Volume 1 • Issue 22 • 22 November 2019

Volume 1 • Issue 22 • 22 November 2019

And the Winner Is . . .

You.  Chapter 262 members used online voting for the first time this month to ratify the tentative agreements from negotiations, and the results were overwhelmingly positive.  Every person responding to the survey (100%) strongly agreed or agreed they prefer online voting.  While a few people were neutral, all other responders agreed online voting is more accurate and more trustworthy than paper ballots.  The question about online voting increasing participation produced the same results.  Oh, and by the way, the first online vote resulted in ratification of the tentative agreements!

Results for the experience questions were even better.  Almost 25% of responders replied they had trouble logging in (due to the password errors sent out with the first e-mail), and one person was neutral about the instructions being clear and easy to use, all other questions resulted in a unanimous 100% agreement.  So the final word is that online voting is awesome!

The next online voting will begin very soon for Chapter Officer elections.  There are four offices up for election, but one office had only one nominee who accepted the nomination, so that person is automatically elected for that office (sorry, you will have to wait for the identity of the person and office with the official results at the December 11 Chapter meeting).  

With a short month due to the Winter recess, online voting for this election should make voting much easier for all members.  You will not have to walk out to a voting location.  You will not have to worry about the weather.  You won’t even have to haggle with your manager about leaving the office to go vote because you don’t have to leave the office! During your regular break (voting will take less than five minutes), click the link on the login information e-mail, go to the voting web site, enter your login and password, and cast your vote for the three offices.  Easy as pumpkin pie for holiday dinner!

Winners will be announced at the December 11 Chapter Meeting and by special e-mail announcement soon thereafter.

Data Security:  A Breach Too Far

Humans like to label just about everything.  It helps us understand.  It helps us remember.  Giving something a name, a label, gives us power over that thing.  If you want power over something, you need to know its name.  You know how this works if you have ever heard the fairy tale of Rumpelstiltskin.

In the modern age of information technology, someone can gain a tremendous amount of power over you simply by knowing your “name,” or, more accurately, your username and password.  Once a hacker has your username (which is relatively easy in most cases) and password, your life can be turned upside down.

In September, San Diego Community College District was hacked.  Cyber criminals hacked into 90 of the District’s servers, locked out District personnel from accessing the computer systems, and left a ransom note asking for money in exchange for releasing the servers.  Fortunately, San Diego CCD restored their systems from the previous night’s backups with little loss of data and took action to secure their servers even more.

Just last month, in October, Network Solutions was hacked.  If you don’t know who Network Solutions is, it is the organization that registered the very first domain names or web addresses.  In the early days of the world wide web, Network Solutions was the only registrar of web addresses (like www.mtsac.edu).  With millions of customers world-wide, a breach of their data security could potentially result in billions of dollars of identity theft.  Fortunately, hackers were only able to obtain account information, but no financial records or credit card numbers.  This is still far from being “good news.”

If this scares you, it should, because in many cases, hackers often have an unwitting ally in gaining access — users!  Computer users are often the source of breaches, often by unwittingly signing into a fake web site designed to look like a bank or some other known and typically trusted organization, thus giving the hackers their usernames and passwords.  This practice is sometimes called “phishing,” and we have seen many of these messages here at Mt. SAC, which is why our I.T. Security team instituted a notice at the top of messages that come from off-campus to alert you to be cautious when reading these messages.

No organization is safe.  In fact, even our own CSEA recently suffered an unauthorized intrusion, which was briefly explained in the November 16 CSEA Board of Directors meeting minutes.  The sad part of this breach, though, is that the breach was conducted by a CSEA employee.  Although no member information was compromised, and the hack was malicious in nature (meaning it was meant to destroy data, not to steal financial information), the incident demonstrates that data safeguards are critical to any organization that has servers with information stored on them that hackers could use.  A thorough cyber investigation was conducted, and the employee has been terminated and may face criminal prosecution.

Which brings us full circle to this.  To ensure hackers cannot have power over you, change your passwords often!  Do you use the same password for logging into Mt. SAC’s network as you do for your home network and your smartphone, laptop, and even your ATM machine?  Very probably many of you do.  One reason is because remembering all those passwords for all those systems is difficult enough, so then we end up using simple passwords that are far too easy to guess, which gives hackers easy access to your data.

When Mt. SAC Information Technology personnel suggest you change your password at least once a month, and not use simple passwords like birthdates, the name of your favorite pet, or the word “password” (which unbelievably is still often used), and to use strong passwords that use random numbers, letters, capitals, and special characters (such as wqF#*64auuglfSGhb), and use a different password for each system, please do it.  Yes, these are difficult to remember, but there are also tools you can use that will store all your usernames and passwords for you.

Do not let hackers have power over you by learning your “name.”  Do not be a Rumpelstiltskin.  

CHANGE YOUR PASSWORDS, both at work and at home, and change them to strong passwords, and change them monthly!

Falling Short at Retirement?  Planning Can Help Bridge the Gap

By Beverley Heasley, CSEA Chapter 262 Pre-Retirement Resource Specialist

Did you know that the average monthly service retirement for school employees is $1688 per month?  Saving additional funds in a 403B, Roth 403B or 457 plan can help ensure that you meet your retirement goals.  The contribution limits for 403b, Roth 403b and 457 are increasing too from $19,000 to $19,500 per year in January 2020.  You may also contribute an additional $6,500 per year in 2020 if you are at least 50 years of age. 

403B Compare is a website provided by CalSTRS that contains 403(B) vendors and fee information in addition to general retirement planning and educational materials — https://www.403bcompare.com/.

Sources

IRS News Release — https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/401k-contribution-limit-increases-to-19500-for-2020-catch-up-limit-rises-to-6500

CalPERS Facts at a Glance 2017-2018 — https://www.calpers.ca.gov/docs/forms-publications/facts-pension-retirement.pdf.

CSEA Pre-Retirement Seminars

By Beverley Heasley, CSEA Chapter 262 Pre-Retirement Resource Specialist

Looking for information you need to maximize your pension benefits? CalPERS will be presenting and will provide informational booklets at the upcoming CSEA Pre-Retirement Seminars listed below. Additional information will be provided on Social Security and the CSEA Retiree Unit. All seminars are on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to Noon.

January 25, 2020

California School of the Arts

Performing Arts Center

1401 Highland Avenue

Duarte, CA 91010

Gordon H. Beatty Elementary School Auditorium

8201 Country Club Drive

Buena Park, CA 90621

February 8, 2020

CSEA Regional Training Center

Santa Fe Field Office - 2nd Floor

4600 Sana Anita Avenue

El Monte, CA 91731

March 14, 2020

Upland Jr. High School

Multipurpose Room/Gym

444 E. 11th Street

Upland, CA 91786

Register online or browse the complete list of all upcoming CSEA Pre-Retirement Seminars at: https://www.csea.com/web/Training/Pre-Retirement-Seminars.

CalPERS Home Loan Reminder

Please be aware that companies advertising home loans for CalPERS members or state employees aren’t directly affiliated with or endorsed by CalPERS. CalPERS stopped offering home loans in December 2010.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Welcome to Mt. SAC: New Classified Professionals

At the November 13 Board of Trustees meeting, the college welcomed the following new or promoted classified employees:

Permanent New Hires

• Daniel Hernandez, Printing Services Technician (Printing Services)

• Donna Rutherford, Lead Printing Services Technician (Printing Services)

• Randy Sanchez, Community Services Officer (Police and Campus Safety)

Promoted Classified Professionals

• Amanda James, Administrative Specialist IV (Counseling and Guidance)

If you happen to see any of these colleagues during your day, extend a warm welcome, invite them to lunch, show them around, and make them feel welcome.  Bring them along to the next Chapter meeting so they can introduce themselves.

 A Clean, Well-Lighted Place 

On January 1, 2020, a new law goes into effect requiring employers to provide reasonable break time, a clean, safe, hazard-free and private lactation room (or location that meets certain requirements) as well access to a sink and refrigerator in close proximity to the employee’s workspace.

Mt. SAC’s Facilities Department is already developing plans for lactation stations across campus.  While these locations are mostly intended to be available to students, employees will be able to use them as well.  However, there will be a limited number, and as large a campus as Mt. SAC is, their limited number and locations may not meet the requirements mandated for employees.

Mt. SAC will be installing lactation stations across campus similar to this one at Union Station in LA.

Mt. SAC will also be required to provide access to a sink with running water and a refrigerator suitable for storing milk in close proximity to the employee’s workspace. If a refrigerator cannot be provided, Mt. SAC will have to provide another suitable cooling device to store milk.  Even if no Mt. SAC employees are lactating and need a lactation station, Mt. SAC will be required to create these spaces.  If a permanent lactation space cannot be created due to operational, financial, or other limitations, a temporary space may be provided, but the space cannot be a bathroom, must still be in close proximity to the employee’s work area, and must be private and otherwise compliant with this law.

Complying with the law may become a challenge considering Mt. SAC’s size.  With the law stating the lactation areas must be “in close proximity” to the employee’s workspace, it may become necessary to define “close” and “workspace.”  As yet, the District has not discussed the issue with CSEA 262, and no known plans for addressing the new law have come forward.

There may also be consequences for failing to comply.  Under Labor Code Section 226.7, if the Labor Commission determines this law was violated, a citation may be issued of $100 for each day that an employee is denied reasonable break time or space to express milk.  Employers are also prohibited from terminating employment, discriminating or retaliating against an employee for exercising or attempting to exercise lactation accommodation rights.  

The new law will also require Mt. SAC to create a new Board Policy and Administrative Procedure regarding lactation accommodations and provide new employees and employees who make ask about or request parental leave.  The policy must be made available to current employees (our policies and procedures are listed on the Board of Trustees web page).  The policy must include a statement about the right to request lactation accommodation and the process by which an employee makes a request for such an accommodation and the employer’s obligation to respond to the request.

“To improve the lives of our members, students, and community.”

CSEA Chapter 262 • 1100 N. Grand Avenue Walnut, California 91789 • 909.274.6262 • www.csea262.org

Volume 1 • Issue 20 • 25 October 2019

A Fallen Brother

Darren Stahl, Enterprise Network Administrator in the Information Technology Department and long-time Chapter 262 member died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident Friday, 18 October 2019.

Stahl was riding his motorcycle to work Friday morning when he was struck by a vehicle and critically injured.  While being transported to the hospital, Darren succumbed to his injuries.  He loved riding motorcycles and often rode to work on Fridays when the weather was good.  He would always call his wife Sheral to check in when he arrived at work.  Friday Darren never checked in.  His wife was notified by the San Bernardino Sheriff’s office Friday morning. 

Darren had worked at Mt. SAC more than 30 years. He was a very well-liked and respected member of the Information Technology and Mt. SAC family, and he enjoyed his work and the people with whom he worked.  Darren was hired in February 1989 as an instructional student lab assistant and was soon hired full-time as a computer operator covering the mid-shift and eventually the graveyard shift.  He was promoted to an IT Technician in 2001, and then a Network Administrator in 2008 where he supported the Technology and Health Division.  He was also an adjunct professor in the Technology and Health Division. 

In 2015, Darren was again promoted to Enterprise Network Administrator and supported the campus-wide networking infrastructure working in the IT central office.  As well as his regular duties, Darren was also one of the primary IT support technicians for the Mt. SAC Relays, and he travelled to the off-campus site to provide technical support to help make the Relays timing and scorekeeping system a success.

Darren was also a Mt. SAC alumnus.  He earned a certificate in COBOL programming and, in 1997, he earned an Associate in Science degree.  Prior to working at Mt. SAC, he served his nation from 1984 to 1988 in the United States Marine Corps.

Darren was an integral part of the IT Department, and his friends and colleagues mourn his loss. 

It was a little more than a year ago on 1 September 2018 when IT lost another long-time friend and colleague, Iffiok Nsek, who died from head injuries while riding his off-road bike with his wife and family.  Iffiok had worked at Mt. SAC for more than 28 years, and was instrumental in designing, building, and modernizing Mt. SAC’s networking and telecommunications infrastructure.

Darren is survived by his wife Sheral and his son Hunter, who is also currently serving in the United States Marine Corp.  Additional information will be made available when known.

The CSEA 262 Leadership Team extends its deepest condolences to Sheral and Hunter and the entire Stahl family.

Access Center Interpreter Seriously Injured

Brian Carr, an hourly sign language interpreter in the Access Center, was seriously injured on August 31 and sustained a broken neck.  Brian has already had multiple surgeries, but he remains paralyzed from the chest down.  In the upcoming months, he will need more hospitalization as well as occupational and respiratory therapy.   

Brian is a graduate of the Mt. SAC Interpreter Training Program and was hired as an Interpreter Intern in 2010.  He is one of the main interpreters on every Disabled & Hard of Hearing (DHH) camping trip as well as appearing in several productions of Putting on the Hits. His girlfriend of 11 years, Twyla Banks, is also an Interpreter Program graduate and interpreter at Mt. SAC.  As an hourly employee, Brian is not eligible for health benefits, and he has no health insurance.  He will be out of work as he recovers from this accident.

Brian’s friends have started a GoFundMe page to help with the extensive medical expenses.  To date, $40,000 of the $100,000 goal have been raised.  The funds are going to Twyla Banks, Brian’s girlfriend of 11 years and with whom he has live for the past two years.  Since Brian is unable to handle his finances, Twyla is taking care of the medical expenses.  Brian could benefit greatly from any support you can offer.

In early October, Brian was moved to a rehabilitation facility in Pomona.  He is breathing on his own with no trachea tube, and he does have a valve that allows him to talk.  Having his voice back has helped out his spirits.

You can read updates of his progress or leave a message for Brian on the GoFundMe page, and you can make a donation for his medical expenses if you wish.  Follow this link to Brian’s GoFundMe page.  Look there for more updates and visitation information.

Nominations for Chapter Officers will again be accepted at the November 20 Chapter meeting.  This will end nominations for this year.  The Chapter elections will be held in December.  The new, revised Chapter 262 Constitution as you may recall permit online balloting, and this year will be our first Chapter elections using the online voting system.

During elections this year, you will be able to vote on online, which should allow more members to participate in the elections process than ever before (although we average around fifty percent now, which is awesome!).  We are working to get that system in place in time for the Chapter Elections in December.

Offices up for election this year are 1st Vice President, Secretary, Chief Union Steward, and Site Representative Coordinator (follow this link to view the officer duties).  Also new this year are the eligibility requirements for Chapter Officers.  Eligibility requirements for all Chapter Officers include:

1. Active member in good standing

2. Continuous Chapter membership (Note: not employment with Mt. SAC) for six calendar months preceding the month nominated

3. Must have attended a minimum of four Chapter meetings during the 12 months prior to the month nominated

See the Chapter web site for the Article IV, Section 3 eligibility requirements and to view ordownload the revised Chapter Constitution.  Remember that attending Chapter meetings are release time, but make sure you inform your manager so he or she can ensure there is coverage in your department.  You are not required to use your personal time to attend.

