How early can we drop off our ballots in Riverside? Just got mine and only have time before work.

I totally agree with you and I too will NOT receive the 2K bribe. I can't live with myself to vote yes for this contract and I can't afford another strike.
However, if you don't vote at all...that means you will allow SEIU to keep accepting offers that only benefits a few nursers or a few top out employees and so on.
LIUNA does not do that. All the increases OR cuts to LIUNA employees are always across the board for everyone. We need to vote NO and tell SEIU that we need to hire a professional bargaining team like LIUNA. SEIU will only pass this contract only and only because the 2K bribe.

Worksite Organizers have been holding worksite meetings across the county. If you would like to have one at your location, please contact Member Connection at 1(877)721-4YOU.

The union is not trying to bully anyone into voting no..they just included the realties to a no vote.
It is still beyond me how so many people can be upset and think that we can get more if we vote no after we fought so hard to get what we got. A no vote means going back to imposition and GETTING NOTHING!!!

I am voting yes so that we can all look forward to getting what we got and fighting to get EVEN more in the next negotiations. Two weeks ago we had nothing and now everyone is saying it is not enough...lets stop being selfish and move on to the next fight. How can you say the strike didn’t work when we got an offer less than two weeks after striking? We all just got a AWOP paycheck and we are all dealing with it and we all knew that was what was going to happen when we went on strike..at least with this deal I know more money is on its way..being imposed on guaranteed nothing.

Also as a side note how can anyone say that negative comments are being censored when half of the over 100 comments on here are negative?? maybe your comment wasnt posted because you personally attacked someone or used negative language or something else that violates the policy..just saying

I agree, where is the Fairness clause? It must be out the window!!!! If LIUNA gets 27%, we should be getting 27%. SEIU, how does it feel to have screwed your members. You were not successful in providing us what LIUNA has been able to accomplish. Why should we want to stay wit SEIU, it seems like LIUNA is a better deal for us.
SEIU says that we get paid more and that is why we are getting less. I got my education so I can make more. But now with LIUNAs MOU, employees with little skills or education are going to making similar amounts to those of us that got an education.

Is the deal perfect? No it isn't, but I'm very confused by what anyone here hopes to accomplish by voting no and returning to impasse. If you are under the misguided delusion that rejecting the deal we’ve been offered will result in an enriched counter-offer then vote “no” and reap what you sow.
I’ve read intimations on here that pin a lot of hope on AB 646 and forcing the county to fact finding and arbitration. Guess what folks AB 646 is not exactly crystal clear on when a public agency has to enter in to fact finding. As a matter of law AB 646 says that if binding mediation does not result in a deal within 30 days of the start of mediation then the parties proceed to fact finding, unfortunately it doesn’t mandate mediation itself. There’s a school of thought out there that a public agency could avoid AB 646 by simply refusing to mediate. I’m not saying that this is the position the county will take, but let’s not put hope in an amorphous law that looks good from the outside but hasn’t been vetted yet. Even if SEIU tries to push the fact finding all that will happen is years of litigation and continued stalemate in negotiations.
I stood on the picket line with other SEIU members, but I don’t feel the strike advanced our cause. We waited too long to modify the pension formula for new hires and as a result our settlement isn’t as good. It’s time to accept that this may be as good as it gets for now and that the alternative could be a lot worse. I for one do not want to be locked in impasse and constantly have to wonder what’s coming next for the rest of my career here. A 5.5% increase with two advanced grade payments for those of us at the top of our scale is a hell of a lot better than what long time employees were entitled to under the TCE. I’m also glad to see the flex benefit indexed to an actual health care cost.
I don’t think this deal is great, but I also can’t subscribe to the idea that I’m owed much more simply because I’ve decided to stick around. Sure I could be making more money someplace else, but why should my decision to stay for the many intangible benefits be extraordinarily compensated. If you have that many options for higher pay and you truly feel underappreciated then you have an obligation to yourself to leave. No one deserves to be miserable.

I got my paystub as well after going through the AWOP. It's a big cut and sacrifice. I did it because I want to fight for fairness. Had I known that SEIU was going to accept this HORRIBLE deal only protecting the members making a HIGH salary and the ones at the TOP with a nice $2K for stimulus plan, I would NOT have participated on the STRIKE.
This is a lesson learned. I make a low salary and LIUNA employees whom I work with will be making MORE than me and I am the one with a DEGREE. As a matter of fact, they are all LAUGHING at me in my office.
I also don't qualify for the $2K because I am one step lower from being at the top and I have suffered with my salary freeze for 4 years now on top of my furloughs. When I bring all this to the attention of SEIU, my SEIU rep tells me life is NOT FAIR. They won't do anything about it and now they don't even reply to my emails or phone calls. I am about to write to the SEIU president (I am not writing his name so that SEIU has no excuse NOT to post my blog) but I doubt that he will even give a momment of his time.
I wish I could just keep my union dues on my pocket. My vote is NO!

