ISSUE NO. 4 | APRIL 2018
UNION UPDATER The Official Newsletter of CSEA CHAPTER 265
WHAT'S INSIDE Scholarship Tips and Tricks Page 02 The Job of a VP Page 03 Resolutions to the 2018 Conference Page 04
WHAT DOES THE FOCHS SAY? Insurance Changes, LCAP, ACE, and MUP Greetings!
I hope this letter finds you healthy and happy. You should be getting your Open Enrollment forms for Health Insurance very soon. REMEMBER: YOU HAVE THIS ONE OPPORTUNITY TO ADD YOUR DEPENDENTS TO THE VISION PLAN. This is the first time that I have heard of this happening and I am glad our negotiating team won this concession for us. We had a good LCAP meeting with the District and our follow up meetings are proceeding well. I was recently informed that we were chosen to participate in a job shadow program with CSEA called ACE. This is where we get to ask Administration to work in our Jobs for a day so we can foster understanding and build relationships. Thank you all for the hard work you are doing and we will be doing more site visits and the MUP Committee has GIFTS to give! I sincerely thank you for all you do!
Eli Fochs
Eli Fochs Union T.H.U.G. - The Helpful Union Guy
Member Benfits Page 05 Magnificent Member of the Month: Meredith Kay Schuler Weldin Page 06 Alphabet Soup: What are all ACE, MUP, and CSEW? Page 07 Negotiation Reports Page08
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Money, Money, Money:
Tips and Tricks for Effective Scholarship Applications MERCEDES GERALDO
Greetings to all my Union brothers and sisters! Wow! I have been one busy VP these past few weeks. Like many of us I have lots of irons in the fire, but one particularly important iron is aiding CSEA in giving out FREE money.
Yes, I said FREE money!
Since the beginning of January, I believe I have scored at least a hundred scholarship applications. I want to cover some points to make sure you have an effective application.
Hint 1: Read all instructions carefully. Ensure you meet the minimum qualifications, such as GPAs. Provide the proper supporting documentation, such as letters of recommendation or transcripts. Ensure you provide an “official” transcript. For a transcript to be official, it must be signed by the registrar and must have a stamp or seal from the school.
Hint 2: Don’t wait until the last minute… See hint number one… If you wait until the last minute you may not be to fulfill all the instructions… ie. Signed transcripts and letters of recommendation.
Hint 3: If an application is available online please, please, please, fill it out online. If you must fill it out by hand, here are a few tips: Print as neat and clear as possible. Don’t write too small and don’t try to squish everything together. If you need more room use a separate sheet of paper. What you have to say about yourself is important and if the reader has trouble reading it, you might miss out on valuable points.
Finally, if you are a member applying for a scholarship or grant, one of the areas of scoring is union involvement. Attending monthly meetings will give you points. Serving on a committee, helping plan an event, or assisting when needed will move up your point value up as well.
After completing a scholarship application have someone look it over for completeness and accuracy before submission. Please feel free to ask me to look it over. I am here in service to our membership and it is my pleasure to serve you.
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Photo provided by Keith Martinez. Taken at celebration of his mother's birthday.
THE JOB OF A VP KEITH MARTINEZ
As 2nd Vice President, my main duties are to provide support to the Executive Board, act as counselor to the elected officers and assist the Executive Board in the performance of its duties. In the absence or disability of the President, the 1st Vice President and the 2nd Vice President possess all of the powers and perform all of the duties in the President's stead. Currently, I am on the Member Unity Program Team. I like to use the word team to describe us rather than a committee. I will always work on chapter unity. I believe building a stronger, more informed and active chapter that is a unified front.
Unity, One Member at a Time.
TO THE RESCUE!
Board and you! They are privy to the
Union Stewards and Site Reps are Here to Help! ELI FOCHS
latest information regarding negotiations, conflicts, political moves, and the like. Site Reps are also there to
Union Stewards and Site Reps are here
Stewards are here to help if there is any
help you! If there is a situation or
to help! We have worked really hard
conflict with you and management, as
something going on at your site, the Site
over the last year to develop our Job
you are entitled to Representation if you
Reps can get the information to the
Steward and Site Rep program, and I
are called into a meeting.
Stewards fast, so we can take action! If
am very happy to say that now have 11
you have a situation please contact
Stewards, and 8 Site Reps - AND
Site Reps are here to help be a
Mickie Sakurada - Chief Union
GROWING!
communicator between the Executive
Steward.
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Eight Possible Changes for CSEA in 2018
Supplemental Member Education and Training Fund: Requires CSEA to create a ”Supplemental Member Training Fund.”
