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.

The Coalition of County Unions and CAPE wants to inform you of the temporary relief spending account changes that have been approved by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. Effective immediately, L.A. County has incorporated the following changes into their Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) and Dependent Care Spending Account (DCSA) plans:

United together, CAPE members in the Assessor Department have successfully pushed back against an unfair policy for overtime approval.

Over the last few months, Assessor Management unilaterally implemented a new policy standard for production rates that Appraisers and Appraiser Specialists would have to meet in order to be approved to work overtime. Upon seeing this, our representation team filed a Grievance General-In-Character to challenge the new policy as a violation of the overtime provision provided in our contract/MOU.

On April 15, the California Assembly voted to approve AB 1203, important legislation that would expand the pool of qualified applicants who may serve on the L.A. County Assessment Appeals Board.  The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Autumn Burke,  passed 53-14 and will now be moved to the State Senate.

CAPE has been a strong supporter of AB 1203 and worked to urge our allies in the California Assembly to vote in favor of this very important legislation.

Below is the official statment CAPE made to California Assemblymembers before their vote:

Congratulations to the newly appointed members of our 2021 CAPE Contract Bargaining Team!

Our 2021 CAPE Bargaining Team will represent all CAPE members in negotiations and work to preserve the achievements we’ve previously won, and bargain for new improvements in our wages, hours and working conditions.

In the coming months, our new team will work to negotiate contracts/MOUs for Units 131/132, 501/502 and 511/512. We are confident that our new Bargaining Team will not only represent their respective units, but will work for the good of the entire bargaining unit.

We are thrilled to announce new opportunities and updates to our CAPE Delegate Leader program. Our Delegates, members who volunteer their time to lead our union, are the lifeblood of CAPE and we’re striving to build an even stronger community.

CAPE Delegates and member-leaders can now sign up and take part in the following new speciality teams:

Our current CAPE contract secures an additional salary increase for members who have reached the last step in the wage scale.

If you have been on the last wage scale step for one year or more by January 1, 2021*, you will be receiving an additional half step increase, which is equivalent to an additional 2.75% salary increase. 

(*Please note, Appraisers on Step 6 and above in their salary range on the wage scale will receive the 2.75% increase.)

CAPE, united together with the Coalition of County Unions (CCU), has secured an agreement with the County to extend the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) through the end March 2021.

All CAPE/Blue Shield participants were recently mailed new ID cards for Ameritas dental insurance – a supplemental benefit automatically provided when enrolling in the CAPE/Blue Shield Lite or Classic Point of Service medical plans.

This is for the new coverage that became available under the CAPE/Blue Shield plans for 2021 and is not meant to replace your current dental plan through the County.