On April 15, 2025, UPE met with the Merced County Department of the Auditor-Controller to discuss the Workplace Violence Prevention Program (WVPP). During the meeting, we reviewed Addendum A and B. Addendum A addressed key safety concerns, including parking lot safety, building access through employee-only doors, cashier and money-handling procedures, bomb threats, threats of violence or hostile individuals, civil disturbances, active shooter situations, and arson risks. Addendum B focused on procedures covering workplace safety inspections.
UPE made proposals during the meeting, and the department agreed to essential changes. UPE proposed, and the county agreed to remove the words "strike" from the civil disturbance section, to avoid confusion among employees and to prevent any misunderstanding that could impact union activities and protections. UPE also proposed that WVPP training includes notice of support services available to employees in the event of a workplace violence incident, such as the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Workers' Compensation resources. UPE also proposed that check inspections be implemented into addendum B to ensure the panic buttons stay in working order and that WVPP training now show employees where the panic buttons are located. In addition, UPE proposed, and the department agreed that hardcopy bomb threat checklist response materials will be made available at each employee workstation to better prepare staff in case of an emergency.
UPE WOULD LIKE TO THANK UPE MERCED COUNTY UNIT 3 GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS LISA SYKES AND CARMELITA RODRIGUEZ FOR THEIR ADVOCACY AND PARTICIPATION.