Welcome to Mt. SAC: New Classified Professionals

At the October 9 Board of Trustees meeting, the college welcomed the following new or promoted classified employees:

Permanent New Hires

• Victor Alexandrescu, Lead Telecommunications Support Technician (Information Technology)

• Haneen Sabah Alghita Aguilar, Coordinator, Case Management (Student Services)

• Andrew Franco, Printing Services Technician (Printing Services)

• Maria Hernandez Figueroa, Coordinator, Project/Program (EOPS/CARE)

• Dominique Perez, English as a Second Language Instructional Support Assistant (English as a Second Language)

• Randy Sanchez, Community Services Officer (Police and Campus Safety)

• Rodolfo Sanchez II, Financial Aid Specialist (Financial Aid)

• John Wilson, Career Services Specialist (School of Continuing Education)

Promoted Classified Professionals

• Dolores Mahan, Coordinator, Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services)

• Vanessa Ulloa, Project/Program Specialist (Learning Assistance Center)

If you happen to see any of these colleagues during your day, extend a warm welcome, invite them to lunch, show them around, and make them feel welcome.  Bring them along to the next Chapter meeting so they can introduce themselves.

Labor Relations and Steward Updates:  Disparate Treatment

One of the more common complaints CSEA 262 members discuss with union stewards is about how they are treated by their managers differently from other classified employees, particularly when it comes to the disciplinary process.  Stewards are often called by members who believe they are being “singled out” or treated differently or that a manager “plays favorites” with certain classified staff.

At a recent labor arbitration conference, a senior labor arbitrator gave a lecture about Due Process and discussed disparate treatment, the due process principle that similarly situated employees be treated equally.  The principle of disparate treatment relates to fairness.  The question arose, “Is it fair to give a different penalty to similarly situated employees for the same violation?”  They key to the answer of whether treatment is disparate partly comes from the phrase “similarly situated.”  The phrase “similarly situated” generally means similar longevity and work record. 

As example, two employees work in the same department.  One is a newly hired employee who has worked in the office for a little more than a month.  The other is a seasoned veteran employee who has worked for six years in the department.  One day they both arrive 15 minutes late for work.  The manager calls each of them into her office separately.  The manager explains to the new employee the rules and consequences about arriving late to work.  The veteran employee is given a verbal reprimand (the lowest level of progressive discipline) for arriving late.  Is this fair?  Is the veteran employee being given disparate treatment?

Labor arbitrators would say no, the treatment is not disparate because the two employees are not “similarly situated” in that one is a new hire on probation who may not yet be familiar with all the department policies and procedures, and the other is a veteran employee who should already know these policies and procedures.  If they had both been new hires, however, then the treatment might be disparate.

Progressive discipline also considers the degree of severity or consequences of the act.  For example, if a new, probationary employee is late to work 10 days in a month and other employees have to “cover” by doing work this new employee should be doing, the degree of severity of the tardiness increases, and so do the consequences.  In this case, the severity overrides the leniency a manager might give to a new employee.  Is this a subjective and arbitrary treatment?  Not as long as the manager applies this same process to all employees.

Some people might believe this to be “unfair,” but many cases like this have gone to arbitration, and the labor arbiters are pretty much universally in agreement that the circumstances of a violation dictate the penalty much more so than the violation itself.  There are other factors and exceptions, of course, but disparate treatment is not always unfair.

That is a basic outline of the principle of disparate treatment.  However, if you ever believe you are being treated unfairly, whether for violating a rule or just in having your leave requests ignored or denied, or if you are unsure as to whether treatment is unfair, make sure you talk to a steward immediately.  Explain the circumstances and let the steward help determine whether you are being treated unfairly and address the issue with the manager.

Legislative Updates Affecting Mt. SAC

On Friday 4 October 2019, Governor Newsom signed several higher education bills including several that may impact Mt. SAC students and classified professionals who support these programs.  Here are some of these bills.  Details about these bills are available on the California Legislative Information web site:  http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/home.xhtml.

• Assembly Bill 2 — expands access to the California College Promise Program by allowing students who are part of our Access Center programs to qualify even if they are not enrolled in a full-time course load.

• Assembly Bill 5 — requires Mt. SAC prove workers can meet a three-part (ABC) test in order to be lawfully classified as independent contractors. This will make more difficult using contract employees to do classified bargaining unit work.

• Assembly Bill 540 — This changes the name of the Cal Grant B Service Incentive Grant Program to the California Dreamer Service Incentive Grant Program. The bill would require that an organization at which the community or volunteer service is performed by a participating student under the program to have been established for a minimum of 2 years before the first date on which a participating student begins performing service hours to qualify for the program.

• Assembly Bill 943 — Authorizes the use of funding from the California Community Colleges (CCC) Student Equity and Achievement Program for emergency student financial assistance to help students overcome unforeseen financial challenges that would prevent them from completing their course of study.

• Senate Bill 390 — Requires the District to provide during their regular work hours the latest training developed by the Department of Consumer Affairs to all Campus Safety personnel whether full- or part-time.

• Senate Bill 586 — This law requires the Mt. SAC Board to ensure the District’s many Career Technical Education (CTE) programs consult with the appropriate local workforce development board to ensure their career technical education program is aligned with regional and statewide employment needs.

 California Paraeducator Conference

Invest in yourself in 2020 with this professional development opportunity that is open to ALL CSEA members. It's not just for Paraeducators! Classified School Employees serve students and this conference helps you do that even better.

More than 1,300 paraeducators and other classified school employees from all job classifications across the state attended the Paraeducator Conference last year, which is specifically designed to help you be effective with students. Attend workshops and listen to experts to gain knowledge about the latest in industry standards. Learn about the rights you have under the law, and network with other CSEA members.

As a classified school employee, you are a students’ confidant, coach, safe person and more.  The true effects of your influence are immeasurable, which was made so clear and so passionately at 2019 Annual Conference by keynote speaker Jonathan Mooney (you should watch Mooney’s impassioned keynote address by following this link).  The success of the conference can be found in the respect, value, and pride you feel in your profession and the confidence you gain when you take new knowledge and skills back to your district and the students you serve.

March 17-19, 2020 - Ontario Convention Center, Ontario - Only $109

Find out more and register at www.csea.com/paraconference

“To improve the lives of our members, students, and community.”

CSEA Chapter 262 • 1100 N. Grand Avenue Walnut, California 91789 • 909.274.6262 • www.csea262.org

Volume 1 • Issue 19 • 11 October 2019

Working After Retirement?  Know the Rules

By Beverley Heasley, CSEA Chapter 262 Pre-Retirement Resource Specialist

Working after retirement sounds like an oxymoron, however, there are many reasons why people continue to work after retirement.  You might want to work in a different role, choose to work only part-time, or maybe you can’t imagine what you would do without work.  Whatever the reason, CalPERS permits working after retirement, but you must keep in mind that there are specific laws governing the type, timing, and amount of work you can accept after retirement without affecting your pension. 

If you are a normal service retiree, you can work for any private industry employer not associated with any CalPERS employer without restrictions.

The most common type of work after retirement is as a retired annuitant or a CalPERS retiree working as an at-will employee for a CalPERS employer without reinstating from retirement.  If you would like to return to your former employer, or any CalPERS-covered agency, you must wait 180 days after your retirement date before you can return to work for them.  Without exception, the maximum number of hours you may work in a fiscal year (July 1-June 30) is 960 hours.  The work must be temporary or substitute work and cannot be a permanent position.  You will not accrue additional service credit or any additional retirement benefits.  There is an equal responsibility between you and your employer to ensure that your employment is lawful and meeting the requirements for working after retirement. 

Additionally, there are Social Security considerations.  Typically, if you claim Social Security between the ages of 62 and 67, and you return to work, you may be subject to the Social Security Administration’s Retirement Earnings Test, and your benefits may be reduced.

Want to learn more?

CalPERS has a video that provides a basic overview of when and how you can return to work after you retire:https://youtu.be/ZPCg96duBok

You may also reference the CalPERS publication Employment After Retirement (https://www.calpers.ca.gov/docs/forms-publications/employment-after-retirement.pdf).  Social Security provides the following booklet - How Work Affects Your Benefits:https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10069.pdf

Do you have a question about CalPERS retirement?  Contact the CSEA Chapter 262 Pre-Retirement Resource Specialist Beverly Heasley at bheasley@mtsac.edu.

Open Enrollment Ending . . . You MUST Enroll Now

There are only 3 workdays to enroll in a health benefit plan!  If you do not enroll in a plan by Tuesday, October 15, you will be placed on the District’s basic plan as agreed in the bargaining agreement transition to the Self-Insured Schools of California health benefit plan.  If you are currently an opt-out and wish to continue as an opt-out, you also must enroll by filling out the Opt-Out verification form.  Don’t forget to make an appointment to see a benefits specialist to submit your enrollment information and make an appointment with the American Fidelity representative for dependent verification.  Bring the required verification documentation with you to the appointment.

All CSEA 262 members must enroll during the open enrollment period, even if you are an opt-out.  If you do not select a plan during open enrollment, the District will enroll you in the single-person plan, which you will not be able to change until next year’s open enrollment or a qualifying life-event occurs. 

If you will be covering a spouse and/or any dependents, you must also complete the dependent verification forms and make an appointment with American Fidelity for the dependent verification review.  You must have the required documents with you when you attend your review with American Fidelity.  If you have no dependents and are only enrolling yourself in the plan, please contact Human Resources to verify whether you need an appointment with American Fidelity.

Do not delay . . . Enroll today!

Local Halloween Events Sure to Frighten!

Halloween is coming!  You can have a ghoulishly good time at a number of theme parks and attractions throughout Southern California, and you don’t have to spend a fiendish amount of cash.  Your CSEA Member Benefits department has dug up deals from many amusement parks that feature highly anticipated Halloween events, including Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, Knott’s Scary Farm, and California’s Great America Halloween Haunt.

Long Beach’s Aquarium of the Pacific transforms into the Scarium of the Pacific, where you can discover creatures lurking in the depths October 26 and 27th.  It is a spooktacular, educational Halloween event for the whole family with a children’s costume contest, creepy coloring contest, magic shows, underwater pumpkin carving, spooky storytelling, and kooky crafts.

Knott’s Scary Farm is the largest and most haunting Halloween experience in Southern California.  The fully transformed theme park encompasses 14 uniquely haunted mazes and attractions, sinister shows, and more than 1,000 horrifying creatures lurking in the fog and hiding in every corner of the park.  Knott’s Scary Farm takes place on select nights and is not recommended for children under 13.  For children under 13, however, you can visit Knott’s Spooky Farm, a family-friendly Halloween celebration geared towards kids ages 3-11.

If someone walking past a mirror and not casting a reflection is more your thing, then Buena Parks’ Pirate’s Dinner Adventuretransmogrifies into the Halloween Spooktacular, ‘Vampirates’ as you board Evil Captain Sebastian the Black’s pirate ship and join him and his crew as they attempt to defeat the Vampire Hunter.  It’s a family-friendly spooky good time while enjoying a four-course meal so delicious it’s scary.

To Purchase tickets, you can call the CSEA Benefits Office at 866-ITS-CSEA (866-487-2732) to receive tickets by mail.  You can also log onto the CSEA web site at http://www.csea.com and click on the “Benefits” tab on the top menu, then select “Halloween Events.”  Here you will find even more attractions with a link to purchase tickets online.  The tickets are printed right to your home printer … scary easy!

Classified Professionals

At the October Board meeting, the following classified professionals were newly hired or promoted:

Permanent New Hires

• Daniel Hernandez, Printing Services Technician (Printing Services)

• Donna Rutherford, Lead Printing Services Technician (Printing Services)

Promotions

• Amanda James, Administrative Specialist IV (Counseling and Guidance)

If you happen to see any of these colleagues during your day, extend a warm welcome, invite them to lunch, show them around, and make them feel welcome.  Bring them along to the next Chapter meeting so they can introduce themselves.

Resignation(s)

• Denise Cisneros, Registration Specialist (English as a Second Language), effective 8/8/19

• Daniel Hernandez, Printing Services Technician (Printing Services), effective 9/30/19

• Maria Valdez, Administrative Specialist IV (Natural Sciences), effective 9/20/19

Retirement(s)

• Kevin House, Public Safety Officer II (Police and Campus Safety), effective 3/31/20

• James Friesen, Lead Event Services Technician (Technical Services), effective 10/31/19

Upcoming CSEA Training Opportunities

CSEA prides itself on offering members the training they need to succeed.  CSEA staff work side by side with member-volunteers who can teach you everything you need to know, from how to get the most at the bargaining table to how to create a chapter Web site.  Listed below are upcoming training opportunities.  All trainings below are held at the Santa Fe Field Office in El Monte.  The address, phone numbers, and link to register will be found on the web site link below.  You must be registered and log in to the CSEA.COM web site to register for training classes.  ALL TRAININGS ARE FREE TO MEMBERS!  If you are not yet a member and would like to join, contact anyone on the Chapter 262 Executive Board.

If you considering becoming a Chapter Union Steward or would just like to learn more about your rights, the CSEA Santa Fe Field Office is offering the steward training series now through November.  Union Steward Training dates are listed below.  To become a steward, you need to take all three classes in order.  Other field offices also offer the training on different dates.  If you want to see the full schedule of training, click on the link below to the training directory.  Contact the SFFO if you are interested or talk to the Chapter Chief Steward Liz Jauregui via e-mail at chiefsteward@csea262.org or call 909.274.5342.

• Union Steward Training Level 2 • Saturday, October 19, 2019 8:30am • 6 hours

• Union Steward Training Level 3 • Saturday, November 23, 2019 8:30am • 6 hours (Thanksgiving is Nov. 27)

For information or to register, contact Santa Fe Field Office at 626.258.3315 or 800.988.6949 ext. 3315 or e-mail sfforsvp@csea.com.

https://www.csea.com/web/Training/CSEA-Training-Directory

Volume 1 • Issue 18 • 27 September 2019

Let’s Write A Resolution!

Many Chapter 262 members have asked questions about the Student-Centered Funding Formula’s impact on CSEA 262 members.  CSEA’s primary function is to protect your rights and your bargaining unit work.  CSEA often accomplishes this through legislation, legislation inspired by resolutions submitted by members at CSEA Annual Conference. 

Your Chapter 262 leadership would like to submit a resolution at Annual Conference directing CSEA to lobby for improvements to the Student-Centered Funding Formula. You can help by submitting questions and concerns that your Chapter leadership will use to draft the resolution, which will then be presented to you for ratification and submitted to Conference.

You may submit as many questions or concerns as you wish, but please enter only ONE question or concern at a time. If you want to submit another question or concern, click on your browser’s refresh button after you submit your response.  Please note that any comments unrelated to the SCFF will be ignored and deleted.

To submit a question or concern, follow this link to your Chapter Student-Centered Funding Formula form:

https://www.csea262.org/scff-question-form

When In Doubt, Ask About . . .

Union stewards are here to answer your questions about our contract, evaluations, possible disciplinary issues, or other conditions of employment.  Issues that are disciplinary or that could lead to discipline should be referred to the chief steward immediately before you discuss anything with your manager or anyone else for that matter.  Personnel matters, such as harassment, bullying, difficulty getting along with someone, and other “human relations” issues should be discussed with your manager or, if you are uncomfortable doing that, Human Resources. However, if you want a steward to accompany you, that can be arranged in most cases. Remember, you can remain anonymous.  Worker’s compensation issues are not a union issue unless there is a contract violation, but union involvement is specific to the contract.  Worker’s Comp issues need to be discussed with Risk Management.

Don’t wait until the last minute to reach out for help.  Protect your rights and your privacy by always contacting the chief steward whenever you have a question or are unsure about what to do.  If you cannot contact the chief steward, you can contact any of the stewards listed below.

