Trial Update
July 17, 2017
The trial in the internal charges against the former officers of the Local convened tonight at the CWA District 9 offices in Santa Fe Springs. The case was scheduled to be from 5pm to 10pm. And is calendared to continue each night until concluded. The start of the trial was delayed until 5:30pm to accommodate late arrivals. The charged parties did not attend or present a defense.
The parties were offered the opportunity to participate by video conference if they opted not to attend the trial in person. One of the two charging parties did participate via "zoom" and was able to listen to the proceedings and to watch the testimony from Northern California.
The charged parties decided not to participate and did not come to present their case or cross examine witnesses. The one charged individual who had been afforded the opportunity to participate via zoom did not avail themself of the online system. The Trial Body was insistent that any remote participant be on a video connection so that they knew that a phone connection was not being shared with non-members of the union.
The Prosecution rested their case in chief this evening at approximately 9:20pm. Their closing argument is scheduled for 5pm on Tuesday evening.
Members of the Local in Good Standing are entitled to attend the hearing in person, but the Trial Body decided not to offer watch only video access to the trial.
The Trial Body will deliberate after the conclusion of the trial and will issue their report shortly thereafter. That report will be posted on the members only section of the website.
Sincerely,
Carrie Biggs-Adams
Temporary Administrator |
Local 39000 Update
July 10, 2017
CWA Convention Delegate
Ballots were counted last week in the election for TNG Conference and CWA Convention in August in Pittsburgh, PA. Juan Ramirez was elected delegate and Daniel Kaufman was elected the alternate. While the Local would have been entitled to up to 3 delegates to the CWA Convention and up to 6 delegates to the TNG Conference, we decided to only send one representative.
This is an economic decision, as we pay off the back per capita obligation and outstanding legal bills. The Local is obligated to pay the travel expenses of the trip to Pittsburgh, along with the wages for the delegate. We are working hard to getting on a solid financial standing, but with three regions in bargaining, those expenses are a top priority in representing the members in wages, hours, and working conditions.
Our per capita payment plan was approved late last week. As of this morning our delegate, and alternate who would attend in the event that Mr. Ramirez is unable to attend, are registered for the Conference and Convention.
Bargaining Update Region 1
The Region 1 Bargaining Committee has completed their drafting work and their proposals have been submitted to TNG Contracts Committed for approval. This is required by the TNG Constitution to be done at least 21 days before bargaining begins. The first day of bargaining in Region 1 is scheduled for July 31st.
Internal Charges Trial
The trial in the case of the charges filed against the former officers of the Local is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 17 at 5pm in the CWA District 9 offices in Santa Fe Springs. The case will be presented by prosecutor Suzie McAlister from Denver, the Trial Body are three officers of the national Trial Panel from around the country. The case is scheduled to take place from 5pm to 10pm on successive evenings, all members in good standing of the Local are invited to attend. They expect the case to conclude in a couple of days.
Future of Local 39000 Meeting
On Saturday July 15, we will hold a meeting from 10am – 4pm at the Santa Fe Springs District 9 office. As we move past the problems that led to the Temporary Administration, I hope that members who are interested in helping form the new Local structures will come together. Discussion will include the structures in which we exist (Federal and State Laws; Constitutions and Bylaws of the national bodies and the Local) and how we fit in the CWA, TNG, and Local 39000.
Resources available from TNG (Legal Services), and the CWA (Strategic Industry Fund grants and others) programs. The CWA Legislative Political program, and resources that can support our lobbying will be explained as well.
Then we can discuss the policies and committees that the Local will need going forward. And Training offered by CWA District 9, as well as training for stewards in the CWA systems.
Lunch will be provided, as will be materials – so please RSVP by July 12 so that we can have enough of each. RSVP to: [email protected]
Sincerely,
Carrie Biggs-Adams
Temporary Administrator
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Local 39000 Update
June 30, 2017
Delegate Voting:
The election for delegate to the CWA Convention and TNG Conference will wrap up on July 4th. So, if you haven’t voted yet – please find the email from Ballotbin and cast your vote. If you requested a physical ballot it must be received in our office no later than Monday July 3rd. Electronic balloting will close on July 4th at 11:59pm Pacific Daylight Time. If you haven’t seen your email from ballotbin – please check your spam filter or email: [email protected]
Results will be released on Wednesday July 5th.
Future of Local 39000 Meeting
On Saturday July 15, we will hold a meeting from 10am – 4pm at the Santa Fe Springs District 9 office. As we move past the problems that led to the Temporary Administration, I hope that members who are interested in helping form the new Local structures will come together. Discussion will include the structures in which we exist (Federal and State Laws; Constitutions and Bylaws of the national bodies and the Local) and how we fit in the CWA, TNG, and Local 39000.
Resources available from TNG (Legal Services), and the CWA (Strategic Industry Fund grants and others) programs. The CWA Legislative Political program, and resources that can support our lobbying will be explained as well.
Then we can discuss the policies and committees that the Local will need going forward. And Training offered by CWA District 9, as well as training for stewards in the CWA systems.
Lunch will be provided, as will be materials – so please RSVP by July 12 so that we can have enough of each. RSVP to: [email protected]
Reminder – Disciplinary Meetings
Under your Weingarten Rights, you have the right to ask for union representation in any case where the interview with management might lead to disciplinary action. YOU must ask for representation, management will then wait until a steward is located. You can also call the union office and we can represent you on the phone during a meeting if there is no one in the same office available.