KEITH MARTINEZ
Stabilize the California State Budget by Reforming This summer CSEA will hold it’s 92nd annual Conference. This
Commercial and Industrial Property Tax:
year it will be held in Sacramento at the Sacramento
Requires that the Association pass legislation to reform the
Convention Center, July 29-August 2nd. Representing local
current commercial and industrial property tax system and
chapter, like our Chapter # 265, delegates from up and down
reassess said properties without affecting the current
California gather to discuss, debate, and vote on various
Proposition 13 protections for homeowners and rental
resolutions that set the course for the upcoming year. This year
residential properties.
it is expected that more than 2000 delegates will attend this year’s annual conference that your Chapter #265 will be part of.
Resolution to be Submitted to CSEA Amending Online Voting Requirements:
Currently 8 Resolution are up for debate.
Requires amendment to CSEA Policy by removing the requirement that online ballot notices must be mailed, and
Addressing Supreme Court Decision on Service Fees:
remove the requirement that members must be given the
Requires amendment to CSEA’s Constitution by eliminating the
option to vote by mail instead of by online ballot.
provision that requires service fees language be included in organizational security and agency shop clauses in collective
CSEA Jurisdiction:
bargaining agreements, and adds a provision, defining non-
Requires amendment to CSEA’s Constitution to allow
members.
membership for private sector classified workers.
Amended SB 1626 School Security Training:
Retiring Employees Orientation:
Requires that the Association sponsor legislation that will
Requires that the CSEA seek legislation to require public
amend SB1626 to remove the restriction that does not allow
employers to provide an orientation of the benefits and
part-time security workers to get training, include up-to-date
requirements to retiring and current employees.
training in line with current school security standards, require a state agency to monitor the required SB 1626 training, and
These are the current 8 resolutions up for debate as submitted
make SB 1626 a course requiring recertification on an ongoing
by the authors. At the conference committees and gather to
basis.
create recommendation to present to the conference. It has been described as “democracy in it rawest form”.
Direct Representation of the Retiree Unit on the CSEA Board of Directors:
Keep track of the final resolution form, with analysis and
Requires that the Elected Chairperson of the Retiree Unit
recommendation on the CSEA website under Events/Annual
Executive Board assume office on the CSEA Board of Directors
Conference. Tell us which resolutions you would like to vote
with full voice and vote and equal obligations and privileges as
for by fill out the quick survey at http://bit.ly/cseaconf2018.
other Board members, specifically the Area Directors.
Or join us at River Valley High School on May 17 at 5:15pm.
facebook.com/csea265
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This page and many more like it can be found in the Member Benefits Guide. For more information got to http://www.csea.com/web/Benefits
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MAGNIFICENT MEMBER OF THE MONTH LAUREN COATS
We asked Mrs. Weldin to describe her day for our readers. She responded, "I read stories to the K-4 students weekly, and help
Every April school library staff are encouraged to host activities all CG students check out to help their school and local community celebrate the essential
books. I keep track of texts,
role that strong school library programs play in transforming
keep the library in order,
learning. In the spirit of School Library month we are
and decorate for seasons
celebrating all the amazing things our library clerks and library
and holidays."
technicians do. This month we shine a light on the library clerk at Central Gaither School, Mrs. Meredith Kay Schuler
Speaking of holidays, Meredy
Weldin.
has a favorite one. She especially
Photo provided by Mrs. Meredith Kay Schuler Weldin taken by her daughter Kendra Fifield.
loves Christmas. Mostly because her favorite colors are red and Meredy, as she is known to friends and family, was born and
green. Fun Fact: She collects Coca-Cola memorabilia and has
raised in Sutter County, the daughter and grand-daughter of
an amazing Coca-Cola Santa collection. She gets to put out
peach farmers. She attended Central Gaither, as did her father,
her special Coca-Cola Santa Collection only at Christmas. If
her grandfather, all of her
you ever get the chance to see it you
siblings, and her daughter. Meredy is known for her infectious laughter and cheery disposition. Her house is home to two dogs, “Punkin” and “Maynard,” and too many cats and chickens to count. Meredy has been married for 39 years to her best friend, and fellow “treasure-hunter,” Kenny. The Weldins have an amazing daughter, Kendra, who is a special education teacher. While Kendra started her journey here, she now lives and works in the Bay area. Kendra's husband, Rich, and the grand-dog, “Snickers” have been
are in for a treat. I was born and raised in Sutter County, the Before Meredy came to work for our daughter and grand district, she was was a part time daughter of peach “treasure hunter,” and full-time farmers. I attended “domestic engineer,” and “chicken Central Gaither, as did my wrangler. When asked if there was father, my grandfather, anywhere in the world she would all of my siblings, and my want to live, Meredy replied that daughter. I am a proud she'd stay right here. "I am content Central Gaither Alumna, living where I was born and raised. Class of ’68!” There’s no place like home."
known to visit with Kendra on holidays and long weekends.
