SEIU 1000tag:seiu1000.org,2009-07-31://332012-02-22T23:00:44ZMovable Type Pro 4.361ATU: Hidden Branch of Governmenttag:seiu1000.org,2012://33.137462012-02-22T22:57:06Z2012-02-22T23:00:44Z Hidden Branch of Government...kelledge
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Channel 1000 News: February 22, 2012tag:seiu1000.org,2012://33.137452012-02-22T21:40:25Z2012-02-22T22:42:55ZWe'll show you what Local 1000 members at State Fund did when the agency's president and CEO arrived at their worksite for a town hall...kelledge
We'll show you what Local 1000 members at State Fund did when the agency's president and CEO arrived at their worksite for a town hall meeting.
Assemblymember Roger Dickinson is sponsoring a State Employee Bill of Rights that would guarantee more worksite protections for our members.
Plus, Local 1000's fight to end outsourcing moves inside the State Capitol.
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Focus on the Facts: Size of Governmenttag:seiu1000.org,2012://33.137442012-02-22T21:18:26Z2012-02-22T21:21:59ZIs state government spending out of control?Why do people believe state spending is ballooning out of control?Focus on the Facts: Size of Government [PDF]...kelledge
Is state government spending out of control?
Why do people believe state spending is ballooning out of control?
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The Hidden Branch of Governmenttag:seiu1000.org,2012://33.137432012-02-22T21:14:18Z2012-02-22T22:15:49ZEvery year, the state pays private industry billions of dollars to provide services.Between 2003 and 2011, the state signed contracts--some with the nation's corporate giants--worth...kelledge
Every year, the state pays private industry billions of dollars to provide services.
Between 2003 and 2011, the state signed contracts--some with the nation's corporate giants--worth about $210.6 billion.
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Union Update: February 22, 2012tag:seiu1000.org,2012://33.137392012-02-22T14:00:00Z2012-02-22T00:18:52ZCall Center: A vital resource for membersWeingarten Rights: A case study - Judge: EDD supervisor violated member's rights02.22.12_update.pdf...kelledge
Call Center: A vital resource for members
Weingarten Rights: A case study - Judge: EDD supervisor violated member's rights
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Member action pays off in CHP dress code wintag:seiu1000.org,2012://33.137372012-02-21T23:31:58Z2012-02-22T18:30:53ZOrganized workers succeed in changing workplace rules on athletic shoes.
A persistent campaign by Local 1000 members over the appropriateness of athletic shoes has led to a dress code change for hundreds of civilian members at California Highway Patrol headquarters in Sacramento.kelledgeOrganized workers succeed in changing workplace rules on athletic shoes
A persistent campaign by Local 1000 members over the appropriateness of athletic shoes has led to a dress code change for hundreds of civilian members at California Highway Patrol headquarters in Sacramento.
"It was an arbitrary rule, and we refused to let management get away with it," said Jim Holverstott, an IT programmer analyst at the CHP and a longtime steward.
"The department tried to institute a stricter dress code for employees who have no contact with the public. We fought it. We didn't give up and, finally, we reached a fair compromise." ]]>
Casual Friday, formal week
The dispute dates back to 2010 when the CHP first issued a memo spelling out dress code rules for a "casual Friday" for executive staff and other non-uniformed CHP officials who work with the public. The same memo also noted no employee could wear athletic shoes and jeans from Monday through Thursday.
"They backed into a stricter dress code," said Barbara Pantoja, a 13-year CHP employee and one of the leaders in the campaign. "For those of us who do not have contact with the public, this was a new restriction."
Holverstott, Pantoja and fellow steward Lupe Lopez led members in the fight on several fronts. Local 1000 was able to delay implementation of the dress code last year after filing a successful unfair labor practice charge with the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) that pointed out that CHP had failed to meet with the union before changing the dress code.
A petition signed by 140 members opposing the dress code change also offered alternative language that would allow athletic shoes but maintain professional standards. In January, CHP issued a memo that adopted Local 1000's language word for word.
"The issue wasn't really about what kind of shoes you wear on what day of the week. The issue is fairness in the workplace," Pantoja said. "A lot of CHP employees signed on because they know the dress code was unfair. We showed that through the union we have a voice at work."]]>
Pullman porters used politics, organizing to build a stronger middle classtag:seiu1000.org,2012://33.137282012-02-17T19:40:37Z2012-02-18T00:01:08ZOn a muggy day in August 1925, a disgruntled group of 500 Pullman train sleeping car porters in Harlem banded together to fight segregation and...kelledge From the beginning, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters was more than just a labor union that fought for better wages and benefits for its members. Led by A. Philip Randolph, they wanted to change America by uplifting all African-Americans. Their motto: "Fight or be slaves."
