STAFF GUILD HIGHLIGHTS

• WEst Los ANGELES COLLEGE testing center:

Members have signed up for the new Microsoft testing center to become a certified user and to receive a differential of $100. per month, per contract Article 23.

• Contract treasure hunt:

Donald Santoianni, Executive Board Member at Los Angeles Trade Tech College, is available to attend your worksite chapter meeting to show members the additional monies in the contract, including Microsoft certification; contact your Chapter Chair for details.

• 20^th Anniversity recognition: 

The Labor Center at Los Angeles Trade Technical College celebrated its twentieth year with a dinner on April 18, 2009 at the Downtown Marriott Hotel.  Labor Center Director John McDowell was honored for his commitment to the labor movement.

• UNION MEMBEr STEPS UP!

Thank you to Katia Salinas from the Southgate worksite for volunteering. She was appointed acting Chapter Chair at East Los Angeles College until an election can be held. Contact her at 323.357.6225 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

• aft communications award of 2009:

1521A received 3^rd place for our publication of In Strength and Unity through the

national AFT. 

• A musician in the union family:  

Rajeen Nandakumaran (G. vo) a rapper and son of Nanda, grievance rep at City College, will release his third CD on the 22^nd of August through the John Baptist 

record label at the Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena. This charitable event will  

aid 280,000 displaced civilian refugees due to the civilian war in Sri Lanka.

• Health benefits - calpers: 

The JLMBC recommended CalPERS Health Care to the Board of Trustees.  For additional information go to www.calpers.ca.gov and www.local1521A.org.

• Congratulations graduate!

Sarah Mundt, daughter of Dorothy, Mission College and Staff Guild Secretary, received her BS degree in Marine Biology from UC Santa Cruz.  She is a former graduate of LAVC and continues as a Navy Reservist.

• JOe Hill Luncheon:

The luncheon, held May 2009, was sponsored by the LA County Federation of Labor which was a wonderful memorial tribute to activist Joe Hill.  Guests included union brothers and sisters from Brazil who discussed their success in organizing (30% of Wal-Mart employees were organized).

• emergency notificatiON system (alertu):

Notice will be sent out via email to registered users in case of emergencies and will keep us updated; this will become available to all LACCD worksites.

• ALUMNI RETURNs:

Niloo Hakkakzadeh, Classified Employee, graduated from Valley College and has returned as a counselor.  Welcome and congratulations.

• Employee assistance Program (eap):

EAP sponsors workshops to assist employees with issues such as: stress, legal, and referral to services. Look for workshops at your worksites or check the web site for additional resources www.horizoncarelink.com

• Certificate of appreciation:  

Local1521A received a certificate of appreciation for participating in the campaign US Labor Against the War to bring our troops home.

• admissions day holiday:

The union reached settlement to restore the Admissions Day Holiday to all employees including those on a 4/10 or 9/80 schedule, if your day has not been restored contact the union at 323.851.1521.

• california federation of teachers (CFT):

AFT has a large number of representatives on CFT committees which include: Educational Issues, English as a Second Language, and others concerning classified employees.  The committees develop and create policy and legislation for the membership.

• appreciation to call center employees:

In appreciations for the work they do with Health Benefits information and customer service, AFT 1521A provided the employees a cake and a thank you.

• Union Leadership Institute (ULI):

ULI is held each year in July on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles to provide education and training for our future union leaders. AFT sent 10 participants for a week long intensive training on union leadership, grievance handling, and managing the union.

• Death benefit equity (SB1477):

President Velma Butler and 1521A members Mike Romo and Mary VanGinkle testified before the legislature and the CalPERS Board in Sacramento on this important bill. Classified members need an increase in death benefits from $2,000 to $6,147 to be on par with STRS retirees.

• CONDOLENCES

to Selma Cohen for the recent passing of Jules, an honorary member of AFT 1521A.

OPEIU:537,AFL-CIO/il HotOffthePress 08.09