And who can blame her? Many of us have a soft spot in our hearts for the town we call home.
Meredy and husband from Yuba City to Marysville, where they lived for 10 years before returning to the farm where she was
Thank you, Mrs. Meredith Kay Schuler Weldin, For all you do!
raised, after her parents passed, 25 years ago. In that time she says she has seen "more traffic, more people, more industry- the usual stuff that happens when a small town grows."
Do you know some one who you think would be a great member of the month? Send me an email. LCOATS@YCUSD.ORG
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CELEBRATE CSEW: Celebrating all YOU do
Whether working behind the scenes or on the front lines, classified employees build the foundation for successful schools. Without custodians and maintenance workers, there would be no access to clean and safe schools. Without attendance clerks, districts could get no per-pupil funding. Without paraeducators, many students would be deprived of specialized attention they desperately need. These are just a few examples of the essential jobs classified employees do
WHAT'S A MUP?
every day.
Make no mistake about it: Without classified employees,
ELI FOCHS
California schools would fall apart. So be proud of the hard
What is MUP?
work you do to improve education and enrich students’ lives.
MUP is the Member Unity Program where we have a small
Celebrate Classified School Employee Week (CSEW) is
committee of members who look at some ways to build
May 20-26. This year’s theme is “Classified School
unity and to get to know our membership. Additionally, it
Employees: The Heartbeat of Our Schools.” Let everyone
also gives our Stewards a chance to meet you, and see how
know that you’re proud to be a classified employee.
we can be of service. Only a handful of Chapters statewide were chosen to do this, and we were one of
Do you want to help organize an event for our chapter? We
them!
would love your input and assistance. Contact a chapter officer for more information. Visit csea.com for more on
One of our MUP goals is to participate in more community
CSEW.
events, and in February, several members volunteered at the Have a Heart 5k hosted at RVHS. Thank you to all who helped out and let a Steward or Site Rep know if you would like to be more involved!
WE'RE ACES! ELI FOCHS
community members, civic leaders, to come do our jobs for one day. This is a great opportunity for Administration to
We were selected for the ACE program
see the hard work we do, and for us to
by CSEA. Only 10 chapters get the
share our experiences with them. If you
privilege of doing this program, it is a
would be interested in having someone
great honor for us. CSEA will work
Job Shadow you for a day, please get in
with us to create a Job Shadow Day, and
touch with a Site Rep, Steward, or E-
we can invite administrators,
Board member ASAP.
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NEWS FROM NEGOTIATIONS TEAM WORKING TOGETHER, WORKING FOR YOU
Collective bargaining literally refers to the negotiations between an employer and a group of employees to outline their terms of employment. These terms include items such as wages, working conditions, vacation time, retirement benefits, and health benefits. The idea is that when we join with other employees, we have strength in numbers and therefore, more negotiating power
EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT ELI FOCHS 1ST VICE PRESIDENT MERCEDES GERALDO
to receive our desired employment terms. One of the benefits of being a union member is that we have someone fighting for our concerns at the negotiation table.
Such is the case with our ability to add our dependents to our vision plan. Historically speaking, dependents, while covered under our health plan, have not been covered under our vision plans. This changed when a member voiced the question, “Why aren't our children allowed to be added to our vision plan?” They brought this question to the negotiating team who then brought it to the
2ND VICE PRESIDENT KEITH MARTINEZ SECRETARY SHERI HOWARD
district. Thanks to one member asking a question, we are all receiving the ability to add dependents to our vision plans.
What would you like to see added to our contract? Speak to a member of the executive board with your concerns. We are here to help.
TREASURER PAMELA HALL PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER LAUREN COATS CHIEF STEWARD MICHELLE SAKURADA SITE REP COORDINATOR VIRGINIA KOZIOL SERGEANT AT ARMS RODOLFO LEON Union Updater is published monthly, September through June. Please send your ideas, suggestions, or questions to CPRO Lauren Coats, LCOATS@YCUSD.ORG or (530) 674-4900 ext. 31260
http://www.farmfreshtoyou.com/ Use Promo Code CSEA