I received my ballot today. It was very disappointing to see the tactics our SEIU union is trying. Looking at the ballot I feel like I am being bullied into voting Yes. The County tried to bully us into not striking now our union is trying to bully us into voting yes. VOTE NO! Make our union earn the dues we pay. I received my paystub today after going AWOP on the 1/31 and I took a big cut. We sacrificed our time and pay now SEIU work on getting us a better contract. It would also be nice if SEIU returned their phone calls.

Clarify the career lattice compaction between LIUNA vs SEIU for promotional opportunities.

Thank you ZEE !! This is something to think about...

Stop comparing our deal to LIUNA's!!!! LIUNA did not negotiate layoff protection which means that if the County wants to lay these people off and rehire them, they will do so at 2% @ 60%. At least SEIU members get a full restoring of their benefits, years of service, and 3% at 60 if they get laid off. Also, no other union has the Single Highest Year benefit as a base year for retirement and instead, have a 3 year average of their final compensation year which greatly reduces their retirement base pay...my assumption is that the projected 180 to 650 layoffs which will in fact be implemented by July 1, 2012 to cover the 40 to 80 million dollar shortfall will in fact consist of mainly LIUNA employees to not only reduce legacy costs but to reduce their total benefits paid out each each...those LIUNA members that are eligible for retirement with many years of service most likely will not return if they are only going to get 2% at 60 with a cap at 90%.

WE SHOULD ALL FOCUS on the next contract since the County is projecting a 57 million increase in projected revenue by the end of our contract term and include items like the ability to cash out leave time and a consolidation of vacation and benefits to mirror management's benefit package. Then re-write the fairness clause so that whatever management gets..we get...it is very difficult to compare the two groups if their benefit packages look different.

SEIU deal means no GROSS pay increase for anyone until July 2014 and some 2016.

I don't like the SEIU deal. Its not an increase to our NET pay. I can put it into excell to show you if you want. My rough calculations show it will take until July 2014 to make more than before the 3% taken for retirement last month. Factor in that we've had no COLA or step increase since 2008 and that makes 6 Years WITH NO INCREASE? Come on!

2012-2016 over the 5 years of the deal I will only earn $6000 more than if pay stayed the same as 2011. That's only average $1200 a year. That's 1.87% total increase in 5 years OR 0.37% A YEAR...BASICALLY 0 . Factoring in that our pay also includes $7000 for flex and increase is even lower. Subtract out my furlough $ from 2009 and it is nearly exactly equal. Im sure the county knows that it is all equal!  So basically no pay raise from 2008 to 2016.  So I will be even money in 2016 as if my 2008 wages had not changed in 8 years because we absorb the retirement contribution. Factor in INFLATION and we are -16% in purchasing power of our pay if there was 2% inflation each year (14.4% increase for 6 years 2006-2011). Plus take out higher insurance premiums from 2008-2011. It may literally be 10 years, 2018 until net takehome pay is the same.           

I'm at the top step so I'm only getting 2 steps in my calculations.   If you aren't at the top you are allowed 2 step increases in July 2014 until December 2016 which means you would add 4 steps if you annual anniversary was before July and 6 steps if after July.  So 6 steps max is 16.5% more that I am not calculating.  That basically is cancelled out by the inflation estimate of 16% noted above.  You are making even money from 2008-2016 and going backwards if you factor in medical insurance increases from 2008-2011.  

Wow!!
Why is seiu so fast to take this deal?
If we are supposed to be a family, then why soooo fast to say yes?
What no meeting with seiu to discuss concerns? They sure wanted meetings to strike and have the members not get paid.
1.) What happened to members who were hired before 1992, that shouldn't have to pay into retirement? This was presented by BOS on their lfbo. I still want that perk and I'm sure alot will agree.
2.) What about the money put aside for new employees to be hired when members are still taking cuts?
Did you know some members do not get any deal until 2013.
All for one right. Then vote no!!
We all get a deal together or nothing.
The ones who don't get any perks until 2013 (probation employees) still have to pay 3% more into retirement in July.
Health Care cost rising at year end again. Big deal if we get flex benefits the rise in costs will offset that perk.
Isn't Liunas class lower than SEIU and if so why are they getting more.
My prediction is Management will be taking the money left over, which I'm sure is a boat load, because they (BOS) won't show their books. What are they hiding? SEIU should ask to see them before we vote on anything.
VOTE NO!!!!!

