The County Candidates for the SLOCEA Board of Directors

The
County
VOLUME 21, NO. 8
From
The General
Manager
H
AUGUST 2006
Candidates for the
SLOCEA Board of Directors
H
The nominations for a Directorship on the SLOCEA Board of Directors have been received and there
was only one contested seat. Consequently, an election is in progress for one At Large Unit Directorship.
Ballots have been mailed out to all members and are due back to the SLOCEA business office by August
25th. Here are candidates for Directorship on the SLOCEA Board of Directors, At Large Unit:
kimm daniels
PERB Training
for SLOCEA
Staff
n June 15, 2006, SLOCEA staff
and other labor organizations
had the opportunity to receive
training from Robert Thompson, Chief
Legal Counsel for the Public Employee
Relations Board, otherwise known as
PERB.
Effective July 1, 2001, local governments (counties, cities, and special
services districts) operating under the
Meyers-Milias-Brown Act came under
the jurisdiction of PERB. What does this
mean to the employee? It means that
when a dispute exists between your
labor representative (SLOCEA) and
your employer (the County) that affects
your rights as a member of the association or is an unilateral change in
working conditions, and that dispute
cannot be resolved by SLOCEA and the
County, either party can file a charge of
an unfair labor practice with PERB. At
that time, a PERB investigator will look
at the charge, determine the merit of
the charge, and if the charge has merit,
file a complaint. From there a process is
invoked to try to resolve the issue with
mediation, and if that is not successful,
an evidentiary hearing is held before an
Administrative Law Judge, who will
issue a decision on the complaint.
The PERB acts in a similar fashion to
our Civil Service Commission. PERB
has jurisdiction over matters contained
in the Employee Relations Policies,
where the Civil Service Commission
has jurisdiction over matters governed
by the MOU’s and the Civil Service
Rules.
The immediate value of being under
the jurisdiction of PERB is having a
quasi-judicial entity review and hear
matters relating to working conditions
and your rights as a member of an
employee organization. Prior to PERB’s
jurisdiction, the only method of seeking
O
Directorship Position
At Large
Ron Coleman - Incumbent,
Bargaining Unit #5
Supervisory, Public Works
Directorship Position
At Large
Kathy Solis - Incumbent,
Bargaining Unit #13
Clerical, Public Health
Directorship Position
At Large
Gail West - Challenger,
Bargaining Unit #13,
Clerical, Child Support Services
want to take
this opportunity to ask for
your support to
remain on the
SLOCEA Board
of Directors.
My intentions
in Jan 2006 (still
are) when I
filled one of the vacant seats on the
Board of Directors was to become more
knowledgeable of SLOCEA operations
and to combine that knowledge with
my 28 years of experience working for
SLO County towards becoming more
involved, supportive and helpful in
resolving employee issues facing
SLOCEA and its members.
My feelings and thoughts since my
participation began last January is
that the SLOCEA Staff and Board
members openly interact well with
the common desire of working for
and addressing member issues, programs and benefits. There remain a
number of issues to address and work
to be done. I would like the opportunity to continue as a Board member
and to contribute what ever I can
towards the work ahead of us.
Thanks for your support!
am a current
board director in the At
Large unit and
work as an
Administrative
Assistant III at
the
Public
Health Department. I have
served on both the Negotiating Team
and the Negotiating Committee. I am
dedicated to keeping members
informed of what SLOCEA is
accomplishing on their behalf and in
sharing pertinent information with
them regarding the progress of contract negotiations. I am committed to
my fellow SLOCEA members and to
seeing that employees receive honest
and equitable representation in all
areas. I ask for your vote to continue
my work on SLOCEA Board of
Directors.
urrently,
I am the
Department
Job
Steward representing
the
interests
of
employees in
the
Department of Child
Support Services. I have attended
SLOCEA board meetings over the
years and continue to learn and
share information about labor
relations with employees. I have
over 25 years of experience in labor
relations, having enjoyed a fabulous
career as SLOCEA’S senior field
representative. I would greatly
appreciate your endorsement for
SLOCEA board of Director. Let’s
keep SLOCEA strong!
I
I
Vote for the
At Large Unit Directorship
Trades, Crafts &
Services Election News
Ballots will be mailed on July 28, 2006 to all
employees in the Trades, Crafts and Services
unit. It is important that you return your
ballot, following the instructions that will be
sent with the ballot, by the due date of
August 14, 2006.
As most of you know, reaching this tentative
agreement was a slow and sometimes frustrating
process. We believe that it is a fair and good contract,
and deserves your vote ratifying the agreement.
