News

We often hear the saying, "Health is wealth," and it couldn't be truer.

We are a successful and thriving union, but a strong contract means little if members aren’t aware of our rights in the workplace and empowered to exercise them.

In this issue, we look back at the amazing work and incredible victories secured during the fall and winter of 2023, discuss helpful tips when considering retirement, and gear up for CAPE’s 60th Anniversary in 2024.
Our Winter 2021 CAPE Newsletter is now available!
  
Our quarterly newsletters are a great way to stay informed and keep track of all that we’ve accomplished as a union.

Take a break and join us  around the virtual watercooler.

We’re happy to announce that CAPE has come to a 6-month tentative agreement with L.A. County for a new short-term contract through March 31, 2022. 

By locking in this short-term contract, we secure our wages and working conditions while we gear up for a new long-term contract.

As part of our new contract agreement, we will meet with County-management in Department-level meetings to discuss critical issues facing our members such as open positions, staffing levels, contracting out, organizational matters and more in preparation for next year's negotiations.

Now that the Board of Supervisors has voted to approve our new nine-month Fringe Benefits Contract/MOU, the Auditor Controller will now begin dispersing the bonuses we secured as early as our November 15 or November 30 paychecks.
Need a break? Our CAPE Strength and Spirit Committee is happy to help with the newest installment of our Virtual Unity Break.

As previously reported, CAPE, in coordination with the Coalition of County Unions (CCU), has been involved in lengthy negotiations with the County over the Board of Supervisors’ COVID-19 vaccination mandate. Under California law, unions have the right to bargain over the “effects” of a mandatory vaccination program, though the employer has the management right to make the decision to have a mandate in the first place.

On September 21, CAPE held a Member Info Session via Zoom to give the latest updates on the new Vaccination Policy as well as help answer any member questions. Our Member Info Session featured an expert panel including our CAPE President, Carlos Clayton, our General Counsel, Blaine Meek, and Will Aitchison, founder/director of Labor Relations Information System and one of the foremost legal experts in the county on vaccination negotiations.

CAPE members joined together to spread a little light to one of our L.A. County co-workers and fellow CAPE member who is currently serving overseas. Eric Schuchman was recently deployed to Kuwait and will be there for at least 10 months. Our Community Service Team-sponsored letter-writing campaign was a huge success and we collected numerous messages of support to encourage Eric while he’s away.