From SFGATE: Mayor Gavin Newsom and Supervisor Sean Elsbernd deserve praise for taking on the politically delicate - but fiscally responsible - issue of pension reform. There were years when San Francisco's leaders had the luxury of avoiding the topic. In 1999-2000, investment income was rolling in at such a pace that the city had to contribute just $300,000 to keep the system fiscally sound. Those days are long gone. This fiscal year's bill exceeded $200 million - and growing.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Pension Measure Being Discussed is Fully-Loaded! Through the SF Labor Council Coalition we will discuss at length the coming months!
From SFGATE: Mayor Gavin Newsom and Supervisor Sean Elsbernd deserve praise for taking on the politically delicate - but fiscally responsible - issue of pension reform. There were years when San Francisco's leaders had the luxury of avoiding the topic. In 1999-2000, investment income was rolling in at such a pace that the city had to contribute just $300,000 to keep the system fiscally sound. Those days are long gone. This fiscal year's bill exceeded $200 million - and growing.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Sharp Park News from the Usual Suspects.
■S.F. plan to alter golf course to save critters (Chronicle) 11/07/09
■Fight continues over fate of Sharp Park course (Chronicle) 08/31/09
■San Mateo County, Pacifica brought into Sharp Park talks (San Mateo County Times) 05/11/09
■Big plans for Sharp Park Golf Course move forward in San Francisco (San Mateo County Times) 05/01/09
■Sharp Park might be returned to wetlands (Examiner) 04/30/09
■Sharp Park losses less than expected (Examiner) 04/29/09
■Habitat restoration at golf course target of legislation (Examiner) 03/18/09
■City Insider: Change ahead at Sharp Park? (Chronicle) 03/18/09
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Prop C Passes. SFRPD to generate a little more revenue.
(Senator Leland Yee, LiUNA!, Local 261 and SEIU UHW help kickoff the Prop C campaign.)
Just 15.4 percent of the city's 452,000 registered voters cast ballots in the election. Results here.
Another measure drawing some attention was Proposition C, to repeal a voter-approved 2004 proposition requiring the 49ers football stadium to be named Candlestick Park. Voters overwhelmingly approved the measure Tuesday.
It will allow the selling of stadium naming rights, with 50 percent of the proceeds received by the city going to fund directors at city recreation centers.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/04/BA9O1AE5TM.DTL#ixzz0W0t8Y8IO
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
LiUNA! Members step up with SF Public Golf Alliance to save Sharp Park!
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors will consider an ordinance this fall to close Sharp Park, the only existing MacKenzie-designed public seaside golf course in the world, to protect two threatened species. Anti-golf activists claim that driving off the golfers is the only way to protect the red-legged frog and San Francisco garter snake that live on the course. That claim is simply false.
The San Francisco Public Golf Alliance, working together with environmentalists, historic preservationists, muni golfers and the City of Pacifica, is developing a financially sound plan to save the MacKenzie golf shrine, while simultaneously improving natural habitat and preserving affordable public golf.
Working with Lincoln Park’s neighborhood organizations and others who want to protect Lincoln against development, we are fighting against an effort to drive off golfers–beginning with the transparent proposal to install parking meters in the Lincoln parking lot–and develop an unneeded events center and related roads and parking facilities overlooking the Golden Gate.
We need your help to make sure that you can continue enjoying these historic, affordable courses.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Opportunistic Low Blow for Privatization Angers Workers: LiUNA!, Local 261 to meet with SF Building Trades to discuss future of Golf Management.
The linked article below appeared on the eve of the President's Cup and was met with disappointment by many of the City's workers who have worked lean, day and night to make the Harding Course shine for all San Franciscans this weekend! The LiUNA!, Local 261 Golf Committee, issued the following: "We are disappointed at the tone and timing of this article. Our staff has been lean and effective while meeting the highest private standards in the industry on a municipal Golf Course for the world to see. To capitalize on a political opportunity to engage in discussions about the alleged "need" to privatize our public golf courses is a low blow to our membership especially in light of what we all celebrate this week. We believe that while some functions in management need to be addressed, and that it is not likely that the status quo will continue, any attempt at rationalizing that the private effort be done on the backs of the "maintenance" workers by denying wages, benefits, or Civil Service protections when "management" is the primary concern, will be met with aggressive advocacy to keep the Courses entirely Public. We need look no further than the SF Zoo or the Concourse Authority to see that "privatization" for the sake of relieving the City of its assets and their burdens is not the best answer." (for more info. see 2007 SF Labor Council Resolution)
Vince Courtney, City Representative
Zac Salem, Golf Committee Chair
Posted using ShareThis
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
URGENT THIS FRIDAY Press Event to help keep "naming rights" funds at SFRPD!
