CEA and your Board deliver a monthly newsletter keeping members
informed of recent news, benefits, etc.. The
February 2012 Newsletter covers
the
following:
REDEVELOPMENT FUNDS SET FOR CUT-OFF THIS MONTH!
How the New "Fact Finding" Law is Going to Work
There Ought to Be A Law...
Court Rules that Discussions at Labor/Management Committees Need Not be Made Public
LABOR RELATIONS UPDATE
Differences between Union and Non-Union Salaries Persist, Despite Recession
Questions & Answers about Your Job
CalPERS' Reporting Changes Intended to Catch Employer Violations
If you have any news related to MEA please send it to
contact@smmea.org.
General
Membership Meeting - 11/17/11
Barker
Hangar– Santa Monica Airport Two Sessions: 11:00am-12:30pm &
2:00pm-3:30pm
Meet YOUR Board, Stewards, and City Employee Associates (CEA) labor
law representatives
Speak to invited representatives: Aflac ~ Appreciation Events ~
Coalition ~ Conseco ~ Customer Relations ~ Santa Monica City Employees
Federal Credit Union ~ Human Resources ~ Medical Trust ~ Nationwide
Retirement ~ NY Life ~ Ride Share ~ Risk Management
Agency Fee ($14) members are invited to upgrade to FULL-DUES status
at the Meeting
LETTER
FROM THE MEA PRESIDENT REGARDING Presidential Recall - 11/10/2011
As I mentioned in an earlier message, a petition to recall me
from office was received and the hearing will be today, November 10th,
1:30pm – 2:30pm in the City Council Chambers. The hearing is open to
all members, but should you attend, it is on your own time. The City
will not release employees to attend the hearing. Because of this, many
of you will not be able to attend so I would like to take a moment to
address the allegations attached to the petition and share my personal
thoughts on the matter.
A
petition for my recall, as per Bylaws Section 7.1, was received by the
Secretary on September 29, 2011 and has been reviewed for adequacy. While
there are discrepancies in signatures and validity, I have accepted the
petition as-is and a hearing has been scheduled for November 10, 2011, from
1:30-2:30pm in the City Council Chambers. This hearing is open to all
members. Following the hearing, ballots will be sent to all represented
members to decide the outcome of the recall, as per Bylaws Section 7.3. As
always, I am available should you have any questions.
LETTER FROM THE MEA PRESIDENT REGARDING CONTRACT RATIFICATION
Please follow the link below to read a message from the MEA
President that includes information on:
First of all, I would like to thank all of
you for your patience throughout this negotiation process. I understand that the
last few months of uncertainty have been frustrating and stressful but I want to
assure you that we are very close to reaching an agreement with the City. While
I am limited in concrete details due to continued bargaining, I want to clear up
a few rumors and share some highlights with you.
On the 4th of July,
2010, President Martha Santana, Directors Angie Walton and April
Hansen joined the Coalition of Santa Monica City Employees in walking in the
Santa Monica 4th of July Parade. This parade is becoming an annual treat for the
community and was attended by the City Manager and City Council. The crowds
cheered on MEA and the Coalition as they walked the parade route and was
featured on several websites and even on the front page of the Daily Press! The
parade provided an excellent opportunity to get the name of MEA into the minds
and hearts of the Santa Monica residents.
MEA is taking a proactive approach to educating the community on bike theft
prevention. During the May 22nd iCycle Festival, MEA Board Directors:
Orvilette Echols, April Hansen, Sylvia Jimenez, and Art Lopez, as well as
Steward-Laura Johnson, and President Martha Santana volunteered to work the
event.
MEA co-sponsored by paying the $3.00 bike license for the first 50 people
who arrive to register their bikes. This shows the commitment that MEA has
to the community. Click here to see some pictures of the event.
According to Kevin Herra of SMDP, "In April, there were 39 reported bicycle
thefts compared to 30 the year before. Over the first four months of 2010, there
have been 136 bicycles reported stolen, a 13% increase compared to the same
period in 2009, said Santa Monica Police Department's Sgt. Jay Trisler.
