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March 2003
Haz Mat:
We have a letter from the Public Employment Relations Board setting
a date of April 16, 2003 for an informal conference. This is to
discuss settlement of the unfair labor practice complaint they issued
against the County of San Bernardino. If no settlement is reached,
a formal hearing will be scheduled by the PERB.
I also spoke to the DOL regarding the complaint we filed. The informed
me they were meeting with the County and the District on Wednesday,
March 5th and would then schedule interviews of those people who
worked overtime but were not paid. They will most likely do an in-depth
discussion of the job requirements as well as what each person actually
does in the field, etc., so please be prepared. Also, anyone having
paperwork showing that the District knew they should pay you over
time please make copies and mail them to me, and have a copy handy
for the DOL investigator - even if you are not one of the people
being interviewed.
By the time you read this HazMat will have voted on the County's
offer for a contract. Kudos to Linda Armstrong for her letter to
the editor printed in the Press Enterprise. I do hope some of the
Board of Supervisor members read it. I have been led to believe
from the District side that the Board still thinks this group are
working with restaurants and food and that they don't understand
what the group really does. I don't know if this is the Districts
way of saying the Board is responsible for the impasse, but I can
hardly believe after all the paperwork and videos we gave them that
they don't understand. I think it is more likely the District trying
to lay the blame squarely on the shoulders of someone other than
themselves. They refuse to accept responsibility for their actions.
Small wonder the only two contracts that have been a problem this
past year are the contracts with the District.
DOL:
I also understand they will be looking at all classifications which
the County designate as "exempt" including supervisor
positions. So, for those in other areas such as Probation, Coroners,
or Welfare Fraud, also be prepared with information regarding your
position where it conflicts with the exemptions. And have two/three
years worth of overtime information ready.
Sheriff:
I just learned today that there is some angst over credit given
the Adelanto officers when they merged with our Sheriff Department.
I also just learned today that each officer was given "up to"
three years of credit in service for promotions, transfers, and
seniority scheduling. If they were on the Adelanto force for one
year, the credit is only one year. They were then given full "time
and rank" credit for vacation scheduling.
Welfare Fraud Investigators:
We are again at an impasse with regard to Colleen Krygier. She finally
answered my request asking for reconsideration of giving the Investigators
County time to attend a conference where they plan training, and
work with legislatures to help the County acquire a bigger share
of the money pot. Two weeks after I wrote it I get a "no"
of course…the day before they were to leave.
Ms. Krygier also put a stop last year to most of the investigators
attending their annual training at the CWFIA conference. However,
Ms. Krygier is able to take training on County time each month.
In fact, Ms. Krygier even encouraged the HSS Supervisors to attend
their annual conference. … all on County time. Last
year it was held at the Oak Glen Christian Conference Center …
themed "Relax for Success." As a matter of fact they even
had a yoga teacher there to demonstrate yoga and provide tips on
living a healthy lifestyle. I'm sure that had a lot to do with training
that inured to the County. What was it she said in the letter turning
down the investigators? "These meetings are not training sessions,
nor are they activities which staff have been directed to pursue
as a function of their position with the welfare fraud unit."
I suppose the "just for Fun" workshop designed to "bring
the child out in each of the attendees" is something that is
a "function of their position"???
Then we have the general meeting in August held at the Elks Lodge
where they got to spend the day and eat lunch all on County time.
And what about the N.E.W. State Conference in Palm Springs held
on County time?
Do you know what the difference is between those activities and
CWFIA and WICAN, and those of these other mentioned activities?
The only difference is that members of SEBA want to go to CWFIA
and WICAN, and the others don't belong to our association. Significant
difference, don't you think? The DOL will, too. I'm sharpening my
pencil!!
This is the only division/department in the County that habitually
blocks every avenue the employees try to take to better themselves.
Hopefully with the exit of John Michaelson his influence will quit
filtering down to the troops. We are very hopeful that the Investigators
will start getting a fair shake again and can get back to doing
their jobs, which is stopping welfare fraud and in turn making good
money for the county.
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