Star & Shield Magazine

Fantastic Turnout for PPOA BBQ; Dismal Turnout for LACERA Election

I want to thank everyone who joined us last month for PPOA’s 21st annual Pre-Labor Day BBQ at the Biscailuz Training Center. Although the weather was warmer than expected, we had a great turnout, and everyone enjoyed the event (see photos on page 29). Of course, the event wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible work of the PPOA staff: Rico Escalante, Clare Franco, Violet Moreno, Teresa O’Neil, Shannon Schreck, Kevin Thompson, Greg Torres, Maricela Villegas and Venice Wallace. Read More

Choices Open Enrollment and New Fringe Contract

On September 13, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted the new Choices medical and dental premiums and life insurance rates for next year, beginning January 1, 2023. By now, all active employees should have received the open enrollment book in the mail for the Choices health benefit plans. You have the entire month of October to make any changes to your current insurance coverages. If you choose not to make insurance changes during open enrollment, your current insurance coverages will roll over into 2023. Read More

Responsibilities Have Evolved for Custody Assistants … Why Not Retirement?

One of the issues most commonly voiced by our tenured Custody Assistants is our retirement. You put in the work, long hours and years of service — however, the percentages received don’t seem to equate to what you’ve done or been through. One misconception over the years is that retirement is a negotiated item through our memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the County. It is not. Therefore, an attempt to change it is not as simple as some may believe, and other aspects surrounding it would also have to change along with it. Read More

Union, County and LACERA Elections All Directly Impact PPOA Members

It looks as though summer is ending. We are deep in the midst of the sheriff’s election, and I get asked questions about it from many people. PPOA has decided that Alex Villanueva is the best choice for employees in the sheriff’s race. There are many who believe that Mr. Luna would fire all the non-vaccinated employees on day one or side with the Board of Supervisors on the issue of taking powers away from an elected sheriff. Read More

Updates on Contract Talks, LET Job Study, Training and More

Greetings, Unit 621 members. As of the writing of this article, our bargaining unit is still at the negotiations table. Many members have inquired about the $1,375 bonus. This bonus has been offered to us, but it cannot be paid until the contract is settled, ratified by PPOA members in Unit 621 and signed by the Board of Supervisors. The new pay raise would start October 1, but it will be retroactive because the contract won’t be secured before the end of September. Read More

The Fight Continues for Better Wages, Benefits and Working Conditions

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. Read More