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