×
Forgot Login?
Public Sector Update
Aug 04, 2008

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DIVISION

As we enter the upcoming elections all of our public employee members will have a stake in the outcome one way or another.  So, before you go into the voting booth please take some time and get acquainted with the propositions and candidates as many will affect State and County budgets. 

    With the State budget in total disarray, we here in the Public Employee Division of Teamsters Local 150 must, and will be, at the top of our game concerning negotiations and the day to day representation.  Over the last year we have been relatively successful in most public areas and will be doubling our efforts on some of the others. 

    Following is a summary of ongoing activities in many of our public employee units:

GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER'S DRASTIC PROPOSAL HOLDS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, EMPLOYEES AND CHILDREN HOSTAGE
Every Public Sector School employee should have paid close attention to Governor Schwarzenegger's recent January 10th, 2008 attack on Public Education.   He proposed to attack our Proposition 98 funding level and make current year cuts that will total almost $5 billion.  How does that impact our schools?  Next year's COLA was projected at 4.94% and the Governor is proposing to deficit it by 6.9% for a negative 2.4% revenue limit.  As you know Special Ed. has not been fully funded in the past and has already been adversely affecting the General Fund.  So what is the Governor's proposal there?  To add insult to injury Schwarzenegger is proposing to zero out the COLA for Special Ed.  This would likely cause a result of Federal Funds being cancelled and that would take the Federal dollars out of the budget for schools in addition to the State dollars he is already proposing to cut. 
What will be the immediate impact?  School Districts across the state are being advised to not extend new offers to it's bargaining units.  The Districts without contracts will take the position that they can not give any raises and that they will need to prepare immediately for severe cuts.  Most school Districts will fall into the "qualified" status with the County Office of Education.  If a school District can claim that an offer extended was not firm or formal then they will almost certainly try and withdraw it with every bargaining unit that they think they can.  Union's including Teamsters Local 150 will end up filing unfair charges with PERB in every instance where a good faith offer on the table is pulled.  Contracts that have not closed for this budget year will likely remain open for several more months and next year will almost certainly find contracts closing late as well.
Will the budget that ultimately gets approved by the state look like the Governor's current proposal?  Not very likely.  Every year for the last several years our state goes through a similar budget standoff.  There aren't enough Republicans to pass a budget of their liking and there aren't enough Democrats to pass a budget of their liking.  As almost every Democrat and every Republican are in a "safe" district that will elect someone from the same party that is currently in power in each district now, that won't change.  Both major political parties have to depend on movement from the other party before a budget can be passed.  Stay tuned to the wringing of hands by politicians of all parties as they posture for the public through the media.  There is a real decline in revenues in the state budget.  That said, we have had a similar budget mess for years that has been masked by smoke, mirrors and borrowing by the State without a fiscal emergency being declared.  This is political posturing and grandstanding at it's worst by the Governor to have more unilateral control to make mid-year spending reductions in future years.  There will be legal challenges to any attempts to take Special Ed funding below the level required by law to receive Federal funds.  In the 20 year history of Prop. 98 there have only been two attempts to suspend the statutory funding levels and both attempts have been from Governor Schwarzenneger.  None of these Draconian cuts can be approved without a 2/3rd vote of the legislature which is highly unlikely.  There will be plenty of mud slinging and arm wrestling over the coming months but in the end when the dust settles politicians will realize that the public will not tolerate a public education system that does not have stable funding.  While this "state of emergency" calls for action to be taken within 45 days don't expect a final budget until late summer as usual.

COUNTY OF SOLANO

The Local, in conjunction with the Attorneys in Solano County, reached agreement recently on a successor CBA.  This is a three (3) year Agreement which calls for a 6% salary increase effective December 30, 2007.  Future increases will be based upon the Consumer Price Index (CPI).  The total could equal 16% over the three (3) year period for the Attorneys. 

In the very near future the Local and the Attorneys will sit down with the County to develop a new performance evaluation tool which has been the subject of controversy for sometime.  In Solano County, layoffs are not based upon seniority but, are based upon performance evaluation scores.  Therefore, it is critical that the Local and the Attorneys, in conjunction with the County, come up with a fair and equitable instrument that satisfies everyone’s needs.