If this tentative agreement is not accepted, we are
faced with going back to the negotiations table and
stand to lose all of the improvements we have tentatively agreed to in this contract, as well as any
retroactive cost of living adjustment, and inequity
adjustments.
Send in Your Ballot
by August 25th
It’s BBQ Time!!
LOCEA BBQ’s are coming
up! Don’t miss out on your
chance to get a delicious,
“famous” SLOCEA hamburger,
hotdog or veggie burger with all the
fixins’ free during your lunch break
at work locations throughout the
County in August!
Many valuable prizes
will be raffled during
each of the BBQs!
Please see the
enclosed insert for
dates and times of the
2006
lunchtime
worksite BBQs!
S
SLOCEA and your Negotiating
Committee urge you to vote yes!!!!
Please call SLOCEA at 543-2021
if you have questions.
continued on page 6
Calendar
of Events
• SLOCEA Board of Directors
• Civil Service Commission
• Pension Trust
• Board of Supervisors
C
Second Tuesday of each month at 5:30pm - SLOCEA Office (1035 Walnut)
Fourth Wednesday at 9am - Personnel Department Conference Room
Fourth Monday at 9:30am - Board Chambers, County Government Center
First 4 Tuesdays at 8:30am - Board Chambers, County Government Center
Page 2 - The County Blade - August 2006
From The
Field
Representative
CHRISTINE BROWN
Job Specifications:
More Important
Than Ever
ecently, I presented a case before
the Civil Service Commission that
dealt with an employee who, with
respect to the County’s job specifications, had been working out of class for
many years. This employee was applying
for a promotional position that required
experience that was not included in her
current job specification, but she had in
fact been performing the work “out of
class”for quite some time. Her superiors
attested to the fact that she had been
performing the work required for the
promotional opportunity; however,
Personnel Department analysts still
rejected her because she didn’t meet the
minimum qualifications of the job
according to the job specifications she
had been working under. Over the years,
this employee’s department had tried to
reclassify her position so that her job
specifications accurately reflected the
work she was performing. Unfortunately, there was not an existing job
specification that adequately described
her work and the department was
unable to get a new job specification created and passed in conjunction with
downtown Personnel. So, she remained
in her same classification, voluntarily
performing work that was out of class.
She came to me with this issue and we
took it to the Civil Service Commission
for a hearing. At the hearing, we were
able to prove that she was performing
the work and that the Personnel
Department refused to count that work
when determining whether she met the
minimum qualifications for the promotional position. We were also able to
prove that in the past the Personnel
Department had counted out-of-class
work for promotional exams and that
this was a change in policy.
In a decision that I feel was unfortunate, but fair, considering we are
working within a Civil Service “meritbased” system, the Commission denied
the grievance. Whereas I truly believe
that this employee had a very valid case
and that she found herself in a no-win
R
situation, the Commission’s decision
does uphold the Civil Service principles.
The reason being is this: if supervisors
are able to work certain employees out
of class for the purpose of allowing them
to gain experience and qualify for promotional positions, and this is done
without rules and restrictions, we will
find ourselves in a systems where
“favorites” are promoted along the line
and others are not given a chance for
upward advancement. Other factors
came into play in this employee’s situation that truly resulted in her being
treated unfairly, but in the end, I see why
the Commission would not want to set a
precedent by approving this grievance.
On a similar subject, the County CAO
is currently under fire for trying to do
exactly what the Commission ruled
against in this particular case. As I’m
sure you’ve read in the Tribune over the
last month, CAO David Edge has been
accused of favoritism by attempting to
move one of his key aides into a highlevel position in Personnel Department
when the job specifications she has been
working under do not state she has
gained substantial experience in
Personnel or Human Resources.
Essentially, just like my client in the
above-referenced grievance, she wouldn’t be qualified for the position he wants
her to fill because her job specifications
do not entail the necessary experience.
The Civil Service Commission wrote a
now infamous letter to Richard Greek,
the Personnel Director, and “cc’d” the
Board of Supervisors warning of a“spoils
system”in which rather than using a fair
and competitive examination process,
work cronies are groomed for high-level
positions at the expense of other
employees and the entire merit system.
Whereas I never like to lose a case at
Civil Service Commission, this decision
was consistent with the ethics of the
Civil Service system and I am glad that
the Commission is dedicated to upholding those principles, even if it means
taking a bit of heat from the CAO and
Board of Supervisors.
As a related warning to employees,
pay careful attention to your job
specifications. Keep in mind that,
although it is hard to refuse an assignment a superior has asked you to perform, you also will not get credit for that
work experience when you apply for
promotional positions in the future. If
you feel you are working out of class,
contact SLOCEA and we will assist you.
the new rates will be. Some other
insurers are planning to raise their rates
as well, within the next 12 months.
