PPOA Board Member
Security Officer, LASD
ggarcia@ppoa.com
Good afternoon, fellow PPOA members. Just a reminder that these articles are written a few weeks in advance. So hopefully items I reference below will have occurred as expected. The most significant of these events is contract negotiations for Unit 621. We anticipate reaching a tentative agreement soon, and it will be up to you to ratify it. I assure you that I and everyone on the negotiations team fought tirelessly to secure a fair contract. From pay raises to uniform items, nothing in our contract is automatically given to us by the county. Please keep that in mind.
Before I proceed, I would like to wish Sheriff’s Security Officer Pingarron a happy and enjoyable retirement. He has worked for over 27 years for the Sheriff’s Department at various court assignments and was a longtime PPOA delegate. Thank you, sir, for your dedication and public service. I hope to see you at the PPOA Retiree Luncheon and the LASD Retiree Roundup. Keep in touch, and know that plenty of people wish you well.
On to other news: The uniform proposal is on track, as I finally received the forms from the Uniform and Equipment Committee. We are waiting on the next available date to present the change. In addition, we are showing the change in color for the polo shirt along with what I believe is the correct lettering on the back of the polo shirt. If the opportunity arises, I will also bring up the subject of the exterior vest. We can try and see how receptive the Department is to that. I don’t know what their input will be, so as I get more information, I will pass it along.
We have follow-up meetings with the County Services Bureau and College Bureau regarding the changes and the shortages occurring. Some of the concerns I have received will be addressed, and some have been brought up already, and that is why you have been given some direction.
As you will recall, one of my main concerns for our classification is 4850 time (IOD pay). As we speak, we are working on the wording and proposal, which will be given to the PPOA lobbyists in Sacramento. Based on that, along with our job description and duties, they will draft a proposed Senate Bill or Assembly Bill and seek an author (either a senator or assemblyperson). When we get the Senate or Assembly Bill assigned, we will need everyone’s assistance to let your senator and/or assemblyperson in your district know how important 4850 time is for us.
Some of you have seen the recent Fringe Benefits increases. The new contract was negotiated by the Coalition of County Unions (including PPOA) and includes more coverage in the next three years for our health care. Some of you might not think it is important, but as you know, health care rates always creep up. Negotiating is imperative to keep the costs low enough to remain affordable over the coming years.
In the last article, I mentioned your protective vest. I hope you have visited Logistics and have gotten properly fitted. As I write this, we are still dealing with Logistics about the timeline. But I would like to get feedback about how many have received it, how many have not and what issues are occurring. PPOA has to fight for protective gear on our behalf because even items that seem simple have a cost associated with them.
With the changes and shortages throughout the Department, we have been working extra shifts and numerous assignments, so please make sure to check on your partners. We all have a job to do, but we want the best for each and every one of us.
I have been asked about the status of the Sheriff’s Department and the associate’s degree requirement added for current members trying to promote to Deputy Sheriff. We have sent a formal letter with the reasons why it is important to maintain current employees, and we are awaiting an answer. I will relay updates to you as I receive them.
Lastly, the holidays are approaching, and that’s when life can seem overwhelming. Please take a breather when needed and remember that everything will be OK. Take one step at a time, and the next thing you know, you will have walked a mile and then some.