Elizabeth Jauregui, Chief Steward     909.274.5342     Ejauregui@mtsac.edu or chiefsteward@csea262.org

Mark A. Fernandez                                909.274.4384     mfernandez@mtsac.edu or cpro@csea262.org

Melissa Andrewin                                 909.274.5736     mandrewin@mtsac.edu

Robin Cash                                             909.274.6601     rcash2@mtsac.edu

Katherine MacDonald                          909.274.4959     kmacdonald@mtsac.edu

Site Representatives Are Your Go-To Members

Site Representatives are the chapter heralds, spreading news and information about chapter business and activities to chapter members across campus.  Site representatives also help build and strengthen our membership and our Chapter and is often the first contact with the union a new employee makes.

Site reps inform employees about CSEA membership, distribute CSEA information at the work sites, maintain CSEA bulletin boards, explain CSEA benefit plans and services, and to keep members informed about Association activities and other matters of importance, relay member concerns to the appropriate union steward or other chapter officer, and can direct members who have questions or concerns to the appropriate Chapter Officer.

Currently, your Chapter 262 has more than 20 site representatives across campus, too numerous to list here.  For a list of site reps and their contact information and locations on campus, visit your Chapter 262 web site by following this link.  If you would are thinking about or would like to volunteer to be a site representative, please contact the Chapter Site Representative Coordinator Brandon Gillett at siterep@csea262.org or 909.274.5329.

Support Student Scholarships Silently

On Wednesday, October 2, 2019, Student Life will be holding its 15th Annual Lost and Found Auction in the Building 9C Stage area from 10am to 1pm (see attached flyer).  Chapter members are encouraged to attend as this auction not only provides scholarships for our students, but it also funds the Mark Minor Memorial Scholarship.  The auction includes unclaimed items left in the Student Life lost and found.  If you win your bid, you must pick up your items by 1pm, and cash only will be accepted. 

Mark Minor was a classified professional working in the Student Life Office who was diagnosed with, battled, and overcame cancer three times.  Sadly, he succumbed to his fourth bout with cancer.  Mark was an awesome man who was always upbeat and positive about life despite his personal hardships, and he spread his positive outlook to his classified colleagues, managers, and especially the students with whom he worked.  The Mark Minor Scholarship is a lasting tribute to his unswerving desire to help students improve their lives and meet their educational goals. 

 California Paraeducator Conference

Invest in yourself in 2020 with this professional development opportunity that is open to ALL CSEA members. It's not just for Paraeducators! Classified School Employees serve students and this conference helps you do that even better.

More than 1,300 paraeducators and other classified school employees from all job classifications across the state attended the Paraeducator Conference last year, which is specifically designed to help you be effective with students. Attend workshops and listen to experts to gain knowledge about the latest in industry standards. Learn about the rights you have under the law, and network with other CSEA members.

As a classified school employee, you are a students’ confidant, coach, safe person and more.  The true effects of your influence are immeasurable, which was made so clear and so passionately at 2019 Annual Conference by keynote speaker Jonathan Mooney (you should watch Mooney’s impassioned keynote address by following this link).  The success of the conference can be found in the respect, value, and pride you feel in your profession and the confidence you gain when you take new knowledge and skills back to your district and the students you serve.

March 17-19, 2020 - Ontario Convention Center, Ontario - Only $109

Find out more and register at www.csea.com/paraconference

Volume 1 • Issue 17 • 13 September 2019

Performance Improvement Plan

Times they are a changing, and Mt. SAC is not immune to these changes.  The new Student Centered Funding Formula has created some confusion and quite a bit of concern about the amount of funding Mt. SAC will receive under this new formula.  It is a work-related concern that can add more stress to classified professionals who are dedicated to improving the lives of our students and fellow classified.

The U.S. Department of Labor recently posted to their web site (https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/workerfatigue/index.html) information about worker-related stress created from long hours, irregular work shifts, and fatigue.  Very often these factors translate into your evaluations as performance deficiencies and, in some cases, illness and injury.  When union stewards advise members to “work to the rule” and not to stay late to do work (especially uncompensated work or unauthorized overtime) and that you are entitled to a “fixed schedule,” this advice is centered on ensuring your good health and improved performance.

Irregular work hours disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm, which is your internal clock that regulates your wake/sleep cycle.  Irregular work schedules (not necessarily the time itself but keeping that time regular) can disrupt this cycle, and this disruption can contribute to factors that lead to fatigue, poor health, and performance issues.

Statistics gathered by the Department of Labor show accident and injury rates are nearly twenty percent higher during evening shifts and thirty percent higher during night shifts when compared to day shifts.  Working twelve hours per day is associated with a 37% increased risk of injury.  Another study showed that extended shifts increase the risk of commuting accidents by 16%.  The lesson here is not that longer shifts are bad but that you need to be aware of how you and your body react to long hours, irregular shifts, and fatigue and what you can do to alleviate these risks.

Visit the Department of Labor web site for more information and additional resources or contact the Employee Assistance Services for Education (EASE, which is covered by our health benefit plan, including SISC) to learn about additional assistance.

Support for Unions At 50 Year High Gallup Poll Shows

A new Gallup Poll taken in August 2019 shows that 64% of Americans approve of unions.  This is the highest approval rating since 2003, when the approval rating was 65% and 1999 at 66%.

According to Gallup, public support for unions has increased recently probably due to relatively good economic conditions and low unemployment.  By contrast, the lowest union approval ratings in Gallup history came from 2009 through 2012, years of high unemployment that followed the Great Recession. Gallup also observed relatively low union approval during the poor economic times in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Democrats, independents and Republicans are all more likely to view unions positively now than they were at the low point a decade ago. Notably, since 2009, union approval has increased among each party group by 16 or 17 points. Democrats (82%) remain far more likely than Republicans (45%) to approve of unions.

Unions are constantly under attack by anti-union organizations, and the most recent attack came with the Supreme Court’s Janus decision in 2018 where service fees for non-union workers was declared unconstitutional.  Whether you support unions or not, there is no question the history of unions has improved the lives, rights, and status of all workers. 

Unions fought for and won collective bargaining rights, weekends, the 40-hour work week, overtime laws, vacation and sick leave, and many other rights and privileges.  If you want to show your support for your union, CSEA has created two posters — one for work and one for home.  Open the attached flyer, print the two posters, and display each at the appropriate location.  Exercise your right to free speech and supporting the union movement and remember the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, who said “The labor movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress.”

Open Enrollment Continues . . . You MUST Enroll or Risk Losing Benefits

Open enrollment continues as CSEA 262 members transition to the Self-Insured Schools Corporation (SISC).

All CSEA 262 members must enroll during the open enrollment period.  If you do not select a plan during open enrollment, the District will enroll you in the single-person plan, which you will not be able to change until next year’s open enrollment or a qualifying life-event occurs.  You will have plenty of time to research the various plans and ask questions before open enrollment ends.

If you will be covering a spouse and/or any dependents, you must also complete the dependent verification forms and make an appointment with American Fidelity for the dependent verification review.  You must have the required documents with you when you attend your review with American Fidelity.  If you have no dependents and are only enrolling yourself in the plan, please contact Human Resources to verify whether you need an appointment with American Fidelity.

Also remember that your current health plan, all your doctors and medications and treatments are unchanged but will end on December 31, 2019.  The new medical plans will be effective January 1, 2020.  You should receive new health insurance cards and related information sometime in December.  As with most new things, we may experience some growing pains along the way.  Please be “patient” (pun intended) during this transitional year.

For those of you who are currently participating in the opt-out option, you may continue with the opt-out option, but you must still submit the forms and fill out the opt-out forms.  At this time, it is unclear whether there are one or two opt-out forms (one for the District and one for SISC), so please contact Human Resources Benefit Specialist for verification and the forms.

Welcome to Mt. SAC: New Classified Professionals

At the September Board meeting, the following classified professionals were newly hired or promoted:

Permanent New Hires

• Brandon Aponte, Information Technology Support Technician (Information Technology)

• Robert Bledsoe, Communications Specialist (Marketing and Communication)

• Maria Figueroa, Administrative Specialist II (Counseling)

• Martin Gonzalez, Transfer Specialist (Counseling)

• Judy Kim, Fiscal Technician I (Fiscal Services)

• Kymberly Macala, Administrative Specialist IV (Instruction)

• Christine Romeo, Project/Program Specialist (Student Services)

• Suzanne Vazquez, Administrative Specialist I (Safety and Risk Management)

Promotions

• Sangvan Thaysangkram, Administrative Specialist III (Humanities and Social Sciences)

If you happen to see any of these colleagues during your day, extend a warm welcome, invite them to lunch, show them around, and make them feel welcome.  Bring them along to the next Chapter meeting so they can introduce themselves.

Low-Cost Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program

New this year, CSEA is partnering with Central State University to offer classified employees and their family members bachelor’s degrees at an extremely reduced cost.  CSEA members in good standing (including retirees), their children, grandchildren, spouses or domestic partners are all eligible to receive the CSEA Student Success Grant that keeps the cost either free or low.  For those who have not yet completed an Associate degree, or have less than 60 transfer credits, they can complete those requirements through the CSEA Free College program and then transfer to Central State University to complete their Bachelor’s degree.

Family members do NOT need to be financial dependents or living with the member to be eligible. To be eligible, interested students must apply for federal financial aid and some or all of the grants to pay the tuition, e-books, and fees. For CSEA members and their families, the most they will pay in annual out-of-pocket costs is $4,500, and for many, it will be significantly less, if not zero.

For more information about this and other education programs, visit http://www.csea.com/education.

Upcoming Title IX/EEO Training

Each month the Professional and Organizational Development Department (POD) provides state and federally mandated training on Title IX (sexual harassment prevention) and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for anyone participating on hiring committees.  CSEA 262 has the right to appoint a representative to serve on these committees, but the representative must still have EEO training.  Listed below are this month’s training opportunities.

• Thursday September 19, 9am: Title IX Training

Please register at the Professional and Organizational Development Activities Calendar (https://tinyurl.com/y372qjh7) and log in to register.

Upcoming CSEA Training Opportunities

CSEA prides itself on offering members the training they need to succeed.  CSEA staff work side by side with member-volunteers who can teach you everything you need to know, from how to get the most at the bargaining table to how to create a chapter Web site.  Listed below are upcoming training opportunities.  All trainings below are held at the Santa Fe Field Office in El Monte.  The address, phone numbers, and link to register will be found on the web site link below.  You must be registered and log in to the CSEA.COM web site to register for training classes.  ALL TRAININGS ARE FREE TO MEMBERS!  If you are not yet a member and would like to join, contact anyone on the Chapter 262 Executive Board.

If you considering becoming a Chapter Union Steward or would just like to learn more about your rights, the CSEA Santa Fe Field Office is offering the steward training series now through November.  Union Steward Training dates are listed below.  To become a steward, you need to take all three classes in order.  Other field offices also offer the training on different dates.  If you want to see the full schedule of training, click on the link below to the training directory.  Contact the SFFO if you are interested or talk to the Chapter Chief Steward Liz Jauregui via e-mail at chiefsteward@csea262.org or call 909.274.5342.

• Union Steward Training Level 2 • Saturday, October 19, 2019 8:30am • 6 hours

• Union Steward Training Level 3 • Saturday, November 23, 2019 8:30am • 6 hours (Thanksgiving is Nov. 27)

For information or to register, contact Santa Fe Field Office at 626.258.3315 or 800.988.6949 ext. 3315 or e-mail sfforsvp@csea.com.

https://www.csea.com/web/Training/CSEA-Training-Directory

“To improve the lives of our members, students, and community.”

CSEA Chapter 262 • 1100 N. Grand Avenue Walnut, California 91789 • 909.274.6262 • www.csea262.org

Volume 1 • Issue 16 • 23 August 2019

Welcome Back!

Today, Friday 23 August, marks the end of the Summer break and the last work day prior to the start of the Fall 2019 Semester.  Friday is faculty FLEX day, so most faculty will be back on campus attending their professional growth workshops as we did last Friday during CPD Day.

The start of this 2019-20 Academic Year will bring many new changes.  Some of these changes are major, such as the Student Centered Funding Formula (SCFF).  This new formula will determine how much money the college receives from the state.  In the past, funding was primarily based on full-time equivalent (FTE) students and growth.  Now, under this new formula, FTEs are only 70 percent of the amount received.  The rest is based on the number of transfer students, certificates and degrees awarded, and financial aid disbursed (for more information about the SCFF, follow this link to the California Community Colleges web site for the SCFF http://bit.ly/30w79vW).  

Mt. SAC is still ahead of most California community colleges in the system as far as available and reserve funding is concerned.  Like most community colleges, though, Mt. SAC is not yet fully aware of the impact the new funding formula will have on the college or the budgeting process.  Extremely cautious budgeting is expected for the next few years while we shake out the kinks and work out the bugs of the new funding formula’s impact.

Arguably the biggest change affecting CSEA members directly, though, will be transitioning from the CalPERS Health Benefit plan to the SISC Health Benefit Plan.  The Human Resources Benefits Office will be launching a new web site very soon with information about the plans, rates, and the forms needed to enroll.  The Benefits site will also be easier for campus employee groups to find the information specific to their group.  Once the site is launched, look for our Chapter 262 logo and click on it.  This will link you to the CSEA 262 specific information (https://www.mtsac.edu/hr/benefits/).  Open enrollment will begin soon as well.  Once the new site is launched, you will be notified by both the Benefits Office and by your Chapter 262 leadership.

Please note that all CSEA 262 members must enroll during the open enrollment period.  If you do not select a plan during open enrollment, the District will enroll you in the single-person plan, which you will not be able to change until next year’s open enrollment or a qualifying life-event occurs.  You will have plenty of time to research the various plans and ask questions before open enrollment ends.  Also remember that your current health plan, all your doctors and medications and treatments are unchanged but will end on December 31, 2019.  The new medical plans will be effective January 1, 2020.  You should receive new health insurance cards and related information sometime in late November or December.  As with most new things, we may experience some growing pains along the way.  We will work it out together.

Welcome (back) to Mt. SAC!

Successor Agreement Survey Coming Soon

While your Chapter Negotiations Team continues to complete the negotiations cycle for the 2019 Year 3 contract (including the transition to SISC Health Benefit Plans), preparations are beginning for the Successor Agreement Negotiations.  Chapter 262 must submit its initial proposal for bargaining to the District by the last working day in October.  According to CSEA Policy, the Negotiating Team must survey its members to ascertain what to negotiate.

During successor agreement negotiations, there are no limitations (other than what can be reasonably negotiated in the given time period) as to what issues or how many are negotiated.  The Chapter can negotiate terms of any article, completely rewrite any article, remove an article, or even create a completely new article.  The only requirement is that CSEA 262 notify the District what “subjects” Chapter 262 would like to negotiate and what the general purpose goal is.  For example, we would state, “Article 16: Evaluations.  Improving and the evaluation process and form.”

Your Chapter 262 leadership and negotiations team would like you to start thinking about what you would like to be negotiated.  Members, as always, will decide what subjects are to be negotiated.  As you read through the contract, what do you think needs improvement?  Should any articles or provisions be removed?  Do we need to add a new Article or new provisions of an existing article?  Do we need to create a whole new article?  What in the contract is not working well and needs to be changed?  These are a few questions to consider as you consider what you want your Chapter 262 Negotiating Team to negotiate.  Anything reasonable can be negotiated.

