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Contact CEMA
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Business Representatives
Tom Starkey
tstarkey@sccema.org
Randy Johnese
rjohnese@sccema.org
Address:
1654 The Alameda,Suite 110
San Jose, CA 95126
Phone numbers:
Office (408)289-9691
Fax (408)289-1128
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Other links & Resources
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Have a
Fun Summer
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Southbay Labor Council
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Members only!
If you would like to receive CEMA bulletins and updates by email,
please submit your name and email address below
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Send Comments Regarding the CEMA Webpage to:
Webmaster
CEMA
1654 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126
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CEMA Membership Survey
On Thursday, July 10th, CEMA members will receive an email invitation from Survey Monkey to participate in a CEMA membership
survey. You will only be able to participate in the survey by clicking on the link in the email. You cannot forward the
email because the link will not work. Please encourage CEMA members in your area to participate in the survey. They will
have until the end of the month to do so.
Any member who does not receive an email invitation, because we do not have an email address for them, should contact the CEMA
office 289-9691. | 
2008 CEMA Scholarships
If you have a child that is graduating from high school or who is an undergraduate at college, he or she may be eligible for a CEMA
Scholarship. Two scholarships per year are awarded to children of CEMA members graduating from high school and two scholarships per
year are awarded to children of CEMA members who are already college undergraduates and will return for another year. The general rules
for eligibility and how to apply can be found here. The application for graduating high school
seniors can be found here. The application for college undergraduates can be
found here.
Also, a fifth scholarship is awarded each year in memory of CEMA's late president, Keith Garvey, to a child of CEMA member whose child
is a college undergraduate who intends to work in the public sector after graduation. The Keith Garvey Scholarship application can be
found here.
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STO-Sick Leave Ratification Results
299 CEMA members attended the STO-Sick Leave Ratification Meetings and voted as follows:
The County will be notified that CEMA wishes to keep STO and Sick Leave as they are.
Are You Thinking of Buying Additional Service Credits from PERS?
If you have been considering the purchase of additional service time that will improve your retirement benefit, you need to act
soon to get the most benefit from your purchase. After December 17, 2007, the calculations done by PERS will be based on the new
retirement formula (2.5 at 55) and will be calculated on a higher wage adjustment of 4%. Making a purchase before December 17, 2007
will stretch your buying power.
We urge members to contact PERS and find out what you need to do to purchase additional service credits. Your request must be submitted
to PERS before December 17, 2007 in order to buy service credits with the 2.0 at 55 Formula and the lower salary rate. If you elect to
purchase additional service credits once PERS has told you what the costs will be and you got your cost estimate request into PERS
before December 17, 2007 you will be able to purchase the additional service credits with the cheaper formula and lower salary rate.
We also encourage you to explore ways to make the purchase of additional service credits using Deferred Compensation. The PERS Website
is www.calpers.ca.gov
Update on discussions to Combine Sick Leave and STO
As reported in the April-May, 2007 issue of the CEMAGRAM, CEMA has been meeting with the County sporadically over the issue of
combining Sick Leave and Scheduled Time Off (STO) into a true Annual Leave Program (ALP). These discussion were held pursuant to
Section 12.1(e) of the CEMA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU language also required that any change had to be cost neutral
to both the County and CEMA members. By determining the average annual usage and the average net cash-out over the past seven years,
it was determined that the eight days of Sick Leave accrued each year was equal in value to five and one tenth days of STO.
The County proposed to exchange five days of Annual leave accrual per year for the current eight days of Sick Leave. CEMA demurred
and proposed that they equalize the exchange by increasing the accrual cap to four times (4x) the annual accrual and that they drop the
first day sick provisions.
On November 1st the County's representative contacted CEMA and stated that neither increasing the accrual cap nor dropping the first
day sick provision were cost neutral. The County would however increase their exchange offer to five and one tenths days of Annual
leave for eight days of Sick Leave.
The CEMA committee is now considering this proposal and will probably announce membership meetings later in November to consider
ratification of the proposal. Please check this site or with your CEMA Liaison for further details or updates.
