The Inland region is home to nearly nearly 8,000 public service workers in Riverside County and cities extending into the desert such as Hemet, Indio and Cathedral City. Our members serve in hospitals and clinics, protect children, strengthen families and ensure the maintenance of our local parks and facilities in a region that continues to grow with more than two million county residents.
Hemet workers presented a plan at a city council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25, that preserves jeopardized services at local landmarks such as the library and senior center.
About 100 SEIU 721 members attended the meeting and held signs that stated "Workers Keep Hemet running." To view a photo gallery of the event, click here.
(Photo: Members Sara Retmier and Tim Burke were among 100 Hemet City workers present at the council meeting.)
The SEIU 721 bargaining team reached an agreement on Tuesday, August 17, that expands job rights and gives priority consideration to laid-off workers for re-employment. The entire side letter agreement is available by clicking here.
The improvement in the SEIU 721 contract comes after our bargaining team enforced a "Fairness Agreement" that ensures equal treatment among other management, non-represented, confidential or LIUNA represented employees.
The SEIU bargaining team met with human resources to ensure uniformity of job security language among the SEIU 721 contract and a recently ratified LIUNA contract.
"Although our contract negotiations were completed earlier this year, the SEIU 721 bargaining team is constantly working to ensure our contract is honored in good faith as it was intended." -Wendy Thomas, Inland Regional Vice President and Communications Supervisor
As the City of Hemet faces a $3.3 million deficit and the potential closure of a library, fire station and senior center and public safety cuts, SEIU 721 members have stepped up to help maintain services.
SEIU 721 members in Hemet are responding to the economic crisis during contract negotiations by providing collaborative solutions that focus on the greater good of the community.
"The entire bargaining group expressed concern for the residents of Hemet," said Tim Burke, a Lead Water Distribution Operator for the City of Hemet. "We're trying to minimize the effects of the financial crisis and ensure city services remain open."
In recent negotiations, the SEIU 721 bargaining unit offered a proposal to contribute 4 percent of salaries to help close the budget gap and ensure City leaders avoid cuts to public safety and closures of critical community hubs such as the Hemet Public Library, the Simpson Center and a fire station.
"The Simpson Center is a summertime cooling station for seniors and our library keeps kids learning and reading," Burke said. "We can't just close down the city."
The SEIU 721 contract with Hemet expired June 30, and was extended until Sept. 1. The next bargaining meeting between the SEIU 721 team and Hemet management is scheduled Aug. 17.
On Saturday morning, Sept. 11, SEIU Local 721 members will participate in the United Way's 2010 Day of Caring, joining hundreds of volunteers in Riverside County, who are working to improve local parks, schools and libraries. To volunteer, click here.
"It's not just about working for the City of Riverside, but it's about caring and giving back to our community where we live, work and raise our families."
Lisa Munoz, Fire Safety Inspector II (Featured at the 2009 Day of Caring)
On Tuesday, July 20, Riverside City members took an oath of office to become the newest Riverside City Leadership Team. After being elected more than a month ago, the team held the swearing-in ceremony with other stewards and members present.
"I provide residents clean water," said Enrique Barboza, a general service worker in the Public Works Department. As the leadership team's second vice president, Barboza said he is committed to ensuring residents receive excellent customer service and education on the environmental water challenges we all face.
This year, the Riverside team is focused on improving public services in the city's parks and libraries and maintaining essential water and sewer systems to keep the city running strong. In 2011, the team is expected to enter bargaining with Riverside City.
On July 14, SEIU 721 recognized the contributions members made to help elect candidates who are committed to working families in the Inland Region at a reception at the Morongo Casino in Cabazon. Members mingled with the candidates SEIU 721 members endorsed to lead our region including Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit, among others.
During election season, members hosted town halls and braved triple digit heat to walk precincts and inform the community about candidates who were committed to protecting the public services that keep parks, libraries and hospitals running strong.
On July 14, SEIU 721 will recognize the contributions members made to help elect candidates who are committed to working families in the Inland Region at a reception at the Morongo Casino in Cabazon. Members are invited to meet some of the candidates SEIU 721 members endorsed to lead our region.
SEIU 721 Election Celebration
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Morongo Casino - Room 360
49500 Seminole Drive
Cabazon, CA 92230
To reserve your spot, call Maria Renteria at (951) 686-7372 or click here.
This year, SEIU 721 members broke down partisan barriers in the Inland Region and took steps to protect public services and elect candidates that support working families.
The Committee on Political Education (COPE) helped make these victories possible. COPE is an opportunity for members to get involved and build a strong membership that makes it possible to lead and coordinate political activities that secure jobs, improve worksites and protect services to the community.
(Photo: Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit, of District 4, stands with Inland Regional Vice President Wendy Thomas.)
Take a look at the Inland Region's mid-year accomplishments:
As schools close for summer and families head to the beach, meet some of the SEIU 721 members who work year-round to keep Southern California beaches clean and safe.
"The aspect of my job that I love the most is knowing that the little things that I do make a huge difference in many lives. Keeping the public safe at Burton Chace Park is my main objective. Safety First!" - Angelica Gunderson, Recreation Services Supervisor, Burton Chace Park in Marina Del Rey
"I enjoy the beaches! I love the scenery! I enjoy protecting the public by preventing them from getting citations, by keeping the beaches pay and display machines operating at all time." - Elroy Goodman, Sr. Maintenance Worker, LA County Beaches and Harbors
As SEIU 721 members near the end of furloughs on June 30, some managers are ordering employees to furlough more than 9 hours in a pay period to complete all 208 mandated furlough hours before the end of the month.
This mandate violates provisions in our Memorandum of Understanding restricting the County from forcing more than 9 hours of mandatory furloughs during each pay period.
SEIU 721 supports Riverside County's decision by the Board of Supervisors on June 15 to enact cost-savings through 4/10 scheduling and Friday closures of non-emergency operations.
As the County seeks to close a $131 million deficit, savings generated by Monday-to-Thursday schedules have saved the county more than half a million dollars since August 2009.
On June 9, Riverside City members elected a new leadership team to set the path for contract negotiations in Riverside next year.
Meet the Newly Elected Leadership Team
At 9-years-old, Timothy Smith was diagnosed with Type I diabetes, deeming him insulin dependent for life. More than a year later, the diagnosis has inspired him and his mother to raise awareness of this devastating disease.
"When my son was diagnosed, it was a huge impact on our family," said SEIU 721 member Tanya Smith, of the Sheriff's Department. "He needs care 24 hours a day and seven days a week."
Tanya Smith and her son were among several SEIU 721 members participating in the 2010 Father of the Year Awards hosted by the Father's Day Council and the American Diabetes Association on June 3.
Along with highlighting diabetes awareness, the event honored the achievements of notable public figures including Supervisor Marion Ashley.
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.