If you don’t want to pay the higher
premium, we can do one of three
things.
1. Keep your 24-hour plan and
reduce the monthly benefit of the policy until the premiums are similar to
what you were paying.
2.You can keep the 24-hour plan, but
change the waiting period for benefits
to begin. If you have a plan with a 2
week wait for benefits for an illness,
and a 0 day wait for accident, you could
change to a 2 week wait for both accident or sickness, or change to a 30 day
wait for accident and sickness.
From The
Benefits
Coordinator
EDDIE HOLMES
Increase in
Disability Premiums,
A Solution
nstead of an article, I thought I
would use this opportunity to tell
you that Assurity at Work has
increased the rates for the 24-hour disability insurance plans. Some of you
have coverage for off the job injury, if
you have this type of disability policy,
your premiums will not be increasing.
We have mailed new payroll deduction forms to those of you affected by
this increase. Please sign the new forms
and return it to us as soon as possible.
The increase wasn’t an increase on
SLOCEA only; all 24-hour policies
were increased, regardless of the
employer group. This affected the whole
State of California.
We have reviewed some different
insurers, but their rates are higher than
I
3. Change your 24-hour plan to an
“off the job only”plan. This would provide benefits if you were injured by an
accident not occurring at work. If you
were injured on the job, the policy
wouldn’t pay because you are covered
under workers compensation. This plan
would allow you to keep the same
waiting period as your original policy,
the same monthly benefit, with a
slightly lower premium than you are
currently paying, before the increase in
premium.
Nobody likes to pay higher premiums, but the rates we have enjoyed
have been very low for the last 4 years.
The new rates are still lower than what
is available with other insurers, and we
keep the same favorable underwriting.
If you have any concerns, or you
would like to review your life insurance
or investment needs please feel free to
call us at 544-5311.
Eddie Holmes is a registered rep for, and
Securities are offered through Woodbury
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In Search
of a Little
Advice?
Call SLOCEA
at
543-2021
The
County Blade
SLOCEA
San Luis Obispo County Employees’ Association
1035 Walnut, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Phone (805) 543-2021 Fax: (805) 543-4039
E-mail: [email protected]
OFFICERS
Lesa Gofourth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .President
Vern Halterman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vice President
Dan Qualey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Second Vice President
Betty Cook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Treasurer
Kathee Glenn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Secretary
Vicki Shelby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Past President
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Tony Krause . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Field Representative
Nancy Bishop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Office Manager
Sara Hockaday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Administrative Assistant
The opinions expressed in the County Blade do not necessarily reflect the official
opinion of the San Luis Obispo County Employees’ Association unless so specified.
For advertising information, please call 543-2021. Joe Heaslet, Publisher
THE COUNTY BLADE (USPS 763-330) is published monthly for $1.20 per year by Joe
Heaslet, Publisher, 1035 Walnut, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. PERIODICAL rate postage
paid at San Luis Obispo, CA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE COUNTY
BLADE, 1035 Walnut, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.
August 2006 - The County Blade - Page 3
From
The Field
Representative
TONY KRAUSE
Civil Service
Commission
Concerned About
Coercion
he County Civil Service Commission has expressed concern that the
Personnel Director is not acting to
uphold the principles of the Civil Service
System. They sent him a letter about this,
copying the Board of Supervisors. A July
11 front page story covered this in the
Tribune, although it didn’t deal with some
of the important concerns. The move that
gave rise to this is a proposed reorganization of the Human Resources (Personnel)
Department. Although all this might
seem a bit obscure, it is of great importance to public employees and to the
public in general. Merit systems, which all
government employers are supposed to
have, were instituted to provide for better
governance.
The Personnel Director had proposed
among other things, moving the Risk
Management
Division
of
the
Administrative Office into his department, creating a Deputy Director of
Human Resources position, and promoting a Principal Administrative Analyst
into this position. The County
Administrator and Assistant County
Administrator had testified before the
Commission in favor of this reorganization and promotion.
The Commission is concerned about
several issues in regard to this reorganization. The proposed job specification for
the Deputy Director position included no
human resources experience. The
Commission added a requirement for
such experience, but expressed their dismay at the lack of understanding that an
assistant department head position
should include some experience in the
field.They say in their letter that there is a
lack of professional experience now evident in the HR Department, and that it
has been the source of many complaints
from other departments. They note that
the Personnel Director job description
itself was modified by the County
Administrator to include very little professional personnel experience.