I am voting NO, I am voting NO, and it is a NO, NO,NO! By the way I am voting NO.
SEIU might pass this contract by 60% 70%...and still there will be a lot of angry people out there who just want to find another UNION!

You are absolutley RIGHT.
Management will give a big raise to Unrepresented and Confidential HR on top of their already high paying Salaries. Hence they insisted NOT having a Fairness Agreement with SEIU.
We, SEIU are the only ones screwed in this contract and YES! I attended the meetings and went on the 1-day strike. Even convinced some of my co-workers to participate on the strike. While I do believe our bargaining team works really hard for us and I respect them. I do admit that they should NOT have agreed with this contract.

"...The majority wins, so you must vote "NO!"

Seriously? Did the vote already happen and I didn't get my ballot? Or are you just referring to the majority of the 91 comments on this page? Also who authorized you to order me or anyone else to vote No? My understanding is that a vote is an individuals choice and it's up to them as to the reasons why they vote yes or no. I explained the reasons I am voting YES. You want to disagree with them fine but don't tell me what I must vote and in MY OPINION if the contract doesn't pass we will be at the current impasse for a very long time.

"For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:29-30)."

Yes, I was at some union meetings. I did not like all of the outside politics (1% talk, occupy, corps are evil etc).

I am new to seiu, not the county. I was satisfied with LIUNA as my union.

reply to New Employee: You need to hush and pay attention. Were you at any of the Union Meetings? Did you go to negotiations to observe? Probably not. Well, I did! The Union fought harder than I've ever seen.
Since you're "new", why not be an observer and learn. Then next time contracts are up, take an active part.

First of all MH - 5.5% of $80,000 is $4,400 while 27% of $40,000 is $10,800. Your argument just lost. Percentages do matter, Stop talking about how SEIU has higher paying jobs than LIUNA when comparing percentages. You will notice that the BoS didn't give LIUNA a flat amount (like $4,400 per year or even $10,800 per year.) they give percentages. That makes it FAIR for everyone. The County entered negotiations facing the reality that if they give something to one, they must give it to all. Wait until the county gives Mgmt and unrepresented a bigger percentage than SEIU. It will boil your blood but, it will be too late if you vote "YES" on this feeble attempt at an agreement. We need to see the County's books - that is the right and moral thing to do. Please vote "NO!" on this one. Don't just skip the vote, vote "NO!" so that your vote counts. The majority wins, so you must vote "NO!".

BRAVO! I'm ready to take it to the next level. Now that we have seen the way BOS/HR negotiations (or lack there of) we can step up to the plate and make them accountable. There is a new law that past on January 1, 2012, that demands Counties to submit financials instead of making them wait a year or two...like they did with us. This was something that the bargaining team had to file unfair labor practices on time, and time, again from the beginning. I have a feeling the next contract is going to hold folks even more accountable. Just another example of underhanded bargaining and unfair labor practices.

Hi,
I would like to thank all of the members that stood behind us during the last year. You guys were awesome. Your turn out on January 31st made history and it was off the chain! For all the naysayers.. I challenge you to join the bargaining team for the next go round. Together we can rule the world! Take care.

reply to Dana,
You're a Supervisor - you are eligible for compaction. If you have LIUNA employees subordinate to you you will get a 5.5% increase every time they get a raise and it compacts your salary. Of course if your manager says "well you really don't supervise your more like a lead." Heard that before? The ParaProfessionals are the ones really taking it in the shorts. Promises of continued discussions with management is total Bull Crap.

I am voting yes, but the union really sold out new employees. I am in a position where I am expected to promote twice within the next two years. Both of those promotions will now be at 5.5% less than before. Effectively, a 5.5% cut from what I expected / was told when I hired in.

I AM VOTING YES.
"...restore step/merit increases, obtain Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA), and increase FLEX medical benefits to offset the rising cost of health care. In addition, the team was able to secure several other contract improvements, such as increased levels of Short-Term Disability benefits, uniform allowances and sick leave usage. " Is better than zero or subtractions.

Reading some of the comments about LIUNA's contract I'd call some of it jealousy which benefits nobody.Plus 5.5% of $80000.00 is a lot more than 27% of $40000.00. I'm glad LIUNA members are getting an increase.

Concepts like Fairness and Deserved are illusionary and the benefits of believing in them are illusionary. Applying them now will not get us a better contract.