Look for the announcement of the survey soon.  Chapter members will need to ratify the initial proposal at the September or October Chapter meeting so it can be presented to the District by the end of October.  Negotiations will begin by February 2020.

Welcome to Mt. SAC: New Classified Professionals

At the July and August Board meetings, the following classified professionals were hired or promoted:

Permanent New Hires

• Brandon Aponte, Information Technology Support Specialist (Help Desk)

• Daniel Berumen, Senior Research Analyst (Research and Institutional Effectiveness)

• Jamie Carranza, Student Services Program Specialist II (Counseling)

• Allan Castillo, Senior Systems Analyst/Programmer (Information Technology)

• Wendi English, Administrative Specialist I (Community and Contract Education)

• Cheri Hollenbeck, Laboratory Assistant — Child Development Observation (Business)

• Jacinta Jocson, Project/Program Specialist (Strong Workforce)

• Desiree Landeros, Administrative Specialist I (Financial Aid)

• Eric Lopez-Blount, Administrative Specialist I (Financial Aid)

• Gabrielle Quiroz, Student Services Program Specialist II (Student Life)

• Jaime Rodriguez, Senior Research Analyst (Research and Institutional Effectiveness)

• Shantel Sanchez, Administrative Specialist I (Child Development Center)

• Brenda Ton Ho, Admissions and Records Specialist I (English as a Second Language)

Promotions

• Priscilla Romero, Fiscal Specialist (Fiscal Services)

• Vivian Ruiz, Administrative Specialist IV (Administrative Services)

• Shoshawna Smith, Dispatcher II (Police and Campus Safety)

• Jazmin Vargas, Coordinator, Project/Program (Financial Aid)

If you happen to see any of these colleagues during your day, extend a warm welcome, invite them to lunch, show them around, and make them feel welcome.  Bring them along to the next Chapter meeting so they can introduce themselves.

Selection Committee Representatives Still Needed

Mt. SAC’s most important asset is its employees, because without exceptional administrators and managers, faculty, and classified professionals, Mt. SAC might as well be a parking lot.  Exceptional employees ensure Mt. SAC lives up to its mission of providing quality education to the community it serves.  You were not hired just to fill a vacancy.  You were hired because you are an extraordinary worker doing essential work.  To continue hiring exceptional employees, however, Mt. SAC and CSEA Chapter 262 need your help.

CSEA 262 needs you to volunteer as a CSEA representative for selection committees.  We currently have an urgent need to place six CSEA members on selection committees!  To serve as a CSEA 262 representative, you must first, of course, be a Chapter member.  If you are not a member and would like to join, visit our Chapter 262 web site and join today.  You also cannot be an employee in the same department that is recruiting the new employee.  The college is committed to diversity and equity, so your participation helps the college meet these goals.

Please consider volunteering for a selection committee when you see the announcements.  For more information or to volunteer to serve on a committee, please contact Marlene Espina (vp2@csea262.orgor mespina@mtsac.edu).

Upcoming EEO Training

CSEA 262 needs you to volunteer as a CSEA representative for selection committees, but to serve on these committees you must also attend a Selection Committee/EEO training within the last two years.  If you have not yet received this training, the next available training will be Thursday, September 5 at 2pm.  Please register at the Professional and Organizational Development Activities Calendar (https://bit.ly/320e80J) and log in to register.  

Upcoming CSEA Training Opportunities

CSEA prides itself on offering members the training they need to succeed.  CSEA staff work side by side with member-volunteers who can teach you everything you need to know, from how to get the most at the bargaining table to how to create a chapter Web site.  Listed below are upcoming training opportunities.  All trainings below are held at the Santa Fe Field Office in El Monte.  The address, phone numbers, and link to register will be found on the web site link below.  You must be registered and log in to the CSEA.COM web site to register for training classes.  ALL TRAININGS ARE FREE TO MEMBERS!  If you are not yet a member and would like to join, contact anyone on the Chapter 262 Executive Board.

If you considering becoming a Chapter Union Steward or would just like to learn more about your rights, the CSEA Santa Fe Field Office is offering the steward training series now through November.  Union Steward Training dates are listed below.  To become a steward, you need to take all three classes in order.  Other field offices also offer the training on different dates.  If you want to see the full schedule of training, click on the link below to the training directory.  Contact the SFFO if you are interested or talk to the Chapter Chief Steward Liz Jauregui via e-mail at chiefsteward@csea262.org or call 909.274.5342.

• Union Steward Training Level 1 • Saturday, September 14, 2019 8:30am • 6 hours

• Union Steward Training Level 2 • Saturday, October 19, 2019 8:30am • 6 hours

• Union Steward Training Level 3 • Saturday, November 23, 2019 8:30am • 6 hours (Thanksgiving is Nov. 27)

For information or to register, contact Santa Fe Field Office at 626.258.3315 or 800.988.6949 ext. 3315 or e-mail sfforsvp@csea.com.

https://www.csea.com/web/Training/CSEA-Training-Directory

“To improve the lives of our members, students, and community.”

CSEA Chapter 262 • 1100 N. Grand Avenue Walnut, California 91789 • 909.274.6262 • www.csea262.org

Volume 1 • Issue 15 • 1 August 2019 — Special Annual Conference Edition

CSEA Annual Conference Concludes

The 93rd Annual CSEA Conference continued Wednesday with recognitions to retirees and introduction of the Life Member and Honor Roll Members.  Life Membership is the highest award given to members in CSEA.  It is for a lifetime of dedication and service to the Association’s motto, “To improve the lives of our members, students, and community.”  The Honor Roll is the second highest award to members who have proven outstanding accomplishment to CSEA and its members.  This year’s honor roll inductee was Isa Wiechmann.

More awards were presented during the morning session to the Activitst of the Year and the Humanitarian of the Year.  During the Humanitarian of the Year awards, CSEA “passed the bucket” to the member floor to collect donations to the Dorothy Bjork Assistance Fund.  Chapters that donated to the fund also had a spokesperson present the Chapter’s check to CSEA and gave a short speech.  Your Chapter 262 donated $1000 to the fund and was presented by Chapter President Robert Stubbe.

In a bit of irreverence, one long-time CSEA member challenged past president Allan Clark to a “sass” contest.  She challenged Clark in that if could raise $1,000 from the floor, she would engage him in a little “cheekiness.”  She raised a little more than $2,000!  The Sass-off was on!  A little explanation is needed here.  It was all in good fun because the member was born and raised in South Africa and speaks with a heavy British accent and also spoke Zulu.  Allan Clark was born and raised in Alabama and speaks with a heavy Alabaman accent.  They teased each other about their accents and not understanding what the other said.  It was all in good fun, and drew rousing cheers and laughter from the delegate floor.

Following the lunch break, more member awards were presented for the Communications Awards and the MUP (Member Unity Program) Awards.  The MUP Award is given to chapters that have done the best job of strengthening their chapter and building the union with a more informed, active membership.  Communication Awards for excellence in communications are given the chapters with the best print, E-Newsletter, Web page, and flyer.

The day’s business session ended with an “In Memorium” video showing the names of all CSEA members who had passed during the year since the last Annual Conference.  Our very own CSEA 262 member Iffiok-Obong Nsek, Lead Telecommunications Technician, sadly, was included.

The “Credentials Report” for Wednesday’s session is:

•      751 Chapters eligible for conference, 432 Chapters attending conference

•      1,627 voting delegates attending, including all Association Officers and member leaders

•      1,990 total attendees, including delegates, retirees, CSEA staff, and guests

Pictures of your delegates are available on the Chapters Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts.
 

“To improve the lives of our members, students, and community.”

CSEA Chapter 262 • 1100 N. Grand Avenue Walnut, California 91789 • 909.274.6262 • www.csea262.org

Volume 1 • Issue 14B • 30 July 2019 — Special Annual Conference Edition

CSEA Annual Conference Continues

The 93rd Annual CSEA Conference continued Tuesday morning with a report from Rob Feckner, past CSEA Association President and member of the CalPERS Board.  Feckner reported on the upcoming CalPERS election for the retiree seat (only retirees vote), the health of the CalPERS fund (this is the retirement fund (not the health insurance), COLA, and key issues.

The most significant point of the address was that CalPERS currently has $360 billion in assets, and the retirement system is about 72% funded, up from 64% last year.  The CalPERS goal is to reach 100% funding (which they had achieved prior to the economic recession in the mid-2000s), although that may take several years.

CSEA also celebrated the Member of the Year awards, going out to members who have done outstanding work for CSEA, the union movement, and their communities.  This year two community college classified employees received this prestigious award.

The bulk of the day was taken up with debate on resolutions.  This year nine resolution were brought before the delegates (an atypically light agenda this year).  Two resolutions were withdrawn by their submitting chapters, so delegates debated, discussed, and voted on the remaining seven resolutions.  Your Chapter 262 delegates are happy to report that the recommendations we presented to you on each of the resolutions were spot-on.  The resolutions that passed were 1, 5, 7, and 8 (details of the resolutions will be available on the chapter web site).

Association Past President Allen Clark also reported to delegates that the Annual Conference for 2020 and 2021 will be held in Las Vegas.  However, due to increased (an unwarranted) cost increases, CSEA went to bid out for future conferences.  CSEA Policy requires conference to be held at a union hotel, which eliminates many hotels, including California.  The Paris Hotel is an excellent union hotel, but the cost of meals has risen dramatically.  One example cited is that a gallon of coffee next year go up to $164 — for ONE gallon, which serves about 20 people. That is a little more than $8 per cup!  Clark announced to the delegates that the winning bid would be at a union hotel in the “Biggest Little City in the West,” Reno, Nevada starting in 2023 (during an election year in California, Annual Conference will be held in Sacramento, as always).

Every year at conference, each session begins with a “Credentials Report,” which is a report of the numbers attending conference. The report for Mondays session is as follows:

•      751 Chapters eligible for conference, 428 Chapters attending conference

•      1,604 voting delegates attending, including all Association Officers and member leaders

•      1,890 total attendees, including delegates, retirees, CSEA staff, and guests

The “Credentials Report” for Tuesday’s session is:

•      751 Chapters eligible for conference, 432 Chapters attending conference

•      1,626 voting delegates attending, including all Association Officers and member leaders

•      1,914 total attendees, including delegates, retirees, CSEA staff, and guests

Pictures of your delegates are available on the Chapters Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts.

“To improve the lives of our members, students, and community.”

CSEA Chapter 262 • 1100 N. Grand Avenue Walnut, California 91789 • 909.274.6262 • www.csea262.org

Volume 1 • Issue 14A • 29 July 2019 — Special Annual Conference Edition

CSEA Annual Conference Begins

The 93rd Annual CSEA Conference opened Monday to a rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, a salute to CSEA members and/or their family members currently serving in the United States armed forces, and, of course, plenty of speeches.

Association President Ben Valedepeña gave his “State of the Union” address, outlining several key challenges and accomplishments during the past year.  The greatest challenge to CSEA and all unions was the Supéreme Court’s decision in January to end service fee payments by nonmembers.  However, President Valedepeña also mentioned that the CSEA budget was only minimally impacted because the estimated number of people expected to drop out of the union was only about 15% of the anticipated number, and CSEA made a modest raise to dues at last year’s conference to prepare for a financial downfall.  All in all, CSEA lost a little more than $1 million in dues while they anticipated a loss of more than $7 million.

The morning session’s low point came when Valedepeña called for a moment of silence for the victims of the shooting in Gilroy on Sunday July 28. The youngest victim of the shooting was also the grandson of a CSEA member.  She and her daughter were also injured in the shooting.

Keynote Speaker Jonathan Mooney gave an impassioned and personal speech of personal experience about the positive and important work that classified employees do.  Mooney talked about his growing up as a child with learning disabilities who was labeled the “bad” kid or the “dumb” kid, and how his life would have headed in the wrong direction were it not for the classified employees who took time to encourage him, show him to recognize his strengths and abilities, and not to listen to the negative people who called him “dumb.”  Despite having dyslexia and attention deficit disorder and not learning to read until he was 12, Mooney described his journey through an educational system that, as he explained it, focused on trying to make him out to be what they expected rather than focusing on identifying and encouraging his strengths and abilities.  As a result of the encouragement he received from his classified school employees, Mooney earned an honors degree in Literature from Brown University and has written two books as well as becoming a motivational speaker and mentor to children with “learning differences” as he likes to call it.

Ending the afternoon session and through to the end of the first session, delegates at conference were also introduced to candidates running for CSEA Office, including Association President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, and Secretary.  While the president and vice president candidates were running unopposed, the Association Constitution and By-Laws require a confirmation vote from the Delegates.  Three candidates are running for Secretary.  All candidates received the required nomination from the floor and gave their campaign speeches.

Pictures of your delegates are available on the Chapters Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts.

“To improve the lives of our members, students, and community.”

CSEA Chapter 262 • 1100 N. Grand Avenue Walnut, California 91789 • 909.274.6262 • www.csea262.org

Volume 1 • Issue 13 • 12 July 2019 Summer Schedule Edition

Health Benefit Agreement Ratified!  Now What?

Your Chapter 262 Executive Board and Negotiations Team want to send out a big, huge THANK YOU! to all CSEA 262 members who participated this past year in all the informational meetings, surveys, question and answer sessions, and all the terrific feedback, including all the concerns.  After more than a year of negotiations, Chapter 262 and the District reached a tentative agreement on health benefits, which you all ratified and the Board of Trustees approved.  Your ratification of the agreement was a testament of approval for all the time and effort your negotiations team put into this agreement.

More than 51 percent of classified employees of Unit A participated in this vote.  That is the best turnout in our Chapter’s memory!  We had more than 90 members at the June Chapter Meeting, one of the biggest turnouts ever, and our Chapter web site exploded with activity — more than 1,200 individual page views in one month reviewing the Health Benefits section of the site (which will remain available for the time being).  You can be sure your Chapter Webmaster is very, very pleased about that!

Now that the vote is done and the Board of Trustees has approved the TA as well as the separation from CalPERS, what happens next?  There is still quite a bit of work ahead, more negotiations, and a transition from CalPERS to SISC that must be done by the September open-enrollment period.  One of the first things to be done is to start reviewing the various single-party, two-party, and family plans available from Kaiser and Blue Shield provided through SISC.  As your Chapter leadership learns more about how this process will work, you will be kept informed and may be asked to answer more surveys or provide more feedback about your needs and wants. 

Your Chapter 262 leaders ensure you this process will be as transparent and informed as the process for the vote to choose SISC.  While there were a few people who were unhappy with the Chapter’s inability to accommodate all classified employees, let us remember there are about 480 current CSEA 262 members, and only a handful (less than 10 as a matter of fact) who complained about not being able to participate.  At the same time, this negotiations process has taken more time, provided more detailed and specific information to members, held more meetings, utilized more surveys and Q&A, and was more attended by chapter members than any contract negotiations in our chapter’s history.  Here are more statistics to consider:

1. There were 241 votes cast for this TA (more than any vote in chapter history)

2. The vote was 179 yes and 62 no — 74.3% or three out of four members

3. There were 51% of ALL MEMBERS who voted (not just those in attendance of a meeting, a higher percentage than any vote in chapter history)

As your chapter leaders move forward negotiating the health benefit plans with SISC and the District, keep in mind the two most critical guiding principles by which CSEA 262 operates — the best deal for the most members and “equal or better.”  The goal is to negotiate the best plans that provide the best coverage for the greatest number of members, but even the “cheapest” plan must be equal or better to the equivalent plans under CalPERS.  You may not end up with a plan that is better than your current plan, but it will at least be equal to your current plan.

