At a recent political candidate town hall SEIU members from Locals 721, 99 and ULTCW voted to endorse and recommend Geoff Dean for Ventura County Sheriff and Das Williams for 35th Assembly District.  In order to be considered, each candidate completed a questionnaire and spent time with public service workers at their job. 

"These candidates care about the issues that affect us locally.  Our economy, education, youth, we need leaders who will put them first and I'm confident Geoff and Das will do that.... that's why I support them."  --Ruben Juarez, HFP AIM Program Rep, Public Health/Ventura County

Over the next few months, SEIU members will volunteer for precinct walking, phone banking and for special events to help get Dean and Williams elected during the June Primary. 

SEIU members will have another chance to make recommendations for endorsement for Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner and State Superintendent of Public Instruction at another town hall on March 20.  Click here to RSVP or for more details.

 

SEIU members in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties will have the opportunity to hear from candidates running for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, and State Superintendant of Public instruction on March 20. 

The public services SEIU members do, the education all California children receive and the health and well-being of communities all depend on leaders who know that rebuilding California requires investment. Candidates for these offices will be joining SEIU members at Rebuild California Town Halls throughout the state to ask for SEIU endorsement. 

"Do you care about the future of our State and the communities we live and serve?  Do you think California officials put the concerns of working families above their own political agenda?  I'm not sure that many of our current leaders think about the people they were elected to serve when they make legislative decisions that's why I'll be attending the Rebuild California forum on March 20, 2010."  Carolyn Consoli, Community Services Worker III, Ventura County Public Health Dept.

SEIU members know that support for public services is critical to whether or not California can recover and rebuild.  All SEIU members are encouraged to help choose the team that will rebuild California by attending one of the town halls.

Take Action:
RSVP for the March 20 Town Hall Meeting (click here)
Saturday, March 20, 2010 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
2101 Mandalay Beach Road, Oxnard, CA 93035
Jeannette Sanchez, Political Coordinator or your Worksite Organizer at (805) 644-8291

Don't sit on the sidelines! Join us at a SEIU Candidate Town Hall Meeting on Wed. Feb. 24

SEIU 721 members will have the chance to meet candidates running for Ventura County Sheriff's and 35th Assembly District and ask them critical questions about issues that affect them on the job and at home:

• Fighting the Governor's efforts to balance the State Budget on the backs of workers, the elderly, the disabled, and our kids
• Cutting unnecessary spending to preserve quality public services and safety jobs
• Creating jobs to get the economy moving!

Ventura County members voted overwhelmingly (85%) to approve the tentative agreement that was reached with the assistance of the State Mediation and Conciliation Service after nearly nine months of negotiations. Ventura County members also voted to continue the Tier II COLA with a closer vote of 60% voting to continue.

Ventura County's original proposal began with over $17 million in cuts from workers which would have had a devastating impact on household budgets and impacted the County's economic recovery.  The County's final proposal contained a 3% shift for retirement contributions from the employer back to the worker which is the equivalent of $2.2 million in savings to the County's general fund. 

Hundreds of SEIU 721 members participated during these negotiations by attending membership meetings, rallies at the Board of Supervisors meetings and collecting petitions. On Dec. 15 2009, the Board of Supervisors announced that all management and non-represented workers would take the same retirement shifts as those proposed to SEIU 721 with the plan that all County workers would be contributing 3% more towards their retirement.

"Throughout these negotiations, workers demanded that all County workers including management share in the sacrifice and for the first time management will start contributing to their retirement.  We will continue to hold the County accountable to their promise of a shared sacrifice from all workers" said Perry Morefield, Ventura County Mental Health Associate and 2009/2010 Bargaining Chair. 

Other contract highlights include:
• A countywide Labor/Management Committee that will give workers the opportunity to help streamline services and preserve services.
• A joint County/SEIU Labor Management Retirement Review Committee to look at responsible pension funding solutions for all taxpayers in Ventura County.  

These two committees are critical so that Ventura County members won't have the same vulnerabilities in future negotiations.  The contract will expire on Sept. 30, 2010. 

"Very soon, Ventura County members will have the opportunity to choose their next bargaining committee and prepare to begin another round of negotiations. Hopefully members will continue to stay involved as we stand up for public services,"  said Letty Alvarez, Ventura County Community Services Coordinator and 2009/2010 Bargaining Team member.

Ventura County's unemployment has doubled since 2007, requests for general relief has tripled and programs that serve the homeless are stretched thin. That is why Ventura County and non-profit organizations serving the homeless have asked volunteers to help them count the homeless population each year since 2007.

