Issue # 26: January 31, 2023
Update from the President
Frankie Cocanour (2022-2024 Term)
AFT-Oregon Representative:
I made it my goal for Saturday that when I went to AFT’s Winter School I would either be meeting our new AFT representative or I would be asking for someone to help us since we are at such a crucial time in getting ready to bargain. By chance when I was called out in a class to state when our contract ended and where we were in the bargaining phase I explained how we didn’t have a representative. This person in the front corner of the class pointed at me and told me that we “needed to talk”. Turns out that her name is Miche Dreiling and she is an AFT representative that lives here locally. We spoke for a short period of time before the next class. After that class I went and discussed it with Jaime Rodriguez the AFT-Oregon president and he agreed that she would be a good representative for us and that when they do their reorganization later this year, she would have become our new representative anyways. So there you have it. We are so lucky really to have her. She is very knowledgeable and has this great energy that will be helpful with our bargaining. I can’t wait to be able to introduce her to all of you at our next union meeting.
Bargaining and CAT:
I know I keep discussing joining the CAT team. That is because we are reaching the point where having a strong CAT team is so vital to our success in bargaining. While the bargaining team is at the table with administration we can use your help as CAT members with communicating to other members what is happening as it happens and it would help to have members with us. This is the team you can join if you do not have a lot of time to dedicate to union work. Just a few hours here and there can make all of the difference.
United we bargain, divided we beg.
Quote from Aft- Oregon Winter School
I would like to add one last note. During lunch at the AFT Winter School president Jaime Rodriguez who was friends with Alen Bahret took time to talk about Alan.He talked about some of the work that Alen did for AFT and some kind words about Alen as his friend. Jaime then asked all of us to bow our heads together in a moment of silence for Alen. Earlier in the week Jaime and I discussed their friendship and how he was disappointed that Winter School was held the same day as Alen’s service. It was nice to hear that Alen is cared for by so many people in the union.
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Announcements and Reminders
DON’T FORGET TO WEAR RED ON WEDNESDAYS!
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Vice President of Labor Relations
Buck Potter (2022-2023 Term)
While I didn’t go up for the AFT Oregon Winter School, I was at the memorial service for Alen Bahret, as the LCCEF Representative and also did sound for the service as well. It was a beautiful service, and an amazing send off for a man who gave 35 years of service to LCC, and also as an LCCEF Officer.
I also wanted to bring this back as we need a regular reminder of this. Keep being vigilant to using your Weingarten Rights for disciplinary conversations from Managers. Please Do Not Be Afraid To Use Them!
Here’s some links concerning your rights as well: Weingarten Rights | National Labor Relations Board – Nat’l Labor Relations Board
Dawn Rupp our Grievance Officer is out of the office until February 9th. If you are having labor issues or think that you might have a grievance with a manager please send me an email and I will assist you.
Vice President of Organizing
Colin Vurek (2023-2024 Term)
We have a new AFT representative at last! Miche Dreiling is joining our team! We are so pleased that she will be in bargaining with the LCCEF once our new session dates are set.
Also the Executive Council meetings date and time has changed to Wednesday mornings at 11am. Members are allowed to observe for a portion of the meeting until there are items that may be confidential. Below is the link for the next meeting this Wednesday, February 1, 2023.
Be on the lookout for a bargaining survey coming soon!
Join Zoom Meeting: https://lanecc.zoom.us/j/99092665560
Meeting ID: 990 9266 5560
One tap mobile: +12532158782,,99092665560# US (Tacoma)
Dial by your location: +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
I just ordered a new batch of T-shirts. It’s a brand new look! We should have all sizes available in about a month.
This week I’m starting to work with new Membership Chair, Skye Nguyen on some actions such as a membership drive and a few rallies during bargaining.
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To get your T-shirt email me at: colinlccef@gmail.com
T-shirt sizes and count
- Small – 9
- Medium – 33
- Large – 31
- 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 (2023-2024 Term)
Happy fourth week of term!
I am out on medical until February 9 but will be looking at all emails that come my way and helping out where I can with union issues.
Feel free to reach out to any EC member as they will be covering for me.
If you have someone that you would like to recognize for a job well done consider sending them some chocolate. https://inside.lanecc.edu/cpdt/random-acts-chocolate
Check out the following wellness opportunities for employees for Winter 2023 at https://inside.lanecc.edu/wellness/employee-wellness-classes
Quote(s) of the week:
From the weekly:
Are You Currently Claiming Exempt on Your 2022 W-4?
If you are claiming EXEMPT from federal and state tax withholding, a new Federal W-4 form for 2023 and a new Oregon W-4 form for 2023 must be completed and turned in by February 15th.
If new forms are not received by the deadline, effective with the 2/25/2023 paycheck, payroll taxes will be withheld at the “Single or Married filing separately” withholding rate for federal, and the “Single with 0 Allowances” withholding rate for state. W-4 forms can be accessed on the HR website: https://www.lanecc.edu/hr/forms-library.
