In the next few months, SEIU 721 Riverside County members have an opportunity to negotiate for contract improvements on two important topics — retiree medical benefits and job parity fairness. Nominations are now closed and ballots went out this week to elect two bargaining teams to represent each respective units.
Ballots must be received by 5 p.m., Thursday, May 1, 2014, at the SEIU 721 Riverside office, 6177 River Crest Dr., Ste. B, Riverside, 92507.
In addition to mailing back your ballot, you can drop it off at the Riverside office, or if you didn’t receive one in the mail, you can pick one up. There will also be rolling on-site drop boxes. More information to follow. Please contact the 721 Member Connection at (877) 721-4YOU if you have any questions.
Below are candidate statements for each bargaining unit and the respective team they are nominated for. Statements are limited to 50 words. Click here to download candidate statements for all teams and units.
Professional Unit (SE2)
Job Parity Bargaining Team Candidates
Edward Steven Araiza – Social Service Worker II
I have been employed as a social worker for seven years with DPSS. I have been through several changes including furloughs and withholding of step increases. I have been a strong supporter of the union in order to protect my pay and benefits. I hope to be selected to bargain
Sue Brown – Medical Social Worker II
I want to be a voice for social workers along with all other allied health professionals.
John Chavez – Medical Social Worker II
Willing to advocate and express value of Medical Social Workers.
Joseph Henderson – Clinical Therapist I
I have interest in representing Social Services as well as the membership body at large.
Manuela Mayorga – Housing Specialist II
Manuela has been with the Housing Authority 8 years now and has been an active member of the union. I think she would be an active and influential addition to the bargaining team.
Steven Prado – Social Service Worker II
I have 10 years with the County and 7 with Children Services. I have knowledge of the different programs within CPS.
Holly Reeves – Development Specialist III
Beacause she will have our backs.
Barry Tantlinger – Contracts & Grants Specialist III
Barry is a seasoned contract professional with a passion for public service. He is very articulate and able to negotiate well. He is flexible and tactful and will be able to bring a “hands on” approach to the process.
Sylvia Vassar – Case Manger
I would love to join this team and help institute new creative ideas and methods to improve wages and benefits for County employees as well as fight for their right to fair treatment at the workplace. I have been a career counselor for 18 years. I would love to use
Medical Retiree Benefits Bargaining Team Candidates
Sue Brown – Medical Social Worker II
I want to be a voice for social workers along with all other allied health professionals.
John Chavez – Medical Social Worker II
Willing to advocate and express value of Medical Social Workers.
Diane Felix – Development Specialist III
Served on last years bargaining team, have the bargaining experience, courage and stomach to deal with the county!
Barbara Ford – Real Property Agent II
I feel that the retirees have served the county well and the three other unions of the county provide 3 to 4 times medical benefits than SEIU. I will be in retiring in a couple
Joseph Henderson – Clinical Therapist I
I have interest in representing Social Services as well as the membership body at large.
Manuela Mayorga – Housing Specialist II
Manuela has been with the Housing Authority 8 years now and has been an active member of the union. I think she would be an active and influential addition to the bargaining team.
Steven Prado – Social Service Worker II
I have 10 years with the County and 7 with Children Services. I have knowledge of the different programs within CPS.
Keith Price – Children’s Social Service Worker V
As a current employee that is close to retirement, I many not receive the benefit of this parity study, however, it is very important to the new staff, as they are getting very close to negotiating a new contract, where this issue may need to be addressed to increase parity.
Holly Reeves – Development Specialist III
Because she will have our backs.
Barry Tantlinger – Contracts & Grants Specialist III
Barry is a seasoned contract professional with a passion for public service. He is very articulate and able to negotiate well. He is flexible and tactful and will be able to bring a “hands on” approach to the process.
Sheila Thue-Billeb – Accountant II
I am a good communicator with an understanding on resolving points of difference in order to produce an agreement that satisfies both parties. The retiree medical benefit as it stands for all retires except management is unfair. The need to convey fairness, empathy and understanding to County of Riverside management
Sylvia Vassar – Case Manger
I would love to join this team and help institute new creative ideas and methods to improve wages and benefits for County employees as well as fight for their right to fair treatment at the workplace. I have been a career counselor for 18 years. I would love to use
Registered Nurse Unit (SE8)
Job Parity Bargaining Team Candidates
Melita Charles-Singh – Registered Nurse III
I am a RN who works on the floor and know the needs of co-workers. Therefore, I wish to represent my union and co-workers.
