Candidate Statements for 2018 Elections

Please see below for 3 candidate statements for the current election.

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Mortay Mendoza (for Executive Board)

My name is Mortay Mendoza and I thank you for the nomination and consideration to run for re-election for the EBMUD AFSCME Local 2019 Board of Directors. I have served as 2nd Vice President of the Executive Board of Directors for Local 1 AFSCME in Contra Costa County, a 5000 member union. I currently serve on the EBMUD Board of Directors and negotiation team. I am looking forward to progressing our union forward as laws and regulations change while maintaining fluid union operations and making sound decisions. If elected, I look forward to serving the union in a higher capacity for years to come.

Thank you,

Mortay Mendoza

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Wendy Ibarra (for Shop Steward)

I’m Wendy Ibarra, Customer Service Representative II in the Contact Center since 2004.

Currently I hold positions within L2019 as Recording Secretary, Officer, Executive Board Member, and Steward, as well as serving on various committees.

I request your vote for Union Steward where I will support and represent union rights as well as ensuring the district adheres to our MOU.  I’m eager to work towards positive change within our local and foster improved communication between the District and employees.  I look forward to the opportunity to serve you.

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Ron Lastimosa (for Shop Steward)

Hello, my name is Ron Lastimosa. I have been with EBMUD and Local 2019 for the last seven years. I have twenty years of experience in the mortgage/real estate industry and majored in Finance at the University of San Francisco.

I have extensive experience in resolving conflict with city/county tax departments, title companies, agents, attorneys and customers. I accepted this nomination because I’m proud of what L2019 has done for me and my family and I wanted to return the favor, roll up my sleeves and “kick in” for the cause by helping solidify the union’s support of its member in this capacity.. I hope you find that I can be impartial, non-biased and forthright in representing our union members..thank you for your time..

Candidate Statements for 2018 AFSCME International Delegate

Please see below for four candidate statements for the 2018 AFSCME International Delegate position (in randomized order). There are six candidates total, of which four will be selected.

David Johnson
Most of us have never met because I work as a Ranger Naturalist upcountry. My name is Dave Johnson. I’m a shop steward and executive board member. I got involved in Union Leadership because I felt it important for upcountry union members to be connected with what is happening in Oakland. Representing Local 2019 as an AFSCME International Delegate would give me the chance to talk with other activists about current issues and utilize the convention workshops to become a stronger asset for Local 2019. I appreciate the nomination and thank you for your vote.

In Solidarity,

Dave Johnson

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Mark Foley
Thank you for nominating me for International Convention Delegate.

Labor unions are at a crossroads.  The Supreme Court will likely rule against us in the JANUS case and we MUST change the way we operate to survive.  Our focus needs to be on the membership.

I look forward to challenging AFSCME International’s leadership to do more…

• More tools (training and research) to help Locals succeed at the negotiating table
• More transparency and involvement in the way the International conducts business

I would be honored to have your vote and represent Local 2019.

Thank you.

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George Cleveland
I became active in our Union in 1997. Since then I’ve been: steward, Chief Steward, Executive Board member, 1st Vice-President, and contract negotiating team member in 2003, 2011, and 2017. As a steward I’ve worked continuously and effectively for 20+ years to protect your workplace rights.

Being a delegate at the International Convention will be a valuable experience. If you elect me as a delegate, the knowledge I gain will benefit our Union as we deal with the consequences of the Supreme Court’s upcoming decision in Janus v. AFSCME.

I would be honored if you vote for me.

Thank you,

George Cleveland

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Mortay Mendoza
I thank you for the nomination and consideration to run for the position of AFSCME International Delegate. I have served as 2nd Vice President of the Executive Board of Directors for Local 1 AFSCME in Contra Costa County, a 5000 member union. I currently serve on the EBMUD Board of Directors and negotiation team. I am looking forward to progressing our union forward as laws and regulations change while maintaining fluid union operations and making sound decisions. If elected, I look forward to serving the union in a higher capacity 5, 10, 15 years from now.