Concepts of Skill and Earned are reality. If you are not happy with your income now learn the skills to move up or move on and earn more money.

In bad economic times government's always puts the money towards any department or employee who is part of safety. The rest get whats left over. That's the way it is.

I Am Voting Yes. While it isn't a bag of gold delivered by a utopian leprechaun it is something that will help with paying the bills and putting food on the table for my family.

Dont be fooled into voting YES because thats all we could get. The BOS has consistently treated SIEU members almost with what i would call disdain. Why? What have we done to be treated less than equal than other unions? Do they not like the color purple? If they cant afford a fair contract for everyone then its personal and not " tough times". Make them come back with an equitable deal and if they dont, mediation will urge them to explain their reasoning and definition of fair. Dont let them scare you, what they are doing is illegal and a yes vote will let them get away with it and the next contract they already will know we wont fight for whats fair. I am not greedy i can make a lot more money someplace else but I have invested so much and was proud of my service here but 5% increase over 9 years. Please vote No!!!

So many things to say...

1. It hasn’t been explained enough?? we need the union to serve us pizza on a silver platter for you to decide yes?? Last I checked we are all professionals and educated. Call the union if you have questions, read the contract, do your own math..BE AN ADULT. WE are the union..not the union staff. If you need more information go out there and get it.
Those that think that we can do better and the bargaining team is horrible. Why don’t YOU become more involved, be on the bargaining team..do something to make a difference, don’t just sit on your butt at home and complain from your computer

2. Those of you that are topped out.. YOU ARE TOPPED OUT!!! that means that you are not supposed to make more money expect for COLA's or promote. In this deal you are getting two 1000.00 bonuses, two more steps and getting COLA's back..how dare you complain..you guys are the ones making the MOST money right now.
You wonder why the public views us as whiny cry babies who just want more and more and more..because of comments that are being made on this site

3. We cannot compare ourselves to LIUNA. We make more money....six steps to them is still not the same amount of money as our two steps. At the end of the day we still make more money than those in LIUNA. Do you realize that the average LIUNA member makes maybe 30,000 a year?? Giving them more money still cost the County less money than giving us less money...we have never gotten the same contract as LIUNA or DDA's...we never will..7000 LIUNA members and 350 DDA members cost the County less money than our 5,800 members EVERY TIME. Are we in second grade? *BOO HOO*..we didn’t get what they got..seriously people grow up.

4. There is no law that says that they have to give us a better deal than what was rejected. The law that went into effect on Jan 1, 2012 that says they have to do mediation does not affect us yet because this is LAST years contract. If we vote no to this that means we get nothing and go back into bargaining in march for NEXT year’s contract...and we all know how long bargaining can take, and at the end of the day we may still end up with nothing. I understand that this is not the best offer ever..but we didn’t ask for the best offer..we asked for a fair offer and we got what is fair for now. This is a process..we dont get everything we want all at once. We are living in video game society and everyone wants everything NOW and the real world doesn’t work that way. Less than two weeks ago we had nothing…No COLA’s, no step increases, no increase in FLEX and now we are saying that we didn’t get enough??? I am amazed!! This also guarantees us that the fight is over for 5 years..I don’t want to keep going back year after year to fight..it’s exhausting! This gives us five years to build and make our union even stronger for the next negotiations.

5. Everyone on here who is saying to vote No better have been on the picket line on the 31st. Those saying to vote No also better be willing to go on strike for an extended amount of time and be willing to try to convenience all your go workers the same. I worked my BUTT off convincing all those in my office and other offices to go on strike for ONE day..and less than two weeks later we get a contract and people have the guts to say we should fight for more.
I am voting YES. I am continuing to be involved with the union and with the local political scene..the reason that the union sends things about who to support is because those who are I office effect what happens at the bargaining table…it’s called the bigger picture.
I am sorry if I sound angry..but I am. I have put so much and work into this to fight for a fair contract and to hear people complain and say its not enough angers me. The contract has to be fair for as many as the members as possible. It is impossible to make everyone happy every time and for people to reject it because it is not perfect for them is selfish and immature.

VOTE NO!

It comes down to this for me...I'm not happy that we'll be loosing take home pay for the first couple of years of this contract, but in order to do something about it, we would need to be able to win a public relations campaign against the BOS, and be willing to engage in other job actions...Did you see how the local media covered the strike? All of the coverage I saw was not very flattering to the union's position, and tilted the facts to make the BOS look like they were trying to manage the county's finances in a responsible manner...As long as the BOS can win voters by looking like they are "tackling pension reform," etc., we are in an underwater position in a negotiation...I don't see the political will in the rank and file to mount more concerted action, do you? I think the negotiating team has done its best in a rough climate...I'm going to hold my nose and vote "yes" unless someone can see how we can gather public support for our position...Remember, Bob Buster was able to hold a local fund raiser and charge $5000 a plate, while President Obama was only asking $1,000 a plate at his local fund raiser...Folks we live in a county where no one seems to think that has an odor...