Brothers & Sisters:PLEASE HELP US GENERATE AND KEEP REVENUE AT THE DEPARTMENT LEVEL!!!
Who: Laborers' Local 261/State Senator Leland Yee
What: Press Conference State Senator Lelan Yee
Where: Tenderlion Park & Rec Center 570 Ellis (between Leavenworth & Hyde)
When: Friday October 2, 2009 9:45am
When: Friday October 2, 2009 9:45am
Why: Prop C will require funds to be kept for SFRPD that are generated by "naming rights." Not to long ago, our Committee advocated for a similar position as it related to many of our Golf revenue discussions. Prop C is an excellent step in the right direction and could face an uphill battle at the polls. Senator Yee has specifically asked for us to show up to help get the word out for this important event. Please do everything possible to make and appearance and WEAR ORANGE!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
LiUNA!, Local 261 Members lead by Committee Members Joan, Manny, Theresa, and Steve Rally along with IAFF Local 798's John Hanley to Save Services!
San Franciscans agree that fire safety, emergency and ambulance services are essential and should not be cut. That’s why we passed Proposition F in 2005, the Neighborhood Firehouse Protection Act.But certain San Francisco Supervisors are proposing cuts that would bring back “brownouts” — the daily closures of engine companies in neighborhood firehouses throughout San Francisco. When vital equipment such as fire engines and ambulances inside these firehouses are not fully operational, it puts our neighborhoods at increased risk.
Our Fire Department has made extensive reforms, cut waste and bureaucracy, and dramatically improved efficiency. We’re cutting fat – but we shouldn’t cut neighborhood firehouses that are your first line of defense for fires, medical emergencies, and major disasters.
Join the Save our Firehouses Coalition, San Francisco Firefighters, and other San Franciscans concerned with public safety to tell the San Francisco Board of Supervisors that enough is enough: Protect our Public Safety!Join us on Tuesday, June 16th @1pm for a rally on the steps of City Hall (Polk St. side)RSVP below, invite your friends and we'll see you there!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Mayor Newsom releases Budget - Massive Cuts (1600+ layoffs!)
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom unveiled a $6.6 billion budget Monday for the 2009-10 fiscal year that he said "does a lot of extraordinary things" including bridging a half-billion-dollar deficit without raising taxes or laying off police officers, firefighters or teachers.
"It's not perfect, but it's as close to perfect, under the circumstances, as we could make it," he said. "We did this without the devastation some had predicted."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/02/MNSE17UTLB.DTL&type=printable
"It's not perfect, but it's as close to perfect, under the circumstances, as we could make it," he said. "We did this without the devastation some had predicted."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/02/MNSE17UTLB.DTL&type=printable
Friday, May 15, 2009
SF Supervisor Eric Mar meets with Liuna! Local 261 on Parks, Streets, and Green Jobs.
Today, at a City Committee delegation luncheon at Park Chalet, San Francisco Supervisor Eric Mar from the Richmond (District 1) took time to meet with Laborers' Union Local 261 City Committee members and Commissioner Tom Harrison to discuss multiple park related issues and budget matters. The delegation was delighted with Supervisor Mar's focused interest in tree work and maintenance throughout the City, Golf course matters, and matters related to the Recreation and Parks Department and the Department of Public Works in general. Following the meeting, Supervisor Mar became an honorary member of the Laborers' International Union, Local 261 City Committee!(pictured: Nikki Mixon, Bob Nastor, Zac Salem, Supervisor Eric Mar, Bruce Ricci, Commissioner Tom Harrison, Terry McDevitt, Doug Martino, & Joan Vellutini.)