The police department recommends bike riders purchase a durable "U-Lock" that
can be secured around a tire, the bicycle frame and a rack. Small chains and
more expensive "cable" locks have been easily cut, officers said.
The license is good for three years. The license number and information about
the bike will be shared with the SMPD so that officers can identify and return
the bike if it is found or someone is found riding it."
Bike@Work
The Bike@Work program
was launched June 2010. Eight City locations
have a variety of bikes for City employees' use to commute between City
offices. The Urban-X bike is made by KHS; it is a size Medium (which fits most
employees), and has size 26" wheels. The bikes are available at BBB; City
Hall; Civic Center; Finance; HED (Housing & Economic Development); OSE; Pier; &
Solid Waste.
Bike@Work encourages staff to bicycle between city facilities and to
nearby meetings on one of 8 specially branded city bikes. A collaborative effort
of staff in the Planning and Community Development and Office of Sustainability
and the Environment, the Bike@Work program supports LUCE Transportation Demand
Management (TDM) goals, bicycle awareness and environmental stewardship as well
as healthy habits among staff. Each bike comes fully equipped with safety
gear, reflective City logo signage, and an odometer to monitor usage and carbon
savings. The Bikes are financed by OSE (Office of Sustainability & the
Environment), and subsidized by TMD (Transportation Management).
City employees will need to sign a Liability Release form; take a self test;
and watch an on-line video before using the new City bikes.
MEA
Remembers Ramona Louisa Gandara McGrath
Celebrating
Mona
Her plaque at the west end of the SM Pier was unveiled on
Tuesday, May 18 at 9:30am. A time to share memories. Many requested a copy of
Eddie Greenberg's speech.
General Membership Meeting 2010 - a Huge Success !
MEA thanks all who came to the General Membership meeting and congratulates the General Membership Meeting Raffle winners. All gift cards were purchased at Santa Monica Restaurant locations in support of our local economy.
The MEA Board thanks all who came to the General Membership meeting. We looked forward
to this event as an opportunity to meet you individually. Your Board worked to bring you the
best of food, t-shirts and raffle gifts, vendor information, and to provide you an overview of the
upcoming change in Medical insurance. We also introduced Robin Nahin of City Employees
Associates (CEA), our labor law representative who fielded questions from the membership.
Since the meeting we have received positive feedback; we continue to welcome your
suggestions on how we can improve our annual General Membership meeting, send us an email
or speak to a Board member.
Lastly, congratulations to the raffle winners. In support of our local economy all gift cards were
purchased at Santa Monica Restaurant locations.Click here to see some pictures of the event.
Here are the results of the raffles for the morning and afternoon sessions:
Morning Session 11:00am
Afternoon Session 1:00pm
Sean Liu
$10 Starbucks
Dennis Llamas
$10 Starbucks
Ted Osaki
$10 Starbucks
Jorge D.
$10 Starbucks
Ernesto Luna
$10 Jamba Juice
Felipe Sanchez
$10 Jamba Juice
Robert Griffin
$10 Jamba Juice
Pat Gordon
$10 Jamba Juice
Anthony E.
$10 Chipotle
Scott Hansis
$10 Chipotle
Troy Todd
$25 La Sandia
Maria C.
$25 Pizza Antica
David Qiumpo
$25 Border Grill
Carlos Casanova
$25 California Pizza Kitchen
Aaron Garcia
$25 PF Chang's
Jason Morimoto
$25 Benihana
1.1.
Million Signatures Submitted to Qualify Ballot Measure to Stop State Raids of
Local Government and Transportation Funds
Measure
Aimed for November 2010 Statewide Ballot Would Protect Funding for Local Public
Safety, Emergency Response, Transportation, Transit and Other Vital Local
Services
The
coalition of local government, transportation, business, public safety,
labor and public transit leaders announced on Thursday, April 29, that they were
submitting approximately 1.1 million signatures to county elections offices
throughout the state to qualify the Local Taxpayer, Public Safety and
Transportation Protection Act of 2010 (AG
Initiative #: 09-0063) for the November ballot. The measure closes loopholes
to prevent the state from taking, diverting or borrowing local government,
transportation and public transit funds.