In addition, the Commission expresses
concern about the proposed transfer and
then promotion of the Principal
Administrative Analyst now in Risk
Management. The moving of this position, described by its Civil Service job
specification as having little to do with
HR, into the HR Department, is inconsistent with fair and proper procedures. The
announced promotion of a pre-selected
person flies in the face of the merit system. All this leads the Commission to
remind the Personnel Director that a public official “ought to possess the requisite
honesty and integrity to carry out his or
her duties without self-interest.”
Going further, the Commission says
that the County Administrator tried to
intimidate them in connection with mat-
T
ters that fall squarely within their authority under the Civil Service Ordinance and
Rules. In this atmosphere, is it surprising
that a department head position reporting to the County Administrator would
follow his orders?
As the Civil Service Commission recognizes in their discussion and in their
letter, the basis of the problem is that the
Personnel Director serves at the will and
pleasure of the County Administrator.
This is the source of the problem in relation to moving positions and promoting
certain employees without following
merit system principles. The Commission
perceives, rightly we think, that the HR
Department cannot adhere to these principles when directed to do otherwise by
the County Administrator.
They recommend that the Personnel
Director position, which was taken out of
the Civil Service a few years ago as initiated by the County Administrator, be put
back in under the Civil Service system..
This requires action by the Board of
Supervisors, who voted to remove it. The
Commission apparently believes this
would restore some ability to make decisions independent of direction from
above.The Tribune article left out this part
of the story, which is the basis of the
problem.
While we believe restoring the
Personnel Director position to the classified (civil) service is a step in the right
direction, more is necessary. It seems evident that the Personnel Director, even if
afforded civil service protections but
reporting directly to the County
Administrator, will follow orders or suffer
consequences. Furthermore, there are
conflicting County Ordinances regarding
the supervision of the Personnel Director
right now. Some ordinances say he or she
reports in matters of Civil Service responsibilities to the Commission [2.10.030(b),
2.40.070]. Other sections state he or she
serves at the will of and reports to the
County Administrator [2.10.010, 2.10.020,
2.10.030(a)].
In addition to the Commission’s proposal to put the Personnel Director back
in the classified service (Civil Service), the
ordinances should be changed back to
say the position serves at the will of the
Board of Supervisors, not the County
Administrator. And the Civil Service job
specification should again include substantial professional Human Resources
experience. Without this, there is little
guarantee we will not continue to experience favoritism.
As our Civil Service Commission notes,
“By requiring open and competitive
recruitment, tenure, and discharge for
cause, the Civil Service System is intended to protect employees from adverse
actions during political power changes
and is also intended to prevent
favoritism.” We thought we got rid of
“spoils systems” a couple of generations
ago, in which government positions were
granted for favors performed. County
employees should applaud this action by
the SLO County Civil Service
Commission to restore merit system
employment. It often takes courage to
speak truth to power and to affect
positive change.
If you move, SLOCEA needs to
know. Just call 543-2021 and
we’ll update our records so you’ll
continue to get the
County Blade, special notices,
Hotlines, and
other “stuff”
we mail to
keep you
up-to-date
on what is
going on.
From
The
President
lesa GOFOURTH
Inequity Letters
Went Out and the
Calls Came In!
his is the first year that SLOCEA
has prepared the inequity percentages for all of our represented
job classes and we have confused some
members. The number generated by the
inequity survey does not mean that you
are getting that percentage for a salary
increase. It means that compared to six
other counties that have your job class,
you are on average that percentage
below their salaries. Some of us came
up with an inequity of 0%. That means
we are in range of the average of the
comparable counties and we have no
inequity, or that comparable job classes
could not be found for comparison purposes. Also, if you only have a small
inequity, the COLA could take care of
the difference.
For example:
Using last year’s Appraiser I data
T
there was a 4.1% inequity, but we
received a 5% COLA so there was no
inequity after the COLA was applied.
It doesn’t mean that the Appraiser I is
over-paid, it just means that they
received a COLA that took care of their
inequity.
Another thing to consider this year is
that we will not know what COLA the
formula generates until after August 1,
2006. We have sent out surveys to see
what the most important issues are for
our members in this year’s negotiations.
If our members stress COLA, we will
most likely not take any percentage out
of the COLA to address inequities. I
know how disappointing this could be
for our members with large inequity
percentages and I want to stress that a
good COLA could take care of some of
the difference and that next year there
is a .5% directed above the COLA formula to inequities. Please be assured
we understand how frustrating it can be
to have a large inequity and how long it
takes to get the inequity reduced.
I hope this article has shed some light
on the inequity letters. As always,
SLOCEA welcomes your questions and
appreciates your membership and
support.
