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THIRD ANNUAL UNITED PUBLIC EMPLOYEES SCHOLARSHIP
The UPE Board of Directors is proud to announce the 3RD 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. UPE is committed to investing in our membership whether in the form of representation, negotiations, or member appreciation programs such as these scholarships.
Applications must be postmarked by June 7, 2019. As a part of the application, those applying must complete a 500 word essay; include THREE letters of reference; and transcripts.
Winners will be announced in June 2019.
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008 Meet & Confer Update
Mobile Computer Carts at DHA Open Lobbies
UPE and the County met over the DHA mobile computer carts. DHA plans to provide all open lobby DHA Bureaus with a mobile cart(s) for employees to use as a, “tool”. The County provided UPE with a demonstration of the mobile cart including all of its equipment and capabilities. When evaluating the mobile cart, UPE raised several concerns over the inability to adjust the height of the cart and possible accommodation concerns for employees. Based on our concerns, the County stated that they will look into the adjustment needs and it is unlikely usage of the cart will be made mandatory. This option will allow employees with accommodations the right to opt out.
Furthermore, UPE and the County took a tour of one of the proposed location sites: DHA-SGM. UPE was concerned over space and the safety issues of two mobile carts placed in two hallway locations. UPE identified impacts to the fire safety code and employee concerns on their lack of ability to receive emergency help, if needed. UPE suggested placing a panic button on the cart for employees. In addition, UPE raised concerns that the equipment might look enticing for children who might mistake it for a toy. The County stated that they will address all of our concerns and get back to us for another meeting. Please stay tuned!
TOGETHER WE ARE STRONG
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Unit 3 Negotiations Update
Some progress made, but now they need to hear from you, the members!
On May 15, 2019, UPE and the County met for our 5th negotiation session. Each side made movement on proposals but no deal was reached. The County moved from their original 1% base wage increase each year to a 2% increase each year. However, their counter package proposal did not include the four (4) additional paid holidays.
UPE presented a counter salary proposal of 3.5% base wage increase for each year. Both parties are in agreement with a two year term. UPE and the County will meet again on May 29, 2019, where we will present counters to a number of outstanding proposals.
UPE will continue to fight for a contract that includes a livable wage; however, we need your help! A 2% salary increase is not sufficient!
What are you willing to do to secure a fair contact? Is 2% enough? If the answer is NO, now is the time for you to get involved and have your voice heard.
Help us fight for a sustainable wage by taking the short bargaining unit survey today! If you haven’t received one, please contact Crystal Jones at jones@upe1.org.
TOGETHER WE ARE STRONG
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005 Salary Survey Update!
UPE met with the County to discuss the 005 salary survey, particularly the OA Classification. UPE and the County have met several times in an attempt to reach an agreement over the jurisdictions that would be surveyed. This week, UPE submitted the following jurisdictions: Contra Costa, Alameda, and Santa Clara counties.
UPE justified adding these jurisdiction’s based on population size and distance. People in the Sacramento region are commuting to the Bay Area for better paying jobs. This means that Sacramento County is in direct competition with those jurisdictions. In addition, the population sizes are very similar to one another (impact on work load). For example, Santa Clara is ranked #6 in county population in CA, Alameda #7, Sacramento #8, and Contra Costa #9. The County rejected our proposal and only agreed to add one of the three counties, Contra Costa. We will be responding to the County’s counter proposal.
It is important to note that UPE has continually made the argument that an OA in Sacramento is different than an OA in other counties. In fact, there is a need for an updated job specification on paper in order to reflect the current duties being performed. The last updated job specification was in 1995! The County has pushed back and said that it is not needed. This is an attempt to minimize the reality that OA’s in Sacramento County are being over utilized and not fairly compensated for all of the work they perform on a daily basis! Our next scheduled meeting is on 4/24/19.
TOGETHER WE ARE STRONG
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005 Meet & Confer Update
Airport Overtime Policy Change
Sacramento County Airport Operations proposed to add AWOL language to their current Overtime Policy. By doing so would enable supervisors and managers the ability to take punitive actions against our members who cannot work overtime due to injury or illness. Overtime is common for our members working in the classification of Airport Operations Dispatcher due to the County not hiring enough AOD’s to limit unnecessary forced overtime.
UPE met with management and proposed to remove the AWOL language in its entirety. UPE argued that AWOL cannot be applied when an employee cannot work due to illness and or extenuating circumstances. After some hesitation, the County agreed to remove the AWOL language.
Furthermore, UPE raised the concern over an employee who has worked an abundance of overtime and subsequently been forced to work more overtime due to a lack of Airport Operations Dispatchers.
Based on this concern, the County agreed to language in which they will evaluate this circumstance on a case-by-case basis. This will allow the Communication Center appointing authority to bypass and not force overtime on an employee who has worked an excessive amount of overtime.
TOGETHER WE ARE STRONG
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Wednesday, May 1st 2019- 005 Office Technical Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m. at UPE
Thursday, May 2nd 2019- Sutter Board Meeting, 12:00 p.m. at Sutter
Thursday, May 9th 2019- Court Office Technical Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. at UPE
Tuesday, May 14th 2019- Court Professionals Unit Meeting, 12:00 p.m. at FRC
Tuesday, May 14th 2019- Merced County Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. at 2222 M Street, Room 310
Tuesday, May 14th 2019- 008 Welfare Non-Supervisory Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m. at UPE
Thursday, May 16th 2019- 6:00 p.m. at UPE
-Stewards Council: Advanced Internal Organizing
-Basic Steward Training III (Session 1):
Thursday, May 28th 2019 -Board of Directors Meeting, 6:00 p.m. at UPE
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