Fresno County Members Are Involved

November 2012

Service Employees International Union, CTW-CLC

5228 East Pine Avenue, Fresno CA 93727 ���� 559/447-2560 ���� FAX 559/261-9308 ���� www.seiu521.org

“Our retirement benefits have been under constant attack by politicians and the media. Some FCERA decisions come down to one vote. I will fight hard for retirement benefits for current and future county retirees. I am asking for your vote to ensure that your voice continues to be heard on the FCERA Board.”

Diana Calderon, Eligibility Worker III Fresno County Department of Social Services Fresno County Unit 4

SEIU Local 521 Fresno County Members Support Diana Calderon for Fresno County Employees Retirement Association Board

Ballots were mailed to your home on October 25, 2012 . Follow the instructions carefully, and return your ballots TODAY to the Fresno County Elections Office. If you have not received your ballot or misplaced it, please contact the elections office at (559) 488-3246. Don’t waste time—mail your ballot right away! Ballots MUST BE SIGNED on the return envelope and RECEIVED in the Elections office at: 2221 Kern Street, Fresno by 5:00 pm, Thursday, November 15, 2012 .

• Our recent attempts at contract negotiations have made it clear that the nationwide war against the middle class is being fought here in Fresno County.

• We have had cuts forced on us without giving proper time for the membership to weigh in on the proposals.

• Now more than ever it is important that we stand together to defend what we have. That’s why we ask you to support member Diana Calderon for Retirement Board in the upcoming election this February.

•••• Endorsed by SEIU Local 521.

Pledge to Vote on Nov. 6

Pledge to vote YES on Prop. 30 to protect jobs, and NO on Prop. 32 to defend our contract!

STATEWIDE PROPOSITIONS YES ON PROP. 30: THE SCHOOLS AND SAFETY PROTECTION ACT OF 2012

NO ON PROP. 31: CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

NO ON PROP 32: SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS ACT

NO ON PROP. 33: INSURANCE PERSISTENCY DISCOUNTS ACT

NO ON PROP. 38: MOLLY MUNGER’S STATE INCOME TAX INCREASE TO SUPPORT EDUCATION INITIATIVE

YES ON PROP. 39: CALIFORNIA INCOME TAX CALCULATIONS FOR MULTISTATE BUSINESSES ACT

Vote for Congressional District 21—John Hernandez

NO ON MEASURE O: REMOVES PROTECTIONS THAT PROTECT OUR JOBS IN OUR COMMUNITY

YES ON MEASURE B: SAVE OUR LIBRARIES

Fresno County Board of Supervisors break under pressure from our bargaining team. The board

has given in to our demands and li�ed the promo�onal freeze that has been holding our members

back for more than two years. It is from the efforts of our bargaining team who stood the hard

line, that there would be no contract agreement without a li�ing of the promo�onal freeze and a

return of all or part of the 9% pay cut. The County was s�ll proposing that the promo�onal freeze

stay in effect.

Our team is con�nuing to stand strong to try to win the return of all or part of the 9% for another

victory. There will be a second round of media�on which is scheduled for Thursday,

November 8th.

Our nego�a�on team will keep you informed as situa�ons develop. The team urges members to

stay involved and stand with them in this fight together and con�nue to a(end the CAT Mee�ngs.

SEIU LOCAL 521 WINS A MAJOR VICTORY

NEWLY ELECTED OFFICERS SWORN INTO OFFICE

On October 25 the newly elected Fresno

County Officers were sworn into office by

SEIU Local 521 Chief of Staff, Luisa Blue.

Along with being sworn into office the new

officers had a training put on by Training

Director, Beth Thomas on fulfilling their

du�es as officers, how to facilitate mee�ngs

and to organize more members to keep up

the work in front of all members. And they

began focusing on the work at hand which

included deciding on another elec�on to fill

the posi�ons that remain vacant, and how

to recruit more leaders. In all it was a full

evening that resulted in a lot of good ideas and ac�vism. Take the �me to recognize the new

officers when you see them at the worksites or at mee�ngs because they are figh�ng the fight

for all of us and should know we are all behind them.

Fresno Lavender Caucus Up and Running This is the first Lavender Caucus within SEIU Local 521, Region 4. The Caucus is

par�cipa�ng in this year’s Fresno Aids Walk sponsored by Westcare California and

The Living Room on Saturday, November 10 at Woodward Park. They are looking

for more par�cipants to come out and support this event and worthwhile cause.

If you are interested, contact SEIU Local 521 at (559) 447-2560.

The Lavender Caucus meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the

month from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the union office.

The APALA Caucus meets the third Tuesday of the month

from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the union office.

Fresno County Newsletter November 2012; County Team:lem opeiu29 afl-cio 2012 © SEIU521/CTW-CLC