in IFTPE Local 21."
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Hayward Members to Walk, Phone Bank in Support of Revenue Generating Ballot Measure
The City of Hayward is facing a multi-million dollar budget deficit, and is taking action at the ballot box to raise additional revenues and help close the budget gap without resorting to more layoffs and furloughs. On May 19, Hayward residents will be voting on Measure A, a special utility users tax (UUT) that is expected to raise $13.2 million in general fund revenues annually. The UUT is based on the consumption of various utility services, and households with incomes under $40,000 will be exempt from any tax increase.
Local 21 and other City unions will be walking and phone banking every Saturday in support of Measure A. All Local 21 members at the City of Hayward are asked to sign up for at least two days between now and May 16. Click here to see the flyer and get more information.
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AEA leaders participate in Community Budget Working Group
Mary Follenweider and John Mukhar of Local 21's Association of Engineers and Architects (AEA) at the City of San Jose have been attending sessions of the "Community Budget Working Group," along with Senior Staff Representative Nancy Ostrowski. The working group's primary goal is to identify any budget balancing proposals and strategies that City management have not yet looked at. City Council Members and their staff have also been in attendance, in addition to community leaders and residents.
The working group is being facilitated by Bob Brownstein, former City of San Jose Budget Director and current Policy Director of Working Partnerships in the South Bay, where Ostrowski sits on the steering committee.
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Local 21 Staffer elected President of Santa Clara County Employees' Labor Alliance
At its February 2009 meeting, the Santa Clara County Employees' Labor Alliance (CELA) elected Local 21 Senior Representative Nancy Ostrowski as its new President.
Nancy has been CELA's Vice President since 2004 where she, along with leaders from Local 21's Santa Clara County Engineers and Architects Association (SCCEAA), have played an important leadership role at CELA and hosted many monthly meetings at Local 21's South Bay office.
Other CELA members include the Registered Nurses Professional Assoc., CEMA (Management Assoc.), District Attorney Investigators Assoc., IFPTE 20, SEIU 521, the Building Trades, Correctional Peace Officers Assoc., County Counsel Attorneys Assoc., Deputy Sheriff's Assoc., Park Rangers Assoc., and 3 units of Physicians. A majority of delegates were also present at the group's March meeting, when Acting Santa Clara County Executive Gary Graves and Luke Leung, Deputy County Executive, were invited to discuss the County's fiscal challenges.
Congratulations, Nancy!
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City of Oakland Continues to Persevere amidst Ongoing Negotiations, Budget Woes
On March 10, Local 21 invited Dan Lindheim, Oakland's City Administrator, to deliver a budget briefing to Local 21's Bargaining and Contract Action Teams (CAT). Lindheim spoke on the City's estimated $58 million deficit and shared the City Council's desire to receive a 10% giveback from all non-safety employees. Most likely, the Council would request this in the form of eliminating the employer's 5% pick up of employee contribution to retirement, along with 13 furlough days. He also stated that the City is in discussions with Police about potential concessions.
At the bargaining table, the City's negotiation team has been responding to Local 21's non-economic proposals. The two sides have reached tentative agreement on several provisions, but are still at a deadlock on a number of major issues. Economic issues are beginning to be addressed, but are a long way from being resolved. Local 21's bargaining team has repeatedly stated its two conditions for agreeing on any economic provisions: 1) the union cannot make any concessions until the City Council develops a long term strategy to deal with the deficit; and 2) if the City wants economic givebacks, it has to make some of its own concessions on non-economic issues.
In an ongoing effort to raise awareness among residents about the City of Oakland's monthly shutdowns, Local 21's CAT has been leafleting around City Hall on shutdown days. The most recent leafleting action took place on March 13.
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AEA Ratifies Changes to Retiree Healthcare Benefit
After eight long months of coalition bargaining at the City of San Jose, AEA members overwhelmingly voted to accept changes in their retiree healthcare benefit.
In 2006, AEA was the first union to be presented with a proposal for retiree medical takeaways. AEA leadership worked behind the scenes to build support from all City unions and associations to create a coalition to address the City's concerns and challenges. Through the leadership of chapter officers Matt Loesch and John Mukhar, as well as Senior Representative Nancy Ostrowski, the bargaining dynamics changed in the City of San Jose and six other bargaining units joined the coalition.
The coalition fought back the City's proposed 2-tier system of reducing benefits for new employees. Additionally, the coalition agreed to transition from partially pre-funding to fully pre-funding the Annual Required Contribution (ARC) for the retiree health plan. The agreement also included a cap on annual increases in contributions to no more than .75% of penionable pay. The parties agreed to meet again as a coalition no later than January 2010 to review benefits and a medical reimbursement program for future retirees.