Summertime No Time for Down Time

If you have been a long-time Mt. SAC employee, you know that the end of the Spring semester is followed by the Summer and typically some relief to the urgency and the usual hurry-up-I-need-it-yesterday activities during the academic year.  After Spring finals, faculty had a week to complete all grading and turn in grades.  Information Technology had a few days to process the grades and make sure all records were updated for registration.  Student Services had time to process all their paperwork, do their year-end reports, and start preparing for summer school.  If you have been a long-time Mt. SAC employee, you remember fondly of those days because those days are long gone.

This past semester has been one of the busiest in recent memory, and most of us are probably not even aware of all that has happened.  Just reading some of what these were can be exhausting.  Probably the most significant to CSEA 262 members is the passing of the Health Benefits tentative agreement after more than a year of negotiations with the District, months of evaluating health provider vendors and plans, more than ten informational meetings, hundreds of questions, several member surveys, member feedback, and literally hundreds of hours of work from the negotiating teams — the first step is complete.  Yes, the FIRST step.  There is still much more to do.  

Construction of the new multi-multi-million-dollar Student Center has begun, and demolition of the last row-buildings has started.  The college bookstore will also be moving to its new location just south of the new Student Center.  The Instruction Office will also be moving to the top-floor above the bookstore building.  While not a physical relocation, a reorganization has moved Professional Development back over into Human Resources.  In May CSEA 262 and 651 held a very successful Classified School Employees week with a great luncheon from Management Steering and another Hollywood edition of The Classys produced by Classified Senate.

There is much more to tell but suffice it to say that this summer will not be a period of downtime for anyone.  We are all busy, we are working a summer 4/10 schedule, and the Fall Semester is going to arrive faster than we want.  Just remember to stop, take a breath, close your eyes, and turn yourself “off” for a few minutes every day, and keep up the outstanding work that you do for the college and our students as classified professionals.

CSEA 262 Welcomes New Members

At the July 10 Board meeting, the following classified professionals were hired or promoted:

Newly Hired Classified Professionals:

• Daniel Berumen, Senior Research Analyst (Research and Institutional Effectiveness)

• Jamie Carranza, Student Services Program Specialist II (Counseling)

• Allan Castillo, Senior Systems Analyst/Programmer (Information Technology)

• Raul Corcuera, Grounds and Horticultural Technician — Campus (Grounds)

• Wendi English, Administrative Specialist I (Community and Contract Education)

• Ignacio Flores, Grounds and Horticultural Technician — Campus (Grounds)

• Cheri Hollenbeck, Laboratory Assistant — Child Development Observation (Business)

• Jacinta Jocson, Project/Program Specialist (Strong Workforce)

• Desiree Landeros, Administrative Specialist I (Financial Aid)

• Eric Lopez-Blount, Administrative Specialist I (Financial Aid)

• Gabrielle Quiroz, Student Services Program Specialist II (Student Life)

• Jaime Rodriguez, Senior Research Analyst (Research and Institutional Effectiveness)

• Shantel Sanchez, Administrative Specialist I (Child Development Center)

• Brenda Ton Ho, Admissions and Records Specialist I (English as a Second Language)

Congratulations also go to those who were promoted:

• Priscilla Romero, Fiscal Specialist (Fiscal Services)

• Shoshawna Smith, Dispatcher II (Police and Campus Safety)

• Jazmin Vargas, Coordinator, Project/Program (Financial Aid)

If you happen to see any of these colleagues during your day, extend a warm welcome, invite them to lunch, show them around, and make them feel welcome. Bring them along to the next Chapter meeting so they can introduce themselves.

Upcoming Legislation

Discussing politics in polite company is always a risky business because there are as many diverse ideals and political philosophies as there are people, and you do not want to offend anyone.  Talking about babies, especially newborns offends almost no one and usually brings a smile to everyone’s disposition.  Here is some news from the State Legislature than mixes both babies and politics but may have a huge impact and benefit to classified professionals who are planning or about to have a child.

The State legislature is considering Assembly Bill 500 “Paid Maternity Leave.”  It is just what the title implies.  If passed, this bill would provide all classified professionals with up-to six weeks of paid maternity leave to care for a newborn or newly adopted child.  Existing law requires the community college district to provide for a leave of absence from duty for a female employee in the classified service of the district who is required to be absent from duty because of pregnancy or convalescence following childbirth.  Currently, the law provides for leave, but the leave is unpaid.  If you want to be paid, you must use sick leave, vacation leave, or compensatory time if accrued.  This bill will require the District to pay you and preserve your other leaves for your use (like those inevitable doctor visits you will make with a newborn and toddler).

If passed by the State lawmakers, this will be a huge benefit to classified professionals.  However, it will also be another encumbrance that the District will have to budget for each year.  However, this bill has been sailing through the Legislature with only a very small margin of resistance.  A similar bill was vetoed in 2017 by then Governor Brown, but it will likely have better luck with Governor Newsom, who also included funding in the 2019-20 State Budget to extend paid family leave benefits from six weeks to eight weeks beginning July 1, 2020.

 Another bill under consideration is AB 302 (Berman, D-Palo Alto)—Parking: Homeless Students. This bill will require Mt. SAC and other community college to allow access to parking facilities for homeless students enrolled in at least six units to sleep in their cars overnight. The bill was amended due to liability and safety concerns from community colleges.  These recent amendments would require colleges to:

• Provide a form to the participating students that clearly and conspicuously indicates that the CCD cannot ensure the safety of a student who participates in overnight parking

• Establish overnight parking rules that participating students must follow, including a zero-tolerance policy for use of drugs or alcohol

• Establish a procedure for registering and verifying the identity of eligible students and their vehicles

• Establish a procedure for identifying participating students who have engaged in behaviors that pose a substantial threat to the physical safety of other participating students and, as necessary, warning such students to correct their behavior or revoking their eligibility to participate in overnight parking

• Develop a document that clearly and concisely describes the rules and procedures established and provide this document to the participating students

This bill is meant to be a short-term solution until more sustainable solutions to help homeless students can be found.  However, many community colleges and liability organizations oppose the bill.

Upcoming EEO Training

Mt. SAC’s most important asset is its employees, because without exceptional administrators, managers, faculty, and classified professionals, Mt. SAC might as well be a parking lot.  CSEA 262 needs you to volunteer as a CSEA representative for selection committees.  To serve as a CSEA 262 representative, you must be a Chapter member and cannot work in the department hiring the employee.  You also must attend a Selection Committee/EEO training within the last two years.  If you have not received the training, the next available training will be Thursday, August 1 at 2pm.  Please register at the Professional and Organizational Development Activities Calendar (https://prodweb.mtsac.edu/prodapex/f?p=205:15:::NO:15:P15_ACTIVITYID:9320) and log in to register.  

For more information or to volunteer to serve on a committee, please contact Marlene Espina (vp2@csea262.org ormespina@mtsac.edu).

“To improve the lives of our members, students, and community.”

CSEA Chapter 262 • 1100 N. Grand Avenue Walnut, California 91789 • 909.274.6262 • www.csea262.org

Volume 1 • Issue 12 • 28 June 2019

VOTING IS NOW OPEN!

Contract ratification voting has begun on this very important issue of Health Benefits, Salary, and Holidays.  The dates, times, and locations for the voting booths is shown below.  Please use the provided release time to visit one of the voting locations and cast your ballot!

Your CSEA 262 Health Benefits Negotiating Team has worked very hard for more than a year to research all the possible options for improving the value of your health benefit provided by Mt. San Antonio College. For more than a year behind the scenes, the Team has researched, evaluated, crunched numbers, and negotiated with the District the best possible benefit for you.  This is contained in the attached Tentative Agreement #2.  We have held informational meetings, developed a web site FAQ page for you to post questions, and given you months to research and ask questions to help you understand the options and make a choice. Now we are ready to vote! 

All information regarding CalPERS and SiSC are posted to the CSEA Chapter 262 web site.  All the presentations, information meeting notes, evidences of coverage, questions and answers, and Powerpoints are under the “Health Benefit” link on the menu bar at the top.  Your Chapter Negotiations Team has scheduled one last information meeting for June 26 at 10am and again at 2pm in the Design Technology Center Auditorium, and several Q&A sessions.  Voting will commence on June 27 at 8am.  The voting locations, dates, and times are also included on the page (follow this link for details https://bit.ly/31MRvNQ).

Summertime Activities Safety Advice

One advantage to working in the field of Education is having some time off in the Summer to spend with family and friends. Vacations traditionally happen in the summer, many weddings are summertime events, and trips to the pool, river, or the beach are common.  With all this activity, though, it is often easy to overestimate the dangers of the summer heat.  Summers seem to be getting more severe, and the temperatures seem like they stay higher longer.  It is important, then, to remember some summertime safety strategies.

Exercising in hot weather, for example, requires caution as it can put extra stress on your body. If you are not careful about heat exhaustion or heat stroke, you can become seriously ill.  Exercise, air temperature, and humidity can all contribute to increasing your core body temperature.  Your body compensates for the heat by circulating more through the body, which leaves less blood for muscles, which can increase your heart rate and stress levels.

Listed below are links to articles about exercising and heat.  These links are all to well-known, reliable medical sources, but you should always consult with your personal physician if you engage in any exercise program.  The information at these sites is not intended to be medical advice but as cautionary common-sense approaches to summer heat and activities.

1. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: “Exercise Safely in Hot Weather”

2. Mayo Clinic: Heat and Exercise Keeping Cool in Hot Weather

3. Pritikin Center: 6 Tips for Exercising Safely in Hot Weather

Classified employees should also consider signing up for the FREE MT. SAC Summer Employee Wellness Program.  You will have access to the Cardio/Circuit training room in the Wellness Center along with Group Exercise classes.  You can also access to lap swimming and the weight room in building 44.  A great way to avoid the heat is to exercise indoors or in the pool.

Am I A Member?

In January 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees case against labor unions requiring “agency fees” or sometimes known as “service fees” from employees who are not members of a union.  This ruling was a blow to labor unions who are required to represent non-member employees on bargaining agreement grievances and violations.  Essentially, non-members receive this service at no cost to them but at some cost to the union.

Another side-effect is that the ruling caused some confusion about what being a “member” means.  CSEA is the larger organization, and the “service fees” portion of dues goes directly to CSEA to pay for all the benefits and services provided to members.  Each Chapter, like our Chapter 262, also has its own chapter fees, which gives members the right to vote for chapter officers, vote on contract ratification (see article above), represent CSEA 262 on governance and selection committees, and enjoy other benefits of membership.  Chapter 262 dues are $1 per month tenthly.

The question many have asked, then, is what is a member and am I one?  Ironically, the Janus decision has made this question easier to answer.  You are a member if you signed the CSEA membership application (attached) and are paying local Chapter dues (which you can see on your pay stub in the portal) and you are paying the monthly dues that go to CSEA (also shown on the pay stub).  If you are paying these fees, then you are a member.  If you check your pay stub in the portal and do not see these deductions (see image), then you are NOT a member of CSEA or Chapter 262.

A full-time employee who earns $3150 or more per month will pay the full dues amount of $47.25. Less-than full-time employees pay dues that are 1.5% of your monthly salary (the CSEA dues chart is attached to this newsletter).  In addition, you must also pay the Chapter dues of $1.  The sample pay stub at left shows how these deductions look on your pay stub.

If you are not a member and want to start participating in deciding your own contract, choosing chapter leadership, enjoying entertainment discounts, and being represented by CSEA stewards at evaluation meetings, disciplinary meetings, and other labor-relations activities, you can fill out the membership application form (also attached to this newsletter) and submit the completed form to any CSEA officer or send it via campus mail to ZAK GALLEGOS in Facilities, our Chapter Treasurer.

Workforce Time System

Starting July 1, Mt. SAC will be utilizing the Workforce Time and Attendance system for time sheets and leave requests.  As with many new things, there will be a period of adjustment as we all learn how to use Workforce, but we also will find Workforce may still need some adjustments or tweaks here and there.

Several issues have already been identified (like not being able to enter floating holidays in the time entry field) that are being reviewed and fixed.  There are also some functions that may not function the way we want to follow contract language (like vacation requests being copied to your Vice Presidents).  These are also being reviewed and will be fixed. 

Your CSEA 262 recommends that you continue to follow contract language and use Workforce as much as you can.  For example, you must still call or e-mail your immediate manager prior to shift start when you are going to be absent or late.  You can submit a sick-day leave “request” in Workforce, but make sure you do as the contract requires.  Sick leave is not a really “request” because your manager cannot deny sick leave, but Workforce still refers to it as a “Leave Request.”  If you encounter any problems or need assistance, you can send an e-mail to workforce@mtsac.edu for troubleshooting.  You can also help by making note of any problems, errors, or function that you do not understand or think is working incorrectly and write to the troubleshooting e-mail account.

Some members have already asked about whether Workforce is a time-clock or an “In/Out” board.  Workforce will be used my employees to submit their hours worked, record their leaves (sick, vacation, holiday, bereavement, etc.), and to request time off.  It will not be used as a time-clock or to record “In/Out” attendance.  Currently, our contract requires a manager to “directly observe” absences and tardiness.  Any use of Workforce as a disciplinary tool would be a mandatory subject of bargaining (what we call “scope of representation”) and have to be negotiated with CSEA 262.

The ability to request leaves and enter timesheets electronically (and get rid of the paper and spreadsheets) is a huge timesaver and a convenience for everyone once we get through the growing pains and learn the new routine.  Let’s all put Workforce through its paces. 

CSEA Announcements

“To improve the lives of our members, students, and community.”

CSEA Chapter 262 • 1100 N. Grand Avenue Walnut, California 91789 • 909.274.6262 • www.csea262.org

Volume 1 • Issue 11 • 14 June 2019

Summer 4/10 Schedule and WorkForce

Another Spring semester is coming to the end and with it the start of the Summer 4/10 Schedule. Starting this coming Sunday, Mt. SAC begins the Summer 4/10 Schedule with a four-day work week and a closed campus on Fridays.  If you have not already, you need to enter your schedule in the District’s new time-keeping system WorkForce.  Log into the employee portal and click the “Employee” tab. From there, enter WorkForce.

You have three basic options for your Summer 4/10 Schedule.  If you are a full-time employee, you will work nine (9) hours per day, Monday through Thursday, and then use (1) hour of paid or unpaid leave to total ten (10) hour days.  During the first four weeks, the District will provide you with 16 hours of “Summer Schedule Leave” (you use one hour per day for four weeks).  During the second four weeks, you must use one hour of your own leave, whether vacation, comp time, or floating holiday.  If you use the District’s 16 hours, then you are required to use your own leave for the remainder of the Summer 4/10 Schedule.

A second scheduling option is to work the entire 10 hours per day.  You must have manager approval prior to working a 10-hour day.  Make sure you enter your schedule in WorkForce so your manager can approve your schedule before Friday, June 14.

Your third schedule option is to work eight hours per day during the Summer 4/10 Schedule.  If you select this option, you must have manager approval, and you can use the District’s 16 hours during the first four weeks, but you also need to add one hour of your own leave credit (work 8 hours + 1 hour District time + 1 hour your time = 10 hours total).  During the second four weeks, you will need to use TWO hours of your own leave credit each work day.  In total, you need to make sure you have at least 38 hours of leave credit if you plan to work only eight hours per day.