"A community is democratic only when the humblest and weakest person can enjoy the highest civil, economic and social rights that the biggest and most powerful possess," Randolph said. ]]>
The porters worked on the Pullman train sleeper cars at a time when railroads were America's major form of cross-country transportation.
They carried luggage, made the beds, tidied the cars served food and drink, shined shoes, and were available night and day to wait on the passengers. They often worked 20-hour days and depended on tips to support their families. Their steady jobs allowed their members to buy homes and enter the middle class which was rare for African-Americans at that time.
Organizing the community
The porters became leaders and organizers. They took their organizing experience from the union hall into the churches and the community to fight for civil rights and voter registration. They also worked to build coalitions with unions and other progressive groups to fight for a more inclusive society.
The porters helped win broader public support for African-American civil rights in the 1930s and '40s. In the 1950s, porters organized many early civil rights campaigns, including the Montgomery bus boycott.
"Their ability to build strategic alliances with the broader community is a political strategy that remains relevant in 2012," said Local 1000 President Yvonne R. Walker "Today, we follow in their footsteps. Building our union is what builds our power."
Turning political power into worker rights
Dills act makes our contract possible
The rights and guarantees we enjoy as state workers today were made possible with the passage of the Ralph C. Dills Act--a law allowing public sector employees in California to collectively bargain the terms of their employment.
After two decades of political efforts, lobbying and organizing by state workers who wanted the same collective bargaining rights as the private sector, Gov. Jerry Brown signed the Dills Act into law in 1977.
"The tireless political efforts of state workers made the Dills Act--and our contract--possible," Local 1000 President Yvonne R. Walker said.
Many of the benefits we enjoy today--including vacations, pensions and medical benefits--came only after bargaining between the state and its employees. One often-overlooked provision of the Dills Act: those hard-earned rights are guaranteed to us and cannot be taken away or modified without collective bargaining - or a change in state law.
In the decades since passage of the Dills Act, critics of organized labor have threatened to repeal the law in order to weaken the rights of public employee unions.]]>
Los Angeles Times: CalPERS report undermines Gov. Jerry Brown's pension overhaul plan (Los Angeles Times)tag:seiu1000.org,2012://33.137202012-02-16T23:00:00Z2012-02-16T17:37:25ZCalPERS has a new report that says California Gov. Jerry Brown's idea to alter pensions with 401(k)-style plans won't help new workers and won't save...kelledge
CalPERS has a new report that says California Gov. Jerry Brown's idea to alter pensions with 401(k)-style plans won't help new workers and won't save California money, either.
The California Public Employees Retirement System is the nation's largest public pension fund, and its new report undermines Brown's efforts to change California's pension system -- which the governor insists is unaffordable and unsustainable.
CalPERS found that while some schools and local government agencies will probably save money, the expected savings to the state are "generally not significant."
Read entire article at LATimes.com >> ]]>
The State Worker: Pension measure autopsy shows multiple causes of death (The Sacramento Bee)tag:seiu1000.org,2012://33.137192012-02-16T17:33:34Z2012-02-16T17:35:24Zby Jon OrtizWe're in the ballot initiative wing of the California Political Causes Morgue. On the table, two public pension reform plans that died last...kelledge
by Jon Ortiz
We're in the ballot initiative wing of the California Political Causes Morgue. On the table, two public pension reform plans that died last week. Scalpel, please:
Poisoning. The official language issued last month by Attorney General Kamala Harris to describe the measures' tainted public opinion.
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Channel 1000 News: February 15, 2012tag:seiu1000.org,2012://33.137172012-02-15T22:49:37Z2012-02-15T23:07:02ZWe'll show you what Local 1000 members at State Fund did when the agency's president and CEO arrived at their worksite for a town hall...kelledge
We'll show you what Local 1000 members at State Fund did when the agency's president and CEO arrived at their worksite for a town hall meeting.
Assemblymember Roger Dickinson is sponsoring a State Employee Bill of Rights that would guarantee more worksite protections for our members.
Plus, Local 1000's fight to end outsourcing moves inside the State Capitol.
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Viewpoint: Stop the Corporate Power Grab Act (Calitics.com)tag:seiu1000.org,2012://33.137162012-02-15T21:17:45Z2012-02-15T21:19:40ZStop the Corporate Power Grab Actby Brian Brokaw, Alliance for a Better California 2012Jon Coupal of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association - who makes his...kelledgeStop the Corporate Power Grab Act
by Brian Brokaw, Alliance for a Better California 2012
Jon Coupal of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association - who makes his healthy living (last reported to be $300,000 annually) fundraising, concealing, and dispensing special interest money through what the Sacramento Bee calls "a sophisticated series of nonprofit corporations and political action committees" - this week issued a righteous call to "STOP SPECIAL INTEREST MONEY." How about that?
