After two and a half years of diligent work, several courts employees have received new titles, pay adjustments of $100-$800 a month, and back pay – up to $3,000.
After the Municipal and Superior Court unification, the Superior Court began surveying employees in 2002 as part of a reclassification study. The reclassification was finally completed in 2005 and employees were reclassified in August 2005. However, some employees were reclassified improperly.
SEIU representatives along with Earl Thompson acted as liaisons between the Court and the membership answering myriad questions about the perimeters of the reclassification and they were instrumental in maintaining the integrity of the MOU by monitoring the grievance filings for merit and timeliness. The grievance hearings were generally structured on a marathon basis: 4 hearings in the morning and 4 in the afternoon for a period of approximately four to six months, according to the availability of the parties, at the Mosk Superior Court in Los Angeles. Advocate Tyler Ross and Earl Thompson presented the grievances.
Two hundred and thirty-five grievances were filed and about half were ultimately reclassified. Only six went to arbitration where they were presented by Attorney Jim Rutkowski. The arbitrator’s awards are still pending.
If you have any questions, please contact your steward or worksite organizer Hansel Harris Dieng at (213) 368-8661.
The following is a summary of how the grievances were processed:
» 235 grievances filed
» 110 grievants prevailed and reclassified
» 30 grievances withdrawn
» 18 grievances processed to arbitration (5 granted)
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“Reclassed at last! It has been a long and difficult process but with a great deal of patience, tenacity and support from SEIU 721, I finally prevailed! I encourage every employee to fight for their rights!”
- Carolyn Ross
Huntington Park Superior Court
“We should all stand up for what we believe is right. It is exciting and worth the wait.”
-Maribel Munoz
Airport Court
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