OE 3 Scholarships
Four College scholarships will be awarded to the children, stepchildren or foster children of OE 3 members graduating in the Fall
of 2007 or the Spring of 2008. A scholarship of $3,000 will be awarded to both the first place female and male applicant.
A scholarship of $2,000 will be awarded to both the second place female and male applicant. Each scholarship will provide an
additional $1,000 in the second, third and fourth years of study provided that the recipient remains a full time student in good
standing.
Complete rules and instructions for applying and applications can be requested from the CEMA Office.
Applications will be accepted between January 1 and March 31, 2008.
2007 CEMA Scholarship Winners
 2007 Winners and ParentsFront row (l. to r.)-Marlene and Alejandro
Vidal. 2 nd row - Philip Bejar, Karen Roberts, Nicole and Tuyet Nguyen.
Back row - Mathew Bejar, Steven Roberts, Kristen and Michael Hahn.
On Thursday, June 14th the 2007 CEMA Scholarships were presented to the winners by CEMA President, Edna Esguerra, and Scholarship
Committee Chair, Mary Mitchell. The winners are:
- Winner of the Keith Garvey Memorial Award - Matthew Bejar. Matthew is a freshman at Gonzaga University and hopes to become a
high school teacher. His father, Philip Bejar, is a Work Center Supervisor for FAF, Building Operations.
- Matt Hand - Undergraduate Scholarship Matt is attending Indiana Purdue University and is studying Human Resource Management.
Matt's father is Mark Hand a Senior Diagnostic Imagigng Information Specialist and VMC and a member of the CEMA Executive Board.
- Kristen Joy Hahn - High School Scholarship. Kristen graduated from King's Accademy and she will be attending Point Loma
Nazarene University in San Diego. She would like to go into the medical field to become a doctor, nurse or physical therapist. Kristen's
father is Michael Hahn who is a Senior Systems Software Engineer in ISD.
- Nicole Nguyen - High School Scholarship Nicole graduated from Presentation High School and she will attend UCLA in the Fall
with a major in either pharmacy or optometry. Her mother, Tuyet Nguyen, is a Management Analyst for SSA.
- Steven Roberts - High School Scholarship Steven graduated from Del Mar High School and will be attending Foothill College.
He hopes to go into sports management. Steven's mother, Karen Roberts, is an Associate Management Analyst B with the Public Health
Department.
- Marcel Stieber - High School Scholarship Marcel graduated from Lynbrook High School and will be attending California
Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo with a major in mechanical engineering. His mother, Hella Bluhm-Stieber, is a
Medical Librarian at VMC.
- Alejandro Vidal - High School Scholarship Alejandro graduated from Sierra High in Manteca and will be attending California
State University Fresno with a major in Kinesiology. His mother, Marlene Vidal, is an ADSM in the Department of Social Services.
On April 10th Consuelo Collard informed the CEMA Executive Board that she would be leaving her position with the county
and taking a new position as Housing Services Manager with the Health Trust of Santa Clara County. Consuelo has been the CEMA
Secretary since she was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Delia Ho on July 12, 2004. Since that time Consuelo has been a
dedicated member of the CEMA Executive Board. She has also served as the chair of the Communications Committee and in that capacity
has been instrumental in the upgrades of the CEMAGRAM and the CEMA Website. The members of CEMA Executive Board and the CEMA staff
want to wish her well in her new career and to let her know that she will be missed.
Upon learning of Consuelo's resignation, the CEMA Liaisons were notified and asked to seek candidates to fill the Secretary vacancy.
Of the candidates who indicated interest, CEMA President, Edna Esguerra, chose Trish Haines (pictured right). Trish who is a Utilization
Review Supervisor for California Children's Services (Public Health) assumed her new duties on June 4th.