"Because the need is so great so it's extremely important that the County and other organizations receive all necessary program grants that help homeless families and individuals," said SEIU 721 member Ted Perez. Perez and Perry Morefield, both Mental Health Associates for Ventura County were profiled in a story about the homeless count in the Ventura County Star. Click here to read the story

A one-year contract that provides an option to protect family incomes in the midst of the worst economy of our lifetimes.

On January 21, with assistance from the State Mediation and Conciliation Service, SEIU Local 721 and the County of Ventura reached a tentative agreement on a one-year contract.

The agreement includes a discontinuation of the County's 3% "pick-up" of employee's pension contributions effective June 27, 2010, but this could be offset if Local 721 members elect to discontinue the Tier II cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for which employees are currently contributing 2.63% of pensionable earnings. If Local 721 members elect to discontinue the Tier II COLA, paychecks will not be significantly affected; some employees will actually realize small increases in take-home pay. This will be decided through a membership vote.

Contract Highlights (partial list):

• A County-wide Labor/Management Committee to provide employees with a stronger voice to make recommendations for reducing waste, streamlining services and an avenue to address all other county-wide concerns. 
• A Retirement System Review, in which the County and the union(s) will jointly review VCERA funding policies with an eye toward reducing costs in the future. (It was the County's sharply higher pension costs that led to their proposal for cost-shifting this year.)

 Local 721 members will vote on two issues:

1. YES, accept the agreement, or NO, reject the agreement and authorize a strike;

and,

2. CONTINUE the Tier II 2% cost-of-living adjustment, or DISCONTINUE the cost-of-living adjustment, thereby retaining 2.63% of pensionable earnings in paychecks.

The SEIU Local 721 Bargaining Committee is strongly recommending a YES vote to accept the Tentative Agreement.  No recommendation has been made concerning the Tier II COLA.

Next Steps:
We will update the website and bulletin boards with complete information of the tentative agreement, a schedule of worksite meetings and voting details as soon as they are finalized.

Replacement Ballots:

Ventura County SEIU members should call (805) 644-8291 if they need a replacement ballot.  Ballots are due by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

 

1. Ventura County members have been in contract negotiations since June 2009 with more than 1,500 members participating in meetings and worksite actions.  The county has switched its proposal three different times with the third proposal motivating members to collect 1,200 signatures from their co-workers in one week for a "share the sacrifice" petition that they delivered to the Board of Supervisors.  Two weeks later, a Board letter announced the proposed cuts to SEIU members would be accepted by all managers and non-represented workers.  Ventura County members are currently still in negotiations.
   
   
2. Almost 500 workers from the City of Ventura (two employee units), Oxnard temporary workers and student workers for Ventura County exercised their right to form a union and have a stronger voice about their working conditions.  After several months of discussions and elections, all three groups of workers were recognized as members of SEIU 721 which allowed them to negotiate their first contract in 2009.
   
   
3. Ventura County Eligibility Workers were recognized by the state and federal government for their 99% accuracy record in helping families qualify for food stamp benefits. Demand for our members' services has increased during the recession.
   
   
4. Despite the fact that the Tri-County Regional Centers gets their entire funding from the state government, members were recently able to negotiate a contract that protected wages and benefits. Members will continue discussing ways to reduce costs and advocate for funding increases in Sacramento.
   
   
5. City of Port Hueneme members wanted to increase their strength and voice and held a successful agency shop election to require all city employees to become members or fee payers of SEIU 721.
   
   
6. In 2009, more than 400 members advocated for employee rights, public services and our clients by meeting with elected officials in Sacramento, Washington, D.C. and locally at their offices.  Members were able to relay stories about the impact funding cuts had on real people.  Several elected officials have committed to spending time with workers on the job in 2010.
   
   
7. SEIU members helped elect or reelect Santa Barbara Supervisor Doreen Farr, Ventura City Council members Jim Monahan and Brian Brennan.  These officials were chosen because of their commitment to preserving services during a difficult economy and to stronger communications with front-line workers.
   
   
8. The Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors shifted to more open communications between unions and department heads as a result of the state and county budget crisis and because of the dedication of workers.  This has empowered more workers providing public services to have a stronger voice when speaking up about working conditions and the public that rely on these services.
   
   
9. Gold Coast Transit drivers negotiated strong labor-management language to protect them from arbitrary discipline.  Members filled the room with public supporters at board meeting during the negotiations.
   
   
10. Members from the Cities of Ventura, Santa Paula, Simi Valley and Ventura County compiled cost saving measures and revenue ideas to save millions of dollars.  Workers are determined to see more ideas implemented in 2010 in order to preserve services and jobs.