WorkForce will replace the paper time-sheets or the Banner time-sheets starting June 1.  You will use WorkForce to request time off, enter your work time each day, look up your leave credits, which Payroll has ensured us is accurate as of May 2019, and other schedule-related tasks.

Members to Vote Changes to Chapter Constitution

The next Chapter meeting on June 15 can potentially bring big changes to the election process for your Chapter 262. A revision of the Chapter Constitution and By Laws will permit for the first time online voting for Chapter Officers, delegates, and contract ratifications.

If members approve the changes, the revised constitution will be submitted to CSEA headquarters for review. CSEA will check to make sure our Chapter Constitution does not violate or contradict CSEA policy (remember that CSEA policy is member-written policy via resolutions at Annual Conference or by Area Directors at monthly Area Director meetings). Once approved by CSEA, the changes will become effective and Chapter 262 can begin the process of converting to online voting.  The plan is to complete the process by November or December prior to the election of new Chapter Officers.

For several years, Chapter members have asked whether they could cast a vote with an absentee ballot or by proxy or by using a mail-in ballot. The answer has always been no due to the high cost of maintaining the required mailbox and printing and mailing the ballots. Mail-in and absentee voting is cost-prohibitive, slow, and takes a great deal of time and effort. Association Policy also does not permit proxy voting, and our Chapter Constitution currently only permits in-person voting.  

If members approve the revisions, voting will be more inclusive of the membership.  Typically, our Chapter members respond to current online surveys in the sixty to seventy percent range, which is extraordinarily high for surveys (usually a 20 to 30 percent response rate is considered amazing).  With online voting, your Chapter 262 will be even more representative and participatory than ever.  Make sure you attend the June Chapter meeting and vote!

New Laws Favor Police & Campus Safety

A new bill in the California Legislature would help both community colleges and their police officers in disability cases. Assembly Bill 346 would amend Labor Code Section 4850, which provides certain peace officers, firefighters, and other specified state and local public employees, including Lifeguards. are entitled to a leave of absence without loss of salary while disabled by injury or illness arising out of and in the course of employment. The leave of absence is in lieu of temporary disability payments or maintenance allowance payments otherwise payable under the workers’ compensation system.  School peace officers, however, were left off the list of “certain peace officers,” so worker’s compensation had to be used.  With the high cost of worker’s compensation insurance and the high frequency of injury or illness in peace officers, including school peace officers like our campus police will greatly reduce costs to the District but provide our campus police officers financial security while recovering.  This bill only applies to sworn peace officers, however, not all Public Safety employees.

There is another bill in the Legislature that will cover our Public Safety officers.  Senate Bill 390 would amend Section 7583.45 of the Business and Professions Code and Sections 38001.5 and 72330.5 of, and to add Sections 38001.4 and 72330.4 to, the Education Code.  Currently, school security officers or security guards who work 20 hours or more per week are required to complete a course of training developed by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services of the Department of Consumer Affairs in consultation with the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. The bill would change this law to include all security officers and guards regardless of the number of hours worked.  Since Public Safety Officers are expected to perform the same duties whether they work 40 hours a week or 10 hours a week, this law would ensure proper training and procedures by all PS officers, which also ensures a safer work environment for everyone.

When Can Off-Duty and Off-Campus Lead to Discipline?

0Last March a case came was discussed by the Labor Arbitration Institute regarding an off-duty transit customer service employee who got into an argument with passengers on a bus upon which he was riding. Making matters worse, the employee was also intoxicated beyond the legal limit.  The transit company, which owned the bus, terminated the employee.  The question before the arbiters was whether the termination could be upheld.  The answer was yes, the termination was upheld.

Isn’t the employee entitled to have a private life?  If he were off-duty, can his employer terminate him for conduct in his private life?  These are good questions, and the answer is “Yes, they can,” but only under certain circumstances.  It all hinges on a principle called “nexus” or a “connection.”  In this case, since the employee was on a bus owned by the company for which he worked, that was a sufficient nexus to discipline the employee for violating company policy.  The employee of the company was on company “property,” so was expected to obey company policy because his actions reflect on the company.

This is a good example to learn from when considering classified employees who are off-campus on personal time but at a Mt. SAC function.  This happens quite often.  Many Mt. SAC classified employees attend conferences, ceremonies, awards dinners, Planetarium events, athletic events, even professional development activities.  Mt. SAC Athletics hosts a dinner for outstanding student athletes and the Student Life office hosts a dinner for outstanding scholars.  Clearly, there is a nexus or connection to Mt. SAC, so if you attend one of these ceremonies, even if you are simply in the audience, be on your best behavior.  If you get drunk and argue with other people in the audience, there is a good chance you could receive some kind of discipline.

The key, though, is the connection to Mt. SAC.  In July, your Chapter 262 Conference Delegates will attend the CSEA Annual Conference in Las Vegas.  Now, whatever happens in Vegas is supposed to stay in Vegas, but what would happen if one of the delegates misbehaves and gets arrested while at the conference?  Could the delegate be disciplined by Mt. SAC?  Probably not.  As you might guess, CSEA Annual Conference is NOT a Mt. SAC event, and delegates, even though Mt. SAC employees, are not representing Mt. SAC.  Delegates represent the union — CSEA.  In another example, what about participants at Great Staff?  If someone attending great staff gets drunk and causes a fight, could Mt. SAC discipline the employee?  If serious enough, yes, the employee should expect some form of discipline.  Great Staff is a college-sponsored event, and attendees are employees and expected to follow the same policies as they would while working on campus.

The point is to always be on your best behavior in public, especially when you are attending a Mt. SAC activity or any nexus or connection to Mt. SAC can be established.  Yes, you have the right to a private life, but if you choose to be present at any Mt. SAC activity, you will be expected to follow the college’s policies and code of ethics.  Your actions reflect on all of us at Mt. SAC.  Please act accordingly.

National Classified Recognition Program Law Passed

A new federal law passed on April 12 will designate an official national award for classified school employees. H.R. 276, The Recognizing Achievement in Classified School Employees Act creates an award program to highlight the outstanding contributions of classified employees.

“The achievements of classified employees deserve to be recognized at the national level,” said Association President Ben Valdepeña. “We have been asking for this award program for several years, and it’s finally a reality. Classified employees deserve this honor and have earned the respect that comes with it.”

Under the Recognizing Achievement in Classified School Employees Act, the Secretary of Education will select outstanding school employees from one of the following classified staff categories: paraprofessionals, clerical services, custodial and maintenance services, transportation services, food services, skilled trades, health and student services, security services, and technical services. Similar to the National Teacher of the Year Award program, governors from each state will work with educators, associations and other stakeholders in identifying nominees.

"Classified school employees work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of our students and schools. Yet, too often their contributions go unrecognized. This award will honor the dedicated employees who devote time and effort to help students become the best versions of themselves,” said Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada, who sponsored the bill.

Dorothy Bjork Assistance Fund Raffle

CSEA is holding three raffles to help the Dorothy Bjork Assistance fund. You can purchase tickets to enter one, two, or all three raffles by filling out the form at the bottom of each flyer. All proceeds will go to the Dorothy Bjork Assistance Fund. To be eligible for these raffles, you must be a CSEA member in good standing. Tickets will be sold through the last morning of Annual Conference. There is no limit on raffle ticket purchases. The cost of tickets varies for each raffle.

• The first raffle is for a new car. The winner will be drawn at the Annual Conference, Friday, August 2, 2019. You do not have to be present to win.

• The second raffle is for a 7-night stay in Maui. The drawing will be held at the CSEA State Board Meeting on Saturday, November 16 2019. Winner need not be present. Details for the trip to Maui are on the flyer.

• The third raffle is for a 7-day vacation in Escondido! You will stay at a condo with pool, jacizzis, water slides, tennis courts, fitness center, and an activity center. Winner will be drawn at Annual Conference and does not need to be present.

Open the attached flyer (csea-raffles.pdf) and fill out the form at the bottom of each page. Details, terms, and conditions are on the flyers. You can mail in your entry form to CSEA headquarters or call the Member Benefits Service Center at 866.487.2732.

Pre-Retirement Seminars

CalPERS will be holding the next pre-retirement seminars at two locations in June:

June 14 & 15, 2019 – Hilton Pasadena, 168 S. Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101 / Register for Pasadena / Flyer (PDF)

• A valid email address is required to register online (it will be used for business purposes only, including electronic notifications of educational events and surveys).

• Member Tip: Keep track of all your education history by signing up for events, classes and appointments through my|CalPERS instead.

• If you need special accommodations at the event, and are unable to register online, please call us at 888 CalPERS (or 888-225-7377).

• Download class presentations on the Event Classes page before attending the event.

“To improve the lives of our members, students, and community.”

CSEA Chapter 262 • 1100 N. Grand Avenue Walnut, California 91789 • 909.274.6262 • www.csea262.org

Volume 1 • Issue 10 • 24 May 2019

Classified School Employees Week May 19 – 25, 2019

Classified School Employees Week (CSEW) is here!

Your Chapter 262 Events Committee in collaboration with CSEA Chapter 651 and Management Steering has planned another great week of something warm, something tasty, something fun, and something social.  Mark these dates and locations on your calendar!  Open and print the attached CSEW flyer and post it on your wall or next to your computer or somewhere you can see all the funtastic events your Chapter Events Committee has planned for you for the whole week!

• Monday May 20 9:30 - 10:30am — “Coffee Break” Rose Garden

• Tuesday May 21 11:30am & 12:30pm — “Classified Appreciation Lunch” Building 9C Stage

• Wednesday May 22 2:30 - 4pm — “Ice Cream Social” 9C Patio Area

• Thursday May 23 11:30am - 1pm — “Goofy Golf / BBQ” Putting Green Area

• Friday May 24 2:30 - 3:30pm — “Bingo” 9C Stage / 6:30pm Night Shift BBQ Building 47

Please note that while you may attend CSEW events using release time, you should work with your colleagues and your manager to ensure office coverage continues while allowing as many classified staff as possible to attend at least one event. Whatever events you attend, you know you’re going to have fun, eat, chat, and even make some new friends.  It is all part of celebrating classified professionals like you who make important contributions to the educational community and help improve the lives of our students.

All events are listed on the Mt. SAC Campus Calendar. Follow this link to see the week’s events.  You can even add these events to your Outlook calendar by clicking the link in the calendar.  Click on the title for each day’s CSEW event. In the description window on the right, under the description, click the “Add to my calendar” button and select the “Outlook” calendar. Then follow the instructions. Let’s all plan ahead!  See you next week!

CSEA 262 Welcomes New Members

At the May 15 Board meeting, the following classified professionals were hired or promoted:

Newly Hired Classified Professionals:

• Richard Afdahl,  Learning Lab Assistant (Learning Assistance Center)

• Irma Arvizu,  Horticulture Production Assistant (Natural Sciences)

• Roselyn Duong, Tutorial Services Assistant (Adult Basic Education)

• Dulce Florean Rojas, ESL Outreach Specialist (English as a Second Language)

• Toni Franco, Administrative Specialist I (Technology & Health)

• Katrina Hermoso, Coordinator, Project/Program (Student Services)

Classified Employee Promotions:

• Abigail Casian, Administrative Specialist I (English as a Second Language)

• Jenny Hua, Admissions and Records Specialist III (Admissions and Records)

• Erica Morales, Financial Aid Specialist (Financial Aid)

If you happen to see any of these colleagues during your day, extend a warm welcome, invite them to lunch, show them around, and make them feel welcome. Bring them along to the next Chapter meeting so they can introduce themselves.

EASE-y Does it!

Did you know one of the best kept non-secrets for Mt. SAC employees is an assistance program for anyone struggling with family troubles, job anxieties, stress, emotional distress, grief, loss, life transitions, and drug and/or alcohol problems?  If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you can get help from the college’s Employee Assistance Service for Education (EASE) program.

Offered through the Los Angeles County Office of Education, EASE provides pre-treatment assessment and counseling services.   While virtually all medical health plans offered by the current CalPERS providers offer psychological counseling, such formal clinical treatment is not always needed or even wanted.  The EASE program can help counsel an employee who just needs a little help or to help the employee realize more substantial assistance is needed.  EASE is not a replacement or substitute for the district’s health-care plan, although it is a beneficial and effective extension of the provider plan.  EASE also provides consultation to managers on dealing with emotional issues in the workplace.

There is also a Mobil Crisis Team that can be called if there is an incident that impacts the workplace. Worksites impacted by sudden death or violence may request on site support for the employees.  Thankfully, Mt. SAC has never had a major incident on campus that would necessitate a Crisis Team’s help, but there is some solace in knowing this service is available.

Along with these personal services, EASE has a web site (https://www.lacoe.edu/Home/EASE) that has more resources available, including information about a domestic violence “escape plan,” gambling addiction counseling and treatment, coping with suicidal thoughts, relaxation audio clips, and an archive of articles spanning back more than five years.  All of this information is free, requires no registrations or personal identification, and there are even hotline numbers available for various needs.

If you find yourself in need of assistance, you should explore the EASE web site to learn what resources are available to you.  If you want to discuss your issues with someone from EASE, you can call their 24/7 access line at 1.800.882.1341.

CSEA Announcements 

AREA G

Classified School Employees Week Dodger Game

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Mets

Tuesday, May 28, 2019 7:10 pm

Dodger Game Promotion • $1 Dodger Dogs!

Tickets $20.00 each • See attached flyer

Dorothy Bjork Assistance Fund Raffle

CSEA is holding three raffles to help the Dorothy Bjork Assistance fund. You can purchase tickets to enter one, two, or all three raffles by filling out the form at the bottom of each flyer. All proceeds will go to the Dorothy Bjork Assistance Fund. To be eligible for these raffles, you must be a CSEA member in good standing. Tickets will be sold through the last morning of Annual Conference. There is no limit on raffle ticket purchases. The cost of tickets varies for each raffle.

• The first raffle is for a new car. The winner will be drawn at the Annual Conference, Friday, August 2, 2019. You do not have to be present to win.

• The second raffle is for a 7-night stay in Maui. The drawing will be held at the CSEA State Board Meeting on Saturday, November 16 2019. Winner need not be present. Details for the trip to Maui are on the flyer.

• The third raffle is for a 7-day vacation in Escondido! You will stay at a condo with pool, jacizzis, water slides, tennis courts, fitness center, and an activity center. Winner will be drawn at Annual Conference and does not need to be present.

Open the attached flyer (csea-raffles.pdf) and fill out the form at the bottom of each page. Details, terms, and conditions are on the flyers. You can mail in your entry form to CSEA headquarters or call the Member Benefits Service Center at 866.487.2732.

Pre-Retirement Seminars

CalPERS will be holding the next pre-retirement seminars at two locations in June:

June 7 & 8, 2019 – Marriott Hotel, 2600 Bishop Drive, San Ramon, CA 94583 / Register for San Ramon / Flyer (PDF)

June 14 & 15, 2019 – Hilton Pasadena, 168 S. Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101 / Register for Pasadena / Flyer (PDF)

• A valid email address is required to register online (it will be used for business purposes only, including electronic notifications of educational events and surveys).

• Member Tip: Keep track of all your education history by signing up for events, classes and appointments through my|CalPERS instead.

