Fourth Annual UPE Scholarship Competition   The UPE Board of Directors is proud to announce the 4th annual United Public Employees Scholarship competition.  Open to UPE members’ families, the program offers four $1500 scholarships to help with college expenses. The scholarships are part of the Union’s endeavor to give back to our members.      As a part of the application, those applying must complete a 500 word essay, include THREE letters of reference and transcripts. Applications must be postmarked by June 5, 2020 and winners will be awarded on June 23, 2020.  Please click here for more information.

COVID-19 Merced Proposal Update March 27, 2020       On March 26, 2020, UPE made several proposals to Merced County on behalf of Unit 3. At this time, Merced County has turned down our proposals. However, the County has proposed a Disaster Service Worker Incentive (DSW), which consists of eight hours of CTO time for every 40 regular work hours worked during this COVID-19 Pandemic event.  The hours will be calculated and available soon after the emergency has been lifted. The DSW Incentive will be implemented early next week. Full details of the proposal will be available soon.        While the County is not in a position to accept our proposals at this time, we’ve agreed to resume discussions in 30 days. UPE will continue to advocate on behalf of our members during this unprecedented time. Together We are Strong

UPE Executive Director Calls Out Board of Supervisors on County Response to COVID 19 The following email was sent to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors on March 20, 2020. Good afternoon Board of Supervisors, I write to you with much disappointment, frustration and down right anger with the lack of compassion and consideration your executive 700 H St management is giving to your employees. I understand that this pandemic emergency was not something anyone wished for, but it is here, and we must deal with it. You have thousands of employees who are being deemed as essential employees because they are government employees and they can be deemed so in an emergency crisis situation as we are in now. However, is it essential to keep employees, regardless of age, that are suffering from a chronic or underlying condition, at work to be possibly exposed to this deadly disease? It has been brought to my attention that the County is willing to let them go home to self-quarantine, however, they will have to utilize their accrual balances if that is their choice. Really? What if they do not have enough accruals to do so for a self-quarantine of 15 days? Well the county’s response is that they can apply for SDI, and get part of their salary to survive. Really?  Click here to read the complete letter.

UPE  Update: COVID-19  3/20/20 As you may be aware, Courts in Sacramento, Yuba, and Sutter Counties have all significantly reduced operations in light of recent directives from the Governor and County Health Officials.  These Courts are placing workers on Administrative Leave and providing additional pay to those that are required to come to work. UPE supports these actions and appreciates the steps these employers have taken to guard worker safety. UPE also supports the actions taken by Sacramento County to close public access, send non-essential staff home on administrative leave, and allow workers to telecommute where possible.  However, Sacramento County continues to require workers in a number of Departments to come to their offices as essential governmental employees.   Sacramento County are giving all workers 65 and over the option of paid administrative leave in order to comply with the Governor's order.  However, at this time the County is not offering the same option for workers with chronic health conditions that make them at higher risk to health complications due to COVID-19.   Click here to read more.

UPE Proposals to Sacramento County for Our Members Who Have to Stay at Work During this Emergency  3/25/20 A. All workers required to report to work during any County/State/Federal shelter in place order shall be paid time and a half for all hours worked.  This pay shall be made retroactive to the date the first order was put in place. This pay shall remain in effect until such orders are lifted.  Workers whose telework assignments require them to come to the office or meet with the public shall also receive additional pay under the terms of Section 1 above for all time spent in the office or meeting with the public. Workers whose telework assignment does not require them to report to the office or meet with the public shall not receive additional pay under the terms of Section 1 above.   Workers on paid administrative leave that are not required to report to the office or meet with the public shall not receive additional pay under the terms of Section 1 above.  Click here to read more.

UPE Update: COVID 19 Families First Coronavirus Response Act UPE Sisters and Brothers: On March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (HR 6201) was signed into law. It is the first of multiple bills we expect Congress to pass to provide relief from the impacts of COVID-19, and touches on a variety of subjects, including COVID-19 testing, unemployment insurance funding, and federal assistance programs.  This memo outlines the key features of the bill relating to (1) paid, public health emergency leave, which is an expanded form of FMLA leave for workers to care for children out of school or without child care (the “Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act”); and (2) emergency paid sick leave employers must provide for COVID-19 related health conditions (the “Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act”).  Click here to read more.

UPE Office Update COVID-19 Due the recent directive by the Sacramento County Department of Public Health, UPE staff will begin telecommuting effective immediately. UPE is committed to representing our Members during these difficult times.  If you need to contact your Business Agent please call our office 916-736-9503 to leave a message or email them directly. Staff will be checking messages and email regularly.  Our commitment to our members will not change and we will continue to advocate for our workers as we have before, just through different means.   Together We Are Strong

UPE Featured in the Sacramento News & Review!     Read how UPE steps in to advocate for members when they need them the most.   Click here to read more.

UPE Members of the Month      UPE Recognizes & Appreciates Your Support!