2011 was a volatile year in many ways. Watching the stock market was like riding on a roller coaster. The European debt crisis threatened to affect the whole world in catastrophic ways. Unemployment reached its highest level in years and maintained that level all year. The political fighting in Washington and elsewhere in this country has crippled our system of government. The attacks on pensions and health care, including Social Security and Medicare, have never been greater. The occupy movement has exposed the unrest that permeates our nation. Unfortunately I could go on and on.

In northern California and northern Nevada, where our Members work and reside, we have had to deal with all of the national and international issues listed above as well as the particulars of our local economy. In Nevada the hotels and casinos are seeing a downturn in part due to the economy and people not willing to spend money for entertainment, and in part to the Indian casinos popping up in California that take away some of the business. In California we see empty stores and offices everywhere we look, and every public agency is experiencing budget shortfalls and cutbacks.

I hear people say that they have never seen things so bad and wonder how we are ever going to climb out of the hole we are in. Well, we will do it the same way we have done for years. We take one day at a time, fighting hard along the way to keep and improve what is ours, all the while planning way into the future. We must learn from the past and change and adapt as we go forward.

2011 was particularly difficult in the hospital industry but we persevered and obtained many agreements with wage and benefit improvements. I wish I could say that about all agreements, but that would not be the truth. In some cases our fight was not to give back too much. Regardless of which situation you are in, one thing is for sure, without the support of the Union and your Union Brothers and Sisters you would be a lot worse off. If you don’t believe me just ask non-Union workers if they have any say in their wages, benefits, and working conditions or if their employer just does whatever he/she wants.

I anticipate 2012 to shape up to be the same as 2011, at least for the first few months. We expect many difficult battles ahead as employers continue to push costs onto Members and increase their profits on the backs of workers. That is why the Local 39 Executive Board has been meeting regularly to determine if, in fact, it is necessary to consider assessing Members an additional amount per month to go specifically to the strike benefit fund.

This last year we had a lengthy strike with the City of Lincoln and barely avoided a strike at Kaiser facilities all over northern California. Large and/or lengthy strikes can put a serious drain on resources that are needed for individual Member representation, contract bargaining, arbitrations, hearings and legal expenses, and many other Member benefits. The last thing any of us need is an employer pushing Members to the breaking point based on the belief they won’t strike because there are not enough funds in the strike account. While a strike fund cannot replace all lost wages, the benefits paid clearly help Members through a difficult time. Don’t forget that it is also your responsibility to set aside money for just such a situation so you are not relying solely on strike benefits. More information about the strike assessment will be coming out soon.

On a different and sad note, we said goodbye in 2011 to Joe Verderber, Local 39 Executive Board Member from District 3. Joe was a loyal 39 Member who served many years on the Executive Board representing the interests of all Members. Joe was a devout family man and a longtime hardworking employee of Sacramento County. I attended a memorial service in December for Joe where he was remembered fondly for all his contributions and his genuine concern for others. Joe will be sorely missed.