Mary Follenweider joined Mukhar, Loesch, and Ostrowski on AEA's Team in the coalition.
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Save-The-Date! Labor Endorsed Anti-War March & Rally - March 21, 11am
Last month, the San Francisco and Alameda County Labor Councils both voted to endorse the Saturday, March 21 Mass March and Rally in San Francisco marking the sixth anniversary of the invasion and occupation of Iraq. The Bay Area U.S. Labor Against the War chapter is organizing a labor rally prior to the start of the demonstration at Justin Herman Plaza (Embarcadero) where the march will be gathering at 11am. For more information, visit the San Francisco Answer Coalition's website.
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Save-The-Date! Cesar Chavez Holiday Breakfast - March 31, 8am
Commemorate the life and work of labor and civil rights leader Cesar E. Chavez, at a Chavez Holiday breakfast on March 31 at the Mission Language & Vocational School and Latino Culinary Academy. Local 21 has a limited number of tickets available to this event, sponsored by the Cesar E. Chavez Holiday Parade & Festival Committee. To reserve your seat, email Sarah Clark ASAP.
When: Tuesday, March 31, 2009, 8am-10am
Where: 2929 19th Street, San Francisco
Want to learn more about Chavez? Read his biography on the United Farm Workers' website.
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Save-The-Date! 7th Annual Cesar Chavez Day Celebration - March 31, Noon
Local 21's Oakland Council invites you to join its annual celebration of the life of a great labor leader, civil rights activist and humanitarian, Cesar E. Chavez.
Guest speaker Felix Galaviz [co-founder of the Puente Project and CEO of Hispanic Business, Education and Training, Inc (HBET), and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Alameda County] will be joining us, along with Spoken Work Artist Jaime Cortez (writer, artist & curator).
In the spirit of Chavez's legacy of community activism, this will be an eco-friendly green event. We are also requesting that all members bring non-perishable items to donate to the Alameda County Food Bank. The first 75 Local 21 members to arrive with a food donation will receive a prize.
When: Tuesday, March 31, 2009, Noon
Where: Frank Ogawa Plaza, 6th Floor lunchroom
Please join us in sharing a memorable raffle, wonderful food, good music, and great fun!
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Save-The-Date! William Greider, "Come Home, America" - March 31, 7pm
On Tuesday, March 31 at 7pm, Progressive Perspectives presents William Greider, a National Affairs Correspondent for The Nation, and author of Come Home, America: The Rise and Fall (and Redeeming Promise) of our Country. Greider will be speaking about the national economy and his new book at the First Unitarian Universalist Society, at 1187 Franklin St., San Francisco. A $15-$20 donation is requested, but no one will be turned away for a lack of funds. Please R.S.V.P. to 415.785.3650 or ProgressivePersp@aol.com. This event is co-sponsored by the San Francisco Labor Council.
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Reminder! Retirement Issues Briefing with Clare Murphy - April 3, Noon
Members who have already RSVP'ed are reminded to attend the union's third installment of Local 21's Speakers' series on the Economy. Clare M. Murphy, Executive Director of the San Francisco Employees' Retirement System, will be joining us to speak on what this economic crisis means for your retirement benefits, pension trust funding, and future retirement plans.
When: Friday, April 3, 2009, Noon
Where: Local 21's Main Office, 1182 Market Street, Room 425, San Francisco
We have reached capacity on this event and cannot accept additional RSVPs. A synopsis of the salient points of Murphy's presentation will be posted to the Local 21 website following the event.
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Save-The-Date! Cesar Chavez Parade & Festival - April 4, 11am
San Francisco's annual Cesar E. Chavez Parade & Festival will be taking place on Saturday, April 4 in the Mission District. Begin assembling at 11am at Dolores Park near 19th and Dolores Streets. The parade will begin at Noon, and end at 24th and Harrison Streets, where a street fair will continue until 5pm. For more information, visit the parade's website.
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Save-The-Date! Union Night with the San Francisco Giants - April 17, 7:15pm
Union members across Northern California are invited to attend union appreciation night at AT&T Park, with the San Francisco Giants (the opponent that evening is the Arizona Diamondbacks). A special tickets package for union members includes admission to the game and a drink voucher at a pre-game party in Scoreboard Plaza.
When: Friday, April 17, 2009
Time: The pre-game party begins at 5:15pm in Scoreboard Plaza, and the game starts at 7:15pm.
Where: AT&T Park
For questions or to purchase tickets ($17 per person), contact Joyce Satow at steward2004@aol.com or call 650.296.9687.
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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
