In order to better serve our Inland Empire members, SEIU 721 is moving to a new building. Some of the benefits of the new location, located in the Box Springs area of Riverside, will be ample space for meetings and conferences, a member lounge and better parking.
Winning Quality Public Services for Riverside County
Photo courtesy Chase Leland / Chase PhotographyRegistered nurses Elena Maher, left, and Elizabeth Uher, right, who helped save an inmate's life at the Indio jail, were among several SEIU 721 Inland Area members honored by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department on Wednesday, April 4, 2012.
Maher and Uher, along with deputies and doctors, came to the aid of an inmate in an medical emergency last year. The group received the Life Saving Award for their quick reactions and professionalism that led to saving the man's life.
It was all of us working together on the incident that produced a positive outcome. But more importantly I see this award as recognition by the Sheriff for all the hard work and dedication of ALL detention nurses.
- Elizabeth Uher, Registered Nurse
On Jan. 31, about 8,000 members represented by LIUNA reached an agreement with Riverside County management for a 4-year contract.
On the same day, SEIU 721 Riverside County public service workers also moved one step closer toward reaching an agreement by demanding Riverside County settle a fair and equitable contract for our members.
After over 2,000 of our members stood up and addressed the Board of Supervisors to emphasize the need for all of us to work together, Chairman John Tavaglione committed himself to help bring both workers and management back to the negotiation table.
The SEIU 721 Bargaining Team is in the process of scheduling future meetings with county management.
A one-day strike brings more than 2,000 Riverside County workers together on the steps of the County Administration Center to demand a fair contract after having one imposed in December 2011.
More than 2,000 Riverside County workers including social workers, nurses, and accountants, represented by SEIU 721, walked off the job today, Tuesday, Jan. 31, in an unfair labor practice strike.
Pursuant to Riverside County's petition to the Public Employee Relations Board for injunctive relief, the Riverside Superior Court issued a temporary restraining order on Jan. 30, 2012 prohibiting approximately 248 County employees from striking during their assigned shift on Jan. 31, 2012 as specifically set forth in attachment B to the court's order, which is linked here.
Questions concerning any particular employee's assigned shift on Jan. 31, 2012 should be directed to their supervisor or manager.
The court order does not prohibit employee's show on exhibit B from participating in strike activities during the non-work time. Anyone not on Exhibit B below is free to participate in any strike related activities.
Strike parking and bus information for the SEIU 721 One-day strike on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012.
YOU can make a difference.
Start today by filling out the Contract Bargaining Survey for SEIU 721 Bargaining Units in Riverside City and County, Beaumont, Hemet, San Jacinto and Special Districts.
Our community is still facing an uncertain economic climate. In the Inland Empire, nurses, firefighters, police officers, road crews, teachers, parks workers, vector control workers and others have been furloughed, seen lower pay and a loss of security and been the target of unfair attacks by politicians and the media.
As 6,500 Inland Area SEIU Local 721 members go into contract bargaining this spring, your answers to this survey will help set the priorities for your 2011 Bargaining Team.
Only 10 days left to file your furlough compensation claim. If your manager is refusing to sign that you were mandated to do more than 9 hours in a pay period, you should still send the filled out form to Brian McArthur in County of Riverside - Human Resource Department - P.O. Box 1569, Riverside, CA, 92502 and a copy to SEIU 721 attention Steve Matthews 4336 S.Market St., Riverside, CA, 92501 and keep a copy for your records. All claims must be submitted by December 31, 2010.
SEIU 721 has reached an agreement with the County on mandatory furlough overage compensation. In June SEIU learned that some managers were ordering Riverside County employees to furlough more than 9 hours in a pay period, which violated provisions in our Memorandum of Understanding.
If you were mandated to take more than the required amount of furlough hours there will be compensation in the form of extra vacation hours. But you must act quickly. Remember all claims must be submitted by December 31, 2010.
According to the County, a specific mailing was distributed in a payroll leaflet with the second pay warrant processed in November 2010. If you did not receive the form, please Click Here to download or visit http://www.workforceexchange.net.
Click here to download the settlement.
During contract negotiations, SEIU 721 members worked hard to end compaction, where veteran supervisors in Riverside County were paid significantly less than their subordinates.
Now the Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved the settlement agreement we reached with HR Dec. 1 on the remaining compaction issues that had been identified after our MOU was signed. This agreement brings an equitable resolution to nine classifications with retroactive pay back to July 15, 2010.
"This is a success story during these tough economic times," said Amy Eskenas, supervising respiratory care practitioner when she was told of the settlement. "There is so much negative news lately, so its good to hear something positive."
Click here to read the salary compaction settlement agreement (pdf)
Helen Hart, left, respiratory care practitioner, and Amy Eskenas, supervising respiratory care practitioner, right, look over the salary compaction settlement at RCMC.
Riverside County employees say that a drive for more efficient government has stalled due to county inaction, harassment and retaliation against employees.
SEIU Local 721 has filed a federal lawsuit against sheriff's department officials who repeatedly retaliated against an outspoken county employee who has advocated for more efficient and transparent government.
Two important organizations are working together for retirement security for Riverside County employees. Starting this week we distributed flyers with the "facts" about retirement security at over a dozen worksites throughout the county - the first of a series of actions planned to educate members about the threats to our retirement.
"Retirement security for Riverside County matters for everyone in Riverside. We shop in the community, live in the community, we serve the community and when we retire, our retirement supports the community, small businesses and churches," said Maria Ochoa-Flynn, Inland Area Regional Council member.
Click HERE to download the flyer and visit the website for more updates.
Riverside County members voted to elect a new bargaining team on Nov. 16 to fight for advances in our contract, secure our retirement and protect quality public services for our community.
We recognize our newly elected bargaining team for stepping up to the plate. It will take great leadership, dedication and hours of hard work to prepare for these crucial 2011 contract negotiations.
"I am happy and excited to be a new member of the bargaining team. I am fired up about representing the RNs. We need to pull together and be united during these challenging times. Let's start working!"
Maryanne Ashton - RN
We recognize our newly elected bargaining team for stepping up to the plate. It will take great leadership, dedication and hours of hard work to prepare for these crucial 2011 contract negotiations.
"I am happy and excited to be a new member of the bargaining team. I am fired up about representing the RNs. We need to pull together and be united during these challenging times. Let's start working!"Maryanne Ashton - RN
The SEIU 721 general membership meeting in Moreno Valley on Oct. 26 proved historic when long-time rivals shared the stage and pledged to work together.
On July 2010, the ink hadn't dried on our SEIU 721 contract before generous wage increases and education incentives were granted to a select few in Riverside County's Executive Management despite a revenue crisis.
This action violated a Fairness Agreement in our Memorandum of Understanding that was made to ensure an environment that values all employees and is free of favoritism.
Our Fairness Agreement requires the County to extend the same considerations for wage increases as all others.
How do we build community support to ensure quality public services in the Inland region? It's simple- we build a neighborhood network led by SEIU members, who care about the community where they live and work.
SEIU 721 Inland members are invited to a Neighborhood Leaders Training from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010 at the SEIU 721 office in Riverside.
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