2007 CEMA Scholarship Applications
CEMA Scholarship applications are now available and may be downloaded here:
Applications may also be obtained by calling or emailing Rachel Martinez in the CEMA office: phone (408) 289-9196; email - rmartinez@sccema.org. The deadline for applying is April 30 th. Applications must be returned to the CEMA office: 1654
The Alameda, Suite 110, San Jose, CA
CEMA Officers
Uncontested for New Term
At the close of nominations at 5:00 pm on Friday November 17 th
only one candidate had filed for each available office. Therefore, the CEMA
Executive Board voted on November 20 th to cancel the CEMA
Election and declare the nominees elected. There will be some changes in the
new Executive Board. Former member-at-large, Dolores Morales will move to
the office of 2nd
Vice President and former 2ndVice President, Mark Hand, will
take on a member-at-large seat. The vacancy created by the retirement of
member-at-large, Carole LaBarbera, will be filled by Park Ranger Supervisor,
Eric Goodrich.
The new CEMA Executive Board will be:
- President..............................Edna Esguerra
- 1st Vice President................Richard Rapacchietta
- 2nd Vice President...............Dolores Morales
- Secretary.............................Consuelo Collard
- Treasurer.............................Peter Pham
- County Members-at-Large...
- Mark Hand
- Amando Cablas
- Eric Goodrich
- Court Member-at-Large....Mary Mitchell
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New CEMA Contract
The new CEMA Contract is available
here in Adobe PDF format. The Contract will be printed and mailed to CEMA
members. It should arrive around mid-November. |
| CEMA Election Notice |
The terms for CEMA Officers and Executive board members expire on December
31, 2006. The following offices are open: President, 1st Vice President, 2nd
Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, 3 members at large from the County Chapter
and 1 member at large from the Court Chapter.
The CEMA Executive Board is responsible for directing CEMA’s programs including
professional development, representation services and collective bargaining.
Detailed description of offices and duties can be found in the bylaws available
here on
the CEMA
Documents Page
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Nomination for Office
Nominations will be made by petition signed by at least five (5) members in good
standing. Members may nominate themselves. The nominating petition must be filed
at the CEMA office with the Chairperson of the Election Committee, Sheila
Stevens, no later than 5:00 p.m. on 11/17/06. A statement of candidacy from the
nominated person indicating his or her willingness to serve if elected must
accompany the petition. Petitions and statements may be faxed. If no one submits
a petition by the deadline, the Election Committee may nominate a candidate(s)
without a petition. Petitions may be downloaded
here.
Voting
Elections must be conducted by secured mail ballot. Only members in good
standing are eligible to vote. Proxy voting is prohibited. A plurality of valid
ballots cast shall determine the elected candidates. In the event of a tie vote,
a run-off election shall be conducted. The elected officers shall assume office
on the first calendar day of the new year or in the case of a run-off election,
at the first Executive Board meeting following the run-off election.
Challenges
Challenges to or disputes arising from the election must be submitted to the
Election Committee by 5:00 p.m. on 12/26/06. Challenges must be submitted in
writing and will be considered valid only if they cite specific violation(s) of
election rules, procedures or bylaws and if the alleged violation may have
affected the outcome of the election. Challenges should be directed to: Sheila
Stevens, Chair, Election Committee at the CEMA office. The Election Committee
shall investigate and resolve challenges within ten (10) business days of
receipt of the challenge. The Election Committee may order a rerun of all or
part of the election.
Appeals
Challenges or disputes which are denied or cannot be resolved by the Election
Committee, may be appealed in writing to the Executive Board within five (5)
business days of receipt of the Election Committee’s decision. Appeals should be
directed to Edna Esguerra, CEMA President at the CEMA office. The Executive
Board shall investigate and respond within ten (10) business days of receipt of
the challenge. Challenges will be considered valid only if they cite specific
violations of the election rules, procedures, and/or bylaws and if the alleged
violation(s) may have affected the outcome of the election.
