September 2005

Volume 1 Issue 6

Ø      ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Saturday, September 10, 2005  Wilshire Grand Hotel, Los Angeles

ü      Breakfast

ü      Guest Speaker

ü      Entertainment

ü      Contract & Political Updates 

Ø      LABOR SOLIDARITY MARCH/RALLY- Monday September 5, 2005  Banning Park, Wilmington  

ü      Union brothers and sisters stood up for the labor movement and workers’ rights

ü      Union brothers & sisters walked side by side in unity & solidarity

ü      AFL-CIO National President ,John Sweeney spoke as well as many of our political leadership 

Ø      LABOR PREPARES FOR SPECIAL ELECTION-November 8, 2005 Corporate interests are trying to silence our voices in the SPECIAL ELECTION using anti-worker propositions.  Hold the line for working families-encourage people to vote.  NO ON PROPS 74, 75 AND 76. 

Ø      UNION AWARENESS WEEK- September 12 – September 16, 2005  AFT Staff Guild will be celebrating throughout the week.  Check with your Chapter Chair for activities on your campus. Wear your AFT T- Shirts Monday, September 12 and Friday, September 16 for SOLIDARITY!  

Ø      REMEMBER THE PEOPLE AFFECTED HURRICANE KATRINA Agencies accepting donations: AFT National, L A County Federation of Labor and the Red Cross are just a few.  Please donate what you can for our brothers and sisters on the Gulf Coast.   

Ø      JOB OPPORTUNITY      Employee Assistance Program District Coordinator (EAP)      

.2 FTE release time.       

JOB DUTIES:

ü      Prepare preliminary report on the status of EAP in the District to present to the JLMBC

ü      Coordinate monthly meetings of District EAP representatives

ü      Prepare a Quarterly and Year-End EAP usage report            

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

ü      Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of settings

ü      Ability to travelAny interested District Employee or Retiree is eligible to apply.  Send a letter of interest highlighting the expertise you would bring to this position and a resume by September 16, 2005 to:  Sue Carleo, Senior Vice Chancellor, LACCD, ATTN:  EAP Coordinator Position. 

Ø      A “LABOR OF LOVE” FUNDRAISER COOKBOOKAFT Staff Guild 1521A is asking members, their friends & families to submit their favorite recipes for a fundraiser cookbook to be available for the holidays.  Each recipe will be printed with the submitter’s name, title/worksite.  We need a minimum of 25 recipes per worksite. Recipes need to be submitted by September 21, 2005.  Ask your Chapter Chair for more information. 

Ø      SAVE THE DATE! Friday, October 14 -Saturday, October 15, 2005.  The Council of Classified Employees (CCE) is having its 19^th Annual Conference on political action with leadership training at the Palm Springs Riviera Resort & Racquet Club, which is union-owned and operated. All classified employees are encouraged to attend.  Interested members should contact the AFT Staff Guild Office (323) 851-1521 for details. 

Ø      HEALTH BENEFITS CHANGES will be effective January 1, 2006. 

ü      Blue Shield of California will replace Blue Cross of California to provide PPO and HMO medical benefit plans

ü      No changes to Kaiser plan

ü      No changes to Blue Cross dental plan

ü      No changes to vision benefits with Vision Service Plan (VSP) 

OPEN ENROLLMENT IS NOVEMBER 7 THROUGH NOVEMBER 21, 2005Watch for details coming to you via U. S. Mail with the 2006 open enrollment packets. 

Ø      AFT STAFF GUILD 1521A CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES WELCOME:  Steve Maradian, President, Los Angeles City College Tom Harris, Interim President, Los Angeles Trade Tech College     

opeiu537:afl-cioSeptember 10, 2005