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Page 4 - The County Blade - August 2006
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Page 6 - The County Blade - August 2006
General Manager
continued from page 1
relief was to go to court. PERB has had
jurisdiction over state employee matters
regarding their union activities and
changes in working conditions for
many years. It is beneficial to both the
employer and the employee organization to be under the jurisdiction of an
entity that has a vast amount of experience in these issues.
PERB provided the training at no
expense to SLOCEA. In order to remain
objective and neutral, they trained both
management and labor representatives
at no cost. The training was very thorough. In the event that the need arises
to file an unfair labor practice charge,
SLOCEA staff is ready.
TRADES, CRAFTS and
SERVICES UPDATE
Ballots are being mailed to all Trades
and Crafts unit employees on July 28,
2006. There was a slight delay in getting
the ballots mailed out. We have the
agency shop/fair-share agreement in
tentative agreement this year; therefore,
we needed State Mediation and
Conciliation Service to run the election.
All Trades and Crafts employees will
receive their ballot with instructions
and the required return date. Your support in voting to accept this tentative
agreement is appreciated.
Kudos and HATS-OFF
This month my kudos and a round of
applause go to the Civil Service
Commission for their integrity and
dedication to upholding the merit
system principles and Civil Service
Rules. Thank you.
uuuuuuuu
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Service Anniversaries
he following County employees will reach a significant service anniversary
during the month of August 2006. We list those employees who have
reached their 5th, 10th, 15th, and higher years of County employment.
Congratulations to these County employees for their years of service.
T
AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES
Department
Name
Years of Service
Social Services
Bill Richardson, Jr.
41
Troye Mueller
30
Library
F. Cory Powell
30
Assessor
John Kelly
27
Planning & Building
Linda Benfield
23
Auditor-Controller
Public Health
Vicki Carlson
22
Paul Donnelly
22
Public Works
Maria-Paz Aguirre
21
Social Services
Cheryl Gradoville
21
Probation
Gary Leffler
21
Public Works
Barbara Starr
21
Auditor-Controller
Shirley Summers
21
Social Services
James Sweeney
21
Public Works
Ronald Wallravin
21
Public Works
Public Works
Scott Wetmore
21
Elizabeth Cook
19
Social Services
Jeffry Fitzsimmons
19
Information Tech
David Love
19
Mental Health
Doris Hall
18
Courts
Kimberly Romero
17
General Services
Cindy Scoles
17
District Attorney
Lisa Wallender
17
Public Works
Kimberlee Wooten
17
Social Services
Stacy Evans
16
Public Health
Alice Myers
16
Social Services
Lisa Rivera
15
Social Services
Deborah Belt
10
General Services
10
Drug & Alcohol Services Maria Figueroa
Lee Galli
10
General Services
Michele Gorey
10
Library
Dean Benedix
5
Public Works
Lydia Doppe
5
Probation
Donna Estrada
5
Probation
Gregory Harvey
5
Information Tech
Jason Hooson
5
Mental Health
Lisa Margulies-Chadwick
5
Ag Commissioner
Frank Pace
5
Social Services
Vicki Richards
5
District Attorney
Vengelina Salinas
5
Library
Kristina Smith
5
Public Works
Olivia Sosa
5
Public Health
Drinker Driver Programs Sherilyn Young
5
San Luis Obispo County Works Because You Do!
Buy One
Lunch Entree
or Sandwich
Get the
Second One
1/2 Off
(2nd entree must
be of equal or
lesser value)
Offer expires 8/31/06
Food
& drink.
Friends
& fun.
Welcome New Members
New Member, Department
$10 Recruitment Bonus to SLOCEA Member
Marina Garza, Mental Health
Erma Gonzales
Carol Helms, Social Services
Sandra Krijakin, Social Services
Barry Tolle, Planning Department
Nicole Bjork, General Services
Michele Whipple
Charles Christian, Public Works
John Beaton
Michael Cronk, Library
JoAnn Wilding
Deborah Smith-Cooke
Jeremiah Damery, Public Health
Jeanetta Griffin
Martina Estrada, Child Support Services
Michele Whipple
Kelly Hayes, General Services
Joe Alves
Shauna Heintz, Assessor
Victoria Helms, Victim/ Witness Assistance
Michele Whipple
Anthony Lewelling, General Services
Deborah Smith-Cooke
Lea Ragaini, Public Health
Cheryl Holtzman
Leslie Sands, District Attorney
Michele Whipple
Jim Tinker, General Services
JoAnn Wilding
David Wilding, General Services
Michele Whipple
Mathew Ptacek, General Services
August 2006 - The County Blade - Page 7
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?
July 2006
August Birthdays!