I guess I'm not the only one comparing pay grades as the HR job descriptions is difficult to get into today.

Once in, I was pleased to see that within just a couple years, I will be making less than my secretary. She's LIUNA, My position requires a four year degree. I feel like I wasted my time and I type better than her anyway so I'm submitting a new resume for the secretary position. For the record, I've been topped out for four years.

VOTING NO, NADA, NYET, NON.

I am just looking for FAIRNESS FOR ALL. I have been with the County for over 22 years. I have given up numerous COLA's and pay increases for certain concessions. The same items that were previously negotiated, and I have given up plenty for already keep ending up on the chopping block over & over again. Now, the most loyal employees, those of us who have been here the longest, are getting the worse deal. It is not fair that one group will only see an overall 5.5% increase while most others will see over 4 times that amount! The two, $1,000 lump payments don't even come close to an actual raise. The two, 2.71% added steps do not even cover two of the 3% cuts for the employee pension contribution. LIUNA's contract is much more fair to ALL of their employees. We deserve the same fair treatment as our co-workers in other unions. LIUNA consistantly gets better contracts. I have already gone so far backwards, that waiting until July 2014 to see ANY actual increase is not acceptable.

If we got the same deal as Liuna (which is NOT a fish we THINK is out there, it IS there. Liuna got that fish), the six steps added to the top of our positions will make it fair for the topped out members. It gives the topped out people a chance to recoup for the last 3 years, just like you with your step increases. Also, those extra steps aren't only for the topped out people. EVERYONE will eventually benefit from those steps. EVEN YOU!

The solution is obvious: Hold your nose and vote yes on the contract. Yeah, it is by far the worst contract that was "negotiated" by any of the unions, but only bad things can happen if the contract isn't ratified. Our union bargaining team let us down. There are no two ways about it.

The next step is to decertify the union and join a union that actually cares about bargaining for its members (not spending most of their efforts supporting various outside political causes).

Sure, the glass is not full but it is not empty either. This deal is not the best offer ever, but it is acceptable for now and certainly puts everyone of us in a better positon than we have been for some time. I see this as some others of you have...our foot in the door...a beginning. We now have some hope for our futures...isn't that what we want? We need to remain united as we were on January 31 and build on that strength by voting yes for this contract and moving forward. I want to thank the bargaining team who I believe did an awesome job for all these months! Vote YES for this contract.

For those that are unhappy with the tentative agreement, are you really ready for another strike? One day would not be enough a second time. I don't think you will find many willing to go that route.

What we have in the tentative agreement is not perfect but compare it with the county's last best final offer and even what our bargaining team was proposing. It moves the needle markedly in our favor. No we didn't get everything we would have wanted but this agreement is reasonable when you realize what we are up against politically. As others have mentioned, comparing this tentative agreement with agreements with other groups is simply not a productive exercise.

I'll be voting YES!

Fed Up, If you are not topped out you actually will be getting over 16% or greater after the contract is complete. You get all 8% of the colas which washes out the 8% pension. You get protection from rising health care costs with the increase to flex benefits. Your steps are started, the first two at 2.72% then the rest at 5.5%. So I don't see how this is a terrible thing. I am in the same boat. I was at the strike, I attend meetings when I can. I will be at a deficit until July 2014. My anniversary is in June. I am voting YES. I wish it was even better but it is what it is. Voting No gaurantees nothing, voting YES gaurantees an increase in everyones pay to some degree for the first time in over 3 years. YES!

TRY IT AGAIN's reply said it all, plainly and clear for those who do not want to see that we've been taken as fools if we think this contract is ok. I'm for a fair agreement not just an agreement and that is what my picket sign said we wanted.
I'm voting NO.

Look at this contract closely and map it out. I did. Most of us are still going BACKWARDS until July 2014!! Yes, on the surface it looks like the step advances and COLA's are good, but most of us are hurting now and our pay will continue to shrink for over 2 years. Also, I would love someone to explain what good a fairness clause is, if the contracts are not equal?