Submitted by Aneita Grogan
From payroll team:
For those employees who signed up to receive your W-2 electronically, please follow the directions below to retrieve your electronic copy of the W-2:
ExpressLane
Navigate to lanecc.edu
Select the yellow “Menu” tab in the upper right hand corner
Select the “Employees” link on the left hand side of the page
Scroll down to the “Tools and Resources” section, and select “ExpressLane”
Log in using your L number and Password
At the Main Menu select “Employee Services”
Select “Tax Forms”
Select “W-2 Year End Earnings Statement”
Select 2022 from the “Tax Year” drop down menu
Click the “Display” button
At the bottom left-hand side of the screen click the “Printable W-2” box
For employees who did not consent to receive an Electronic W-2, the paper W-2’s will be mailed out no later than Tuesday, January 31st. All employees can access a copy of their W-2 in ExpressLane by following the above steps.
Regards,
The Payroll Team
One last thing…I was interested in bios for VP of Student Affairs and was sent this link https://sites.google.com/lanecc.edu/vpsa-presentations/hom
THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE
I KNOW ARE EVALUATING
AND IMPROVING THEMSELVES.
THE UNHAPPY PEOPLE
ARE USUALLY EVALUATING
AND JUDGING OTHERS.
~Mermaid Musings
Treasurer
Linda Reling (2022-2023 Term)
I am excited for winter school! I am sure we’ll come back inspired and ready to tackle the upcoming full contract bargaining.
Records Officer
Tracy Weimer (2022-2024 Term)
Welcome the year of the Rabbit. Note that today (Imbolc) we are halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox; as we celebrate the festival of lights, let’s also welcome the lengthening days. It is a bit chilly and seems early to start on spring cleaning, <laughs in hidden> every year I intend on planting a salsa garden and usually the chance slips by, potential plants thus escaping my black thumb(s) another time.
Communications Officer
Marleena Pearson (2022-2023 Term)
Welcome the year of the Rabbit. Note that today (Imbolc) we are halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox; as we celebrate the festival of lights, let’s also welcome the lengthening days. It is a bit chilly and seems early to start on spring cleaning, <laughs in hidden> every year I intend on planting a salsa garden and usually the chance slips by, potential plants thus escaping my black thumb(s) another time.
Membership Officer
Skye Nguyen (2022-2023 Term)
Your Benefit Info of the Week
Hello everyone! A few other officers and I went to winter school this last saturday. I learned quite a bit about how to oragnize and plan which will help with reaching goals for membership. I also learned a bit more about bargaining which is a very important topic right now as a lot of you may know. I am looking forward to using the new tools and knowledge gained from this experience to better help us all come together as a union!
Another thing to report is I am looking forward to work towards building our membership very soon as I have began to grasp responsibilities as my role as membership officer. If you know a colleague who has not joined the union yet chat with them and invite them to join us, we are stronger together after all!
If there are any questions about membership or someone has interest is joining they can reach out to me or fill out the membership form to send to me (nguyens@lanecc.edu). 🙂
Membership Cards
We noticed a lot of members may not have membership cards. This membership card has your member ID on it and can help prove that you are apart of the union! Please complete this quick Google form and we will request a membership card for you! If you already have a membership card please do not submit this form.
Your Benefit Info of the Week
Did you know that members get some really useful benefits? This week we are highlighting Union Scholarships. The deadline for Union plus scholarships is coming to a close January 31st, 2023. If you or someone in your family is going to school or planning to get started with college get in to apply to these scholarships!
Find out what other benefits you are qualified for as union members by going to AFT.org.
Resources you may need!
Chief Labor Delegate
Mark Jordan (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)
First, let me apologize for not being able to update in the past couple of weeks. My Mom passed away December 23, and I’ve been out much of the time since then.
I did send an update out to all of you through email the first week of January, as we watched the beginning of the selection process for Speaker of the House. This was the first time in exactly 100 years that the Speaker wasn’t elected in the first round, cleanly and easily. Though there has been some “spin” from some circles that having to vote 15 separate times in order to get a majority for Speaker Kevin McCarthy was, in fact, a show of “democracy working”, that isn’t really the case. Here’s why:
- The floor vote has always been largely ceremonial. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t “democratic”. It means that, with exceedingly rare exceptions, the party that wins the House majority in the Election in November usually completes their process of choosing their candidate for Speaker before the House vote the following January.
- That first day
Officer At Large
VACANT
We are looking for a 1039 employee that cares about what rights the 1039 classified professionals have with the new contract. Are you frustrated with how 1039 classified professionals are being used to fill long term positions with no real benefits? Would you like more control over how you are treated by management? If this fits you please reach out. It is hard for LCCEF EC to know exactly what is needed at this time because we are all full-time contracted. Please contact an EC member if you are interested.
Stay connected to LCCEF
Website: https://lccef.org/
Subscribe to Calendar: LCCEF Union Google Calendar
Email address: lccef@lanecc.edu