Help decide the SEIU 721 endorsed candidate for Eastvale City Council and weigh in on Eastvale's incorporation effort at a town hall on Wednesday, April 28.

Among, the Eastvale candidates is SEIU 721 member Adam Rush, a lead planner in Riverside County's Planning Department. Meet Rush and other candidates running for Eastvale City Council at the town hall. Dinner will be served. Please RSVP by calling (951) 686-7372 or reserve your spot online by clicking here.

 
Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
SEIU 721 Office
4336 Market Street, Riverside, CA 92501

The SEIU 721 bargaining team achieved important tentative agreements with Riverside County
during negotiations on April 22. The agreements mean both parties agree to end furloughs, maintain wages, implement a fairness agreement and a commitment to find affordable healthcare and more.

"We're getting fair treatment at the bargaining table. It's a sign of respect we haven't seen in years past," said Bonnie Maffia, a senior appraiser and bargaining team member. 

All 41 members of the newly democratically elected SEIU 721 Executive Board Members were sworn in by SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger on April 21, 2010. The executive board is charged with governing SEIU 721 consistent with the bylaws that members voted upon last fall.

"...It's been a long road to get us here and I look forward to working with each of you on behalf of our members..." Bob Schoonover, SEIU Local 721 President. 

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. 

Members have until May 3, 2010 to fill out and return an opt-in form to join the lawsuit against Riverside County.

Last year, SEIU Local 721 brought a lawsuit against Riverside County alleging the County unlawfully failed to pay overtime to thousands of employees by misclassifying them as exempt from overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

• The County started paying overtime again on August 1, 2009 as a result of contract negotiations with Local 721. However, damages may be awarded by the court to employees who were not paid overtime between July 1, 2008 and August 1, 2009 and who were misclassified as exempt.

• Pursuant to a court order, if you were not paid overtime for working more than 40 hours in a workweek between July 1, 2008 and August 1, 2009, and you wish to participate in this lawsuit,
you must complete an "opt-in" packet.

• You must actively participate in this lawsuit if you want SEIU to litigate in federal court that you should have been paid overtime.

• You cannot participate in this lawsuit if you do not complete an opt-in packet before May 3, 2010.

• Those that previously responded to surveys or filled out opt-in forms, must still complete the "opt-in" packet as new information is required by the attorneys.

Opt-In Checklist  
Send an email requesting an opt-in packet to agallegos@unioncounsel.net.

In the subject line of the email write: FLSA OPT IN REQUEST

Include the following information:
____ Specify Full Name
____ Specific Classification
____ Worksite Location
____ Personal (non-County) e-mail
____ Home or Cell Phone Number
____ Estimate of the number of overtime hours you were underpaid between July 2008 to August 2009.

Once your email is received, you will be emailed a packet of information to complete.
Questions: Contact SEIU 721 Worksite Organizer Roman Martinez at (213) 494-7084.

After the sixth bargaining session, on April 5, the SEIU 721 bargaining team are urging Riverside County to bargain responsibly and efficiently after the last session ended unproductively with little moved across the table. The SEIU 721 bargaining team has put forth 18 articles across the table versus the county's seven proposals.

Surveys Reveal Furloughs are a Top Issue  
After reviewing hundreds of bargaining surveys, members identified eliminating furloughs as a primary focus this year as well as fighting for a fairness agreement and protecting retirement security.

 Look at Last Year
Last year, SEIU members warned the County against the detrimental use of furloughs and its hurtful impact on services. 

But the County implemented the contract, meaning it forced horrible terms of conditions of employment such as unlimited furloughs, lay-offs by merit, no overtime rights and no job security on SEIU members.

Members fought to remove these conditions and succeeded on most of them. But after nearly a year, it is clear that furloughs do not work. Furloughs have cost more to the County in certain departments such as the Riverside County Regional Medical Center and other 24 hour-operations.

Looking Forward
This year, your bargaining team is offering solutions to stop mandatory furloughs, while generating savings for the County.  They include:  

1.  Implement cost savings offered by members
2.  Offer voluntary furloughs
3.  Advocate for stimulus money
4.  Add two extra bottom steps for new hires
5.  Early retirement 

SEIU 721 Events
April 5, 2010
Bargaining Meeting
8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Flood Control Building
1995 Market Street, Riverside, CA  92501
Bargaining Room 1/ H.R. Mgmt Caucus Room E-F

April 7, 2010
Contract Action Team Meeting/ Town Hall for Riverside County Auditor Controller   
6 p.m.-8 p.m.
SEIU 721 Riverside Office 

The SEIU 721 bargaining team is jumping into negotiations with Riverside County as the one-year contract that members ratified in late August 2009 will expire June 30, 2010.

"Last year, was a challenging year to bargain, especially after the County forced furloughs on SEIU 721 members. This year, we're beginning bargaining early, so we can focus on gaining the best contract to support public services, our families and our community." 
Eric Mummert, Riverside County Process Analyst II and SEIU 721 Bargaining Team Member

Mark Your Calendar: SEIU 721 Bargaining Dates Set

Negotiation sessions between the SEIU 721 bargaining team and Riverside County management are open to all members.

April 5, 2010
Bargaining Meeting
8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Flood Control Building
1995 Market Street, Riverside, CA  92501
Bargaining Room 1/ H.R. Mgmt Caucus Room E-F

April 7, 2010
Contract Action Team Meeting / Town Hall for Riverside County Auditor Controller 
6 p.m.-8 p.m.
SEIU 721 Riverside Office 
4336 Market Street, Riverside, CA 92501

The SEIU 721 bargaining team is jumping into negotiations with Riverside County as
the one-year contract that members ratified in late August 2009 will expire June 30, 2010.

Negotiation sessions between the SEIU 721 bargaining team and Riverside County management are open to all members. The March bargaining dates are listed below:

• Thursday, March 25, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Wednesday, March 31, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bargaining location: Riverside County Oasis Building, 7898 Mission
Grove Parkway South, Riverside, CA 92508

Did you know we are about to enter bargaining this spring? The one-year contract that we ratified in late August 2009 will expire June 30, 2010.

Online bargaining surveys are available here.

The survey information will be tabulated and will help guide bargaining this year. Take 20 minutes to fill out the survey asking what bargaining priorities are most important to you.

"As a public service worker, a bargaining team member, a Riverside County resident, a wife and a mother, I'm committed to making this County a better place to live and work. But it starts with you and me filling out a bargaining survey."
Wendy Thomas, Riverside County Communications Supervisor 

Click here for the Riverside County Bargaining Survey.