Karen Brooks
08/01
Michael Parsons
08/16
Carole Buchanan
08/01
Alice Rackley
08/16
James Mallon
08/01
Nan Albee
08/17
Helena VanDahlen
08/01
Sheila Kilpatrick
08/17
Sofronio Asuncion
08/03
Larry Smith
08/17
Mary Bonaventure
08/03
Jill Garcia
08/18
Carmen Loredo
08/03
Sheila Hall
08/18
Darlene Roberts
08/03
Kathryn Hartnell
08/18
08/04
Barbara Baranek
08/19
Dan Blair
08/04
Michael Johnson
08/19
Mitchell Brimage
08/04
David Seibert
08/19
Charley Centeno
Jennifer Welch-Cosko 08/04
08/19
Valerie Merrill
08/05
Belinda Benassi
08/20
Katherine O’Reilly
08/05
Julie Foxford
08/20
Gordon Peterson
08/05
John Shemick
08/21
Sherri Earl-Pearson
08/05
Laura Smith
08/21
Michael Tabares
Judy Groat
08/06
Cynthia Fraysier
08/22
Barron Smith
08/06
Robert Mich
08/22
Maria Vega
08/06
Karen Arrona
08/23
Phill Haley
08/07
Clarise Franzone
08/23
Tiburcio Perez
08/07
Lynn McCrudden
08/23
Mike Wall
08/07
June Brown
08/24
Aletta Weber
08/07
Peter Byrne
08/24
Anne Honneus
08/08
Nettie Rosburg
08/24
Patricia Janes
08/08
Stu Sheeler
08/24
Rosalyn Pierini
08/08
Josette Lodato
08/25
Dale Ramey
08/08
Laurie Douglas
08/26
Yvonne Robbins
08/08
Laurie Nuzback
08/26
Sallie Tonascia
08/08
MaryAlice Castro
08/27
08/09
Rinda Bantle-Hartley
08/27
Juliann Clauson
Cesar Bedroni
08/10
Linda Cranston-Tolin
08/27
Mary Shaffer
08/10
Karen Ferraro
08/27
Robert Stockel
08/10
Victoria Heussen
08/27
Pablo Carreras
08/11
August Retzer
08/27
Sandra Darby
08/11
Gloria Becerra
08/28
Kristin Edler
08/11
David Jones
08/28
Roxie Govea-Welsh
08/11
Ronnie Simons
08/28
Nancy Milner
08/11
Thomas Beem
08/29
Debra Givens
08/12
Todd Clayton-Vargues 08/29
Ayde Janzen
08/12
Merlin Knight
08/29
James Lopes
08/12
Lisa
Olivia Sosa
08/12
Margulies-Chadwick 08/29
Eric Wier
08/12
Carol Martin
08/29
Carrie Bash
08/13
Catherine Rider
08/29
Cheryl Journey
08/13
Kimberly Romero
08/29
Debra Jurey
08/13
Deanna Smaw
08/29
Dennis Kemp
08/13
Mary St.Amand
08/29
Kathryn Solis
08/13
Leanne Detwiler
08/30
Jeannine Edwards
08/14
Jennifer Hart
08/30
Stephanie Buchler
08/15
Arthur Ludwick
08/30
Gloria Crabtree
08/15
Sharon Beccacio
08/31
Daniel Manion
08/15
Matthew Thompson
08/31
Muriel Ryan
08/15
Juanita Adcock
Noelia Serrano
08/15
Maria Hanna
Sheila Sheeler
08/15
Deborah Miller
David Wilding
08/15
Albert Nunes
Irma Arguilla
08/16
Dennis Shehan
If your birthdate is not listed above it is because we do not have
it in our database. Please help us keep our records up to date by
contacting Sara Hockaday 543-2021.
—
FREE —
Notary Public Services
REMINDER: SLOCEA offers to all of its members
FREE Notary Public services up to a limit of $30
(3 signature lines) per member, per year.
These services are strictly confidential.
To schedule your notary services,
call Sara Hockaday at 543-2021.