Of course, anyone who has followed California politics over the last few decades knows that the group founded by the late Jarvis, now led by Coupal, is one of the biggest, most powerful, most-entrenched special interests under the dome. As the Bee's Dan Morain notes, "[Jarvis] is part of the Republican establishment, almost always aligned with Chamber of Commerce and real estate interests, and often with tobacco, oil, gambling and other big businesses." Of course, we don't know exactly who funds Jarvis' activities because they don't have to tell us - but it's a safe bet that elderly homeowners on fixed incomes didn't fund the nearly $7 million that Jarvis raised in 2010.
Read entire article at Calitics.com >> ]]>
General Council Delegate Deadlinetag:seiu1000.org,2012://33.137152012-02-15T18:59:20Z2012-02-15T19:06:27ZNomination forms due by Feb. 24 at Local 1000 HQIf you are interested in serving as a delegate at the Local 1000 /CSEA General Council...kelledgeNomination forms due by Feb. 24 at Local 1000 HQ
If you are interested in serving as a delegate at the Local 1000 /CSEA General Council in 2012, your completed nomination packet must be received by Feb. 24 at Local 1000 headquarters in Sacramento.
To find out if a District Labor Council (DLC) has a delegate vacancy, click here. There you can also download a nomination form. The form and a candidate statement of up to 100 words must be received at Local 1000 headquarters (1808 14th Street, Sacramento, CA 95811) by 5 p.m. on Feb.24. Nomination material may be emailed to local1000elections@seiu1000.org, faxed to 916.554.1282, delivered or mailed to Local 1000 headquarters.
To view the vacancy election timeline click here >> ]]>
Union Update: February 15, 2012tag:seiu1000.org,2012://33.137142012-02-15T14:00:00Z2012-02-15T01:16:24ZBlack History Month: Pullman porters used politics, organizing to build a stronger middle classMember action pays of in CHP dress code winGeneral Council Delegate Deadline02.15.12_update.pdf...kelledge
Black History Month: Pullman porters used politics, organizing to build a stronger middle class
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February IT Professionals Quarterly Meetingtag:seiu1000.org,2012://33.137122012-02-14T17:18:37Z2012-02-14T17:21:40Zkelledge Wednesday, February 15th 5:30-7:30 p.m. SEIU Local 1000 Field Office 1325 S St., Sacramento
Agenda includes: Announcement of 2012 Local 1000 IT Professionals Conference, Outsourcing Campaign Update, Report on IT Strategic Plan and Reorganization Proposal for the CA Technology Agency, and Local 1000 IT Strategic Plan update.
Dinner will be provided.
RSVP to >> ITProfessionals@seiu1000.org ]]>
Members quiz legislative hopefulstag:seiu1000.org,2012://33.136662012-02-13T19:54:03Z2012-02-13T16:30:14ZOpen candidate town halls give opportunity to influence processLocal 1000 is joining with other SEIU locals to offer a series of "One Voice Town Hall"...kelledgeOpen candidate town halls give opportunity to influence process
Local 1000 is joining with other SEIU locals to offer a series of "One Voice Town Hall" election meetings in cities up and down the state where candidates for public office make presentations and answer questions from our members.
The town halls are being held throughout February and March as part of an open endorsement process in which rank and file union members discuss the candidates and vote on recommendations to SEIU's California State Council.
"Interacting personally with candidates is crucial," said Sophia Perkins, a Department of Health Care Services employee who attended the first town hall on Jan. 18 in Sacramento. "It's important to see who will best represent state employees and our families." ]]>
Many legislative seats open
An unusually high percentage of legislative seats are open due to redistricting, term limits and open primaries.
Political analysts say 42 of 80 Assembly seats may have a new legislator after November. In the state Senate, there is a chance to elect a two-thirds majority of labor-friendly lawmakers - a threshold necessary for passage of spending bills such as our contract.
"State workers have a huge stake in this year's elections," said Local 1000 President Yvonne R. Walker. "We must mobilize our membership to defeat potentially devastating ballot initiatives and continue to elect a strong majority of legislators who value state services."
Crucial ballot issues
The November ballot is expected to have at least three initiatives with a direct impact on Local 1000 members. One measure, which would effectively silence our union politically, has already qualified. There is also expected to be at least one measure to cut public employee pensions. The governor is also promoting a proposition to raise revenue for schools and vital state and local services. The Jan. 18 town hall was the first political event ever for Dee Dee Munson, an Employment Development Department (EDD) employee since 2009.
"It's amazing that we are able to ask questions face-to-face and see what they have to say about issues that affect state workers,"said Munson."I feel better about the election process, knowing that I can really make a difference."
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