November 2007

Volume 2 Issue 24 

FROM THE WORKSITES:  

• Chancellor Drummond was the guest speaker at Pierce College’s Opening Day.

          Staff Guild Chapter Chair, Marian Prochter addressed the group and 

          accepted appreciation on behalf of the classified staff.

• L. A. Southwest College. Chapter Chair, Betty Williams welcomed “Flex Day” attendees on behalf of the Staff Guild.

• Mission College Chapter Chair, Dorothy Mundt appointed additional members to serve on Shared Governance Committees.  Child Development Center due to be completed April 2008.

• Parking issue at the District Office.  Red Cross Blood Drive held on September 25th.

• Wellness Week a success at West L.A. College. West L.A.’s Job Fair and Health Fair have been combined.

• Chancellor Drummond met with Harbor College on October 18th, classified were encouraged to attend.

• Shawn Tramel, Chapter Chair, Trade Tech was elected co-chair of College Council. The Staff Guild Congratulates Grievance Rep, Valerie Cole who promoted to an academic position.  Chancellor Drummond visited the campus on September 18th.  Staff Guild is concerned to hear that District is considering hiring a private firm for the collection of outstanding student fees; contracting out. Staff Guild does not support.

• Retiree Chapter Chair, Barbara Harmon is very involved in the L.A. County Federation of Labor’s Political Retiree Forum.  Retirees attended the Health Care Rally in L.A.

  STAFF GUILD HIGHLIGHTS: 

• A special thanks to the negotiating team and the many members who attended the Board of Trustees meeting on October 17^th and participated in the “trustee Alert”

          campaign. Negotiating team members addressed the Trustees regarding a fair    

          and equitable salary agreement and members demonstrated classified solidarity.

• Staff Guild congratulates and welcomes new Personnel Commissioner Henry Jones.

• AFT Staff Guild held its Annual Membership meeting at the Wilshire Grand Hotel on September 15th.  Unite HERE members working at Prudential Overall addressed the membership regarding the strike: Erin Aubry-Kaplan, former reporter for the LA Times was the guest speaker. Annual membership awards were presented for membership growth and employee activism at the worksites. 

• Staff Guild supports laundry strikers at Prudential Overall.  At the October 24 meeting the Executive Board approved financial support for striking workers during their struggle.  Staff Guild is looking into the District’s use of Prudential Overall as a vendor.

  AROUND THE DISTRICT:

• Congratulations to the Joint Labor Management Benefits Committee (JLMBC) for the great job they did to contain costs and maintain our benefit level for the 2007-08 year.

• Staff Guild Executive Board approved a contribution to the L. A. County Federation of Labor’s Turkey & Toys Drive.  The annual campaign provides turkey dinners and toys to the homeless and low-income families. If you are aware of anyone in need this holiday season contact the AFT office (323) 851-1521.

  UP & DOWN THE STATE:

• Local 1521A sponsored 20 members to attend the Council of Classified Employees (CCE) Conference on October 19th and 20th in San Diego. CCE Silent Auction raised several hundred dollars for scholarships.  L A Southwest member, James Flagg was DJ for the event—Thank You DJ Flagg.

• Staff Guild proudly endorses candidate Trustee Warren Furutani for the 55 Assembly District with a financial contribution and assistance with the campaign.  Fund raisers to support Furutani’s campaign are in the works. The special election is December 11, 2007.

• Local 1521A continues to support PROP 92, the Community College Initiative (CCI). The initiative will lower student enrollment fees and limit future increases to no more than the cost of living.  VOTE YES on PROP 92 on February 5, 2008.

• Staff Guild Executive Board voted to affiliate with the Labor Task Force for Universal Health Care.

• Southern California Court Interpreters end strike, but continue to fight for fair treatment.  Senator Gloria Romero asked the interpreters to return to work promising to continue with further hearings in Sacramento to remedy problems exposed by the strike.