Those of us who are long time, faithful County employees are getting the shaft. Look at the grid put out by SEIU. Tenured/Top step employees will only be getting a net 5.5% salary increase (while all others will get up to 21.7% or 29.7% increases.) The 2 - $1,000 payments do not even come close to long term merit increases. LIUNA's contract is much more fair to ALL THEIR EMPLOYEES! I would like to know what good does the fairness clause do, since LIUNA employees got a better overall deal?!!

Funny, I was just thinking I couldn't disagree more with Crystal, Joe and Examine Closely. 6 steps is a lot more than 2 steps. Why do you think its fair for the DDA and LIUNA to get a SIGNIFICANTLY better contract? What do you say to the people who are on the lower half of the pay range?

I agree it would be good for step increases to resume, but it would be FAR better to have the ceiling on those ranges increased, like the DDA and LIUNA. Power united? A yes vote now, says I will ALWAYS take whatever crumbs the county decides to give us.

Vote NO for this contract!
The LAW says that the County has go back to the table and negotiate and offer something better than what was rejected. If County and SEIU can't agree, then by LAW a third party (from the State of California) mediator has to get in the picture.
For the ones who think the county cannot afford give us all fair treatment. Why do you think the county EXCLUDE unrepresented from Fairness Agreement? Because the county will give them all a NICE raise as well as the SHERIFFS.
Yes. The county has lot's of money for the unrepresented, DA and Sheriffs with big salaries....over 8,000 members with big salaries.
The only members the county does not have money for is SEIU.
SEIU...you may pass this contract, but it will be by 60% not by 97%.... Hope you are proud of that.

if u cant present the same package to us as LIUNA got dont bother sending out ballots do back and get us at LEAST the same package as they got for their new contract why should we accept less than our subordinates are getting We will not settle PLEASE vote no on this package if they are so irresponsible that they send us a ballot

EVERYONE!!!!
Stop comparing our deal to LIUNA's!!!! LIUNA did not negotiate layoff protection which means that if the County wants to lay these people off and rehire them, they will do so at 2% @ 60%. At least SEIU members get a full restoring of their benefits, years of service, and 3% at 60 if they get laid off. Also, no other union has the Single Highest Year benefit as a base year for retirement and instead, have a 3 year average of their final compensation year which greatly reduces their retirement base pay...my assumption is that the projected 180 to 650 layoffs which will in fact be implemented by July 1, 2012 to cover the 40 to 80 million dollar shortfall will in fact consist of mainly LIUNA employees to not only reduce legacy costs but to reduce their total benefits paid out each each...those LIUNA members that are eligible for retirement with many years of service most likely will not return if they are only going to get 2% at 60 with a cap at 90%.

WE SHOULD ALL FOCUS on the next contract since the County is projecting a 57 million increase in projected revenue by the end of our contract term and include items like the ability to cash out leave time and a consolidation of vacation and benefits to mirror management's benefit package. Then re-write the fairness clause so that whatever management gets..we get...it is very difficult to compare the two groups if their benefit packages look different.

The one thing that I think we should be upset about is the lack of transparency between our SEIU negotiating team and its members...I've listened in on the meetings that we had and they are a complete waste of time lacking needed substance!!!! The first thing SEIU must do next time is send out a clear action plan to all of its members to show us what the hell we are fighting for for things like strikes and such are not taken in vain!!!! Second, we need to prioritize our needs and wants and draft language that can be taken to the County for negotiations. Third, we should already assume that the County will not act in our best interest and hire a Professional Attorney to represent us rather than shop stewards that do not understand the rule of law and/or its proceedings. Fourth, should ask on day one all of the financial statements, forecasts, and all other relevant data necessary to make a sound decision and give them 30 days max to produce the documents with an agreement to meet in between in good faith. Fifth, SEIU should preemptively file lawsuits with PERBs and the Courts under the new collective bargaining rules 30 days after the initial start of negotiations to force the County's hand through legal means if possible. Sixth, use Strikes as only a last countermeasure after the Courts have finally concluded their decision...Seventh, fire all of our current negotiating team members!! they are all incompetent!!

Vote no on this horrible "tentative" agreement. I assumed we would be getting a similar deal that Luinna received, but I guess I was wrong. SEIU has been a joke as long as I have been at the County. We go on strike, donate our money back to the County, and we get this?? And as with a lot of other members, I would of been topped if my salary was not frozen for the past three years.

This is what I was seeing too. I simply can't afford to wait till 2014 to break even. Add in the fact that the rest of the contract is less than desirable as well and doesn't give me any hope for the future. At least LIUNA has something to look forward too and the possibility of making up some of the ground lost due to years of cuts.