• If you need special accommodations at the event, and are unable to register online, please call us at 888 CalPERS (or 888-225-7377).

• Download class presentations on the Event Classes page before attending the event.

“To improve the lives of our members, students, and community.”

CSEA Chapter 262 • 1100 N. Grand Avenue Walnut, California 91789 • 909.274.6262 • www.csea262.org

Volume 1 • Issue 9 • 10 May 2019

Classified School Employees Week

CSEW is just a few short weeks away, and your Chapter Events Committee is planning another week of something warm, something tasty, something funny, and something social.  Mark these dates and locations on your calendar.  Times and events coming soon!

Monday May 20 — Rose Garden (if I can’t have it, something within me dies!)

Tuesday May 21 — Building 9C (Food, glorious food!)

Wednesday May 22 — 9C Patio Area (brrrrr!)

Thursday May 23 — Putting Green (Guess what that will be!)

Friday May 24 — 9C Stage (if you guess what this is correctly, I will yell BINGO!)

Whatever the events will be, you know you’re going to have fun, eat, chat, and even make some new friends.  It is all part ofcelebrating classified professionals like you who make important contributions to the educational community and help improve the lives of our students.

There might even be a few sur-prizes!

Selection Committee Representatives Still Needed

Mt. SAC’s most important asset is its employees, because without exceptional administrators and managers, faculty, and classified professionals, Mt. SAC might as well be a parking lot.  Exceptional employees ensure Mt. SAC lives up to its mission of providing quality education to the community it serves.  You were not hired just to fill a vacancy.  You were hired because you are an extraordinary worker doing essential work.  To continue hiring exceptional employees, however, Mt. SAC and CSEA Chapter 262 need your help.

CSEA 262 needs you to volunteer as a CSEA representative for selection committees.  To serve as a CSEA 262 representative, you must first, of course, be a Chapter member.  If you are not a member and would like to join, visit our Chapter 262 web site and join today.  You also cannot be an employee in the same department that is recruiting the new employee.  The college is committed to diversity and equity, so your participation helps the college meet these goals.

Please consider volunteering for a selection committee when you see the announcements.

EEOC Reports Retaliation Most Common Complaint in 2018

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) reported that retaliation complaints accounted for more than half of all EEO complaints for both federal and state employers. For the fiscal year ending 2018, 51.6 percent of all federal and 50.3 percent of all California EEO complaints were about retaliation.

Most people think retaliation is about one person, typically a supervisor, “getting back” at another subordinate employee.  According to the EEOC, retaliation occurs when an employer punishes “employees for asserting their rights to be free from employment discrimination including harassment.  Asserting these EEO rights is called ‘protected activity.’”  Examples of “protected activity” include:

• filing or being a witness in an EEO charge, complaint, investigation, or lawsuit

• communicating with a supervisor or manager about employment discrimination, including harassment

• answering questions during an employer investigation of alleged harassment

• refusing to follow orders that would result in discrimination

• resisting sexual advances, or intervening to protect others

• requesting accommodation of a disability or for a religious practice

• asking managers or co-workers about salary information to uncover potentially discriminatory wages

Often an EEO complaint will include several EEO violations, so the number of individual complaints exceeds the number of filings.  One complaint filed might have three or more violations.  This is shown in the chart below, which shows the percentage of charges of each EEO type.

In 2018, there were 90,588 charges of discrimination (down 19.5% from prior year) and more than $500 million awarded to victims of workplace discrimination. Nationally, retaliation accounted for 51.6% of all discrimination charges. In California it was just a hair more than half at 50.3 percent.

However, California complaints were down 20% in 2018.  The EEOC also concluded the #MeToo movement contributed to an increase in sexual harassment and retaliation claims during 2018.  Disability and race discrimination exceeded sexual harassment claims in California.  Follow this link for more information about litigation and enforcement statistics by state for the past ten years.

Discrimination and retaliation are not union issues. If you believe you have been or are being discriminated or retaliated against, you should immediately make a confidential report using the Human Resources discrimination complaint form.  The process is strictly confidential.  Of course, you may always contact your Chief Steward or any member of the Chapter Executive Board for advice.

The Thing of it Is . . .

How many e-mail messages do you get a day?  Probably dozens.  How many of those messages are “announcement” messages about activities and events for students?  When you see these, do you just click the “delete” button and be done with them?  If you are like many people, you probably do just that.

The thing of it is students, for whom these messages are intended, never see these announcements.  This is true.  Students are not included in the college’s campus-wide e-mail list, so they never see these messages.  Perhaps some faculty may forward them to students in their class if the announcement is relevant or someone may print the message and post it to a board students can see, but that is rather rare.  So this begs the question, why?  Why are announcements meant for students sent to a list students do not see?  That is a really good question!  Perhaps the answer is that we do not know how else to reach the students.

The best way for these messages to be seen by students is to post them to the Mt. SAC portal (http://inside.mtsac.edu).  Send your request and the pertinent information to the Information Technology Help Desk (helpdesk@mtsac.edu).  If the announcement is an event, the Mt. SAC web-based calendar of events is another good way students can get this information.  There is also the corner marquee on Temple and Grand and the numerous electronic signs found across the campus.  Of course, there is also various web pages where the information can get to students.

If you want more information about how to better reach students with your messages, contact the Marketing Department at 909.274.4121 or visit the Marketing Department’s web page.  Follow this link for more information about posting information and communicating to students.

CSEA Announcements

AREA G

Classified School Employees Week Dodger Game

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Mets

Tuesday, May 28, 2019 7:10 pm

Dodger Game Promotion • $1 Dodger Dogs!

Tickets $20.00 each • See attached flyer

“To improve the lives of our members, students, and community.”

CSEA Chapter 262 • 1100 N. Grand Avenue Walnut, California 91789 • 909.274.6262 • www.csea262.org

Volume 1 • Issue 8 • 26 April 2019

Delegates Elected to CSEA 2019 Annual Conference

On Wednesday April 17, Chapter members elected five delegates and four alternate delegates to represent them at CSEA’s 93rd Annual Conference July 29 through Aug. 2 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas.  Those delegates are Barbara Carrillo, Mark Fernandez, Brandon Gillett, Yolanda Haro, and Calin Harris.  Alternates elected were Abigail Morales, Steve Gomez, Cason Smith, and Irma Tepepa.

Chapter delegates will attend conference to vote on resolutions, adopt a budget, elect Association officers, and set CSEA’s course for the year ahead.  More than 2,000 delegates, leaders, staff and guests are expected to attend CSEA's biggest event of the year.  This year there are nine resolutions delegates will debate and decide.  Some of these resolutions could alter CSEA policy, while others may require the writing of legislation to become new or modify existing law.  Still, there are many members who may not realize the huge influence CSEA has had on educational laws.

In 1959, CSEA sponsored a bill that became known as the Classified Bill of Rights.  These laws guaranteed classified employees the right to fair wages, benefits, job classifications, the 40-hour work week, sick leave, vacation and bereavement leave, laws prohibiting age discrimination, and more.  This bill was described as “the most spectacular breakthrough in legislative achievements by any single organization.”

Annual Conference is CSEA’s most important meeting of the year, and delegates who attend get to witness the strength of our union, learn how our association operates, and, most importantly, participate first-hand in a member-run democratic union.

Background Checks for Temporary Employees

On May 1, Mt. SAC will implement its new policy requiring background checks or live-scan for short-term, professional expert, student assistant, and substitute employees (current and new) as part of their hiring process.

Hiring of these non-academic, non-classified employees does not require the same selection procedures as permanent employees, so the manager of the hiring department conducted all the recruitment, interviews, and hiring.  However, the Education Code mandates a background check or live-scan on all employees, including temporary employees.  The background check or live-scan is mandatory as a condition of employment.  Many classified employees have expressed safety concerns regarding the hiring of temporary staff without a background check.  This new policy will alleviate these concerns since the background checks are mandatory as a condition of employment.

Discipline for Social Media Postings

If you post something on social media, do you have an expectation of privacy?  According to current trends in arbitration and court cases, no.  If you post complaints or criticisms about your work or anyone at work, can you be disciplined?  It depends.

If you need or want legal advice, seek counsel.  CSEA union stewards cannot give advice on law.  What stewards can do, though, is inform you of contract or college policy restrictions, practices, and college discipline procedures.  If you are posting derogatory comments on a Mt. SAC social media platform, you may be at risk for discipline.  If you post on, for example, your Facebook timeline, and that post is about work-related issues, then you may not be subject to disciplinary action.

The Education Code, Labor Code, National Labor Relations Act, and the California Public Employee Relations Board all have years of case law examples of what is called “concerted activity.”  Concerted activity is protected speech.  If you post on social media complaints or criticisms about work-related issues, and you engage in a discussion with others for the purpose of improving these work-related issues or for the purpose of organizing yourself to complain to Human Resources of even your union, then that more than likely would be considered “concerted activity” and protected speech.  If you post negative comments, derogatory comments, or defamatory remarks about anyone you work with, and then a manager sees this and complains to Human Resources, then you could face disciplinary action if it violates Board Policy 3050, 3410, 3430, 3700, or others, unless it falls under “concerted activity.”

If you are concerned about social media postings being used against you, the best advice is not to post at all.  Otherwise, contact your Chief Steward Elizabeth Jauregui or anyone on the CSEA 262 Executive Board for advice.  In most cases, the old idiom “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything” is probably very good advice for anyone.  Just keep in mind, though, that when it comes to social media, you have no reasonable expectation of privacy.  Assume that everyone you work with can read your post, and let that guide your actions.

Can Faculty Supervise Classified?

As a classified professional, what or who determines the work you are supposed to do? This question surprisingly comes up rather often. There are several factors that play into the work done by classified professionals.  The primary guide is your job description.  The work you were hired to do is outlined in the “Essential Duties” part of the job description.  These are the main duties that you were hired to perform and must be done.

A manager’s job is, among several things, to give you direction as to what work to do, to prioritize your work, and to ensure operational needs of the department are met.  However, when there are classified professionals working in classrooms or laboratory settings with faculty, faculty often ask the classified staff to perform duties.  Inevitably, the question comes up, “Can faculty supervise classified?”

The short answer is No.  However, faculty can ask classified staff to perform duties within the job description if that work is necessary for instruction to take place.  For example, a lab tech in a chemistry lab must ensure the classroom is safe, that equipment is running properly, that necessary chemicals and solvents are stocked and available, and other duties.  If faculty are preparing a demonstration, they can ask the classified lab tech to “prep the room” for the demonstration.  That is perfectly fine.

Doing that is not “supervising,” however.  The word “supervise” has a very specific meaning.  A “supervisor” is someone with authority to hire, discipline, evaluate, set work schedules, approve vacation and other leaves, approve time sheets, and more.  Faculty can do none of these things.  Sometimes managers ask a lab tech to “check with the faculty” when asking for time off.  Checking with faculty is the manager’s responsibility.  Faculty might just say “No” because they need you the day you need to take off.  Your manager, however, can find another lab tech to replace you and shuffle classified staff around to enable you to take the day off.  Faculty are not authorized to do that.

For these same reasons, classified staff are also not authorized to “supervise” either, including hourly or student workers.  Classified staff can ensure hourly or student workers are getting their work done, but they cannot do any work considered supervisory, including hire, evaluate, approve time off, sign time sheets, or any other supervisory duty.  Classified can participate in hiring, can provide the manager with evaluative input, or can report to the manager if work is not getting done.  In short, classified can only discuss issues with the manager.  Sometimes managers want the classified staff to perform these supervisory duties.  You have the right to respectfully decline, stating these are supervisory duties that you are not authorized to perform.  Here’s why.

On more than one occasion, classified staff have performed supervisory duties over student employees.  In one case, the classified staff member was not happy with the work the student was doing and so terminated that student.  The student then filed a complaint in Human Resources for unlawful termination, which was upheld by HR.  As a result, the classified staff member received disciplinary action.  CSEA’s recommendation to all classified staff, do not supervise anyone!

If you are ever asked to perform supervisory duties by a manager, don’t argue with the manager.  Don’t refuse.  Immediately contact your chief steward or anyone on the Executive Board for advice.  CSEA can communicate with the manager and/or HR and resolve the issue.

Member Benefits

CSEA Member Benefits is offering summer fun options at great savings for members and their families.  Think CSEA for all your Summer fun and SAVE!  From discounted tickets to water parks, theme parks, aquariums, zoos, movies, recreational activities and so much more, CSEA has your family summer fun needs covered!  Many tickets are now available for purchasing online and printing at home.

Check out all the family fun activities and make your purchases at http://www.csea.com/fun!

·          Water Parks: CSEA offers discounted tickets to Raging Waters (Sacramento, San Jose and LA), The Island Water Park, Wild Water Adventure Park, Knott's Soak City, SeaWorld's Aquatica and more!

·          Aquariums and Zoos: Come play at Aquariums and Zoos across the state. Check out the aquariums and zoos for ticket offers.

·          Theme Parks: Have fun in the sun this Summer! CSEA offers discounted tickets to major theme parks like Knott's Berry Farm, Legoland, Universal Studios, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Magic Mountain and don't forget Disneyland!

·          Recreational Activities: Enjoy family time exploring new adventures with CSEA's Free KOA Value Kard, Roaring Camp or Yosemite Sugar Mountain Pine Rail Roads, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Monica's Pacific Pier, K1 Speed, Boomers, and so much more! You can even dine like a pirate or king or queen with Pirates Dinner Adventure and Medieval Times!

For more information about all CSEA member benefits, visit http://www.csea.com/benefits.  A user account is required to access CSEA Member Benefits.  To create a user account, go to http://www.csea.com/createaccount and follow the prompts. 

“To improve the lives of our members, students, and community.”

CSEA Chapter 262 • 1100 N. Grand Avenue Walnut, California 91789 • 909.274.6262 www.csea262.org

Volume 1 • Issue 7 • 12 April 2019

CSEA 262 Welcomes New Members

During the first quarter of 2019, several classified professionals joined Chapter 262 as new members.  They are:

• Czar Guevara-Goss, Laboratory Technician, Photography, Commercial & Entertainment Arts

• Stephanie  Lopez, Student Services Program Specialist II, International Students

• Elizabeth Navarro, Administrative Specialist I, Technology & Health Division

• Erika Diaz, Administrative Specialist I, Financial Aid

• Juliet Hernandez, Administrative Specialist IV, Continuing Education Division

• Monica Jones, Administrative Specialist IV, Access Center

• Brandon Smith, Printing Services Technician, Printing Services

• Marianne Lima, Laboratory Technician, Consumer Science & Design

• Claudia Ortiz, Administrative Specialist III, Mt. SAC Foundation Office

If you happen to see any of these colleagues during your day, extend a warm welcome, invite them to lunch, show them around, and make them feel welcome. Bring them along to the next Chapter meeting so they can introduce themselves.

Celebrate A Labor Leader’s Legacy

A leader is someone who has a vision and mission and inspires others to follow.  Last Sunday, March 31, we celebrated a labor leader whose vision and mission was forged from the same inspiration and idealism as the founder of the California School Employees Association, Bill Schwarz.

Cesar Chavez was and still is an inspiration to continue fighting for worker rights more than 25 years after his death. We remember this great leader and celebrate his legacy every March 31, as we observe the anniversary of his birth.