Sincerely,
Carrie Biggs-Adams
Temporary Administrator |
R1 Bargaining Committee Update
June 26, 2017
 Your Region 1 Bargaining Committee attended a full-day caucus meeting on Friday, June 23 to work on contract proposals with attorney Christine Alvisurez's participation. Using your bargaining survey results, we outlined proposal topics, focusing on issues that members expressed as most pressing.
We discussed some of the exciting community-building efforts already underway (read report below). We also identified the need for volunteer leaders to aid with a Watch and Support Committee to take time off to attendupcoming bargaining sessions.
We received some beautiful knitted bow tie lapel pins made by some of our colleagues. Production and distribution of the bow ties is being coordinated through the CFI Region 1: Bargaining & Beyond Facebook group.
In the coming weeks, community-building efforts will continue. Remember to wear RED every Thursday, wear bow tie lapel pins every day, and get united to support your bargaining committee!
Report from Community-Building Lunch: Thursday, June 22
The first Bargaining Update and Community Building Lunch at Grand Park in DTLA
was a great success, with close to forty interpreters from CCH, CJC, Metro, East LA and beyond in attendance, many decked out in “Thursday RED”.
The union provided lunch, and Daniel Kaufman, R1 Bargaining Team member spoke, touching on both the larger context of our bargaining and the specifics of the Bargaining Team’s preparations for the upcoming negotiations. He talked about the bargaining team members and spokesperson, the projected timeline and the importance of any member who had not yet done so, completing the survey to help the bargaining team have an accurate picture of which issues are of most importance to the membership.
He also emphasized the importance of member participation throughout the bargaining process, affirming that in addition to the bargaining team’s work, our success at the table is directly related to the level of involvement and support of the membership at large. A lively Q&A followed in which members expressed both hopes and concerns, and discussed some of the ways of getting involved and spreading the word.
One of the ways the team is asking members to show support is to wear RED every Thursday, and wear a red bow-tie pin* every day, as a show of support for our bargaining team and to let others know we are in contract negotiations.
*The Red Bow-Tie Pin project is the brainchild of the CCH knitters and crocheters, who have been busily needle-working away during lunchtimes and at home to create bright red bow-tie lapel pins to distribute to colleagues throughout the Region. All those inclined to hooks and needles are invited to join in - see CFI Region 1: Bargaining & Beyond Facebook page for simple instructions on both how to make and how to request bow-tie pins.
Don’t just rely on the grapevine for information: if you want to be in the loop, get up to the minute updates, hear it from the horse’s mouth - visit the CFI Region 1: Bargaining & Beyond Facebook page. Stay connected: together we are strong.
And stay tuned for the next Bargaining Update and Community Building Lunch, coming soon to a courthouse near you!
In Unity,
Your Region 1 Bargaining Team
Daniel Kaufman, Doris Vickk, Michael Ferreira, Pedro Ramirez, Robert Guerrerro
Spokeperson Christine Alvisurez, Esq., Kathleen Sinclair, Alternate
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Update
June 23, 2017
Internal Charges – Trial Scheduled
In April, internal union charges were filed against the former officers of the Local (President, VP, Treasurer and Executive Board Members) by two members of the Local. The investigation was assigned to a CWA Staff Representative from Denver (Susie McAllister). She submitted her report to the CWA President Chris Shelton and it has been accepted. It has now been released for members to read and you can find it in the Members Only section of the Memberclicks website.
The trial body hearing the case is 3 members of the national trial panel, who have been appointed to hear the case: Kevin Condy, President, Local 1101, Chair; Judy Bruno, President, Local 3406; and Diane Bailey, President, Local 4310. Ms. McAllister will prosecute the case – presenting the evidence that she found in her investigation. The trial will take place at the CWA District 9 offices in Santa Fe Springs on Monday July 17, Tuesday July 18, and Wednesday July 19th. The hearing is open to all members in good standing and will take place from 5pm to 10pm each night (note the case may conclude in less than the allotted 3 nights). The trial body’s ruling will be released to the members after it is submitted to the CWA Executive Board.
Election for Delegate to the CWA Convention and TNG Conference
As you know we are conducting an election for one delegate to represent the Local at the CWA Convention this year in Pittsburgh, the TNG Conference will take place in the days ahead of the Convention. We have two candidates, and the runner-up will be the alternate in the event of the inability to serve.
We are using Ballotbin to conduct the election – and the email sent to all members in good standing came from that company. If you have not seen your email (it went out a week ago) with your link to vote, please contact Monse [email protected] so that we can help you look in your spam filter or see if we need to use another email address for you.
Ballots must be submitted by July 4th and will be counted on the morning of July 5th. For those who need a physical ballot, the deadline will July 3rd in the office so that we can count them all on the morning of July 5th.
The Convention is the highest decision-making body in CWA and can overrule the CWA Executive Board/President. Our parent union is very proud of their democratic roots, and hold their conventions every 2 years. Please cast your ballot for delegate.
Conference Planning – Save the Date
Eva Vargas from our Oakland office is planning the conference – to be held on October 6-9 at the Oakland Airport Hilton. She is lining up speakers and reaching out to presenters who people have heard before or recommended. If you have a suggestion please email her, so that we can have a great line up of speakers and be responsive to your continuing education needs. You can reach Eva at [email protected]
Registration will be opening soon, we will be holding registration prices to those from 2014.
In Solidarity,
Carrie Biggs-Adams
Temporary Administrator
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