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Sharp Park Golf Course decision up to Board!
Thanks to Brothers Salem, Ricci, Baker, and others for monitoring this critical issue.
Sharp Park Golf Course decision up to board
The full Board of Supervisors will get to weigh in on the future of the city-owned Sharp Park Golf Course after a committee unanimously voted Thursday in favor of controversial legislation that has been hailed by environmentalists and vehemently opposed by golfers, dog lovers and others.
The legislation directs the city to "develop a plan, schedule and budget" for restoring habitat at the park for two federally protected species, with two possibilities: one that retains or redesigns the golf course and another that would shut it down. The proposed law also mandates that the city either transfer the park to the federal parks system or develop a joint management plan with the federal agency.
Posted By: Marisa Lagos (Email) April 30 2009 at 05:20 PM
Sharp Park Golf Course decision up to board
The full Board of Supervisors will get to weigh in on the future of the city-owned Sharp Park Golf Course after a committee unanimously voted Thursday in favor of controversial legislation that has been hailed by environmentalists and vehemently opposed by golfers, dog lovers and others.
The legislation directs the city to "develop a plan, schedule and budget" for restoring habitat at the park for two federally protected species, with two possibilities: one that retains or redesigns the golf course and another that would shut it down. The proposed law also mandates that the city either transfer the park to the federal parks system or develop a joint management plan with the federal agency.
Posted By: Marisa Lagos (Email) April 30 2009 at 05:20 PM
Friday, April 3, 2009
Possible Bond Measure gives DPW Workers Hope!
Excerpt from the Examiner:
Mayor Gavin Newsom, who has supported efforts to upgrade streetscapes, said in his 2008 inaugural address that improving streetscapes will ensure “this city is a place where we can walk, bike and simply enjoy a streetscape that is the cleanest, greenest and safest in the world.”
On Thursday, during a breakfast meeting with local business leaders, the mayor called for support for the streets bond, should it make it onto the November ballot.
The bond proposal comes as The City is facing a $438 million budget deficit for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
Read the fulll story
Mayor Gavin Newsom, who has supported efforts to upgrade streetscapes, said in his 2008 inaugural address that improving streetscapes will ensure “this city is a place where we can walk, bike and simply enjoy a streetscape that is the cleanest, greenest and safest in the world.”
On Thursday, during a breakfast meeting with local business leaders, the mayor called for support for the streets bond, should it make it onto the November ballot.
The bond proposal comes as The City is facing a $438 million budget deficit for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
Read the fulll story
Friday, February 13, 2009
261'S ORANGE Turnout at City Hall to Support Local 261 RPD Staff OVERWHELMS!
Brothers & Sisters:Today, with just under sixteen hours notice you stepped up to show support for Jared, Brother Tom Harrison, the provisional Gardeners, and the entire Local 261 Public Employee membership at the Recreation and Parks Commission to support keeping our current staffing levels and, at 40 hours per week! 25 members came and sported the Orange Crush (pictured Ramon, Oscar, & Tom,) as usual and your presence was duly noted! BIG Time effort by all involved on a Friday afternoon before a holiday weekend WITH LESS THAN A DAY NOTICE...absolutely, unquestionably, outstanding Union work!!!
The Original Call Out from Last Night:
2009/2010 M.O.U.:
We are now moving quickly into contract negotiations (almost all other Unions extended their agreements,) your negotiations team members will be meeting with the City 4 times in February and 2 more early in March to start (check the blog.). The Committee knows the Contract is the most important thing we have by far!
Current Budget:
We have learned that RPD GM has proposed that no 261 members (including our 58 provisional Gardeners!) take a walk while SEIU unfortunately gets hit pretty hard. THE Reality is they know we have been hit hard already including at SFDPW (enough for all of us!) Now, in supplemental efforts to "even out the hit," discussions are revolving around reducing all schedules to less than 40/hr week at RPD! Put differently, a pay cut for us all. Now, in addition to our MOU talks, we clearly need to weigh in on this one, and in a united front...NO LAYOFFS FOR 261 Gardeners, Supervisors, or others!!!
