Summer Schedule Coming in June
While predicting the future is about as easy as herding cats (maybe slightly easier if you’ve ever tried to herd cats), and just as frustrating, one thing we can predict with virtual certainty is that Mt. SAC’s “virtual” semester ends on June 15, 2020, and we will begin the “virtual” Summer Intersession.
While the campus is closed to the general public, during the summer intersession Mt. SAC will offer on-campus classes for courses that include lab components or curriculum that requires in-person attendance (such as many Art classes or the Nursing and Paramedic programs for example). Some classified unit members may be called to campus to support these classes. Most classified will not. As a result, many unit members have asked questions about how we are going to work during the summer and into the fall.
At this time, Mt. SAC employees are still telecommuting. For CSEA 262 unit members, the Telecommuting Agreement is still in effect. You are expected to be available for an assignment from your manager during the college’s normal operating hours from 8am to 4:30pm. If your manager has not given you an assignment, then you should check your e-mail and voicemail at least a couple times a day to check for an assignment.
On and after June 15, CSEA 262 unit members will be working a Summer 4/10 Schedule. The schedule will be the same as always, a nine-hour workday with one hour of District-paid time for a total of ten hours. However, while we are under the Telecommuting Agreement, classified members are expected to be “available” to work if the manager gives you an assignment. If you are not given an assignment, just be “available” during regular District hours. If there are any changes or revisions to the Telecommuting Agreement, CSEA 262 and the District will negotiate a new side-letter and unit members will be informed. In most cases, classified unit members will be in “paid status” as long as you make yourself available for an assignment.
We still do not know when campus will reopen and our lives go back to the “old normal.” Once we do and the District terminates the Telecommuting Agreement, CSEA 262 will negotiate with the District a return-to-work plan that will be safe and practical for all CSEA 262 unit members. As more information is known, we will keep you informed.
What We Have Here Is failure to Communicate!
During the past few weeks, one of the most common questions asked by CSEA 262 unit members is about using personal cell phones for work. To the point, do classified employees have to use their personal cell or smart phones, laptops, tablets or iPads to do work for the college? The short answer is “No. You do not.”
The Telecommuting Agreement states that CSEA 262 unit members will be available to “be accessible at all times during their temporary telecommute scheduled work times via the manner and technology designated by their immediate manager, which may include laptop computer, mobile phone, email, messaging application, video conferencing, instant messaging and/or text messaging.”
This means you are required to “be accessible,” but you can request your manager to contact you by e-mail or voicemail but not your cell or smart phone. Some people have very bad cell reception where they live, so you may not be able to receive cell calls reliably.
In these cases, you may provide your manager with a landline or ask to be contacted by e-mail, which does not depend on cell reception if you are at home and have home internet. If a cell phone is your only means of communication, you may choose to use that for work. Each situation may be different, so if you have any questions or if you manager is requiring you to use your cell phone for work, contact a union steward or any Chapter leader (listed at the end of each issue of this newsletter).
At the same time, the District understands that not everyone has multiple computers at home, and if you and your spouse and children are all trying to share the same computer, your getting any work done may be difficult. If you are in this situation, the District might be able to provide you with a laptop to use. You should contact your manager to request a laptop or contact a union steward or Chapter leader. You might also schedule an accommodations meeting with Human Resources to discuss with your manager your technology needs. You may bring a union representative to this meeting.
Let’s Go to A Theme Park — At Home!
No, we are not talking about renting a bouncy house and noisy wind machine to create a place for your kids to yell, scream, and tear up the yard. We are not talking about converting the rooms of your house into “lands” for your kids to play in. The idea is to make less work for you, not more. The idea is to help you relax, not stress out from the anxiety of worrying about your child bouncing out of the bouncy house and face-first into the grass. The reality is that the novelty of working from home can wear off pretty quickly, and since you can’t go to the movies or Disneyland, what can you do?
We just might have a suggestion for you, and you can include your kids! While we are all doing our part to prevent the spread of the pandemic, even for a little while we may have an opportunity to explore amusements parks and other entertainment online while you stay safer at home. While theme parks have closed their doors to the public, you can still visit virtually “in person” using the discounted tickets offered through CSEA Member Benefits, some of our Theme Parks are still providing activities and educational fun online for all to enjoy at no charge.
California's Great America – If you have never had the opportunity to visit Great America, and if you love theme parks, put this on your bucket list. Fans of roller coasters and “thrill” rides will enjoy the park, and so will the kids. Since they are closed now, though, Great America has provided some great “virtual” activities for parents and children to keep them busy at home.
Draw up your own amusement park map or create your own wild ride - Click here to see some wildly unique projects you can do at home with your kids.
Take a Virtual Roller Coaster Ride - Great America's YouTube page has 5 virtual coasters to ride. Take a look! Note: if roller coasters make you sick, a virtual ride is less likely to evacuate the contents of your stomach, but you may still experience some gut-wrenching “virtual vertigo.” What you do not have to experience is all the vibrations, back-shattering twists and turns, and, if you mute the sound, no screaming! Play on a big screen. Raise your hands and scream if you wish. It isn’t quite like being there, but it is certainly less expensive.
Do some coloring Great America Style! - Choose a page here! All you need is a printer and some crayons or colored pencils.
Knott's Berry Farm – Do you miss visiting Knott's Berry Farm? Enjoy these fun things to do while you're home! Click here to go to their website and view all your options. The park may be closed, but there are still some fun things to do, and some shopping too!
Knott's Recipes to Try at Home - Get cooking here! All you foodies, take heart. These recipes are healthy and delicious … uhm, OK. No, they are not. That’s what you need to tell yourself though. Boysenberry Ice Cream? Divine! The BEST part is that Knotts is just about 20 to 30 minutes from Mt. SAC.
