Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO 
Local 132
7200 Greenleaf Ave 
Suite 380 
Whittier, CA  90602
 
Phone: 562-696-0142
Toll Free:
 877-788-6466
Fax: 562-696-0374
 
General email:  uwua@uwua132.org
 
 
Louis Correa
President
 
__________________________
 
UWUA National 
 
UWUA Local 483 Website
 
UWUA Local 522 Website
 
DLSE Division of Labor  Standards Enforcements
 
AFL-CIO
 
 
 California Federation of Labor,
 
 
Safety in the Workplace
 
 
 
Workers Comp Assistance 
   
Working Together - Skillfully and Safely Serving Our Communities with Pride

So Cal Gas Negotiations Update

On December 18, 2008, more than 130 Shop Stewards and Officers from both Unions and all locals met in Downtown Los Angeles to plan a mobilization strategy for the upcoming bargaining sessions with So Cal Gas.

In addition, it was agreed to hold a mass meeting of the memberships from both Unions and all locals on Sunday, January 25, 2009.

On January 5, 2009, the bargaining sessions with the Company will reconvene at a neutral location.

Everyone made it clear that no one wants or intends a strike, but So Cal Gas must understand that with a net income of $190 million for the first nine months in 2008 these massive takeaways are not acceptable.

Learn more at "Whatever It Takes"

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Local 132 Secretary/Treasurer Election Re-run Results 

The counting of the ballots took place at the offices of the American Arbitration Association in Los Angeles, California on Tuesday, December 30, 2008.

The current term of the Secretary/Treasurer position under the Local 132 constitution continues through August 31, 2011.

Helen Olague-Pimentel        833

Michael Barber               691

Blank                          5

Void                           4

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U.S. Representative Hilda Solis Nominated for Secretary of Labor

U.S. Representative Hilda Solis, was nominated for Secretary of Labor on December 19, 2008. Ms. Solis is currently serving her fourth term in Congress, representing California's 32nd Congressional District, and was re-elected to a fifth term in November 2008. Prior to her election to the House of Representatives, Ms. Solis was a member of the California state senate from 1994 through 2001. She was a member of the California state assembly from 1992 to 1994.

As a member of the House of Representatives, Ms. Solis served on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the House Committee on Natural Resources and the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.

Ms. Solis was a co-sponsor of the Fair Minimum Wage Act, which increased the federal minimum wage in 2007. Additionally, she authored legislation to provide $125 million for "green collar" job training, which was included in the energy reform bill signed into law in December 2007.

Ms. Solis was also a co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act. In her floor speech in favor of the Act, Ms. Solis stated, "I rise in strong support as a family member from a strong union background. My father was a shop steward for the Teamsters and my mother was a proud worker for the United Rubber Workers who worked tirelessly for 20 and 25 years. Without the help and protection we received in retirement benefits I know myself and my seven siblings would not be where we are today."

In nominating Ms. Solis, President-Elect Obama stated, "I know that Hilda will show the same kind of leadership as Secretary of Labor that she showed in California and on the Education and Labor Committee by protecting workers' rights – from organizing to collective bargaining, from keeping our workplaces safe to making our unions strong.

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U.S. Auto Makers Win Bridge Loan

Shortly before Christmas, President Bush granted a $13.4 billion bridge loan to General Motors and Chrysler, to keep the auto companies from going under and taking millions of American jobs with them.

"While we appreciate that President Bush has taken the emergency action needed to help America's auto companies weather the current financial crisis, we are disappointed that he has added unfair conditions singling out workers," said UAW President Ron Gettelfinger. "We will work with the Obama administration and the new Congress to ensure that these unfair conditions are removed, as we join in the coming months with all stakeholders to create a viable future for the U.S. auto industry."

Learn more at http://www.uaw.org/auto/12_19_08auto1.cfm

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Cervical Cancer Screenings For Union Women

The Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) has launched Cervical Cancer Prevention Works, labor’s own cervical cancer awareness project aimed at empowering union women to be aware of how to prevent this deadly disease. January is Cervical Cancer month, and union members are encouraged to get informed and get screened for cervical cancer.

Learn more at http://www.cluw.org/cervcancer.html 

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Q&A on USERRA - Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act

Drug Testing / Department of Transportation (DOT)
  List of Officers and Stewards by region
 
California Family Rights Act  
 
Understanding Medical Leave Laws
A Checklist for Preventing Supervisory Abuse
California Legislature Proposes Law That Would Mandate Paid Sick Leave

Quarterly Testing schedule 

Part Timers Page
 
By-Laws for Local 132
Reference Library
Union Agreement  2005
Glossary of Terms
Legislation Update
Social Security 
& Medicare Fact Sheet  
Shop Stewards Petition
Physician Pre-Designation Form 

UNIONS 101 Unions are working people working together to solve problems and build a stronger advantage on the job. Unions make it possible for workers to actively participate in the workplace about safety, security, pay, and benefits. Union workers earn about 30 percent more each week than nonunion workers and are much more likely to have health and pension benefits.

AFL-CIO

Here's our working family agenda:
Anyone who wants to work should have a job with a living wage.
Workers are proud of their work and should have the chance to do it right.
All workers and our families should be able to live in dignity with health care and retirement security.
Every worker should enjoy the freedom to form a union and bargain collectively.
Workers want to contribute to, and share in, building a world-class economy.

Something to Remember Now that You've Paid Your Taxes You may think you've paid off the tax obligations for just your household.  But you’re also footing the bill for American companies that are dodging billions of dollars of taxes.  Most major corporations have a tax department not just to comply with the tax code but also as a profit center according to the Center for Corporate Policy, a non-profit watchdog group.  Read More . . .

Civil Rights Lawsuit Filed After Five Union Organizers Assaulted In L.A.   While picketing a non-union building contractor in the Los Angeles Fashion District, five union organizers from the Ironworkers and the IBEW were attacked and hospitalized on Friday, March 14, 2008.  In response, 600 Building Trades and other union members protested the assault on Monday, March 17, 2008 at the construction site where the attacks took place.   Read more...

Reminder:  New Cellular Telephone Use Law will be effective July 1, 2008.     On February 4, 2006 Legislation was added in the State of California as Section 12810.3 of the Vehicle Code.    According to SB 1613, effective July 1, 2008, those caught talking on a hand-held cell phones while driving will be fined up to $50 per violation. Hands-free devices are permitted. The new law does not apply to individuals using a cell phone to contact a law enforcement or public safety agency for emergency purposes. In addition, it does not apply to emergency services professionals while operating an authorized emergency vehicle. Is Using A Hands-Free Cellular Telephone Really Safe?    FAQ's

The Department of Labor Changes the Family and Medical Leave Act       The DOL FMLA Changes to update the regulations under the 15 year-old Family and Medical Leave Act to include service-members.  In addition, other regulatory changes would include a more cumbersome medical certification process, eliminate medical information privacy by allowing an employer to communicate directly to a worker’s health care provider and request medical records, and require workers to make additional doctors visits at their own expense whenever the employer feels they need a clarification on the reason for requesting leave.

Strength

is

Unity

 

"Being

United

Can

Win

A

Fair

Contract"

 

Working

Together            

To

Keep

You

Safe