• Worked with the State Mediation and
Conciliation Service to coordinate a ballot
mailing to the Trades & Crafts employees
to vote for their new contract
• Sent letters to all“Big Unit”(Public
Services, Clerical and Supervisory) employees detailing their inequity percentage and
explaining their benchmark classification
• Settled several grievances in a manner that
favored SLOCEA members
• Met with several groups of employees
regarding their classifications, job specifications, salary inequities and their options
with respect to the aforementioned
• Participated in a couple Employee
University meetings
• Advocated for an employee who is facing a
demotion
• Represented two employees who received
Letters of Reprimand
• Held one SLOCEA Board of Directors
meeting
• Conducted one Steward meeting and
spoke with Stewards about issues in the
workplace throughout the month
• Proceeded through a discrimination case
and the subsequent findings report with a
member
• Compiled survey results for the upcoming
“Big Unit”salary negotiations
• Met with a group of employees and their
management to discuss staffing problems
• Set up workplace barbeques for 10 work
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locations throughout the county
• Fielded hundreds of phone calls from
members on a variety of subjects
• Attended three Board of Supervisors
meetings
• Advocated against a termination of an
employee of the Los Osos Community
Services District
• Advised many employees on appropriately
reacting to tough situations in the
workplace
• Met with dozens of SLOCEA members to
discuss work issues and evaluate their
circumstances
• Met with many employees regarding
disciplinary appeals and grievance
situations
• Worked with Risk Management on a
return-to-work and Worker’s
Compensation situation
• Helped several employees with problems
associated with recruitments,
reclassifications and promotions/career
advancements
• Attended Civil Service Commission
meetings
• Advocated for merit system principles
being followed
• Fielded numerous phone calls regarding
the issue with the CAO and the
Commission
• Tracked legislation of importance to public
employees
Commuter Corner
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the ride, bike or walk to work. Collect and redeem your points for a variety
of items. Beginning in September track your trips online using a electronic
calendar. You’ll find your up-to-date Lucky Bucks balance, redeem your
points for items and track the status of your redemption.
Get Started Today
Contact SLO Regional Rideshare at 781-4362 or
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to receive a Commute + Information Package.
Page 8 - The County Blade - August 2006
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES – JUNE 13, 2006
Directors present: Joe Alves, Betty
Cook, Ron Coleman, Sue Edwards,
Vern Halterman, Conny Langer, Dave
Loden, Bob Mich, Gina Pinto, Dan
Qualey,Vicki Shelby, Lesa Silva,
Kathy Solis, and Karen Vega.
Directors absent: Sharon Beccacio,
Sonia Garcia, Kathee Glenn, and Jeff
Wilkins.
Staff present: Kimm Daniels,
Christine Scanlan, and Nancy Bishop.
Guest: Mike Bishop
1. President Lesa Silva called the
meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. Lesa Silva and Academic
Scholarship Chair Karen Vega
presented the 2006 SLOCEA
Academic Scholarships to KristaRose
Mijares and Samuel Weber. The third
recipient, Matthew Ravalin, was not
present and will pick up his award at
a later date. A picture was taken to
appear in the July County Blade.
3. Member/Public Comment –
None
4. Board entered Closed Session
5. Board exited Closed Session
6. Consent Agenda
• Approval of the Board of
Directors Minutes for May 2006
Motion was made by Dan Qualey
to approve the Board of Directors
Minutes for May 2006. Betty Cook
seconded the motion. The vote to
approve was unanimous.
• Approval of the Financial Report
for May 2006
A motion was made by Vicki
Shelby to approve the SLOCEA
Financial Report for May 2006. Sue
Edwards seconded the motion. The
vote to approve was unanimous.
4. Action/Discussion Items
A. A motion was made by Lesa
Silva to add one more Director’s seat
to the Trades, Crafts, and Services
unit. Karen Vega seconded the
motion. The vote to approve was
unanimous.
B. Lesa Silva appointed Mike
Bishop to the Trades, Crafts, and
Service Director seat.
C.Vicki Shelby administered the
Oath of Office to Mike Bishop.
D. The final “Hudson”audit for the
year ending December 31, 2005 was
presented and reviewed. The audit
determined that the SLOCEA’s
chargeable expenses were 88%. A
motion was made by Vern Halterman
to increase the agency fee for nonmembers to 86% (an increase of 4%).
Sue Edwards seconded the motion.
The vote to approve was unanimous.
The increase is scheduled for the
county pay period ending July 16,
2006. All current agency fee payers
will receive a “Hudson”letter detailing the audit and the “fair-share”
agency fee policy/agreement.
E. Gina Pinto presented a draft letter to David Edge regarding our
interest in establishing a memorial
plaque. A discussion ensued and
Vicki Shelby suggested that SLOCEA
develop a policy on memorials before
submitting a letter to the county.
Gina relinquished the project and the
topic was tabled until the July 11th
Board meeting.
F. A discussion regarding last
month’s board vote regarding the
Darla Martin donation. Lesa Silva
called for a second vote. A motion
was made by Vicki Shelby to donate
$100 dollars to the Darla Martin
fundraiser. Dan Qualey seconded the
motion. The motion passed with one
NO vote. Kimm Daniels will contact
Mike O’Connell to advise him of the
donation.
5. Committee Reports
Summer Childcare
Reimbursement Program:
Committee Chair Joe Alves reported
that program is going well.
