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<!--Generated by Squarespace Site Server v5.9.2 (http://www.squarespace.com/) on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:37:27 GMT--><feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"><title>Home</title><subtitle>Home</subtitle><id>http://www.unitedforla.org/home/</id><link rel="alternate" type="application/xhtml+xml" href="http://www.unitedforla.org/home/"/><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.unitedforla.org/home/atom.xml"/><updated>2010-02-08T19:58:17Z</updated><generator uri="http://www.squarespace.com/" version="Squarespace Site Server v5.9.2 (http://www.squarespace.com/)">Squarespace</generator><entry><title>LA Professionals: "We're Joining the Fight for City Services"</title><id>http://www.unitedforla.org/home/la-professionals-were-joining-the-fight-for-city-services.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.unitedforla.org/home/la-professionals-were-joining-the-fight-for-city-services.html"/><author><name>United for L.A.</name></author><published>2010-02-05T23:45:00Z</published><updated>2010-02-05T23:45:00Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<p><em>February 5, 2010</em>&#151;LA City professionals pressed the LA City Council to put off a harmful plan to lay off 1,000 employees. But Mayor Villaraigosa is pushing ahead with his plan. On February 4, he pledged to speed up implementation of the Coalition of LA City Unions agreement for early retirements and transfers&mdash;but also threatened to move forward with 1,000 layoffs.</p>

<p><strong><em><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><img src="http://www.unitedforla.org/storage/michael_hunt.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1265658650560" alt="" /></span><span style="font-size: 120%;">"The City needs to work with us to fill specifically funded positions with general fund ones. We are pressing the Council to make intelligent budget decisions."</span></em></strong> -Michael Hunt, Transportation Engineer, Department of Transportation.</p>]]></summary></entry><entry><title>LA City Engineers and Professionals Begin Day 1 of Contract Negotiations</title><id>http://www.unitedforla.org/home/la-city-engineers-and-professionals-begin-day-1-of-contract.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.unitedforla.org/home/la-city-engineers-and-professionals-begin-day-1-of-contract.html"/><author><name>United for L.A.</name></author><published>2009-12-17T00:14:00Z</published><updated>2009-12-17T00:14:00Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<table width="100%" align="right" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
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<em>December 16, 2009</em>&#151;Just three weeks after officially becoming members of SEIU Local 721, City of Los Angeles professionals and engineers on Tuesday presented their initial bargaining proposals to the City and demanded a comprehensive budget overview from the City. <br /><br /><font style="font-size: 1.25em;"><b>Core principles of the proposals include:</b></font><br /><br /><b>▪ An immediate end to furloughs<br />▪ No layoffs, cuts, takeaways or steps backward<br />▪ Ensuring public work is done by public workers</b><br />
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<font style="font-size: 0.8em;"><xsmall>MOU 8 bargaining team members, from left: Terry Keating, Chad Doi, Nady Maechling, Bryan Low, Patricia Huck, Azar Nejad, John Hawkins, Eric Maya. Not pictured: Kris Flaig.</xsmall></font></td>
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</tbody></table>]]></summary></entry><entry><title>Election Results: MOU 8 Members Elect Bargaining Team</title><id>http://www.unitedforla.org/home/election-results-mou-8-members-elect-bargaining-team.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.unitedforla.org/home/election-results-mou-8-members-elect-bargaining-team.html"/><author><name>United for L.A.</name></author><published>2009-12-03T01:36:07Z</published><updated>2009-12-03T01:36:07Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<p><em><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><img src="http://www.unitedforla.org/storage/MOU8ballotcount_sm.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1259967797928" alt="" /></span></span>December 2, 2009</em> &mdash; Members of MOU 8 have elected a bargaining team (seven members and two alternates) to negotiate with the City of Los Angeles starting later this month. Here are the results of the ballot tally conducted earlier today at the Public Works building:</p>
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<td><strong>Public Works</strong> - Nady Maechling<br /> <strong>Building and Safety</strong> - Chad Doi<br /> <strong>Proprietary</strong> - Bryan Low<br /> <strong>ITA/PD</strong> - John Hawkins<br /> <strong>Transportation</strong> - Eric Maya<br /><br /></td>
<td valign="top"><strong>At-Large</strong> - Terry Keating<br /> <strong>At-Large</strong> - Azar Nejad<br /> <strong>Alternate</strong> - Patricia Huck<br /> <strong>Alternate</strong> - Kris Flaig</td>
