COURT OFFICE TECHNICAL
Negotiations Update
December 11, 2018
As a result of today’s successful strike, the Court and UPE are in contact and negotiating once again. As a show of good faith, we are asking our members to return to work while we continue to negotiate. However, UPE reserves the right to walk out again if negotiations break down. UPE will continue to update members.
Stay Ready! Stay Strong!
WHY WE ARE ON STRIKE
Sacramento Superior Court employees have been working without a contract since September 30, 2018. Tired and understaffed we have spent countless hours over many months to come to a Labor Agreement with the court. We have engaged every avenue, including mediation, in an attempt to come to a Labor Agreement with the court. Our calls for a fair and livable wage have fallen on deaf ears. As all Sacramento residents know, the cost of living and rent in the region are only going up and as a result our workers are struggling to make ends meet. Unfortunately, our employers, the Judges of Sacramento Superior Court, who make well over $200,000 in total compensation, do not care.
To add insult to injury the judges received a 4% raise last year and an additional 3% increase in salary this year! However, they offer us less than the projected cost of living for next year and the following. Furthermore, the court has spent millions of dollars over the past few years on IT case management systems which as of today amounted to increased workload and NO functioning case management system! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
We ask for your understanding and your support. Join us for a few moments in making enough noise to reach the judges who decisions determine our future just as their decisions may affect your future.
If you have a health and safety concern about crossing a picket line please contact your supervisor to inform them of your concerns and to provide you with an alternative.
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Yuba Court Negotiations Update
December 5, 2018
On December 4, 2018, your UPE negotiations team met with Yuba Courts for our first official negotiations meeting. UPE presented the Court with thirteen different proposals to improve the language of your contract. The Court failed to provide any proposals at this meeting. The sides agreed on ground rules for the negotiations as well as reaching tentative agreement on three of UPE’s proposals. Salary proposals were not exchanged at this meeting as UPE is waiting for additional information from the Court. The two sides will meet again on December 13, 2018.
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COURT OFFICE TECHNICAL
Negotiations Update
November 27, 2018
Your negotiating team met with the Court today. The response from the Court was, “We cannot meet your last terms.”
Your bargaining team has worked very hard to get you, the members, what you deserve. Unfortunately, the Court has refused to honor your worth.
Our next step is to meet for a breakout session on Monday, December 3, 2018. UPE will be at the Gordon D. Schaber courthouse, fountain side, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. We will also be making picket signs.
It is imperative that all members participate during the breakout. Strength is in numbers. Stay tuned for future breakouts at your location.
Remember to Wear RED on December 3, 2018, in support of your bargaining team.
TOGETHER WE ARE STRONG!
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2018 UPE Governing Board Election Results
005 Chapter One (five seats up for election):
- Jennifer Avalo 17%
- Monica Stephens 16.6%
- June Morris 14.85%
- Althea Russell 11.23%
- Onedia Blanson 11.23%
- Zanell Hempstead 10.86%
- LaViennia Jackson 9%
- Larry Thomas 8.6%
005 Chapter Two (one seat up for election)
- Dawn Richardson 32%
- Brian Williams 24%
- Seth Jarrett-Lee 24%
- Nora Washington 16%
- Sylvia Garcia 3%
008 Eligibility Chapter (three seats up for election):
-
James Starr 27.9%
- Chris Jenkins 20.2%
- Amanda Pechin 19.5%
- Sara Jones: 16.5%
- Athalia Chamberlain 15.8%
Congratulations to our winners and thank you to all who voted! New Board Members will be seated in January.
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UPE WELCOMES YUBA COURT TO OUR UNION FAMILY
On 10/30/18, an election took place for the Yuba Superior Court Employees. With an overwhelming majority of support, the employees chose UPE as their exclusive representative. UPE is proud that the employees trust in a local independent union ready to serve local working people.
UPE has already transitioned from election to representation and negotiations mode. We are ready to make a positive difference for our employees in Yuba County.
TOGETHER WE ARE STRONG!
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Court Professional Unit- Bargaining Update!
We met with the Court again on October 25, 2018
There was no movement.
Both sides responded to the other.
Court was not willing to accept any of the Union’s
conceptual proposals in lieu of our 3%, 3%, 3%.
Both sides declared impasse.
Mediation will be scheduled as soon as possible.
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Merced County Is NOT Willing to Contribute
To Your Healthcare Rate Increases
October 1, 2018
Merced County noticed all bargaining units that the healthcare premium rates will be increasing by 3.6% for 2019. UPE immediately triggered the provision in our contract which allows us to negotiate the healthcare premium portion of our MOU.
As a result, we met with and provided a proposal to the County. The proposal stated, “The County of Merced will cover all UPE Unit 3 employees' premium healthcare costs associated with the 2019 increase rates.”
The County responded indicating they are not interested. UPE asked who exactly was not interested. The County replied that the Board of Supervisors directed them not to reopen the healthcare provision of our MOU. UPE inquired as to when and where the decision was made by the Board of Supervisors since we did not see them collectively provide direction or take action at an open meeting. Merced County's Lead Negotiator stated that she assumed it was in closed session.
UPE was very disappointed to hear that Merced County is not willing to provide some relief to our lowest paid members knowing that the cost of living has already increased to nearly 3% and that an increase in healthcare premiums will add an additional 3.6% in 2019.
According to the County, our proposal will only cost them $101,717.00; a drop in the bucket compared to the County’s (2017/18) budget of $626.7 million
(https://www.co.merced.ca.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/761).
The County will take our proposal and justification to the Board of Supervisors during closed session. Thereafter, we will meet again with the County to hear the Supervisors' responses.
We will keep you updated. Remember, we must remain in solidarity and continue our efforts to effectively organize UPE Unit 3 employees to become members, attend meetings, and be ready for a fight, come early next year when negotiations resume.
If you have any questions about the above, please feel free to contact me at Barajas@upe1.org.
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Wednesday, December 5, 2018 - 005 Office Technical Board Meeting, 6:00 pm @ UPE.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018 - 008 Welfare Non-Supervisory Board Meeting, 6:00pm @ UPE.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018 - Merced County Unit 3 Board Meeting 5:30 pm at 2222 M Street, Merced, CA 95340
Tuesday, December 11, 2018 - Court Professionals Unit meeting 12:00 pm @ FRC .
Thursday, December 13, 2018 - Court Office Technical Unit Meeting 6:00 pm @ UPE
Thursday, December 20 2018 - Council/Basic Steward Training III (*Session 3) 6:00 pm @ UPE
Tuesday, November 27, 2018 - Board of directors Meeting 6:00 pm @ UPE
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