I really never dreamed we'd read so many negative comments. We are now dividing and being conquered? Whereas we were going to be imposed to losing 8% with one chance for an increase, now we all have increases and its not good enough because we are comparing ourselves to other job classifications? Do you really think the County can afford to give us all what they gave 350 DAs (which they did that to be able to impose pension reform on LIUNA). Do we think they can give what they gave 7000 LIUNA members who are in lower paid positions and over 50% are in lower half of pay range to 6000 of us, the majority of which are in upper half of pay range? We cannot ask for the world during these economic times. Talk about losing the public's support forever! We weren't going to get anything but cut and now we can come out ahead.

The problem is it looks like the County gave the Union what they requested. My question is when the County stopped negotiating and then gave Liuna a nice little contract, when we went back to the table why didn't the Union ask for at least what Liuna is receiving. The Union can't say this contract stinks because it is all they asked from the County. This contract is horrible. I will actually get the $1000 but don't try to tell me it is equal to 4.5% of my salary it is not, not even close. The Union is trying to sell us a bill of goods because obviously they have no idea what they are doing. A 2 time payment of $1000 does not increase my base salary for future negotiations, my base will not increase. Liuna's pay continues to increase and continues to stay higher unless they make a deal to lower it (not likely) Our pay will have to be negotiated higher and we know how good our Union is at doing that. I promoted from Liuna 6 years ago and this Union always seems to get a bad deal compared to Liuna. The excuse always was Liuna get their contract after SEIU what is the excuse this time? Even if you go with the figure of 14% (which is exaggerated) Liuna is like 27%, in what year will we get a 13% increase above Liuna to just get even with them? With SEIU that won't happen we will continue to lose ground with this Union representing us. I'll vote NO although I'm sure it will do no good since so many people are blind to how their salary is moving backwards every year.

It is my plan to vote no, and then, consider disconnecting from all of this union activity. We always get whatever bone someone wants to through us. I heard a lot of talk about fairness, but it seems that everyone looks out for themselves. I was hopeful. I took a day without pay, and like many I couldn't afford it, and when it's all done, I ask why? Were all of the negotiators topped out? It's hard to believe that someone who was not topped out accepted bonuses for only those who were for an increase they may not see for over a year. My health insurance increased almost $60 in December, required to pay 3% of our pensions in December, another 3% in July, but it's okay because I'll get 2.7 in 2013. Sounds fair to me. If I was topped out would I expect to get more that 2 step increases and a few colas? No one told me there were penalties for promotion during a wage freeze. As far as tenured employees, I've been here for over 20 years. What do those of us who aren't topped out get 'in return for paying our pensions'. At least when the county imposed, it was equal for all SEIU members. Wonder how many members advocating we vote yes are topped out.

We were on the picket line along with everyone else who had the courage to do it but since I am not topped out I get screwed once again. Why did SEIU take care of the ones on top and not all of us. Why cant they bargain for exactly what LIUNA got. We took a days cut in pay that is no cooincidence that they got their contract signed that same week....

Not really sure what to think about all this SEIU please comment.

LIUNA set the bar and we shouldn't accept anything less! That's only fair. How could our union even consider accepting this? SEIU employee's will forever be second class if we accept this agreement. Vote No!!!

I cannot understand why the Union sent out such a happy "we reached an agreement!" e-mail. This agreement is not nearly as favorable as the DDA or LIUNA agreements. Is this punishment for going on strike?

It would be far better for ALL represented by SEIU to negotiate those 2-$1000 payments into additional steps or COLA's. Though as someone said earlier, why not just piggyback on LIUNA's contract?

Vote "NO" on this tentative agreement.

It is an insult to the membership and it can't be supported because it is LESS than
what all the other bargaining units got!

Voting "NO" will make the County open the books and expose their lies.

We CAN do better than this! Please vote "NO" on this agreement!

I am just glad to see ANY increase to offset the 8% cut we are taking. Those of you that may vote no, please think about it first. We may get NOTHING for at least a year, but we will continue to take the cuts that are already in place. Then, there is no guaranty that we will get anything better when returning to the bargaining table. I think we should just be thankful we are no longer going backwards, and that the BOS can't take anything else from us during the next 5 years. No furloughs, pay-cuts, pension changes, etc. We can go back to doing our jobs without uncertainty hanging over our heads.

I understand how you may feel, however please note that the Grade Step and the 2.71% increase for Topped Out Members may not pertain to the same group within the Union.
Nurses will get paid differently from Supervisors, as well as them vs. Social Workers.
Please double check with the union first, before passing judgement.

