Issue # 15: October 25, 2022
Update from the President
Frankie Cocanour (2021-2022 Term)
Oregon Paid Leave Bargaining:
The bargaining team met with Shane Turner and Michael Blade yesterday to bargain for the Oregon Paid Leave MOA. We were able to come to an agreement, which included coming back to bargain once Oregon’s rules for the paid leave are finalized. Once the MOA is signed by both parties we will send a copy out in an update.
It is important for everyone to be aware that the college will start paying into the state in January, but per Oregon we cannot use it until September. When the rules for OPL are finalized Here is the signed MOA..
AFL-CIO Federal Credit Union:
Were you aware that there is a credit union that you can sign up for? Many of us were not aware.
How to sign up:
- Visit the AFL-CIO Employees Federal Credit Union webpage
- Click on Services and then Forms & Applications
- Scroll down to Membership, Accounts & Services and open the first item “Membership with Online Account Application”
- Create your Application document by entering the name of the Applicant(s) and click “Continue”
- Click “View & Sign All” to open your application.
- Click “Start” in the bottom right corner and adopt your “Signature” to autosign when the form is complete.
- Complete the necessary fields on the application
- Autosign and send the application back to the credit union.
- Take a legible photo of your non-expired, government issued picture ID and send it to the credit union at general@aflcioefcu.org or by Fax: 202-393-6279.
- An initial $5.00 deposit is required (Mail in a check or money order)
- If you can’t complete the application in one sitting, the Credit Union system will send a link for the form to your email. Because this is a private, financial matter, remember to use your personal email, not an employer email.
- Questions: Call 301-683-2800, 301-683-2776 or 301-683-2782
Federal Student Loan Relief:
You have until December 31, 2023. They will determine your eligibility then contact you if they need more information from you. Right now you can still apply, but the program is on hold.
Federal Student Loan Debt Relief
AFT Student Debt Resources
10/31 deadline for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. AFT will be hosting student debt clinic webinars up through the date – the sooner the better!
- AFT student debt clinic webinar registration: https://cvent.me/17XZka
- AFT landing page: https://aft.org/pslf
- AFT email: debtclinic@aft.org
- Leader toolkit: https://go.aft.org/pslfwaiverttoolkit
And thank goodness it started raining! Some of our members and colleagues live near the Cedar Creek Fire area and the rain has had to be such a relief to them. It’s been a relief to me. I Love being able to have my windows open and to walk outside and breathe fresh air!
Announcements and Reminders
DON’T FORGET TO WEAR RED ON WEDNESDAYS!
Executive Council Elections
Executive Council Positions:
- President
- Vice President of Organizing
- Grievance Officer
- Records Officer
- Officer At Large
EC Election Timeline:
- Nomination Window – Oct. 10th-24th
- October 31st- November 4th – Meet the Candidate zooms
- 12:01am – November 7th — 11:59pm November 20th – Election is open
- November 21st – Results announced
If you’d like to run, email us at elections@lccef.org. We’ll set up a google form for you. You’ll need to secure 10 “signatures” on those forms from members in good standing. You must get 10 signatures by 3:00PM on October 24th.
Newsletter Feedback
We want to hear from you! Please take a few minutes to give us your feedback on our Weekly Newsletter. Newsletter Feedback Survey Google Form
General Membership Meeting
Save the date for our next General Membership Meeting November 17th at 12 pm and 5:15 pm.
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88913139666
Vice President of Labor Relations
Buck Potter (2022-2023 Term)
I have been in a few Labor Relations meetings recently, and I want to remind our membership of their ‘Weingarten Rights.’ If you are in any meeting with Management or HR, and it appears that the meeting is heading towards disciplinary action, ask if the meeting is such, and immediately stop the meeting and invoke your Weingarten Rights. This will then allow you time to reach out to myself or the Grievance Officer to have us represent you at a rescheduled meeting with your Manager, HR or both.
Here’s some links concerning your rights as well:
https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/your-rights/weingarten-rights – Nat’l Labor Relations Board
http://48.osea.aft.org/resources/weingarten-rights-2 – Beaverton OSEA Chapter – Exact language to use should you be in a meeting that is potentially going disciplinary
A couple of the labor relations meetings I have been in have directly involved direct impediment of students’ abilities to learn, and limited their access to resources. Should you be dealing with this issue, please let me know. With the College currently concerned about enrollment, this should be a non-issue.