SPECIAL RPD Commission Meeting City Hall 4th Floor 2:30pm: You must decide, if you support the RPD GM and want to support Brother Tom Harrison and the Department for not laying any Gardeners off. If you do, Oscar and I will be there in about 16 hours (2:30) to meet you all front & Center for Tom and all of our Union members' interests. Oh yeah, Mayor Newsom is to be there. Wear ORANGE!
If you can't help now...
Super Important
MARCH 3, 2009 at the SF Board of Supervisors during the meeting, Supervisor Alioto will be honoring along with the rest of the Board our City Stewards Adrian, Joan, Edison, Terry, Theresa, and Nikki! We'll all be there. Check out the blog for updates.
Vince Courtney
City Representative/Political Captain
Laborers' International Union, Local 261
2009/2010 M.O.U.:
We are now moving quickly into contract negotiations (almost all other Unions extended their agreements,) your negotiations team members will be meeting with the City 4 times in February and 2 more early in March to start (check the blog.). The Committee knows the Contract is the most important thing we have by far!
Current Budget:
We have learned that RPD GM has proposed that no 261 members (including our 58 provisional Gardeners!) take a walk while SEIU unfortunately gets hit pretty hard. THE Reality is they know we have been hit hard already including at SFDPW (enough for all of us!) Now, in supplemental efforts to "even out the hit," discussions are revolving around reducing all schedules to less than 40/hr week at RPD! Put differently, a pay cut for us all. Now, in addition to our MOU talks, we clearly need to weigh in on this one, and in a united front...NO LAYOFFS FOR 261 Gardeners, Supervisors, or others!!!
SPECIAL RPD Commission Meeting City Hall 4th Floor 2:30pm: You must decide, if you support the RPD GM and want to support Brother Tom Harrison and the Department for not laying any Gardeners off. If you do, Oscar and I will be there in about 16 hours (2:30) to meet you all front & Center for Tom and all of our Union members' interests. Oh yeah, Mayor Newsom is to be there. Wear ORANGE!
If you can't help now...
Super Important
MARCH 3, 2009 at the SF Board of Supervisors during the meeting, Supervisor Alioto will be honoring along with the rest of the Board our City Stewards Adrian, Joan, Edison, Terry, Theresa, and Nikki! We'll all be there. Check out the blog for updates.
Vince Courtney
City Representative/Political Captain
Laborers' International Union, Local 261
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Gardeners AWOL??? Bullshit!!!
Brothers & Sisters:
Take a quick look at the Examiner. Then see the Department response and the Union response. Please check in at the City Committee meeting with ideas.
http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/Report-finds-parks-vacant-of-gardeners38983439.html
See the responses.
Take a quick look at the Examiner. Then see the Department response and the Union response. Please check in at the City Committee meeting with ideas.
http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/Report-finds-parks-vacant-of-gardeners38983439.html
See the responses.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Join Local 261 Battles with Mayor's Office of Labor Standards Enforcement.
Brothers & Sisters:
Thank you to all of you who signed up to attend the SOTF February 2009, hearing today! So far, we will have over 55 members in attendence. We will continue to distribute flyers as AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL!
Please note: All Union Members are requested to come to the SF Sunshine Ordinance Task Force Hearing at City Hall on February 10, 2008. Recently, the OLSE Manager, Donna Levitt (appointed by the Mayor) made a determination that "picked" the electricians over the Laborers' Union. The determination relates to the installation of conduit which is covered by both the Laborers' and the Electricians' private sector agreement.
The State of California refrains from making such determinations and instead traditional mechanisms for jurisdictional disputes are employed.
The Union has asked that Levitt provide anything and everything that she relies on in making such determinations (which includes her specific authority to do so!) OLSE has failed to provide any document which is reponsive to the Union's request. Because the OLSE is an enforcement Office and not a Legislative Office the Union position is that she should refrain from making such determinations in order to be consitent with the State of California.
SEC. 2A.23. OFFICE OF LABOR STANDARDS ENFORCEMENT.