Melinda Correa – Registered Nurse III
No statement
Roseline Enobakhare – Registered Nurse III
Wants to impart more current information to co-workers on my unit, and be a voice for Registered Nurses at RCRMC.
Rebecca Fergus – Registered Nurse IV
I believe in communication, fairness and a bird’s-eye-view.
Nancy Ferrell – Registered Nurse V
I want to represent my nurses and get parity for senior nurses.
John Keller – Registered Nurse IV
John is well spoken and articulate. He is professional and has a strong knowledge base of MOU practices. His core is fairness across the board and will not be intimidated when confronted by opposing forces for what he believes in and what is in the best interest of the employee.
Liberty Orque – Registered Nurse III
I am concerned about parity and retiree health care for myself and my co-workers.
Audi Sellyne – Registered Nurse III
No statement
Dean T. Vergara – Registered Nurse III
Prior to my nursing career here in the US, I earned a Law degree from the Philippines with legal work experience including Volunteer Internship in the New York State Attorney General in the area of medical insurance/utilization review. With 10 years in the forefront of Nursing as an ER Nurse
Medical Retiree Benefits Bargaining Team Candidates
Melita Charles-Singh – Registered Nurse III
I am a RN who works on the floor and know the needs of co-workers. Therefore, I wish to represent my union and co-workers.
Melinda Correa – Registered Nurse III
No statement
Roseline Enobakhare – Registered Nurse III
Wants to impart more current information to co-workers on my unit, and be a voice for Registered Nurses at RCRMC.
Nancy Ferrell – Registered Nurse V
I want to represent my nurses and get parity for senior nurses.
John Keller – Registered Nurse IV
John is well spoken and articulate. He is professional and has a strong knowledge base of MOU practices. His core is fairness across the board and will not be intimidated when confronted by opposing forces for what he believes in and what is in the best interest of the employee.
Liberty Orque – Registered Nurse III
I am concerned about parity and retiree health care for myself and my co-workers.
Audi Sellyne – Registered Nurse III
No statement
Dean T. Vergara – Registered Nurse III
Prior to my nursing career here in the US, I earned a Law degree from the Philippines with legal work experience including Volunteer Internship in the New York State Attorney General in the area of medical insurance/utilization review. With 10 years in the forefront of Nursing as an ER Nurse
Para-Professional Unit (SE9)
Job Parity Bargaining Team Candidates
Brianna Crone-Roberts – Parent Partner
I would like to be nominated to represent the Kidd St. office and help fight for our rights. I want to be the voice for us and help bargain to improve our rights.
Alma Cruz – Licensed Vocational Nurse
Make sure the LVNs are represented and have a strong voice for fairness.
Camille P. Dudek – Victim Services Advocate II
I am dedicated to working on behalf of the members to achieve the best outcome. I have listening skills, communication skills, I am reasonable and work well with others. I have knowledge of member’s concern and therefore want to join the bargaining team.
Cody Foute – Parent Partner
I believe I would be a great candidate because I am very well spoken, voice my opinions well. I believe in fairness and in always improving the work environment. I believe in always knowing one’s rights and benefits. I love to educate myself on what are my rights and also
Espergene Manalo – Licensed Vocational Nurse II – Adult Detention
I want to represent the LVNs on the bargaining table.
Roger Nunez – Social Services Assistant
County employee for 14 years in that time have not had a raise or parity study. For my position I would “fight hard” to make sure parity study would be heard for all positions affected.
Donnelly Valdez – Respiratory Care Practitioner II
I want to be the voice for my co-workers, we work hard we should be paid accordingly with good benefits.
Medical Retiree Benefits Bargaining Team Candidates
Brianna Crone-Roberts – Parent Partner
I would like to be nominated to represent the Kidd St. office and help fight for our rights. I want to be the voice for us and help bargain to improve our rights.
