UPE, Local #1 met again with the County for both 005 and 008 bargaining units beginning on Tuesday of this week. The County wanted both bargaining units to give up their COLA and step increases which would of equated to well over 11 million dollars, but still could not commit to saving all 50 positions subjected to layoffs. However, UPE Office-Technical 005 Bargaining Unit, and the County have entered into an agreement which should halt the layoffs of all Office Assistant IIs in the County of Sacramento. Under the agreement, the Office Assistant IIs who have received layoff notices will have their layoff notices retracted. In addition, the affected Office Assistant IIs will remain employed by their respective departments, but will assist in a special project for the Department of Human Assistance. This project will be temporary and unless additional funding is found it will be necessary for the County to layoff the affected Office Assistance IIs following the completion of the special project. The special project is expected to last for two or three months.
Under the agreement, the affected employees will receive adequate training in document imaging in order to assist with the special project. The affected employees will be allowed to maintain their current work schedules, if those hours are between 7am and 5pm. Affected employees who have 9/80s will be allowed to maintain the 9/80, provided that the 9/80s are modified so that all work is done between the hours of 7am and 5 pm. The affected employees will maintain their current pay, seniority, and may be returned to their respective departments if there is a vacant position available. The transfer of the Office Assistant IIs will be completed before July 4th, 2009.
United Public Employees, Local #1 will continue to mitigate layoffs wherever possible in all classifications through the 71-J process or vacant funded positions. UPE is in the process of appealing those layoff notices which were out of compliance with the contract. That arbitration case is set for July 7th, 2009. As a reminder, if you received your notice and do not agree with it, please contact your Business Agent immediately.
UPE has noticed the County to start the meet and confer process to minimize the effect the proposed layoff will have on those left behind to do the work of two or three employees because of the layoffs.
Local government employees are the heart of their community. They are the front-line in the fight to build strong, healthy, and prosperous communities. In Sacramento County, UPE members work in the jails and court houses, and airport security. They protect the abused, disabled, and elderly. They work in every department including the Sheriff's, District Attorney, Assessors and Probation. UPE members deliver "meals on wheels" to seniors, work in crime labs, transcribe trials and a myriad of other necessary jobs to make the County run efficiently and serve the citizens of Sacramento.
Too often, the public does not fully understand and support the critical work done by their neighbors who work for the county and the courts, leaving our members to fight for fair salaries, affordable healthcare and decent, safe working conditions. That is why Sacramento County employees formed UPE, a strong, member-run, independent Labor Union that would fight for them and their families.