Thank you,

Mortay Mendoza

General Salary Increase (COLA) – 2018

While the National Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased by 2.2% in February 2018, our efforts during the 2017 contract negotiations will result in a raise above the national average (and our negotiated floor of 2.0%)!

The San Francisco/Oakland Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for February 2018 just came in at 3.8%.

After including the 0.50% negotiated increase, our total raise is 4.3%.

This increase will be effective on 04/16/18, appearing on your 05/04/18 paycheck.

AFSCME Local 2019 Membership Update – JANUS – Green Monday (02/26/18)

Brother and Sisters,

On Monday, the Supreme Court of the United States will hear oral arguments in the JANUS v. AFSCME case regarding whether public sector agency fee arrangements should be declared unconstitutional under the First Amendment.

You can learn more about the case at https://www.afscme.org/now/janus-for-leaders

We ask that you wear green on Monday in a show of solidarity.

Another note…Employee Relations prohibited me from sending this entire message to you using District email (a violation of Article 5.3 of our MOU…IMHO).  They stated that the content wasn’t specific union business and offered to allow a compromise email that removed almost all of the first paragraph.  I responded with the following:

“We strongly disagree that the content of our original message is not union business.  Additionally, it contains no salacious or inflammatory material that is directed toward the District, its employees, or its policies.  We believe this action by Management is a violation of the MOU, disrespectful and undermines the ability of the Local to communicate with its membership (a lawful and protected Union activity).”

Stay tuned…

Please wear GREEN this Monday, February 26.

MATTER OF MAJOR IMPORTANCE – Contract Ratification Voting

AFSCME Local 2019 Contract Ratification Voting is scheduled for Tuesday (02/06/18) and Wednesday (02/07/18) at the times and locations listed below.

A tentative agreement summary is attached.  Copies of all tentative agreements included in the ratification vote are available at AFSCME Local 2019 TAs.

Please remember…

  • Voting is not conducted on District time; please vote before/after your shift or during your lunch or break.
  • In accordance with the AFSCME International Constitution, absentee or proxy voting is not allowed.
  • Bring your District ID when voting.

 

Members of the negotiation team will be available at all voting sites to answer your questions.

 

Tuesday, February 6
UPCOUNTRY

  • 7:00 AM to 7:15 AM East Yard
  • 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM Mokelumne Rangers Office
  • 10:45 AM to 11:00 AM Pardee Main Office
  • 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Lodi
  • 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM Stockton

BAY AREA

  • 7:00 AM to 7:15 AM North Yard
  • 7:00 AM to 7:15 AM South Yard
  • 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM Orinda Watershed Headquarters Conference Room
  • 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM Adeline Administration Building (Across from the Credit Union)
  • 8:15 AM to 8:45 AM Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area Visitor Center

Wednesday, February 7
BAY AREA

  • 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM WW Lab Cafeteria
  • 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM Administration Building (Outside the 4th Floor Cafeteria)

Time For Action!

Tired of negotiations dragging on? Insulted by Management’s weak wage offer? December 12th is your chance to pressure the Board of Directors to bring negotiations to a positive resolution. Fill out a vacation leave slip for 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm and tell the Board what you want from negotiations or stand in solidarity with your Union Brothers and Sisters. Wear your GREEN AFSCME shirts.

The EBMUD Board is offering slightly LESS than a CPI salary increase (Feb 2017 data) for the first 13 months of the new contract.  The Board is NOT yet offering salary retroactivity.  The Board has REFUSED to increase the monthly Transit Subsidy which has been unchanged for well over 10 years.  The Board has NOT acknowledged the major concession the unions have made from exchanging Health Net insurance with Sutter medical, effective January 2019.

During 2007 negotiations, it took a Board action like this and a subsequent weekend demonstration in Lafayette at then General Manager Dennis Diemer’s house to bring about a fair contract.  It appears Locals 2019 and 444 are heading down that same path again.