Alma Cruz – Licensed Vocational Nurse
Make sure the LVNs are represented and have a strong voice for fairness.
Barbara Dreis – Victim Services Advocate II
I am committed to receiving the best possible benefits and am willing to do the necessary work to achieve that goal.
Cody Foute – Parent Partner
I believe I would be a great candidate because I am very well spoken, voice my opinions well. I believe in fairness and in always improving the work environment. I believe in always knowing one’s rights and benefits. I love to educate myself on what are my rights and also
Espergene Manalo – Licensed Vocational Nurse – Adult Detention
I want to represent the LVNs on the bargaining table.
Donnelly Valdez – Respiratory Care Practitioner II
I want to be the voice for my co-workers, we work hard we should be paid accordingly with good benefits.
Supervisory Unit (SES)
Job Parity Bargaining Team Candidates
Peter Acosta III – Lead Custodian
I’m trying to get fairness for our Housekeeper’s and their safety.
Martin Bol – Senior Clinical Lab Scientist
I want to make improvement on wage scales moving forward.
Ben Brandon – Children’s Social Service Supervisor II
To demonstrate social workers in Riverside County should be on par with counterparts in San Bernardino County especially Masters level where there is a $4-$5 per hour difference.
Autum Carbone – Law Office Supervisor II
I’d like to be considered to be a part of the Job Parity bargaining team to represent my classification fairly and to ensure the issues and concerns regarding my classification are part of the discussion. In addition, I’d like to represent my classification on the retiree Medical Benefits team
Paul Gaines – Children’s Social Service Supervisor II
Paul has the ability to discuss and argue on why parity is so important in Riverside County. Paul has the experience from different counties.
Tracy Howard – Hospital Admissions Supervisor
I would love to be selected to join the bargaining committee to be a part of the many changes happening with my unit. I would like to make positive changes that affect my co-workers and past co-workers in a positive way.
Charlotte Johnson – Supervisor Food Service Worker
Fairness for me and co-workers.
Cicely La Fleur – Supervisor Office Assistant I
I want to represent my co-workers for fairness and equality.
Georgeania Y. Randell – Hospital Admissions Supervisor
Seeking improvement for our retiree health, increasing pay for supervisory positions.
Nancy Redler – Supervisor Institutional Nurse
No statement
Corinna Salas – Victim Service Supervisor
I have been employed with Riv Co for 20 years, the last 7 in Supervision. I feel it is time for us to have a voice so I want to be involved in the process.
Davalyn Tidwell – Senior Clinical Pharmacist
I want to represent colleagues in pharmacy and allied health.
Medical Retiree Benefits Bargaining Team Candidates
Debbie Anderson -Victim Services Supervisor
As a 20+ year supervisor it is extremely important to me and other supervisor colleagues to be represented with regards to retirement benefits. Our careers were partly chosen with those in mind. Our longevity with the county had those as a factor.
Autum Carbone – Law Office Supervisor II
I’d like to be considered to be a part of the Job Parity bargaining team to represent my classification fairly and to ensure the issues and concerns regarding my classification are part of the discussion. In addition, I’d like to represent my classification on the retiree Medical Benefits team
Tracy Howard – Hospital Admissions Supervisor
I would love to be selected to join the bargaining committee to be a part of the many changes happening with my unit. I would like to make positive changes that affect my co-workers and past co-workers in a positive way.
Deborah Kelley – Mental Health Service Supervisor A
I have been attending and a member of the “Joint Labor Management Health Care Committee” for a few years on the Union’s behalf. I was previously an elected official at IBEW and fought against union busting with the NLRB both locally and nationally. I’ve also been on the CAT team
Cicely La Fleur – Supervisor Office Assistant I
I want to represent my co-workers for fairness and equality.
Georgeania Y. Randell – Hospital Admissions Supervisor
Seeking improvement for our retiree health, increasing pay for supervisory positions.
Nancy Redler – Supervisor Institutional Nurse
No statement
Davalyn Tidwell – Senior Clinical Pharmacist
I want to represent colleagues in pharmacy and allied health.
Waste Bargaining Unit (SW2)
– Uncontested –
Arthur Fuentes – Sr. Eng. Tech
No statement