February 18, 2000

The new MOU booklets are at the printers now and should be ready for distribution soon. We are preparing to negotiate for merit pay, uniformed, and PSD work rules as outlined in the MOU.

The BCEa would like to welcome the New Library Director, John Fuchs. He starts March 16, 2000, only one month after Barbara Pearson's resignation. John began his professional library career in 1977 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 1984, John became Library Director of Berkshire Athenaeum Public Library in Massachusetts. For over eight years, John has served as the Library Director for Carmel Clay Public Library in Carmel, Indiana. During his tenure as Director, annual circulation for the library has increased a remarkable 75% to over one millions items. We wish John success in Burbank,

We are sorry that Paul Garrett resigned as PSD Field Services Steward. We wish Paul the best. Nominations were held for the vacancy, and Tim Smith, Sr. Equipment Mechanic, was deemed elected. Welcome aboard Tim and thank you for your interest.

The Recreation Committee is busy planning the BCEa annual picnic. We will advise you of the date and place in the near future.

This year is also Census 2000, which is very important. The figures from the cenus are used to allocate federal and state matching monies for schools, crime prevention, health cre, and transportation. This money is our fair share, and if undercounted we lose. In 1990, California's undercount was 835,557 with 344,290 children not counted. The mos tcomplete accounting of you, your family, and friends is required. This will assure or schools get all the funds they deserve, and our city will have to make up less. It will also be used to determine Conbressional Districts, State Senate, and Assembly Districts in the future. This is an important function that our government performs every ten years. If you like, you can help as there are Census jobs available by contacting 1-888-325-7733 or go to www.census.gov. We will post any other information on the BCEA Website with the appropriate links. Please return your census form on census day, April 1, 2000.

I hope that you registered to vote in the March 7, 2000 Primary Election. The following was prepared for union memberes by the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO at their Convention:

Props 12, 13, and 14: Parks, Water and Library Bonds. California's infrastructure needs repair. These important bond measures will provide improved state parks and recreation areas, safer drinking water, and high-tech library facilities in our communities. In addition to public services, these gonds will also provide union construction jobs. Convention delegates recommended support for Props 12, 13, and 14.

Prop 25, Anti-Worker Campaign Finance Reform: Instead of leveling the playing field, Prop 25 lets corporate executive contribute all they want, but silences union members. Taxpayer money would go to television ads, political mail, and the first public financing of ballot propositions in the nation forcing union members to fund anti-worker initiatives like Prop 226. The California Labor Federation, the League of Women Votes, and other leading campaign finance reform advocates oppose Prop. 25.