Finally, I have also heard some stories of bullying happening within departments. For myself, as being a former victim of bullying in my childhood, I will NOT Stand for this. Be respectful of people’s choices, beliefs and values. Aggressive or abrasive behavior should be paid attention to, and called out. PERIOD. Have an Awesome week!
Vice President of Organizing
Colin Vurek (2021-2022 Term)
MEMBER ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES!
Greetings LCCEF members! Starting very soon members will be able to attend LCCEF Executive Council meetings. They are every Monday, excluding holidays, at 3:00pm. All members can attend, however when the Executive Session begins members will be asked to leave the meeting for confidentiality purposes. Each week I will put the Zoom link in my Newsletter updates!
And please don’t forget that LCCEF members will be able to observe via Zoom. You can participate via chat in a separate Google chat room. I’ll be on both links.
I still have more union t-shirts available for Wear Red on Wednesdays! I’ll put the count below. If you are on campus, I’d love to deliver them personally to your office and meet you for a short chat.
To get your T-shirt mail me at: colinlccef@gmail.com
T-shirt sizes and count
- Small – 9
- Medium – 33
- Large – 32
- Extra Large – 6
I also have window clings and stickers for you to flaunt your support for your union! See below!
DON’T FORGET TO WEAR RED ON WEDNESDAYS! UNION STRONG!
Grievance Officer
Dawn Rupp (2021-2022 Term)
Currently there are no grievances but a few folks we are working with to have some resolution to the dysfunction with management. If you are in need of help please feel free to reach out to any of your Executive Council members. Our next labor mgmt meeting is 10/28/22.
I bring this bit of contract language to your attention because we have been focusing a lot on our physical health with COVID and smoke but have not spent very much time focused on mental health. I think that is the next MOA or bargaining topic we need to bring to the college.
12.7 Health and Safety
12.7.1 The Union and College agree that a safe and healthy work environment contributes to the prevention of injuries, accidents, and loss due to recognized hazards in the workplace. The parties will strive to maintain a safe and healthy work environment and will attempt to reduce risk and danger for all employees. An employee has the right to raise health and safety issues with the supervisor and/or the LCC Safety Committee. This partnership shall provide a channel for reporting and resolving safety concerns and issues in a timely manner.
12.7.2 The Union and the College agree that the maintenance of a safe and healthy work environment includes the expectation that all interactions among employees, and employees and managers, will be conducted with respect and courtesy.
Some ways to relieve stress
Exercise regularly
Exercise is one of the best ways to relieve stress and anxiety related problems. It regulates blood flow in the body and calms down the mind. If you can’t do aggressive exercises, regular relaxing exercises will also do. Try doing simple yoga asanas which ease breathing to ease your stress levels.
Meditation
Meditation helps calm racing and negative thoughts we keep getting anytime of the day. Doing meditation everyday for 15-20 minutes everyday will help to ease your thoughts and control your anxiety levels.
Aromatherapy and herbal teas
Aromatherapy is a soothing and relaxing way to ease your racing anxiety levels. You can use lavender oil to cure insomnia or even consume herbal teas to activate happy hormones. Consuming jasmine tea can be relaxing for those who don’t get adequate sleep due to stress. (I have a diffuser and salt lamp in my office)
Control caffeine consumption
Caffeine can disturb your sleep cycle leaving you stressed and anxious the following day. If you are trying to control your anxiety levels, it is important to keep a check on your caffeine consumption. Consider eliminating alcohol, coffee and tea from your daily routine.
And from Wendy Simmons
For your mental health, here are some suggestions:
1) Wellness release 1 hour/week (just a reminder you can take the one-hour in whatever way works best, e.g. four 15-minute walks, two 30 minute sessions, or whatever) and you can add this course, CRN 21738. It’s just on Moodle and Wendy Simmons has resources on this page focusing on different topics each week. For example, last week the topic was on emotional health and this week it’s on mindfulness. Here is one great resource on 25 Ways to Improve Emotional Health that you could share.
2) You are always welcome to join a wellness class anytime. Here’s the schedule for this term. If you have questions or need a link to a class, you can contact Wendy. Some classes are in person and some are on zoom.