Chavez was born near Yuma, Arizona. on March 31, 1927.  He would be 92.  He and his family worked the fields of California from Brawley to Oxnard, Atascadero, Gonzales, King City, Salinas, McFarland, Delano, Wasco, Selma, Kingsburg and Mendota.  He studied civil disobedience and nonviolence, eventually becoming an organizer for the Community Service Organization, where he worked on voter registration projects. In 1962, Chavez founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW).

By 1970, the UFW got grape growers to accept union contracts and had effectively organized most of that industry. Chavez's tireless leadership and non-violent organizing actions brought national attention to the working conditions of farm workers.  His persistence, hard work, faith and willingness to sacrifice helped farm workers earn collective bargaining rights and are why Chavez was one of the labor movement’s most influential leaders.  Let us all remember Cesar Chavez not as just another day off but a day to remember and celebrate a fellow union brother whose efforts improved lives of tens of thousands and advanced the labor movement.

Professional & Organizational Development

Professional and Organizational Development (POD) supports Mt. SAC programs and services by providing professional learning opportunities to all Mt. SAC employees. POD collaborates with the Classified Professional Development Committee (CPDC) to coordinate the professional development activities for Classified employees.

One of the many benefits of working for an educational institution is the nearly universal support for professional development, not just for faculty but classified professionals as well.  The CSEA 262 bargaining agreement has provisions that support professional growth.  The college Professional Development Council and its two subcommittees, the Faculty Professional Development Committee and the CPDC work for their respective constituent groups to develop workshops, seminars, and training opportunities.  In Spring 2019 training offered for classified staff has included positive conflict resolution, unconscious bias, advanced Excel, emotional intelligence, emergency preparedness, and mindfulness just to name a few.

CSEA Chapter 262 also negotiated with the District ongoing funding to create a Classified Professional Development Day (CPDD) similar to the faculty FLEX Day.  College President Bill Scroggins was instrumental in approving funding and encouraging all classified to attend as well as ensuring managers provided release time for classified to attend.  POD and the CPDC research workshop topics, develop the schedule, coordinate speakers, reserve meeting rooms and much more.

For more information about POD, visit the POD website at http://www.mtsac.edu/pod.  Click on the POD training calendar to learn what workshops and training courses are available to help you grow professionally.

Selection Committee Representatives Still Needed!

There are currently several selection committees in need of a CSEA 262 representative.  Many of these are classified positions, and there are management positions as well.

recruitments for 36 classified positions in Unit A and seven management positions where CSEA 262 needs representatives. Appointees will be trained as Selection Committee/EEO representatives. You can still serve even if you recently served as an EEO representative.  If you are interested, please contact Marlene Espina (vp2@csea262.org or mespina@mtsac.edu) for more information or to volunteer.

If you work with any of the departments represented by these recruitments, then you want to participate in the selection of the person with whom you will be working . . . don’t you?  Of course you do!  Serving only takes a few hours of release time, and then you hold interviews . . . with FREE LUNCH!  Are you really willing to pass up a free lunch?

OK, seriously, participating in selection committees is a very important responsibility.  You would be helping the college continue to hire quality managers and classified professionals, and you would be improving the life of the person you hire.  We really do need your help, so please consider volunteering.

Workers' Compensation Training

Have you ever been injured on the job?  Are you concerned about reporting an injury?  CSEA is holding a workshop about Worker’s Compensation.  Come learn what the four major benefits of worker’s compensation.  You will also learn about Legislative updates.  Speakers are from Rose Klein & Marias LLP. Also join your CSEA Labor Relations Representatives in a presentation on Industrial Accident Leave and Coordination of Benefits.

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Dinner 4:30 – 5 p.m.  •  Training 5 – 8 p.m.

Dolores Huerta Elementary

Multi-Purpose Room (MPR)

15415 South Pioneer Blvd. Norwalk, CA 90650

You can register by sending an e-mail to sfforsvp@csea.com or by calling 626.258.3315 or register online at https://tinyurl.com/yyqwhuof.  Advanced registration is mandatory by Friday, April 5, 2019.

Volume 1 • Issue 6 • 22 March 2019

From your Chapter 262 Executive Board

Happy St. Patty’s Day!

Health benefit Information Meeting

Your CSEA Chapter 262 Executive Board wants to thank all of you for attending the Health Benefits information meeting last Thursday, March 7.  Your representatives on the CSEA 262 Executive Board and negotiations team understand that changing health plan administrators is a complex process and a very personal decision for every unit member.  The purpose for the information meeting was to inform you about the process we are undertaking and where we are in that process.  

Additional information, including the Powerpoint presentation shown at the meeting, can be found at the Chapter web sitehttp://www.csea262.org/healthcare.

Chapter Members Contribute to Improving Lives

Any organization is only as good as the people who are part of it. When an organization has good people, good things happen.

For example, the Mountie Fresh food pantry was developed by the college’s Homelessness and Basic Resources Committee (HBRC, https://www.mtsac.edu/basicneeds), chaired by Dean of Student Services Koji Uesugi, and is part of a larger state-wide initiative CalFresh, which is committed to ending hunger in California.

Chapter 262 members who contribute time and energy to the program include Barbara Carrillo, Administrative Specialist IV to the Dean of Student Services and your Chapter 262 secretary, Carlos Duarte, Parking Officer for Public Safety, and Gloria Munguia, Fiscal Specialist in Fiscal Services. These Chapter 262 members embody the CSEA mission of “improving lives.” The pantry is also supported by faculty, managers, administrators, the Foundation, and even the Board of Trustees. Trustee Gary Chow is a regular volunteer.

Faculty Demonstrate Union Strength At Board Meeting

More than 200 faculty gathered to protest at last Wednesday’s Board of Trustees meeting about two very sensitive subjects.

At the March 13 Board Meeting, faculty gathered to support a professor who filed a discrimination complaint against the Business Division Dean Jennifer Galbraith and Associate Dean Fawaz Al Malood. The District’s administrative determination found no evidence of illegal discrimination, so the complainant filed an appeal with the Board. Several faculty, personal friends of the complainant, and a former professor spoke to the Board. Ultimately, the Board upheld the District’s finding.

Faculty were also protesting the Board’s rejection of the Faculty’s negotiating team’s tentative agreement regarding health and welfare benefits.  Essentially, the Faculty Association claimed the District refused to give them vital information about vendors other than SISC and offered the faculty a financial incentive for leaving CalPERS.  Faculty were also concerned about retiree benefits if they leave CalPERS.

Regardless of the issue or details, it is important to understand the impact you can make when we stand strong together as a union.  The Faculty Association was able to organize more than 200 members and retirees in less than three days to flood the Board room with members, protest signs, chants, and about 15 speakers who expressed to the Board their fears and concerns about leaving CalPERS.  The presence of more than 200 protesting faculty union members made an obvious and impactful impression on the Board of Trustees meeting.  The Board delayed the start of the meeting while faculty seated themselves in the chairs, on the floor, and lining the walls surrounding the Board of Trustees as well as filling the lobby in front and into the Founders Hall meeting area.  All wore their green Faculty Association t-shirts.  While the Board could not comment on the protest or the speeches, the impact was clear and strong.

Your CSEA Chapter 262 has not had a reason to protest against the District, but we still need to demonstrate our unity and strength to the District or the Board of Trustees.  Just showing up to Board meetings makes a positive impression.  Coming to information meetings and Chapter meetings also demonstrate our union strength.  The District and the Board need to be shown we are united, we are strong, and we are committed to improving the lives of our members, students, and community.

Chapter Web Site Update & Social Media

Your CSEA 262 Chapter Web Site has been recently updated! New links to the collective bargaining agreement, your Chapter Constitution, Executive Board officers, union stewards.  If you want more information about your Chapter, CSEA, or things related, please visit the Chapter web site at http://www.csea262.org.  This month, your Chapter leaders also approved a new web hosting service that will allow for accessible, responsive web design tools.  Your Chapter web site is being totally redesigned from the ground up!  The new web site will work on desktop computers, tablets and iPads, laptops, and popular smart phone formats (iPhone and Android).

Additionally, the web content is being rewritten to be more informative, more engaging, and (hopefully!) more interesting for members.  Redesigning the web site will take some time, so there is no estimate as to when the new site will be launched.  However, the goal right now is to soft-launch sometime before the end of this academic year to allow members to review and comment during the Summer intersession.  Then the final launch should happen in the Fall 2019 semester.

Don’t forget to visit our Facebook page as well … https://www.facebook.com/groups/CSEA262/.

You can now also follow us on Twitter and Instagram.  Our new Twitter and Instagram channels were created to help us contact you quickly and easily about breaking news and information of a timely nature.  These channels also give you a way to keep in touch with your Chapter Leadership and each other!  Follow your friends and colleagues and make plans, chat, share moments, or just watch and observe.  Your Chapter leadership wants to remind you that viewing web sites and social media should be done on your breaks, during lunch, or anytime you are not at work during business hours.

Attend Pre-Retirement Seminars

If you are thinking about retiring anytime within the next five years, you should begin your retirement planning now by attending a CSEA Pre-Retirement Seminar. Learn how CalPERS pays you later. CSEA’s Pre-Retirement Committee has arranged a FREE seminar.

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Whittier City School District Office

7211 Whittier Avenue Whittier, CA 90602

Location: Board Room

Registration: 8:30 – 9:00 a.m.

Seminar: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

CalPERS presenter will provide booklets. Additional materials, including Social Security and Retiree Unit information, will be distributed by CSEA.

Notes: Attendance at this seminar allows you to request an individual appointment with CalPERS 90 days in advance of your retirement date. Pre-registration is encouraged. Call (800) 632-2128, ext. 1007 Please listen carefully to the message; all you need to do is leave your name to register in advance. If you have any questions, contact your CSEA Pre-Retirement Resource Committee Member:

Melissa Romanek at: meligirlcsea299@gmail.com.

Volume 1 • Issue 5 • 8 March 2019

Welcome to the premiere issue of the CSEA Chapter 262 e-mail newsletter! These will be coming to you on the second and fourth Friday of each month. Your Chapter Leadership understands the importance of communicating with Chapter members and are committed to creating and maintaining not only transparent leadership but leadership that listens. This is, after all, your union. 

Let’s Begin With Introductions

On January 1, 2019, the new Chapter 262 Executive Board assumed duties representing and serving you. Your 2019 Executive Board members are:

• Robert Stubbe, President

• Rosa Asencio, 1st Vice President

• Marlene Espina, 2nd Vice President

• Barbara Carrillo, Secretary

• Zak Gallegos, Treasurer

• Elizabeth Jauregui, Chief Union Steward

• Mark Fernandez, Communications Officer

• Brandon Gillett, Site Representative Coordinator

• Sandra Bollier, Past President

We also want to welcome our new Site Representative Coordinator, Brandon Gillett to the Executive Board. He was elected by the members in attendance at the February chapter meeting. Brandon is a former Mt. SAC student and currently serves on the chapter negotiations committee.

The Site Representative Coordinator plays a vital role in keeping the lines of communication open between Chapter Leadership and members.

Update: Chapter Web Site

Your CSEA 262 Chapter Web Site has been recently updated! New links to the collective bargaining agreement, your Chapter Constitution, Executive Board officers, union stewards.  If you want more information about your Chapter, CSEA, or things related, please visit the Chapter web site at http://www.csea262.org.

Don’t forget to visit our Facebook page as well … https://www.facebook.com/groups/CSEA262/.

You Asked, We Answered!

There are some exciting changes coming up for your CSEA Chapter 262. No one needs to tell you how busy you are. Your dilemma is you want to be able to voice your opinions and have a voice in your Chapter’s important activities, but you can’t always come to Chapter meetings. 

While Chapter Leadership would certainly appreciate attendance by all at our Chapter meetings, we all know that is not always possible. During the course of the year, our Chapter members must vote on a number of things that come before the membership, for example. Electing Chapter officers, conference delegates, and contract ratifications are just a few important examples.

If you can’t always come to Chapter meetings, how can you participate in these important Chapter elections? Your Chapter Leaders have been developing a plan and working toward offering Chapter members an alternative means for voting!

Currently, you have to attend the Chapter meeting to vote for items on the agenda. You also have to walk to various campus locations to cast a vote in chapter elections and contract ratifications. This is tedious, slow, and time consuming. 

For several years, Chapter members have asked whether they could cast a vote with an absentee ballot or by proxy or by using a mail-in ballot. The answer has always been no due to the high cost of maintaining the required mailbox and printing and mailing the ballots. Mail-in and absentee voting is cost-prohibitive, slow, and takes a great deal of time and effort. Association Policy also does not permit proxy voting, and our Chapter Constitution currently only permits in-person voting. So what can we do? 

Well, your Chapter Leadership has heard your concerns and are working on a solution that they believe will satisfy everyone’s concerns. All the details have not yet been worked out, so you will have to wait and attend the next Chapter meeting on March 20 to find out. Stay tuned! 

Transitions: New Hires, Promotions, and Retirements

At the January and February Board of Trustees meetings, 11 new classified professionals were welcomed to the Mt. SAC family. They are:

• Justin Barber, Financial Aid Systems Technician (Financial Aid)

• Johnny Chen, Equipment Technician (Architecture, Industrial Design, and Manufacturing)

• Belinda De La Torre, Early Child Development Specialist I (Child Development)

• Jimmy Doan, Senior Systems Analyst/Programmer (Information Technology)

• Lindsay Hunt, Athletic Trainer (Kinesiology, Athletics, and Dance)

• Aleksandra Malinowska, Educational Research Assessment Analyst (Research and Institutional Effectiveness)

• Claudia Ortiz, Administrative Specialist III (Mt. SAC Foundation)

• Krupa Patel, Business Analyst (Information Technology)

• Ana Ramos, Administrative Specialist III (Continuing Education)

• Sabrina Torres, Laboratory, Technician II - Biology (Biological Sciences)

• Kyle Turner, Laboratory Technician — Arts (Fine Arts)

Also congratulations to your Chapter Secretary Barbara Carrillo, who was promoted to Administrative Specialist IV, Student Services.

If you happen to see any of these colleagues during your day, extend a warm welcome, invite them to lunch, show them around, and make them feel welcome. Bring them along to the next Chapter meeting so they can introduce themselves.

We also have to say “Happy Retirement!” to Thomas Babich, Lead Broadcast and Audio Technician (Technical Services). Thomas will retire March 31.  We wish him well on the next leg of his journey through life.  Thank you, Thomas, for your years of service to Mt. SAC.

Attend Pre-Retirement Seminars

If you are thinking about retiring anytime within the next five years, you should begin your retirement planning now by attending a CSEA Pre-Retirement Seminar. Learn how CalPERS pays you later. CSEA’s Pre-Retirement Committee has arranged a FREE seminar.

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Whittier City School District Office

7211 Whittier Avenue Whittier, CA 90602

Location: Board Room

Registration: 8:30 – 9:00 a.m.

Seminar: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

CalPERS presenter will provide booklets. Additional materials, including Social Security and Retiree Unit information, will be distributed by CSEA.

Notes: Attendance at this seminar allows you to request an individual appointment with CalPERS 90 days in advance of your retirement date. Pre-registration is encouraged. Call (800) 632-2128, ext. 1007 Please listen carefully to the message; all you need to do is leave your name to register in advance. If you have any questions, contact your CSEA Pre-Retirement Resource Committee Member:

Melissa Romanek at: meligirlcsea299@gmail.com.