Thanks to all who assisted by obtaining signatures and spreading the word!
Keep an eye out for the upcoming informational advertisements and let's do what
we can to ensure this passes in November!
April 15th, 2010 was the official cut over date for MEA's outside representation from Adams, Ferrone, Ferrone to City Employees Associates (CEA).
CEA, based in Long Beach, California, provides labor relations services to employees associations in Southern California.
They represent employees covered by the collective bargaining law, the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act. All of CEA's clients are public employees who belong to local, independent associations.
CEA will work with your Board to deliver a monthly newsletter keeping members
informed of recent news, benefits, etc..
ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER…
This newsletter will be published monthly and distributed to Association
members, only. We will try to cover issues that are significant for our members,
as well as developments in employment law that may affect your job. If there’s a
particular topic which you’d like to see discussed please call or write our
staff person, Robin Nahin 562-433-6983 or
cea01@charter.net
She will be happy to print summaries of relevant laws or written answers to
your questions. This newsletter is intended to be YOUR VEHICLE for communicating
with staff, Board and co-workers.
was held on Wednesday, Oct 7, 2009
at the Civic Center's East Wing with a great turnout. Much food was consumed
and
useful membership information was delivered.
Click here to see
the photo album.
The increase to MEA members City paid deferred compensation was added to the 7/10/09 paycheck.
The effective date for the 2% COLA was 7/5/2009 and appeared on the 7/24/09 paycheck.
Congratulations to one of our own, MEA member, Christopher Brian
Halvorson, who published his book, 'The Santa Suit: A Novel'. His novel
has been published by Black Rhino Press. Barnes & Noble has picked up
the title; and the Beverly Hills Hotel is selling the novel in its gift
store.
Click here for more.
site
MAP
Latest
Newsletter
Barker
Hangar– Santa Monica Airport
A
petition for my recall, as per Bylaws Section 7.1, was received by the
Secretary on September 29, 2011 and has been reviewed for adequacy. While
there are discrepancies in signatures and validity, I have accepted the
petition as-is and a hearing has been scheduled for November 10, 2011, from
1:30-2:30pm in the City Council Chambers. This hearing is open to all
members. Following the hearing, ballots will be sent to all represented
members to decide the outcome of the recall, as per Bylaws Section 7.3. As
always, I am available should you have any questions.
Dear
Members,
On the 4th of July,
2010, President Martha Santana, Directors Angie Walton and April
Hansen joined the Coalition of Santa Monica City Employees in walking in the
Santa Monica 4th of July Parade. This parade is becoming an annual treat for the
community and was attended by the City Manager and City Council. The crowds
cheered on MEA and the Coalition as they walked the parade route and was
featured on several websites and even on the front page of the Daily Press! The
parade provided an excellent opportunity to get the name of MEA into the minds
and hearts of the Santa Monica residents. 
MEA is taking a proactive approach to educating the community on bike theft
prevention. During the May 22nd iCycle Festival, MEA Board Directors:
Orvilette Echols, April Hansen, Sylvia Jimenez, and Art Lopez, as well as
Steward-Laura Johnson, and President Martha Santana volunteered to work the
event. 
The Bike@Work program
was launched June 2010. Eight City locations
have a variety of bikes for City employees' use to commute between City
offices. The Urban-X bike is made by KHS; it is a size Medium (which fits most
employees), and has size 26" wheels. The bikes are available at BBB; City
Hall; Civic Center; Finance; HED (Housing & Economic Development); OSE; Pier; &
Solid Waste.
Measure
Aimed for November 2010 Statewide Ballot Would Protect Funding for Local Public
Safety, Emergency Response, Transportation, Transit and Other Vital Local
Services
The increase to MEA members City paid deferred compensation was added to the 7/10/09 paycheck.
The effective date for the 2% COLA was 7/5/2009 and appeared on the 7/24/09 paycheck.