3) You also have access to free confidential counseling and you can find more information here: https://inside.lanecc.edu/hr/benefits/employee-benefits-part-time-hourly#EAP
4) You can still join the fitness center for $45 using the employee CRN 21732.
Quote this week! ?
“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” — Christopher Robin from Winnie the Pooh
Treasurer
Linda Reling (2022-2023 Term)
Remember to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness before the Oct. 31 deadline!
Records Officer
VACANT (2021-2022 Term)
While currently vacant, this role is up for election this term and would be for two years in 2023-2024. Here’s your chance to get involved behind the scenes. Do you love taking minutes? The Executive Council needs your help! Please reach out to LCCEF President Frankie Cocanour at: cocanourf@lanecc.edu to express your interest.
Communications Officer
Marleena Pearson (2022-2023 Term)
Have you thought about how you can help our union this year? I know running for Executive Committee is a large commitment, jumping into the CAT or Worksite Leader roles might be too much or too unknown… but we have opportunities for every skill coming up. Maybe it’s a short term sub-committee we can have focused on one issue or a single event that will need assistance, could also be a regular task that could be completed that wouldn’t regular specific meeting times. Enjoy writing? Photography? graphic design? Talking to people? We have so many places to weave your skill in to make us stronger as we prepare for a year of bargaining. Contact us! LCCEF@lanecc.edu. We can have a conversation and find the best fit for you!
Thank you for the newsletter feedback so far, we will continue to put effort into improving it. Help us make this newsletter work for you! Newsletter Feedback Survey Google Form
Membership Officer
VACANT (2022-2023 Term)
Enjoy reaching out to new employees? Interested in working closely with Colin and Linda to build out union membership with organizing and tracking?
Chief Labor Delegate
VACANT (2022-2023 Term)
Enjoy meeting with fellow unions in the county? Learning about what events, organizing, and partnerships are being offered throughout Lane County? Anyone appointed to this position would continue to serve the remaining one year of term in 2023.
COPE Officer
Fiora Starchild-Wolf (2022-2023 Term)
ELECTION DAY IS NOVEMBER 8!
Things to do: VOTE!!!
By now, nearly everyone should have received your ballots. If you haven’t yet, please contact Lane County Elections at (541) 682-4234.
Lane County Elections is located at 275 W. 10th, Eugene.
If you have any type of ballot issue, or need assistance with voting, they are very friendly and usually able to help.
Voting Hint: LABOR ENDORSEMENTS
This is a link to the Union Guide to the General Election 2022 from Northwest Labor Press. This guide covers all of Oregon’s races, and gives information only if there is an endorsement from any union. If you do not see a candidate on this list, it is because they have NO union endorsements, so you can be certain that if you vote for the names on this list, they are labor friendly.
LCCEF Endorsements: These are candidates who have specifically reached out to our union, and through interviewing multiple candidates, and their stance on labor and higher education issues, have earned our endorsement.
Dawn Lesley for West Lane County
Tina Kotek for Governor
- Tina, among other things, helped create the new Paid Family Leave Act, and also raised the minimum wage in Oregon, something both of the other candidates opposed. This has directly helped some of our members.
Val Hoyle for Congress, 4th District
- Val Hoyle has been our Oregon Labor Commissioner, and has, in fact, given direct help to the LCCEF as we bargained last year.has made it clear that he is against labor unions, particularly public employees
- Val’s opponent, Alek Skarlotos, is very much anti- union and overall, anti-labor. He has a lot of out-of-state money pouring in, and his advertising makes him look very “reasonable”. His attack ads on Val Hoyle are also very “deft”–but use long ago information taken completely out of context with the actual issues he’s trying to paint. His complete lack of political knowledge or experience would make him beholden to those who are funding him from outside of Oregon. https://www.freedomfoundation.com/national/alek-skarlatos-fighting-corrupt-government-unions-with-the-freedom-foundation/
VACANT (2021-2022 Term)
This is another vacant position that is up for election this fall, anyone appointed would serve through the end of the year, so its a great way to try out the role! Are you a part- time timesheet employee who is looking to be more involved and help LCCEF build part-time power to increase benefits and working conditions for fellow part-timers?
Stay connected to LCCEF
Website: https://lccef.org/
Subscribe to Calendar: LCCEF Union Google Calendar
Email address: lccef@lanecc.edu