View all news and events related to state, federal and local budgets, elections, retirement reform and other political issues related to public service employees.
AccountableCalifornia.org, a project of SEIU 721's Center for Public Accountability, is focused on helping make government work better for Californians and improving the quality and cost effectiveness of public services through original investigative research and analysis.
This election year, Desert members poured their energy, time and effort to electing John J. Benoit and it was all worth it on June 8.
After being appointed in November, Supervisor Benoit will continue to serve the residents of the 4th district, which includes most of the Coachella Valley.
SEIU members and staff braved triple digit heat to walk precincts and get the word out about Benoit. Our efforts included knocking on doors, calling residents and holding town halls to inform the community of Benoit's commitment to support public services, create green jobs and rebuild our local economy.
"Our goal is to strengthen relationships with our elected leaders and establish open lines of communication and understanding to fulfill our mission of serving the public," said Alia Paula, a clinical therapist in Indio.
"Big banks have profited off the financial crisis and they are costing the city of LA money in more ways than one," said Lindoria Horn, a gardener-caretaker in the city's Recreation & Parks department. "When there are problems at these vacant houses the taxpayers pay to send police, building inspectors, fire, graffiti abatement, tree trimmers and more. That's money LA doesn't have and it's contributing to service cuts."Tim Burke, a Lead Water Distribution Operator for the City of Hemet, was recently published in the "Your Views" section of the Press Enterprise on May 10, 2010. Burke is also an SEIU 721 Executive Board member living in Temecula.
"Pension gift? No" by Tim Burke
For The P-E to suggest that our pensions are "largesse," or a gift, in other words, is outrageous ("Pension largesse," Our Views, May 1). The pensions that Riverside County employees receive are earned as a part of their total compensation for the work they do. The contracts are negotiated through employers and employee unions and are agreed upon by both sides.
The National Institute on Retirement Security recently completed a study comparing the public and private sectors over 20 years. It shows that public sector employees are paid less than those in the private sector even after accounting for the value of retirement, health care and other benefits.
The recent sharp increase in the cost of funding these retirements is a direct result of the current economic downturn. When the economy was booming and the county had to contribute little to none toward these pension funds, what did it do with the money then for planning purposes? Maybe you should ask the County's Pension Advisory Review Committee this? I believe everyone who has worked hard should be able to retire with dignity and security.
To link to the Press Enterprise Letter to the Editor, click here.
The 73-member International Executive Board (IEB) of the Service Employees International Union elected Executive Vice President Mary Kay Henry the 10th president of the nation's fastest-growing union, May 8.
"Mary Kay is going to take our union to the next level. She is the type of leader who understands workers and listens to what we need. She understands the times we're in and she has the smarts and ideas to move us forward," said Linda Dent, SEIU 721 Vice President.
More than 130 SEIU Local 721 member leaders and few lucky staff traveled to Sacramento by bus April 21 to participate in a historic rally and march for California's future - to stop classroom overcrowding, make our neighborhoods safer, and allow more families the opportunity to access affordable and quality health care.Georkeisha Campbell, SEIU Local 721 member and Intermediate Typist-Clerk for Los Angeles County, was asked to address the Little Hoover Commission in Sacramento about retirement pensions. The commission is studying the long-term health of current public employee pension programs.
Campbell gave the commission a look at the real story about retirement: Secure retirements are sustainable and the majority of public workers contribute to their own pension.
"I have always believed that if I work hard, save for my retirement and play by the rules that a 
secure retirement is not a reward but something I earned. All retirement funds in this country were hit hard by the recent recession but that does not mean they are not sustainable. Much of the loss at Cal-PERS and other pension systems can be attributed to banks and Wall Street NOT playing by the rules and hopefully, something can be done about that." Georgkeisha Campbell
If the commission believes changes are necessary they will make recommendations for the future which could include legislation. The commission will be studying the retirement issue over the next several months and may hold more public hearings. The bipartisan commission is comprised of nine California citizens appointed by the Governor and Assembly, two Senators and two Assembly members.
Cambell's Statement to Little Hoover Commission.pdf
Are you worried about how foreclosed homes are blighting our neighborhoods? Then visit LAHoodwinked.com, where you can join Angelenos who are demanding banks maintain properties so taxpayers aren't stuck with the bill for cleaning up bank-owned houses.
Vacant foreclosures can invite crime and drag down property values, and the cost of maintaining them is contributing to LA's budget crisis. There are more than 40,000 foreclosures in the City of Los Angeles alone.
At LAHoodwinked.com you can:
Under state law, banks could be forced to pay up to $1,000 per day for unkempt houses. The proposal is part of the Strong Budget proposed by city workers to generate revenue for city services.
LA County's budget plan released on April 19 includes cuts to public health, libraries and public safety but also keeps core services mostly intact. That's in part because of hard work by LA County employees.
Last year, 55,000 employees represented by SEIU Local 721 negotiated contracts that recognized the hard times, protected family health care and will Build a Better LA County by giving workers a voice in making government more efficient and effective for residents.
This year LA County employees are working to preserve funding from the state. Because LA County is mostly funded by state and federal budgets, cuts proposed by Gov. Schwarzenegger could lead to more service reductions for families, hospitals and neighborhoods.
"We came into bargaining with a slogan of building a better LA County, and we meant it. LA County is in better shape than some areas because we got ahead of the problem. But this year is still going to be tough for employees and our clients. We're trying to lay a strong foundation for recovery, not cut programs even more."
- Linda Dent, SEIU 721 Vice President and Intermediate Clerk, Registrar-Recorder
What LA County has proposed:
2010-11 budget is $22.7 billion, down $885 million. LA County is facing a $510.5-million budget gap. To reduce this budget gap, the County is proposing:
What we are saying:
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
"The Sheriff's Department is releasing hundreds of inmates earlier because of budget cuts. Public safety will be in jeopardy. We should look at the proper deployment of the staff we do have. Instead of replacing professional staff with deputies, one of the solutions could be to employ civilians and keep sworn personnel on the street."
- Tony Mendoza, evidence and property custodian II, Twin Towers
HEALTH SERVICES
"I am marching to the State Capital to ensure that County workers and future County workers have an opportunity to make a decent living in the great state of California. We stand up now or lie down soon."
-Adam Benson, recreational therapist, Augustus Hawkins Mental Health Center
SOCIAL SERVICES
"If the budget is cut there's less funding for the families who need it now. We're talking about middle class families who have been affected by the economic downturn, who find themselves in a CalWorks office and never thought they'd be there. We should be there when they need us. We need to let the Legislature know that we can't afford any more cuts."
- Marlene Allen, GAIN Case Worker, DPSS
Riverside County account techs Bonnie Diltz and Howard Boyland both have retirement on the horizon.
"We're working to be self-reliant in our retirement and to know that our years of service meant something. At the end of the day, we want to have pride and know we did a job well done," Diltz and Boyland said.
Now more than ever, protecting retirement is a concern for Riverside County workers and in jeopardy statewide. The SEIU 721 Riverside County bargaining team is tackling the issue in current contract negotiations to ensure a secure future.
