MEA Comes to You: January’s MOU Distribution a Big Hit
MEA Board members and staff enjoyed meeting and talking with members during the numerous site visits to distribute your MOU for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011. We hope it allowed you to take a short break from your busy workday to enjoy some pizza and/or donuts and to speak directly with your MEA leadership and union colleagues. We greatly appreciate […]
Read more >>Labor Representative Cases, Second Quarter of 2010
Written Reprimand Removed from MEA Employee’s File MEA Senior Labor Relations Representative Kelly Cruz represented a 22 year City employee who was facing serious discipline due to an alleged violation of Administrative Regulation 90.62 – Email and Internet Usage. After the supposed violation took place, the member’s Deputy Director and Department Director orally counseled the employee on his lack of […]
Read more >>Know Your Rights, Second Quarter of 2010
Recently, a member was told that they could not exercise their right to utilize Tuition Reimbursement due to budget shortfalls, even though the employee had followed all of the proper procedures. Administrative Regulation 70.30, Section 2.1 states the following: “Eligible employees will be reimbursed for 100% of tuition and mandatory fees, and for textbooks and supplies under certain conditions, up […]
Read more >>General Manager’s Report, Second Quarter of 2010
A number of you responded last month when we sent out an e-mail soliciting questions to be addressed in this addition of The Viewpoint. If those who responded are indicative of the rest of MEA’s represented employees, then it is clear that one of the most significant topics on your mind is the future of the retiree healthcare benefit. About 80% […]
Read more >>Thank You Honorable Roger T. Benitez
By Dan Coffey Honorable Roger T. Benitez, United States District Judge, exercised his proper powers as an objective, Article Three federal judge on April 6, 2010. In doing so, he dismissed all five innocent defendants originally named in the “honest services” pension case brought on Jan. 6, 2006, by controversial former U.S. Attorney, Carol Lam. Those defendants are: Ronald Saathoff, […]
Read more >>President’s Message, Second Quarter of 2010
“Protecting Taxpayers” We hear certain politicians talk about “protecting taxpayers” all the time. These words have been used a lot in recent discussions between City management and employees. There is one description of “protecting the taxpayer” that seems to get the most attention. That definition, which I believe is a very narrow view, is that it’s all about the money—pay […]
Read more >>Follow Up Message from Ann Smith
Dear ALL: When reading my message which MEA sent on Wednesday, June 23, 2010, related to the Appellate Court’s decision in the purchase of service credit case, please be aware that the effects of this litigation and the decision of the 4th DCA will apply to all “air time” service credits actually purchased during the period August 1, 2003, through November 1, 2003, or for […]
Read more >>MEA’s Phone System Will be Offline for a Short Time on Friday, June 25th
MEA’s phone system will be offline on Friday, June 25th from12-2:30pm due to necessary maintenance and upgrades. Our office will still be open during regular business hours. We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause you.
Read more >>Message from Ann Smith Regarding Appellate Court’s Decision in Purchase of Service Credit Case
Dear ALL: You have likely seen recent media coverage about the Fourth District Court of Appeal’s decision issued on June 7th affirming a trial court decision related to purchased service credits. Here is the background on the case and an overview of what it means as well as when/how its consequences will likely be felt. In October and November 2007, on […]
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