(a) There is hereby created within the Department of Administrative Services an Office of Labor Standards Enforcement. The Office of Labor Standards Enforcement shall enforce the City's Minimum Wage Ordinance (Chapter 12R of the Administrative Code), Minimum Compensation Ordinance (Chapter 12P of the Administrative Code), Health Care Accountability Ordinance (Chapter 12Q of the Administrative Code), Prevailing Wage Ordinances, and shall carry out any additional duties and functions as assigned by Charter or ordinance. The Office of Labor Standards Enforcement may enforce the provisions of the California Labor Code to the extent permitted by State law. The Office of Labor Standards Enforcement may impose penalties and take any and all appropriate action to enforce the requirements of such provisions, including but not limited to those set forth in San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 12R, to the extent permitted by State law.
(b) The Office shall be administered by the Labor Standards Enforcement Officer, who shall be appointed by, and shall serve at the pleasure of, the Mayor. In appointing the Labor Standards Enforcement Officer, the Mayor shall consider, among other relevant factors, the individual's experience enforcing labor standards, including prevailing wage requirements, and the diversity of San Francisco in the construction industry. The Labor Standards Enforcement Officer shall coordinate his or her activities with federal and state labor standards agencies.
(c) All City departments shall cooperate with the Labor Standards Enforcement Officer and his or her designees. The Labor Standards Enforcement Officer shall have the authority to subpoena the production of books, papers, records or other items relevant to investigations under the jurisdiction of the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement.
(Added by Ord. 5-06, File No. 051652, App. 1/20/2006; Ord. 205-06, File No. 060247, App. 7/25/2006)
Thank you to all of you who signed up to attend the SOTF February 2009, hearing today! So far, we will have over 55 members in attendence. We will continue to distribute flyers as AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL!
Please note: All Union Members are requested to come to the SF Sunshine Ordinance Task Force Hearing at City Hall on February 10, 2008. Recently, the OLSE Manager, Donna Levitt (appointed by the Mayor) made a determination that "picked" the electricians over the Laborers' Union. The determination relates to the installation of conduit which is covered by both the Laborers' and the Electricians' private sector agreement.
The State of California refrains from making such determinations and instead traditional mechanisms for jurisdictional disputes are employed.
The Union has asked that Levitt provide anything and everything that she relies on in making such determinations (which includes her specific authority to do so!) OLSE has failed to provide any document which is reponsive to the Union's request. Because the OLSE is an enforcement Office and not a Legislative Office the Union position is that she should refrain from making such determinations in order to be consitent with the State of California.
SEC. 2A.23. OFFICE OF LABOR STANDARDS ENFORCEMENT.
(a) There is hereby created within the Department of Administrative Services an Office of Labor Standards Enforcement. The Office of Labor Standards Enforcement shall enforce the City's Minimum Wage Ordinance (Chapter 12R of the Administrative Code), Minimum Compensation Ordinance (Chapter 12P of the Administrative Code), Health Care Accountability Ordinance (Chapter 12Q of the Administrative Code), Prevailing Wage Ordinances, and shall carry out any additional duties and functions as assigned by Charter or ordinance. The Office of Labor Standards Enforcement may enforce the provisions of the California Labor Code to the extent permitted by State law. The Office of Labor Standards Enforcement may impose penalties and take any and all appropriate action to enforce the requirements of such provisions, including but not limited to those set forth in San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 12R, to the extent permitted by State law.
(b) The Office shall be administered by the Labor Standards Enforcement Officer, who shall be appointed by, and shall serve at the pleasure of, the Mayor. In appointing the Labor Standards Enforcement Officer, the Mayor shall consider, among other relevant factors, the individual's experience enforcing labor standards, including prevailing wage requirements, and the diversity of San Francisco in the construction industry. The Labor Standards Enforcement Officer shall coordinate his or her activities with federal and state labor standards agencies.
(c) All City departments shall cooperate with the Labor Standards Enforcement Officer and his or her designees. The Labor Standards Enforcement Officer shall have the authority to subpoena the production of books, papers, records or other items relevant to investigations under the jurisdiction of the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement.
(Added by Ord. 5-06, File No. 051652, App. 1/20/2006; Ord. 205-06, File No. 060247, App. 7/25/2006)
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