If you are a fan, and who isn’t, of the famous Knotts “Chicken-to-Go,” you can still enjoy it. Oder online and go pick it up. Knotts offers curbside to go and carry out. Pick a date, place your order, pay online, and then go pick up your chicken and fixin’s. Check it out by clicking this link.
Knotts Marketplace is also virtual. Go online to shop for your favorite jams, preserves, gourmet foods, and gifts. Select your merchandise, pay online, and decide whether you want your order shipped to you or pick it up yourself with curbside to go. Just follow this link to happy shopping!
Learning at Home - Trying to keep up with at home learning? Here are some at home teaching activities from Knott's. Click here!
Legoland - Bring Legoland to life at home! Show off your building skills or let Legoland know what you'd like to see on their page next. They offer new activities and videos every Wednesday. Be sure to check it out. #LLCBuildingChallenge on social media, or go directly to their site at www.legoland.com
Click here to see more Lego activities such as coloring pages, crossword puzzles, and activities.
Free Lego Building Activities - Click here!
Shop at the Legoland California Resort's BIG SHOP - Purchases of $35 or more will ship FREE. Click here, to shop exclusive Lego Sets!
Winchester Mystery House – If you have never visited Winchester Mystery House and you have never heard the story of Sarah Winchester’s bizarre paranormal activities, and you like this sort of thing, then by all means, visit this site! The web site offers a crossword puzzle activity, themed coloring pages for the kids (or you if you want), and some downloadable wallpapers of the beautiful mansion. But the real kicker is a 360-degree, interactive virtual tour of the mansion with clickable annotations that explain the rooms and contents. As you tour the mansion, Click the icons throughout the house for more information about what you’re looking at! See first-hand the strangeness of the house design and rooms (like the stairs to nowhere or the upside-down room). Just keep in mind this tour is not free. The virtual 360-degree interactive tour is $9. That’s right. And that isn’t even the best part. If you purchase the virtual tour, the one-time fee of $8.99 grants you access to the Immersive 360 Tour indefinitely. Log out, log back in, and enjoy the tour experience forever (or until they shut the tour down)! This house is so strange and fascinating, you will enjoy hours of virtually roaming the halls, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and even a stairway to nowhere. If your interest is peaked and you ain’t afraid of no ghosts, click here!
We hope you enjoy these activities!
November California Elections
On Friday, May 8, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order to all California county election officials to provide vote-by-mail ballots to all registered voters for the November 3 General Election.
Trying to ensure social distancing continues to protect citizens of California and to circumvent instances of voter repression, Newsom has ordered mail-in ballots be made available to all registered voters regardless of whether the voter has requested the mail-in option. However, in-person voting sites will still be available on Election Day. Newsom’s Administration will work with the Legislature and the Secretary of State to determine how in-person voting will be implemented. Newsom’s order will give all eligible voters a choice and the ability to participate in November’s, what will undoubtedly be, historic election.
While historically mail-in balloting has seen an increase in voter turnout, these were all under “normal” circumstances when there was no pandemic or other major emergency taking place. According to several news outlets, during the national stay-at-home period in states that held primaries, shifting to mail-in ballots resulted in lower voter turnout than expected. By ordering the mail-in ballot option six months prior to the election, the hope is there will be time enough for counties to plan and make the appropriate accommodations for the election by November.
CSEA encourages everyone to get out and vote in November, whether by mail-in ballot or at a polling place. While CSEA members are voters from virtually all parties and support candidates of their choice, most important is for everyone to get out and vote. If everyone eligible to vote participates, then a minority will not dictate the direction of the State and the Country. The more who vote, the more the “will of the people” can be heard.
Get Fresh, Organic Produce Delivered to Your Doorstep
Farm Fresh To You, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) service, is one of CSEA's approved benefit providers. We are proud to partner with them, and they are proud to help communities during this time get their food delivered from the local farms to your door.
They offer organic produce, meat, dairy, eggs and so much more (over 800 grocery items). No Commitment, No Contract, Payment is made after delivery so goods can be inspected, No Delivery fees or Service fees. You Pick it or Skip it and you always pick what you want.
Keeping in mind public safety, please note that all foods come from local sources and are picked and packed using gloves. Deliveries are made by drivers with a no contact delivery. Get your clean food from the local farms today!
Get started with your ongoing 15% discount and your first delivery*:
Visit http://www.farmfreshtoyou.com/referral/wellness/?promo=CSEA
Enter your zip code to view and select from available delivery options.
Choose the box size, delivery frequency that works for you, and the first delivery date, then click "Sign Up For This Service."
Follow the steps to complete your account sign up.
Customize your order by excluding items you would rather not receive and adding items you would like instead.
Add other farm products like eggs, milk, olive oil, honey, salsas, jams, and more!
Each delivery comes with news from the family farm, delicious recipes, and quick tips. They bring the farmer's market to you at an affordable price with the 15% ongoing CSEA discount. Watch this video to learn more!
If you have questions or need assistance with your subscription, please contact our CSEA Farm Fresh To You Customer Service Representative, Neily Messerschmidt at 916.524.0175 or email her at nmesserschmidt@farmfreshtoyou.com.
*Note: These zip codes have partial delivery restrictions: 93001, 93103, 93105, 93108, 93110, 93111, 93117.
Your CSEA Chapter 262 Executive Board:
Robert Stubbe, President • Rosa Asencio, 1st Vice President • Marlene Espina, 2nd Vice President
Barbara Carrillo, Secretary • Zak Gallegos, Treasurer
Elizabeth Jauregui, Chief Union Steward • Mark Fernandez, Communications Officer
Brandon Gillett, Site Rep Coordinator • Sandra Bollier, Past President
“To improve the lives of our members, students, and community.”