On January 27, 2010 James Starr, Chair of the Welfare Non Supervisory (008), Brian Williams, Chair of the Office-Technical (005), along with UPE Executive Director Ted Somera and UPE Business Agent Noah Kincaid, met with all of the other Sacramento County labor organizations. We heard first hand from the Sacramento County's Executive budget team, which consisted of the County Executive, Director of Labor Relations, District Attorney, Sherriff, Agency Directors and County Counsel, on the budget crisis facing the county for fiscal year 10/11. The county stated that the funding gap is projected to be 149 million with 114 million affecting the county's general fund. The county expressed that layoff are imminent but the number of layoffs are still unclear. The county departments are scheduled to give the agency directors those figures and budget hearings will commence on February 23, 2010 at the Board of Supervisors. As soon as reliable information is obtained, that information will be communicated to both the 005 and 008 memberships via the website, newsletter and postings on your UPE workplace bulletin boards.
United Public Employees, Local 1 held its first Board of Directors meeting on January 27, 2009. Your Board of Directors meeting is the first that has representation from all of the UPE bargaining units. The new Board of Directors is Leava Ong - Court Professional Unit, Brian Williams-005, Maria Johnston-005, Tony DeRego-005, James Starr-008, Maggie Moore-008, Sarah Singelton-008, Robin Thorpe-Court Office-Technical and Patrick Lawson- Court Office-Technical. The UPE Board officers are James Starr-Chairperson, Brian Williams- Vice Chair, Sarah Singleton- Secretary and Tony DeRego Treasurer. The Board of Directors monthly meeting will be held at 6pm the fourth Wednesday of each month at the UPE union hall.
STEWARDS TRAINING I/II
February 27, March 6
9am-2:30pm (RSVP Breakfast and lunch provided)
During times of economic recession it becomes even more important to know your rights. UPE will be holding a series of trainings to educate members on their workplace rights. Even if you're not available to be a Steward it is important to know your rights. Management takes advantage of those who are not keen to their rights and now it is time to reverse that advantage and empower yourself with knowledge. Attend the next series of Stewards training to gain that edge on your workplace rights. Knowledge is power!
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.