Timelines - These are the official time lines governing this election
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11/17/06 | Nomination petitions and candidates statements due by 5:00 p.m. at
the CEMA office. Attention: Sheila Stevens, Chair, Election Committee. | |
11/30/06 | Ballots mailed to members. | |
12/15/06 | ballots due to CEMA office by 5:00 p.m. Ballots counted
immediately after 5:00 p.m. | |
12/18/06 | Election Committee submits election results to the Executive
Board. | |
12/26/06 | Any challenges/disputes regarding the election due to
Election Committee by 5:00 p.m. on 12/26. Any such challenges/disputes
filed will be resolved within ten (10) business days of receipt by the
Election Committee. |
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CEMA Members Vote to Ratify
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Mark Your Calendar
County Ratification Meetings
Sunday, August 13th 2 pm & 5 pm
Monday, August 14th 12 noon & 5:30 pm
Berger Drive Auditorium, Building 2 |
CEMA
Recommends
in the June Primary
Jim Beall for 24th Assembly
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Karyn Sinunu or
Dolores Carr for District Attorney
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Lawrence Stone or Pete McHugh for Assessor
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Ken
Yeager for Board of Supervisors District 4
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Yes on Measure A - Local Funds for Local Priorities |
Membership Meetings |
The CEMA Bargaining Committee has been
meeting to draft proposals based on our membership survey. Those draft
proposals will be presented at the membership meetings listed below for your
comment. Based on comments at these meetings the committee will finalize
CEMA's bargaining proposals for presentation to the County. These are
important meetings if you want input to the negotiations process. Please
plan to attend. |
Tuesday
May 16th |
Wednesday
May 17th |
Monday
May 22nd |
Tuesday
May 23rd |
Isaac Newton Senter Auditorium |
Berger Drive
Catalina Room |
Social Services
Auditorium |
Luther Burbank |
70 W. Hedding |
1555 Berger Drive
Bldg 2, 3rd
floor |
333 W Julian
Bldg1, 1st floor |
2400 Clove Drive |
12:00 - 1:15pm |
12:00 - 1:15pm |
12:00 - 1:15pm |
12:00 - 1:15pm |
CEMA Political Action Committee
Candidate Interviews |
Wednesday, March 8th
&
Thursday, March 9th,
2006
6 pm
Center for Training & Careers
1600 Las Plumas Avenue
Assembly Room
All members are urged to attend. |
CEMA Members Join Labor Effort as... |
Arnie's Agenda Voted Down! |
CEMA members joined in the labor effort to educate their
co-workers and the public about why it was important to vote "no" on Proposition
75. CEMA members called their co-workers from the CEMA office and phone banked
the general public from the South Bay Central Labor Council. The work that CEMA
members put in as well as the voluntary effort of other union members was
crucial in the Election out come.
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CEMA members take a break from phone banking
seated:
Cindie Yaste, Rose Geraci and Ruth Brennan
standing: Jelin Ordona
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Ultimately, the voters got the message and soundly defeated
Governor Schwarzenegger's slate of propositions including Proposition 75. The
passage of Proposition 75 would have hobbled the ability of public employee
unions, such as CEMA, to bargain effectively or to protect ourselves from
further political attacks such as Governor Schwarzenegger's proposal to gut
public employee pensions.
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| OE 3 Members demonstrate at Schwarzenegger Town Hall Meeting in
Sacramento |
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Help Us Defeat 75
Proposition 75 will require CEMA to get the written
authorization of each member each year before using any of their dues for
political purposes. Currently, the CEMA bylaws provide that $0.25 per pay period
will be set aside from each members dues for political action. Members currently
have the ability to designate that none of their dues be used for political
purposes. So, Proposition 75 would only result in a waste of CEMA staff time as
they went to each member each year asking for their signature. The result would
be reduced service to CEMA members and reduced effectiveness of CEMA. CEMA would
be placed at a disadvantage for next years negotiations and the Governor would
be able to place his pension proposals on next years ballot with significantly
less union opposition!