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<p><br /> Questions? For more information, <a href="http://www.unitedforla.org/send-message/">send a message</a> or contact Kevin Ihrke at 213-321-7522.</p>]]></summary></entry><entry><title>It's Official: SEIU 721 Is the Union for MOUs 8 and 17</title><id>http://www.unitedforla.org/home/its-official-seiu-721-is-the-union-for-mous-8-and-17.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.unitedforla.org/home/its-official-seiu-721-is-the-union-for-mous-8-and-17.html"/><author><name>United for L.A.</name></author><published>2009-11-23T19:38:00Z</published><updated>2009-11-23T19:38:00Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<p><table width="300" align="right" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3">
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<font size="1">City of Los Angeles engineers, professionals and supporters celebrate the Employee Relations Board's certification of SEIU as the official bargaining representative for MOUs 8 and 17.</font>
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<p><em>November 23, 2009</em>&mdash;November 23, 2009&#151;The City of Los Angeles Employee Relations Board officially certified SEIU Local 721 today as the bargaining representative for MOUs 8 and 17, which clears the way for contract negotiations to begin in December.</p>
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As they celebrated the Board's decision, members of MOUs 8 and 17 said they looked forward to going into contract negotiations, and working together with their City colleagues to make real improvements.</p>]]></summary></entry><entry><title>Voting Begins to Elect MOU 8 Bargaining Team</title><id>http://www.unitedforla.org/home/voting-begins-to-elect-mou-8-bargaining-team.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.unitedforla.org/home/voting-begins-to-elect-mou-8-bargaining-team.html"/><author><name>United for L.A.</name></author><published>2009-11-17T17:39:00Z</published><updated>2009-11-17T17:39:00Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<table align="right" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="170">
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<strong>MOU 8 Bargaining Survey</strong>
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<li><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Zzfn3Kh5MV_2blg6Kd_2fYxXaw_3d_3d"><strong>Use a web form</strong></a> and submit online.
<li><a href="http://unitedforla.squarespace.com/storage/MOU8-Bargaining-Survey-FillSave.pdf"><strong>Fill out a survey</strong></a> to save, email and print.
<li><a href="http://unitedforla.squarespace.com/storage/MOU8_bargaining_survey.pdf"><strong>Download a PDF</strong></a> to fill out in hard copy.</ul>
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</table><p><em>November 17, 2009</em>&#151;Voting begins this week for the MOU 8 bargaining team election. MOU 8 members: Return your completed ballot by mail or hand-deliver it to Local 721 no later than Tuesday, Dec. 1. Ballots will be counted on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at SEIU 721, 500 S. Virgil Ave., Los Angeles.</p>
<p>If you haven't received your ballot at home by Friday, Nov. 20, call 213-321-7522 or  <a href="mailto:kevin.ihrke@seiu721.org">send an email</a> to request a replacement.</em></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.unitedforla.org/storage/MOU8_BTcandidate_summaries.pdf">Meet the candidates for MOU 8 bargaining team</a> (pdf).</strong><br />]]></content></entry><entry><title>SEIU Membership Meeting Update and Important Documents</title><id>http://www.unitedforla.org/home/seiu-membership-meeting-update-and-important-documents.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.unitedforla.org/home/seiu-membership-meeting-update-and-important-documents.html"/><author><name>United for L.A.</name></author><published>2009-11-09T20:43:06Z</published><updated>2009-11-09T20:43:06Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<table border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="10" width="200" align="right">
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<h3>Meeting Handouts:</h3>
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<li><a href="http://unitedforla.squarespace.com/storage/110709agenda.pdf">Meeting Agenda</a></li>
<li><a href="http://unitedforla.squarespace.com/storage/BTguidelines.pdf">Bargaining Team Election Guidelines and Procedures</a></li>
<li><a href="http://unitedforla.squarespace.com/storage/MOU%208%20BT%20Petition.pdf">Bargaining Team Nomination Form</a></li>
<li><a href="http://unitedforla.squarespace.com/storage/MOU8_bargaining_survey.pdf">Bargaining Survey</a></li>
<li><a href="http://unitedforla.squarespace.com/storage/721%20Meet%20the%20Board.pdf">Meet the SEIU 721 Executive Board</a></li>
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<h3>Meeting Minutes:</h3>
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<li><a href="http://unitedforla.squarespace.com/storage/110709_MOU8_minutes.pdf">Meeting Minutes</a></li>
