Hi everyone!
I wanted to provide some updates for CSUEU Chapter 324. We want to ensure that everyone is kept informed of Union business and opportunities for involvement.
Open Positions
Chapter 324 now has three open positions:
- Vice-President
- Unit 7 Representative
- Chief Steward
Santos Ortega recently took another position in the Bay Area, for which we had to bid him a hasty goodbye. We appreciated his involvement and commitment while he was around, and we wish him the best in his new endeavors.
If anyone is interested in getting involved, please contact me directly! The Chapter President has the power to appoint someone to the Vice-President or Unit 7 Representative role throughout the year. The Chief Steward will be elected by all active stewards after our chapter steward training (see below). This is YOUR CHANCE to contribute to the Union.
Steward Training
Chapter 324 will hold beginning steward training on Friday, September 25th, 2009 and Saturday, September 26th, 2009 at Channel Islands. If you are interested in becoming a steward, and you happen to be in Furlough Group B, please let me know! We will add you to the attendee list and get you into the training. We need more eyes and ears out on campus making sure our contract is being upheld and helping those who need some guidance to navigate the contract.
Coastal Cleanup
Our Volunteer Coordinator, Kimberly Gardner, has found a wonderful volunteer opportunity. Coastal Clean Up Day is set for September 19th, 2009 from 9:00am to 12:00pm. The Camarillo location will be on Mission Oaks Blvd at Oak Canon Road. Chapter 324 would like to get a group of Union activists together for this opportunity. This is a great opportunity not only to show your Union pride, but also to get in some easy student community service hours for those of you with young children. Bring your families and friends! Contact Kimberly Gardner (kimberly.gardner@csuci.edu) and let us know if you will make it!
Link: http://vccoastcleanup.org/Index.cfm
Furlough Question – Why is my PERS retirement deduction smaller than in non-furlough paychecks? Does this mean my retirement benefits will be less?
A new question was posted to the Furloughs FAQ available at the CSUEU website. Earlier this week I had sent along some clarification on the Union dues reductions, but some employees have asked me about the smaller contributions to PERS with the first furlough check. I wanted to provide some clarification for this issue.
The PERS deduction is based on your gross salary – after pay has been reduced for furloughs. Your retirement benefit will not be affected by this change, as it will be based on your salary before your pay is reduced for furloughs. In effect, PERS will be funded less this year by our reduced contributions, but PERS will be required to compensate our pensions at the pre-furlough rate. This creates a situation known as “underfunding” to PERS, and the difference will need to be made up at some point in the future, but your overall retirement payout will remain the same despite the smaller funding.
In Union,
Joseph Dobzynski, Jr.
CSUEU Chapter 324 – President