2009 began with hope and optimism, a new President, the possibility of true healthcare reform and stronger worker protections.  But 2009 also came with many challenges....the worst economy since the great depression, the California state budget was (and is) a mess and city and county budgets were unraveling.  However, social service workers helped thousands of Tri-County residents requesting relief and public assistance for the very first time, public health workers moved quickly into action to address the H1N1 epidemic and hundreds of SEIU 721 members came up with ideas for economic solutions that would help cities and counties continue to provide vital services and reduce taxpayer waste. 

In 2010, SEIU members will build upon the victories of last year and become even stronger advocates for efficient public services and the public that needs them.  Below are just a few highlights from 2009:

1. Ventura County members have been in negotiations for eight months.  More than 1,500 members have participated in rallies, meetings and collecting petition signatures in order to win a contract that shares sacrifices and plans for the future.
 2. The Tri-County region has increased by 500 members.  Employees from the City of Ventura (S and Q units), Oxnard (temporary workers) and student workers for Ventura County exercised their right to form a union and have a stronger voice about their working conditions by joining SEIU 721.  
3. Ventura County Eligibility Workers were recognized by the state and federal government for their 99 percent accuracy record in helping families qualify for the correct and full amount of food stamps.
4. More than 400 Tri-County region members advocated for employee rights, public services and the clients that need the services by meeting with elected officials in Sacramento, Washington, D.C. and locally.  Members were able to relay stories about the impact funding cuts had on real people. Several elected officials have committed to spending time with workers on the job in 2010.
5. Santa Barbara workers have become empowered to have a stronger voice and speak out for the people that rely on public services because of the positive response from the Board of Supervisors.
6. Members from the Cities of Ventura, Santa Paula, Simi Valley and Ventura County compiled cost saving measures and revenue ideas to save their employees millions of dollars.  Workers are determined to see more ideas implemented in 2010 in order to preserve services and jobs.

 

 

 

Drawing from the same playbook as last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget proposal would undercut California residents struggling to hang on during the economic downturn.

Latest Proposal Looks at Long-Term Solutions

After holding two membership meetings and getting feedback from the membership, the Ventura County Bargaining Committee submitted a counter-proposal to the County's "last best" proposal on Jan. 8.  Previously, the County stated it would not accept a counterproposal from SEIU and had given an arbitrary deadline of Jan. 5 for acceptance of their proposal or they would declare impasse and request a state mediator. 

  "The County has declared impasse but we believe there are only a few outstanding issues and hopefully they can be resolved through mediation because it is critical that we address long term issues now instead of following the County's lead," said Perry Morefield, Ventura County Mental Health Associate and Bargaining Committee Chair.

SEIU 721's Current Proposal Highlights:

• Helping the County meet its funding retirement obligations in 2010.
• Protect working people and family budgets with no additional costs to the County by giving workers the option of collapsing the 2 Tier COLA and return the 2.63 percent back into worker salaries to offset the shift in pension costs.
• Help the County streamline services and preserve services through a countywide Labor/Management Committee.
• Work together along with pension experts on responsible pension funding solutions for all taxpayers in Ventura County. 

SEIU 721's proposals to work with the County and other unions on long-term pension solutions is fiscally prudent and the countywide Labor/Management committee will also help Ventura taxpayers in the long run. 

To view the impact of this proposal,please have a current Ventura County paystub and click here:    Calculator for Impact on Biweekly Net Pay Jan 2010 proposal.xls

Looking Back:
After seven months of negotiations, it is difficult to remember what Ventura members have achieved during bargaining.  But here are few highlights:

• SEIU 721 members convinced Ventura County that their original proposal to take $17 million from workers to get $2.2 million to the general fund was a very flawed plan because it would not just harm workers but greatly impact other revenue streams to the County.
• Members demonstrated at Board of Supervisor meetings that the sacrifice must be shared by all including management and we accomplished that. 
• Members produced cost saving ideas, revenue suggestions that would help the County and all taxpayers while preserving valuable services and we will continue pursuing opportunities for their implementation.  
   

Next Steps:
Five worksite meetings have been scheduled throughout Ventura County the week of Jan. 11, 2010 to learn more about the proposal and long-term plans.  Please plan to attend one.

VCMC/small cafeteria
3291 Loma Vista Rd in Ventura
Monday, Jan. 11 at 12 Noon
 
Simi Valley Senior Center
2929 Tapo Canyon Rd in Simi Valley
Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 6:00 p.m.
 
Public Works - Saticoy Yard/Conference Room
11251-B Riverbank Dr in Ventura
Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 5:00 p.m.
 
Hall of Administration/Courtyard
Wednesday, Jan. 13 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
 
Vanguard Building/Sunrise Room
1400 Vanguard in Oxnard
Thursday, Jan. 14 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.