Help us defeat this anti-union proposal. CEMA members are calling CEMA members
to alert them to the need to vote no on Proposition 75. If you want to help make
phone calls, please contact Tom Starkey at 289-9691 x11. |
Membership Meetings |
| Date |
Wednesday, 9/14 |
Friday, 9/16 |
Monday, 9/19 |
| Location |
Berger Dr. Auditorium |
Luther Burbank Auditorium |
Isaac Newton Senter |
| Time |
11:30 - 1:30 |
11:30 - 1:30 & 4 pm - 6 pm |
11:30 - 1:30 |
We will review and discuss the "Contract Campaign Plan"
for both the County and the Courts.
The draft plan can be viewed
here
Contract Campaign Kick-off |
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Pictured (l. to r.)Callie Diefenderfer; Cory O’Yang;
Maricela Juana Garcia; CEMA President, Edna Esguerra;
Kyle Gilbert; and Ryan Ericksen |
2005 CEMA Scholarship Winners |
| CEMA takes pride in announcing the 2005 Scholarship winners. In the words of
CEMA's Scholarship Committee Chair, Dolores Morales, "This year we had several
extraordinary applicants. The high school applicants were extremely impressive
with a variety of life experience, academic performance in addition to other
extraordinary curricular, community and humanitarian activities. It was a very
difficult decision due to the quality of applicants." As a result the committee
recommended that CEMA grant eight scholarships instead of the usual seven. The
Executive Board accepted this recommendation. So, the winners are: High
School; Maricela Juana Garcia (daughter of CEMA member |
Patrick Garcia), Cory O’Yang (son of CEMA member Moonli Lui), Kyle Gilbert
(son of CEMA member Richard Gilbert), Xiu Ming Xu (son of CEMA member Aiping
Yu)and Callie Diefenderfer (daughter of CEMA Member Robin Diefenderfer)
Undergraduate; Aileen Aranovsky (daughter of CEMA member Rachel Aranovsdy)
and Philip Vega Esguerra (son of CEMA President, Edna Esguerra) Keith Garvey
Scholarship; this scholarship, named for the late CEMA President, is awarded
to an outstanding student who plans to dedicate his/her career to public service
and the winner is Ryan Ericksen (son of CEMA member Claudia Ericksen). Ryan
plans to be a Human Rights Advocate. Congratulations to all of our winners! | |
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Action Day
for a Better California
Join other County Employees, teachers, firefighters, nurses, and others
concerned about California's future for a rally against the Governor's so called
'reforms'. Rallies will be held on May 25th around the state, including the
nearest one in Morgan Hill.
The governor promised that he would not take special interest
money and that he would focus on the problems that Californians care about.
Instead, he is raising more special interest money than any governor in history,
shortchanging our schools by $2 billion, and leading efforts to privatize our
pensions. He vetoed legislation to reduce prescription drug costs and increase
the minimum wage.
Help send a message to the Governor that the "special
interests" that he keeps referring to are ordinary working people who want
quality services, health care, and a secure retirement. |
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Rally
Wednesday, May 25
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Morgan Hill
Corner of Monterey Street and Central Avenue |
CEMA Political Action Plan & Work Plan
Approved
CEMA's Political Action Committee
has prepared a
Political Action Plan
and a
Political Action
Work Plan. Both plans have been presented to the CEMA Executive Board
and were approved by the Executive Board on March 21, 2005. PDF versions of
both documents can be viewed by clicking their names above. |
The CEMA Executive Board
requests that CEMA members contribute to
Tsunami Relief
The Operating Engineers Federal
Credit Union is collecting funds which will go to SAVE THE CHILDREN.
Donations can be sent to:
OEFCU
PO Box 5073
Livermore, CA 94551
Make checks payable to: OEFCU Tsunami Relief Fund.
Or donations can be made on-line to
UNICEF |
"New" County Contract Available on Web
Posted 1-4-05 - CEMA and the County have put together a new
version of the CEMA contract (MOU) which incorperates all of the changes
resulting from the most recent extension. The new version can be viewed in PDF
format here. CEMA is having the new version printed and it
will be mailed to all CEMA members soon. |
Archives
CEMA Homepage articles posted prior to January, 2005 can be
found here.
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