President's Message by Robert A. Kaczmarek - President

On April 10th the City Council had their first Budget Study Session. All City departments made proposals to achieve 10% cuts for the 2003-2004 fiscal year budget. This was just the first discussion of the $9.5 million budget shortfall. The executives have proposed staffing reductions, cuts in services, and fee increases. Many vacant positions are frozen or will be eliminated.

Additionally, early retirement packages will be offered to selected positions. These cuts alone are not enough to avoid employee layoffs. None of these budget cuts are based on employee concessions. So far, the City is not interested in salary freezes or furloughs. Decisions on these budget cuts are up to the City Council. No directions will be given until the next budget study session at the May 6th City Council meeting. This will be the first meeting of newly elected City Council members Jef Vander Borght, and Todd Campbell. This is the time for Members to attend a City Council Meeting.

BCEA Annual Picnic - May 17, 2003

This year's BCEA Annual Picnic will be held at Six Flags Magic Mountain. The picnic hours are 11:30am to 2:00pm and the park is open 10:00am to 10:00pm. For more picnic information please check the order form flyer that was with the hard copy of this newsletter. DON'T FORGET TO FILL OUT BOTTOM AND BRING IT IN when you purchase your tickets. Ticket sales will stop on May 14th or when tickets sell out, which ever comes first. Come out and join us for a great time.

Retiree Medical Plan Begins

On the April 25th paycheck the $20.00 deduction for the Retiree Medical Trust will begin. This makes the effective date for the start of the Trust April 1, 2003. The trust's official name is the Burbank Employees Retiree Medical Trust (BERMT). There are seven trustees - three BCEA, two IBEW, two BMA, plus a non-voting seat for the City. A letter and summary of the plan will be given to all employees covered by the plan. Copies of the Premium Reimbursement Plan will be distributed to all employees covered by the plan. Copies of the Premium Reimbursement Plan will be distributed to all persons covered when completed and reviewed by the City's Legal Counsel.

This is a great benefit to provide for our future retirement expenses, and a benefit that some of our comparison Cities now have or are currently negotiating. This benefit will follow employees in any medical, vision, or dental plan. Even if the City changed health plans there would be no effect on the plan's benefits. It will also cover co-payments and deductibles for reimbursement.

Membership Meetings by Michael R. Castro

All members should be attending General Membership Meetings! With the crisis we face in the 2003-04 budget and upcoming negotiations, it is vital that members attend these meetings to be accurately informed on key issues, as well as express their viewpoints and discuss topics that are important to them. Members can also ask questions of the President, Executive Board, and our Business Agent. The BCEA attempts to schedule these meetings at convenient times for all members. These meetings do not take a lot of time out of your personal schedule. The first two words for "union" in Webster's New World Dictionary are "oneness" and "unity", directly followed by "a uniting or being united." We hope to see all of you at our next meeting.

BCEA Sponsors Winning Trivia Challenge Team

On March 26th, the BCEA sponsored a team at the 2003 Trivia Challenge. Congratulations to team members John Joyce, Vince Kieffer, and Paul Tidwell who came in first place. Our team answered all questions correctly and was the only team without a missed answer. The funds raised benefited Burbank Public Library's Literacy programs - a wonderful cause. Again I would like to congratulate our team on a great job.

Calendar of Events

Annual BCEA Picnic - Saturday May 17, 2003, at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia. Picnic Times: 11:30am to 2:00pm; Park Hours: 10:00am to 10:00pm.

Burbank City Council Reorganization - Newly Elected Council Members Installed, May 1, 2003.

Los Angeles City General Election Day, May 20, 2003 - PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!

Memorial Day, May 26, 2003, BCEA/City Offices Closed.

Wellness Due Date, June 16, 2003 - PLEASE TURN IN YOUR RECEIPTS NOW!

Independent Day, July 4, 2003, BCEA/City Offices Closed.