SIERRA COLLEGE

The classification study for the Educational Administrators and Classified Supervisors has been completed with a couple of exceptions.  As a result of this, there were some changes in compensation for some employees.  As a result of the CBA which was signed last year, two (2) year agreements for the Educational Administrators are now the norm.  With rare exceptions, all of our members have received two (2) year agreements and the Local has dealt successfully, thus far, with those that have not.  Community College funding continues to be a source of concern, since the revenue for Community College is based upon a formula that is sensitive to the economy.  Recently, our members experienced raises which were significant when measured with the past few years.  We will continue to remain vigilant with respect to these formulas and calculations to ensure that our members are fairly compensated. 

SACRAMENTO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT

The Local and the Administration of the Sacramento County Superior Courts have agreed to begin negotiations on a successor Agreement earlier than customarily is the case.  With the recent change in Administration, within the Courts, there has been a considerable lessening of tension and a much more cooperative relationship between the Local, its members, and the Court Administration. 

As a condition precedent to these negotiations, the Court has indicated a willingness to address issues that heretofore, have been difficult to discuss.  We are hopeful that this round of bargaining will produce an Agreement that addresses some historic concerns and provides flexibility for both parties into the future. 

SACRAMENTO COUNTY SUPERVISORY UNIT

We are approaching the mid-point in our Agreement with the County of Sacramento.  The Local is about to undertake a major classification study within the County.  It is our intention, that beginning this spring and through the summer and fall, to examine every Accounting Technician and Clerical Supervisor position in the County.  It is our belief that there has been a tremendous abuse of these classifications by the County and we want to be able to document such before a variety of forums.  The Local continues to participate in a variety of reclassification efforts which seems to be a continual process within this jurisdiction.  Additionally, we are participating in two (2) to three (3) investigatory interviews per month and have numerous discipline matters scheduled for hearing.  From our perspective there is an inordinately high level of this activity in this jurisdiction.  Nevertheless, we continue to be very successful in our representation of those individuals. 

It has been our concern for some time that our members in Sacramento County are being required to work out of class.  We have filed appeals successfully with the Civil Service Commission and had positions reclassified.  Recently, we won an arbitration case where the County was ordered to cease and desist from assigning this particular grievant to work out-of-class without proper compensation and to comply with the Contract with regard to any future assignments.  The County was further directed to clarify, in writing, the scope of grievant’s assigned duties and ordered to pay the grievant out-of-class differential for five (5) months and 29 days.  We believe that our representation in this case and the resultant victory is indicative of our willingness to hold the County to the letter of law.  It is imperative where such violations exist, that our members contact either Ken or Steve at (916) 451-3396.
ARCO ARENA

The home of the world famous Sacramento Kings. Teamsters Local 150 is very proud to represent the security force employed at Arco Arena, along with being a very important part of supporting the Sacramento Kings.

Arco Arena is a Union House and with the help of Officer David Hylton we have been successful in negotiating an excellent contract for our members employed at Arco Arena. We now ask for your support, come on out and watch the world famous Sacramento Kings.

SACRAMENTO HARNESS ASSOCIATION

Even though many changes are being explored within the Harness Racing industry, our Teamster members working there remain strong.  Please stop by, show your support and have fun.  Post time for harness racing is 5:45 pm Wednesday through Saturday year round.

SAN JUAN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT

This year there are severe proposed budget changes, which are currently indicative of tremendous political posturing for elections.  These changes will most assuredly have a severe impact on education, particularly transportation.  Our members at SJUSD are currently in the throws of never-ending threats of budget changes, however, they are prepared to stand united.

Contracts are not given to us on a silver platter.  Those of you who have had the opportunity to sit at the bargaining table know that Teamsters fight hard for their contracts.  They are brought about by hard work, perseverance and unity of the membership along with a determination to fight for the integrity and rights that are due workers.

Please be aware of these budget cuts.  They not only have the potential of impacting our members and their families directly, they will eventually reach everyone either directly or indirectly.

Teamster members in the SJUSD transportation department do know that there is strength in unity and by standing together they will have a voice.


-
Teamsters Local 150
7120 East Parkway
Sacramento, CA 95823
  916-392-7070

Top of Page image
Powered By UnionActive - Copyright © 2024. All Rights Reserved.