SEIU, DO YOU HAVE ANY ACCOUNTANTS WITH YOU WHEN YOU ARE NEGOTIATING? Because you guys dont seem to understand numbers very well. And you do know that there are some high paying LIUNA non-degreed titles out there right? For example, Engineering Tech's. LIUNA Senior Engineering Techs make $35.24 plus 27% = $44.75. Lets look at the people who supervise them and have degrees. Assistant Civil Engineer $38.36 plus 13% = $43.34. What you are saying is that the tech will make more than the engineer, but you will fix it once it becomes a compaction issue by giving them a 5.5% raise at THAT point. Maybe right? When you catch it at your ANNUAL meeting to review this stuff.

Another example, Accounting Tech 1's vs Accounting Tech 2's. A Tech 1 is considered LIUNA and a Tech 2 is considered SEIU, SUPERVISORY, nonetheless. So not only will they be making ALMOST THE SAME (A $0.20 cent difference), the Tech 2 gets long term disability when the Tech 1 gets short term. When you are older that may work, but when you have two mothers go out on maternity leave, one gets to be with their baby for half the amount of time the other does. I wonder which one that would be? And the ACCOUNTANT that supervises those Tech 2's?...Are they considered supervisory? Of course not. When would they be considered supervisory. They are in the same class as the Acct Tech 1's. Yes, makes perfect sense.

It makes absolutely no sense that one union gets one thing and the other something totally different and at the end the "supposedly" higher making union will make LESS then the lower paid union. I dont need to make MORE then anyone. I just dont want to see the title I worked my way up for and EARNED thru hard work, make LESS than the title I was years ago.

I'm not happy. There should be no reason that SEIU members should accept less than what the county gave LIUNA on a silver platter. We've taken cuts for longer and had to strike and loss a days pay for what? So we can get half what LIUNA got.
As a NON-topped out employee I've worked side by side doing the same job (and more) than my fellow topped-out co-workers all while making substantially less due to no step increases. Now I see that my union has failed to represent me again by negotiating a $2,000 bonus for those at the top and two additional steps which those at the top will get right away while I must wait till my anniversary date for any step increase. Have I not been waiting for an increase too? I walked the picket line on the 31st and now I'm left wondering why.
I'm voting NO until I'm offered a truely fair contract.
I won't hold my breath to see if you even post this, since you haven't posted any of my other comments since the strike.

Does the Advanced Grade Recognition apply to employee's that have five or more years and are "Y" rated? Since being topped out and "Y" rated are two different things. If yiou are "Y" rated you don't get COLAs. But if you are topped out you do get COLAs.

Am I missing something here. 5 years will be 3/12 to 3/17 not 12/16. Does this matter? To some of us it might. If the first step increase is to take place in July 2012 will that mean I have to wait until 2013 as my anniversary date is in June. This would mean that every employee hired between Jan and June will have to wait until 2013 to see a merit increase and by then we will have already started paying out another 3 percent for the retirement. 6% loss before we even see the benifit of this contract. In addition if the contact goes thru Dec of 2016 that means all merit increases starting in July will get one for 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. Whereas those starting in Jan thru June will see 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. Do I see 5 merit increase opportunities for those hired after July while seeing only 4 for those hired in Jan thru June. Now if your in the July group you probably don't see this as a big deal, but I am not and I stood in that picket line the whole day yelling I wanted a fair contract. The way this appears there is a bit of fair missing. What does any one else see?

There is no question our power influenced the County in this decision. For those of us who stood up and spoke, we should be very proud. For those who needed others to stand up for them, we were proud to do it for you.

LIUNA gets 3 times (5.5%) added to their classification, and we get a 1 time (5.5%) and that's it?! You are kidding me!
What is wrong with SEIU? This is the best, you can do for us? who lost a day's work to strike and fight to be treated fair. How fair is that LIUNA getting a 27% deal and we get 14%. and what's up with the 2 times $1.000,00 payment to the people already at the top? Is this a stimulus plan for the people at the top? I am shocked that SEIU even agreed and is endorcing this joke. I want to be treated fair just like LIUNA. I used to make more under SEIU than at LIUNA, now LIUNA's position pays more and with their 27%, it will pay even more.

Great job to Wendy Thomas and the team and to all those who supported the job actions up to and including the strike.

I have issues with the week inbetween the strike and now but with all of that behind us we can now focus on becoming stronger as a Union over the next FIVE YEARS!!!!!!

we did it guys!!! everyone who put in the hard work and sacraficed should be soooo proud of yourselves...and everyone who didn't.. your welcome :)

I would like to thank you all for your hard work and dedication thank you again