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<div><span><em>November 9, 2009</em>&mdash;What an exciting time as MOU 8 builds a new union.&nbsp;This past Saturday, Nov. 7, was the first SEIU MOU 8 General Membership meeting where members learned about the bargaining team structure, how to be nominated on the bargaining team ballot, and the timeline for the bargaining team elections.&nbsp; </span></div>
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<div><span>Now is the time to get involved in shaping this union the way you want it.&nbsp;As the city continues cutting pay by 10% and with layoffs still pending, it is crucial MOU 8 has a bargaining team in place and ready to fight for a strong contract. Let's press on and shape this new union together.&nbsp; </span></div>
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<div><span>Be excited and of course, be involved! Information from the meeting, including handouts and meeting minutes, is available here.<br /> </span></div>]]></summary></entry><entry><title>MOU 8 Launches Effort for a New Contract in First Meeting</title><id>http://www.unitedforla.org/home/mou-8-launches-effort-for-a-new-contract-in-first-meeting.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.unitedforla.org/home/mou-8-launches-effort-for-a-new-contract-in-first-meeting.html"/><author><name>United for L.A.</name></author><published>2009-10-30T21:45:10Z</published><updated>2009-10-30T21:45:10Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<i>October 30, 2009</i>&#151;Three dozen MOU 8 members representing their coworkers recently came together at SEIU for their first leadership meeting. They took the first steps to bargain a new contract together with SEIU. They established the bargaining team nomination process, including how to structure the bargaining team, and set the date for a bargaining survey to be ready at the membership meeting on Saturday, November 7. <a href="http://www.unitedforla.org/storage/Bargaining%20Team%20Nomination%20Form.pdf"><b>Download a bargaining team nomination form here (pdf)</b></a>.<br />]]></summary></entry><entry><title>ERIP Window Officially Opens Monday, Nov. 2</title><id>http://www.unitedforla.org/home/erip-window-officially-opens-monday-nov-2.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.unitedforla.org/home/erip-window-officially-opens-monday-nov-2.html"/><author><name>United for L.A.</name></author><published>2009-10-29T18:03:00Z</published><updated>2009-10-29T18:03:00Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<i>October 29, 2009</i>&#151;Tomorrow the City Council will take up the second and final reading of the Early Retirement Incentive Program (ERIP) ordinance, following the 30-day period required for all pension changes. The ERIP window will officially open on Monday, Nov. 2, at 8 a.m. <b><a href="http://www.seiu721.org/erip.php">More information is available at SEIU 721's ERIP page</a></b>.]]></summary></entry><entry><title>Update on MOU 8 and 17 Transition to SEIU</title><id>http://www.unitedforla.org/home/update-on-mou-8-and-17-transition-to-seiu.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.unitedforla.org/home/update-on-mou-8-and-17-transition-to-seiu.html"/><author><name>United for L.A.</name></author><published>2009-10-24T01:53:00Z</published><updated>2009-10-24T01:53:00Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<p><em>October 23, 2009</em>&mdash;You may have heard the news today LA City members in SEIU and four of the other Coalition unions have <a href="http://www.seiu721.org/2009/10/seiu-721-and-the-coalition-of-la-city-un.php"><b>voted to ratify</b></a> the agreements that move forward with early retirements instead of massive layoffs and preserve hard-won protections against furloughs and layoffs for the rest of this fiscal year and next.</p>
<p>Please be advised that SEIU is doing everything possible to speed the official Employee Relations Board certification of MOUs 17 and 8 so bargaining with the City can begin as quickly as possible.</p>]]></summary></entry><entry><title>SEIU Memo to the City Administrative Officer</title><id>http://www.unitedforla.org/home/seiu-memo-to-the-city-administrative-officer.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.unitedforla.org/home/seiu-memo-to-the-city-administrative-officer.html"/><author><name>United for L.A.</name></author><published>2009-10-21T10:53:00Z</published><updated>2009-10-21T10:53:00Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<p><em>October 21, 2009</em>&#151;SEIU Director Julie Butcher sent a <a href="http://www.unitedforla.org/storage/101909memo.pdf">memo</a> to City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana on Monday notifying the City that SEIU expects to be certified in November as the official union of the City employees in MOUs 8 and 17, and expects to be prepared to sit down with the City by the middle of December.&nbsp;<br> <a href="http://www.unitedforla.org/storage/101909memo.pdf"><strong>Read the full SEIU memo here (10/19/09)</strong></a> | <a href="http://unitedforla.squarespace.com/storage/102109CAOmemo.pdf"><strong>Read the CAO's memo in response (10/21/09)</strong></a></p>]]></content></entry></feed>