Volume 4 / Issue 4

Mission Statement To provide quality service to the REAP members with integrity and respect, understanding the member is the priority.

Did You Know – California is one of 24 states not considered a Right to Work state, meaning if your employer has a union responsible for the negotiation and representation of its employees, you must belong to the union or be terminated. Today, union membership by Public sector employees across the United States is roughly 11%. Consider this – SEIU 1021 in the Sacramento area has a membership of 95,000 state employees. SEIU 721 in Los Angeles has over 85,000 members, with 5800 of those members working in Riverside County. This does not include the multitude of other SEIU Locals throughout the state. If California were a country, it would be the 36^th largest in the world, just slightly larger than Poland. Because of the population of California, it’s probably safe to say that there are more people employed in California than in any other state. Makes a person wonder how much of that 11% is from California, huh?

FRIEDRICH vs CTA – In last month’s blog, I mentioned a very significant case that was to be heard by the United States Supreme Court and a decision that was expected before the end of the current session. In the case, Friedrich’s vs the California Teachers Association (CTA), attorneys for Rebecca Friedrich will argue to the court that public employees 1^st Amendment Freedom of Speech rights are being violated.

BIG LABOR WINS – The ruling came back on 3/29/2016 and as was expected of each Justice, all voted along party lines with 4 conservative Justices ruling in favor of Friedrich’s and the 4 Liberal Justices ruled with big labor. Many felt that Freidrich’s fate was sealed last month with the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.

SO NOW WHAT? It was almost 40 years ago when the Supreme Court heard arguments in the Abrood vs The Detroit Board of Education. So disappointing! Big labor has yet again flexed their muscle and used their position, both politically and socially, to their advantage. They’ve won the battle, but the war is far from over! There are two bills being introduced into legislation, AB2753 and AB2754. SIGN THE PETITION ONLINE! These are both non-partisan bills and should pass easily with little or no resistance…or so one would think. What if voting for either of these bills reduced your campaign funds war chest? That’s exactly how politicians become corrupt and why no one trusts a politician…On May 4^th, 2016, a group of employees, forced to be represented by SEIU, will ascend on Sacramento to let their voices be heard in front of the Public Employees Retirement and Social Security Committee. If you are interested in making the trip, send a short note to [email protected]

REAP 19510 Van Buren Blvd. F3-197 Riverside, CA 92508 951-202-8058 / 951-858-6759 https://reap4us.org/ [email protected]

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO? – On June 3^rd, every employee currently represented by SEIU, will have the opportunity to FIRE SEIU721 in Riverside County. Petitions will be circulating and we would appreciate your signature, your voice (to spread the word), and your support. We also need volunteers to circulate our petitions and gather signatures. REMEMBER – WE ONLY HAVE 30 DAYS TO MAKE A CHANGE.

SO HOW DOES IT WORK? The Riverside County Employee Relations Resolution outlines the rules that must be followed when decertifying the exclusive labor organization:

1. The ERR states that all decertification’s must occur between 180 days and 150 days before the end of the current MOU. Based on that language, REAP can begin to gather signatures between June 3^rd 2016 and July 3^rd 2016. All signatures must be collected and submitted along with REAP’s Official petition to decertify.
2. There are currently (6) Bargaining Units represented by SEIU. Professionals, Para-Professionals, Supervisors, RN’s, Waste Management, and Parks & Open Spaces.
3. In order to qualify for a decertification vote, 40% of the signatures of EACH bargaining unit must be collected and verified. For example – If 40% of the collected Para-Professionals signatures are valid, and this was the only group the minimum amount of signatures (40%) were collected from, then only the Para-Professionals will receive a decertification ballot. Besides REAP, one of the choices available will be “No Union”.
4. If the minimum number of signatures are not collected, there will be no change to the exclusive labor organization…at least for the remainder of the current MOU. Think about it…

APRIL IS SUPERVISOR OPT OUT MONTH

It’s true! If you’re represented by SEIU’s Supervisory Bargaining Unit, you can opt out of SEIU. Article 24 of the current MOU allows Supervisors to opt out. SEIU will make it as difficult as possible. The upside is that you will no longer be paying dues to SEIU. You will continue to get your raises, step increases, and COLA. YOU LOSE NOTHING! That’s because your employer is Riverside County, not SEIU! Attached are the letters you need! I strongly encourage these be sent via certified mail, return signature requested.

Remember those television commercials from investment firms? Past performance is not indicative of future results.” It is for SEIU. They are very predictable. Our Facebook page at Regional Employees Association of Professionals, is continually updated with the latest corruption committed by of one of the largest exclusive labor organizations in Riverside County. Browse, read, and absorb some of the unbelievable things SEIU has done with your dues dollars!

Looking Towards the Future