The role of the union is to represent the employees on matters relating to hours, wages and working conditions - including employee discipline disputes. The BCEA also offers benefits such as supplementary insurances; discount tickets; member events; and a wide variety of other member support. However, the union needs participation from the membership to accomplish everything it does.

The BCEA has one office employee and one President dedicated full time to operating the day-to-day business. Everything else is on a volunteer basis. These volunteers include your Executive Board, Stewards and Trustees as well as the Recreation, Election and Negotiation Committees. A small group of volunteers can only go so far.

The union needs an active membership to be strong. Management will continue to make decisions that demand the union to step in. In some cases where there is a good relationship with the union, the issues work themselves out quickly. In other instances, it is a long and drawn out fight when a department's management does not take the stance that we should all work together to resolve our issues. This is where it is critical that we, the union, stand together.

To paraphrase from another President, it's not what your union is doing for you but rather what are you doing for your union? If you have an issue, let us know as soon as possible so we may assist you in resolving it. With an active membership, the more people that share in the process, the more likely it will be addressed. While the member benefits are a nice consequence, the reason to be a member rests with your ability to participate in the union. As members, when we work together, we have a collective voice to stand up to Management for what we believe in!

Communication and working together is essential. With the addition of Michael Castro (Congratulations Michael!!) back on the Board as 2nd Vice President/Chief Steward there will now be an extra person to help with communication. Each member of the Board is taking on more responsibilities that will allow for each of us to work together and accomplish more for the needs of our members. I am working very hard to lead our team and overcome the many challenges on the way. This is especially true for negotiations.

As members, we are asking you to participate! Make an effort to know what is going on, talk with your coworkers and ask them if they have read this newsletter. If they didn't receive the mailer, ask them why. Perhaps the BCEA needs to update their information or that person may need to become a full member.

Also, please fill out the negotiation survey included in this newsletter. It is vitally important that we get back as many surveys as possible. This will give the Negotiation Team the power to say that 500 City employees are experiencing certain conditions, and that these need to be addressed! Please help us by encouraging each other to get them back to us.

Talk with your steward. The stewards are your link with the BCEA. Please help our stewards do their job by keeping you informed. Try to attend more meetings. There is a Membership Meeting in less than three weeks and turnouts are usually only 50 people. Find a way to get involved. For example, if you have not found that perfect role yet, start by talking with your coworkers and steward. Before you know it, you will see an issue that you want addressed and you will get that much closer to fixing something that directly relates to you. On the other side, if you have given a lot of yourself over the years and you don't feel you can give any more, find a way to encourage those around you so that they pick up the torch - talk with them and let them know what you have done for the BCEA.

Another way to help out is to participate with the BCEA PAC and CSP programs. The PAC - Political Action Committee - is designed to raise funds to contribute towards political issues and candidates in our community. It is through the PAC fund that we support the election of politicians that support labor and our issues. The CSP - Community Service Plan - is designed to raise funds that support our members and fellow union brothers and sisters. Did you know that the BCEA could help a member in time of need? The CSP fund makes that possible. The CSP fund also donated to the victims of the Katrina disaster; the fund is designed to help people and it has been a great program for many years. The CSP also allows the BCEA to become an active member of this community. It is through these activities that the BCEA has built relationships with leaders in the community that give us respectability and legitimacy as a labor leader in the City of Burbank. If you feel that this is your way to help, please sign up for the PAC and CSP.

There have been many accomplishments over the years and each of them could have been resolved in multiple ways. There will always be differences of opinion on how to reach a certain objective. We must not lose sight of what we are trying to achieve. The more of us that work together, the better - that is what unions are all about.

The BCEA is asking that each member use the list below as a guideline for getting involved:

• Please complete and return the survey included in this mailing.
• Plan to attend the Membership Meeting on March 19th.
• Contact the Steward in your section and let them know you are there.
• Contact the BCEA Office to update your personal information and to request to be put on an email list.
• Sign up for PAC and CSP deductions.
• Talk with your coworkers about this newsletter and try to become more involved.

March 4, 2008 - BERMT Participants Meeting, Buena Vista Library, 5:30pm
The BERMT Board of Trustees invite each of you to attend this special meeting to discuss the status of the Trust and to learn how the Trust will begin to payout the benefit. Food will be provided and spouses are encouraged to attend.

March 10, 2008 - Negotiation Surveys Due to BCEA Office Please make every effort to return your surveys! We need your input!

March 19, 2008 - General Membership Meeting, Buena Vista Library, 6:00pm Negotiation Update, PERS Home loan presentation, New Business, Attendance Drawing

April 25, 2008 - BCEA Annual Picnic, Magic Mountain Save the date!!

May 16-18, 2008 - The State Line Trip (see enclosed flyer) The Fall Laughlin trips have been such a huge success the Recreation Committee has put together a trip to State Line! The deadline to register is March 15, 2008; so please register ASAP!!!

In Solidarity,
Darrin G. Borders
President, Burbank City Employees Association