Stewards: Christine Scanlan
reported the Steward Committee met
and that the program continues to do
well.
6. General Manager Report:
Kimm Daniels reported that a
tentative agreement for the Trades,
Crafts, and Services bargaining unit is
expected very soon. A general membership meeting for the Trades,
Crafts, and Services will be held,
followed by an election. PERB
training will take place on Thursday,
June 15th at SLO Vets Hall and
everyone is invited.
7. New Business/Roundtable:
Conny Langer reported on DSS
and that they are losing a lot of
employees. Karen Vega discussed the
current LOCSD situation. Kathy Solis
reported that the Health Department
is still very stretched. Dan Qualey
talked about the Trades negotiations
and finally “seeing the light at the
end of the tunnel.”
8. President Lesa Silva adjourned
the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Bishop
Office Administrator
Exclusive SLOCEA Discounts
hen making your vacation
plans, don’t forget about
the great discounts available to you as a member of SLOCEA.
You are eligible to receive exclusive
offers on vacations, hotel accommodations, theme parks discounts,
entertainment packages, and much
W
more. Simply call us at 543-2021 and
we’ll mail you all the current discount
coupons, including the 2006 Wild at
Work Vacations booklet. If you
happen to be in our part of town
(1035 Walnut Street, SLO), feel free to
stop by and pick up your discount
package – we’d love to see you!
Call SLOCEA at 543-2021
ADVERTISEMENT
— FOOT CARE —
Inspect your feet every day, and seek care carefully, especially between the toes.
6. Keep your skin soft and smooth. Rub
early if you do get a foot injury. Make sure
your health care provider checks your feet at a thin coat of skin lotion over the tops and botleast once a year - more often if you have foot toms of your feet, but not between your toes.
7. If you can see and reach your toeproblems. Your health care provider should
also give you a list and explain the do's and nails, trim them when needed. Trim your
don'ts of foot care. Most people can prevent toenails straight across and file the edges
any serious foot problem by following some with an emery board or nail file.
simple steps. So let's begin taking care of
8. Wear shoes and socks at all times.
your feet today.
Never walk barefoot. Wear comfortable shoes
that fit well and protect your feet. Check
Prevention
Your health care provider should perform a inside your shoes before wearing them. Make
complete foot exam at least annually - more sure the lining is smooth and there are no
often if you have foot problems.
objects inside.
Remember to take off your socks and
9. Protect your feet from hot and cold.
shoes while you wait for your physical Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement.
Don't put your feet into hot water. Test water
examination.
Call or see your health care provider if you before putting your feet in it just as you
have cuts or breaks in the skin, or have an would before bathing a baby. Never use hot
ingrown nail. Also, tell your health care water bottles, heating pads, or electric
provider if your foot changes color, shape, or blankets. You can burn your feet without
just feels different (for example, becomes realizing it.
10. Keep the blood flowing to your
less sensitive or hurts).
If you have corns or calluses, your health feet. Put your feet up when sitting. Wiggle
care provider can trim them for you. Your your toes and move your ankles up and down
health care provider can also trim your toe- for 5 minutes, two (2) or three (3) times a
day. Don't cross your legs for long periods of
nails if you cannot do so safely.
Because people with diabetes are more time. Don't smoke.
11. Get started now. Begin taking good
prone to foot problems, a foot care specialist
care of your feet today. Set a time every day to
may be on your health care team.
Caring for Your Feet
check your feet.
There are many things you can do to keep
If you ever develop a blister, step on a
your feet healthy.
foreign body that breaks the skin, have any
1. Take care of your diabetes. Work with unexplained redness, drainage or swelling
your health care team to keep your blood give San Luis Podiatry Group a call for an
glucose in your target range.
urgent appointment.
2. Check your feet every day. Look at
Remember that the best way to avoid foot
your bare feet for red spots, cuts, swelling, & complications related to diabetes mellitus is
blisters. If you cannot see the bottoms of your by recognizing the importance of foot care
feet, use a mirror or ask someone for help.
and by responding to any changes that you
3. Be more active. Plan your physical notice to your primary care or specialty
activity program with your health team.
physician.
4. Ask your doctor about Medicare
coverage for special shoes.
Chris Byrne, DPM
Travis Freitas. Certified Pedorthist
5. Wash your feet every day. Dry them
For more information on foot and ankle health, contact:
San Luis Podiatry Group
(805) 543-7788 in San Luis Obispo
or 434-2009 in Templeton
1551 Bishop St., Suite 210-B, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
1101 Las Tablas, Suite K, Templeton, CA 93465
If You Have Something To Say —
Write Us! We’ll Print
Your Concerns
Send your letter to: The
County Blade,
1035 Walnut, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401