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Local News September 2002 2002 Calendar of Events September 2: Labor Day September 14-15: 535 state executive board meeting (San Diego) September 20-22: SEIU Social and Economic Justice Conference (Los Angeles) October 25-27: 535 Budget Committee meeting (Oakland) November 5: Election day November 16-17: 535 state executive board meeting (Bay Area) Activist Events September 28-29: Tools for Justice/ 21st Century Activism Training Weekend, sponsored by the National Organization for Women, at the LAX RadissonDedicated to training new activists and young feminists, the intensive weekend training session will give anyone the tools and skills they need to take their activism full-scale. With workshop topics like "The Nuts and Bolts of Organizing" or "How One Person Can Make a Difference" and hands-on activities, the first day is devoted to grassroots activism, from letter writing to mass action. Day two steps into the political arena, with information on lobbying and the legislative process, presentations by political party representatives, and a workshop titled "Working on Political Campaigns and Running for Office" by Special Liaison to the Governor Midge Costanza. Go to www.canow.org/training.html for the application or call (916) 442-3414 for more information. September 25: Womens Economic Summit 10:00 a.m.2:00 p.m.
at Levi Strauss & Co., 1155 Battery Street, San Francisco (lunch will
be provided). Speakers include
Amy Dean (head of the South Bay Labor Council and Working Partnerships)
and State Senator Deborah Ortiz. For
information or to register, go to http://www.twfusa.org/calendar_wes.html January 18, 2003: No New War Against Iraq (national march on the White
House)call (415) 821-6545 for more information. Staffing Northern Regional Director Damita Davis-Howard has been named to the newly-created statewide Program Director position, and Education and Training Director Seth Schapiro has been picked to replace her. San Diego County Chapter leader Brian Polejes, after being on temporary staff for several months, has been hired as permanent staff in our San Diego office. Brian has served the chapter as a steward, vice president, board delegate, and negotiations team member, and he played a very active role in last year’s agency shop campaign. Filling a second field staff position in San Diego is Ted Burnett, former rank-and- file leader in our San Diego County Chapter. Since leaving county employment, Ted has worked as a field representative for SEIU Local 2028 and SEIU Local 1000. Another former rank-and-file member, Fresno County Chapter activist Bob Solis, is now on permanent field staff in the Fresno office. Members are always encouraged to apply for 535 positions. If you are interested in short- or long-term temporary work, contact our Organizing Director Willas DeMorst, Southern Regional Director George Daniels, Central Regional Director Lisa Edelheit, or Northern Regional Director Seth Schapiro. Monterey No money for raises, but $500 lunches for management. Monterey County contract negotiations have been deadlocked since mid-May, with no resolution in sight. The unresolved issue is wages. Chief Administrative Officer Sally Reed insists there is no money in the budget for a raise due to the fiscal crisis the county will be facing once the state budget is passed. Reed didn’t have the same fiscal concerns when she decided to hold a retreat for the managers of Monterey County. The event was held at a very exclusive private country club, Rancho Canada, in Carmel Valley. The event cost the county over $100,000 and was attended by approximately 200 managers, at a cost of $500 a head. The topic was “Better Customer Services” in Monterey. The Board of Supervisors had no idea this event was being held and was shocked to find out that Reed was spending so much money at a time when workers were being told there was little money for raises this year. Needless to say, when it comes to Sally Reed, there’s plenty of soft money available. When it comes to the rank and file, the cupboards are bare. Board members have assured the union that they will look into the matter and make sure something like this doesn’t happen again. Santa Clara County Congratulations to Santa Clara County Chapter retiree Phyllis Ward, who has been elected president of the Federation of Retired Union Members in Santa Clara County. Immigration Reform Now! National advocacy organizations, including SEIU, HERE (Hotel and Restaurant Employees), the United Farm Workers, LIUNA (Laborers’ Union), and the National Council of La Raza will team up with churches and neighborhood groups in 30 cities to collect one million postcards supporting immigration reform. To send an electronic postcard, go online to www.seiu.org. Substitute Teachers National Sub Leadership Retreat in Las Vegas. Two officers of the Fresno Area Substitute Teachers Association, FASTA/SEIU Local 535, attended a national leadership retreat sponsored by the National Substitute Teachers Alliance (NSTA) in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 3-4. The event drew sub leaders from around the country. There were two days of strategic planning and discussion to strengthen national and local substitute networks and to promote visibility of substitute teacher goals and determine how to realize them. The retreat also addressed the need to support HR 3688, the No Substitute for Quality Teaching Demonstration Act, which was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rhode Island Congressman James Langevin. This legislation aims to promote the study of reasons for sub shortages by offering competitive research grants to state agencies. Shirley Kirsten, former FASTA president and current leader of NSTA, presided over the national gathering. Current FASTA president Karla Hansston and treasurer Chuck Franklin attended. Scholarship Awards Congratulations to the following Local 535 members and family members who won SEIU scholarships: Lynet Rochelle, daughter of Los Angeles County Chapter member Sharon Rochelle, was awarded a $1,500 scholarship. Derek Blake and Eleuterio Olveda were two of the 15 who won $4,000. LA Reopener Settled After 18 contentious months, marked by demonstrations, job actions, wildcat sick-outs, and the resignation of the department director, the Los Angeles County Chapter of Local 535 has reached agreement with management on a contract reopener. Children's services workers got caseload reductions of 9% to 16.7%. The memo of understanding also calls for the creation of a case aide position, and for management to analyze how the position can be used to decrease the work of case-carrying workers. A labor-management committee is to meet regularly to find ways to reduce workload, such as reducing the CSWs’ responsibility for legal notices and certifying homes for relative placements. The LA County Chapter is the largest Local 535 chapter, with over 4,000 members. The ink will have barely dried on the MOU before full contract negotiations begin in December, with the contract expiring in February 2003. The union is gearing up for the negotiations with an internal member organizing campaign.
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