UPE GOVERNING BOARD NOMINATIONS HAVE CLOSED  ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD BY REGULAR MAIL  BALLOTS WILL BE MAILED BY OCTOBER 8, 2021 TO YOUR LAST KNOWN ADDRESS

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.

Know Your Rights It is imperative that you know your employee rights in order to ensure equal treatment and fairness in the workplace. As a public employee, you have rights that are granted through your union contract, state and federal law, and workplace policies. UPE's staff and member-leaders have fought tirelessly throughout the years to expand and protect these rights. Some of these rights include proper representation during an investigatory meeting pertaining to a disciplinary matter. Your rights to Family Medical Leave Act, American Disabilities Act and sick/vacation leave request/usage. A change of policy that impacts your current working conditions prescribed under the MOU and or government code. All of this matters and we will educate you through this process. To that end, we are developing a series of short, easy-to-read summaries of many of your employment rights. More summaries will be added to this website over the coming months. Always feel free to ask your Steward and or your Business Representative about your employment rights and how they apply to your specific circumstances. In most cases, your employer is not required to inform you of your rights.   CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Meet & Confer Update – Countywide Vaccination and Testing program September 13, 2021      On September 13th, 2021, UPE met again with the County’s representatives regarding the implementation of the Countywide Vaccination and Testing Program for members who work in healthcare or at-risk settings. The County has agreed to our proposal to hold workers harmless until September 30th. During this time, the County will focus more on informing, educating, and ensuring compliance. We also expressed concern for medically exempt workers from vaccinations, masks, and/or face shields. UPE wants to assure job safety and protections for all. When UPE asked about accommodations for this small group of workers, the County said they would follow up and give us an answer within a few days. All of these new changes and policies can be confusing for everyone. We will continue to keep you updated as matters progress. If you have any further questions, please contact your business agent or UPE directly at (916)736-9503.

DCFAS Telework Policy Update September 1, 2021      UPE and the Department met several times over the summer to discuss the Department's updated telework policy. At our last meeting, the Department shared an implementation date of September 1, 2021, once the meet and confer process concluded with all labor organizations.      UPE has received notice that the telework policy has been revised once again. Therefore, UPE must review the revisions and continue with the meet and confer process.  We’ve notified the Department of our desire to meet and schedule a meeting as soon as possible. UPE is disappointed that the Department continues to delay the implementation of the policy.  We will continue to keep you all posted.

Meet and Confer Update DHA Reopening August 9, 2021      UPE and DHA continued to meet and confer over the Department’s plan to reopen operations on August 23, 2021. The Department had initially proposed a full return to normal operations when they first proposed the plan in late Spring.  UPE always opposed this plan, citing the continued presence of COVID-19, the fact that in-person operations were occurring, and that other services were being offered remotely.  However, the Department pressed on with its plan.  As COVID increased over the summer, UPE renewed its objections to the plan and asked that telework be continued and expanded.  The Department would not back away.       However, at this meeting, the Department showed their first signs of backing away from...   Continue reading...

Negotiations Update 008 American Rescue Plan Act Funding      Your UPE 005 Negotiations Team and representatives from Sacramento County were scheduled to meet on September 21, 2021. UPE intended to continue discussing our proposal to use ARPA funds to compensate essential workers for their tireless service during the pandemic. Unfortunately, Sacramento County canceled the meeting, stating they had nothing to report as a decision has yet to be made. The parties are now in the process of rescheduling.      UPE is disappointed that the County continues to delay. Our workers deserve just compensation for their hard work and the sacrifices they continue to make during the pandemic.  The pandemic remains an ongoing reality and risk.  Our workers deserve answers from the County.        UPE will continue to fight for our workers to receive rightful recognition and compensation for their continued efforts during the pandemic.  We will continue to keep our members updated as matters progress.

008 Meet & Confer Update CPS Proposes Changes to Medical Neglect Review Team Policy September 13, 2021      Over the last several months, UPE and DCFAS met a number of times to discuss the proposed changes to the Medical Neglect Review Team Policy. UPE questioned the department's rationale behind the changes, as the changes would increase the workload for Social Workers who are already stretched thin. UPE proposed various options to mitigate the workload increase while also recognizing the need for the meeting in some cases. However, the department failed to recognize those efforts and rejected our proposals. As a result, the parties did not reach an agreement.       Socials Workers are now required to participate in Med-RT meetings prior to the closure of a referral/case involving a child/youth with a complex medical condition despite the lack of nexus between the medical condition and the referral. UPE has made it clear that we do not support this change. Thank you to our Board Members, Sarah Singleton, and Eric Booker, for their advocacy on this matter.

2021 UPE Members of the Month!   UPE Recognizes & Appreciates Your Support! 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter  JULY: Jasmine Sahota, Beatrice Cervantes, William McDougald, April Del Toro, Aqueelah Knowles, Araceli Sanchez, Cynthia Hall, Doris Gee, Genel Almeda, Savina Beundia, John Daugherty, Lisa Gail Holliman, Cindy Billalon AUGUST: Sophia Diaz, Leila Gomez, Debra Bingham, Araik Margaryan, Bellamy Araksya, Arlene McPeters, Josephine Gilbert, Elizabeth Chang