PPOA Week in Review: October 24, 2020

Final Week for Open Enrollment

Reminder for PPOA Members: Active county employees have one week left to make changes to existing medical insurance coverage. If you do not make any changes by October 31, 2020, your current coverage will roll over into 2021. If you do not want to make any adjustments, no action is needed. For more information, click here to read the article about Choices medical and dental rates from PPOA Executive Director Wayne Jr. in the October issue of Star & Shield.

Coalition of County Unions Meeting re: Enrollment Eligibility

October 19: PPOA President Tab Rhodes and Executive Director Quint participated in a conference call on Monday with fellow representatives of the Coalition of County Unions (CCU) to discuss a previously negotiated medical enrollment eligibility rule. This was a follow-up to the meeting held last week on October 15th.

The CCU collectively represents more than 30,000 union members employed by the County of Los Angeles and is their unified voice on County-wide matters such as health insurance, vacation pay, retirement, and other issues that impact County employees and their families.

Click here for more information about the CCU.

PPOA/ALADS Joint Negotiations re: Curtailment

October 20: Representatives from PPOA, ALADS and LASD held a joint negotiations meeting to address the potential job fair due to expected staffing curtailments at PDC South and Parks Bureau. Participants from PPOA included President Rhodes, Vice President Blankenship, Secretary Tony Coleman and Executive Director Quint.

As you may recall, the Department sent an email (over the objection of PPOA) on Friday, October 16th to members potentially impacted by the anticipated curtailments, even though ALADS and PPOA are negotiating with the Department regarding this matter. Click here to read the response from PPOA sent to members later that evening. The Sheriff's Department ultimately rescinded its curtailment announcement 24 hours later.

PPOA Board Election Ballots Mailed to Members

October 21: PPOA board election ballots and candidate statements were mailed to eligible members on Wednesday. Five PPOA members are running for two Unit 612 seats for LASD Sergeants/Lieutenants and two members are running for one Unit 621 seat for Custody Assistants. More info about these board elections, including candidate statements, is available in the October issue of Star & Shield.

Law Enforcement Technician Classification Study

October 21: The Law Enforcement Technician (LET) job study team visited Lakewood Station on Wednesday. Lakewood is one of the fastest stations in the county, serving five contract cities. Special thanks to LETs Christy and Jazz, along with Deputy Bob, for doing an outstanding job providing input to the classification study team from the County CEO’s office. We are also grateful to the CEO's Office and the Sheriff's Department for prioritizing the site visits in light of challenges presented by COVID-19.

This Lakewood Station site visit followed a conference call conducted last month to discuss issues related to the class study. The meeting was led by PPOA Vice President Jim Blankenship and participants included President Rhodes, Executive Director Quint, Sr. Labor Rep. Venise Wallace and LASD executives. Due to several delays resulting from COVID-19, this was the first opportunity to return to this class study since May 28th.

PPOA Communications Meeting

October 21: PPOA representatives met with 911Media executives on Wednesday to discuss ideas to enhance communication efforts with PPOA members. Participants from PPOA included Communications/Mobile App committee Chairman Ryan Vienna, President Rhodes and Executive Director Quint.

Coalition of County Unions Final Meeting re: Enrollment Eligibility

October 21: President Rhodes and Executive Director Quint joined fellow LA County union leaders for a final meeting to address a previously negotiated medical enrollment eligibility rule. We are pleased to report this does not impact PPOA members.

COVID-19 Conference with PPOA Legal Team

October 22: On Thursday, PPOA hosted its weekly legal meeting in order for President Rhodes, Executive Director Quint, Senior Labor Rep. Venise Wallace, Intake Representative Kevin Thompson and PPOA attorneys to address and analyze COVID-19 issues impacting PPOA members.

LASD Sergeant/Lieutenant Promotional Grievance Update

October 22: PPOA Attorney Jim Cunningham hosted a teleconference on Thursday to update 98 recently-promoted Sergeants and 29 recently-promoted Lieutenants regarding ongoing administrative and legal efforts to ensure they receive proper compensation and back pay. Click here for more details.

PPOA/ALADS Joint Negotiations re: Curtailment

October 22: Representatives from PPOA, ALADS and LASD held the second joint negotiations meeting of the week to address the potential job fair due to expected staffing curtailments at PDC South and Parks Bureau. Participants from PPOA included President Rhodes, Vice President Blankenship, Secretary Coleman and Executive Director Quint. Follow-up meetings are scheduled for next week.

Fraternal Order of Police

October 23: Click here to read the latest weekly news update from the California Fraternal Order of Police (CAFOP).

PPOA is a proud member of California FOP Lodge 1, which represents public safety organizations throughout Los Angeles County. The statewide CAFOP is comprised of 30 lodges with 17,000 members.

HR-218 Qualifications for Retired Personnel

Attention retired PPOA members: The LASD Weapons Training Unit will be conducting HR-218 qualifications on November 4, 5, and 13, 2020; subsequent dates will be added in the near future. The qualifications will be conducted by Weapons Training Unit personnel at the Pitchess Detention Center lower range next to the Emporium. COVID-19 safety protocols are in place for all participants and staff.

Reservations must be made by contacting the BC Armory at (323) 267-2730. Fifty (50) individuals will be the maximum number for each one-hour time slot. For example, from 0800-0900 hours, the maximum number will be fifty (50) qualifications. The same parameters will be in place for each subsequent hour during each day.

Date:

November 4, 5, and 13, 2020

Time:

0800-1400 hours

Location:

PDC Range

29300 The Old Road

Castaic, C 91384

Range: “FBI Range”

(lower range near the Emporium – signs will be posted)

Click here to access the HR-218 form. If you are interested in qualifying, please print the form, complete it and bring it to the range. Forms will also be available at the range for those with no access to a printer.

The following protocols will be enforced:

No guests or spectators will be permitted on the range.
Retirees must have a valid LASD retiree ID with CCW endorsement in their possession.
For safety reasons, personally-owned eye and ear protection is HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. However, sanitized eye and ear protection will be available.
No visiting or socializing is permitted at the range.
Retirees MUST remain in their vehicle until the necessary paperwork is completed and their respective qualification time.
Firearms must be unloaded (slide locked to the rear/cylinder open) and in gun case.
9mm, .45ACP, .380ACP, and .38 cal. ammunition will be provided. Retirees will need to bring their own ammunition if their handgun requires a different caliber. Ten rounds per firearm type is required.
Face coverings and social distancing are required at all times
Retirees must leave the range immediately after the qualification and the paperwork has concluded.

PPOA Endorsements for November 2020 Election

Attention PPOA members: all California voters should have received vote-by-mail ballots earlier this month. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by November 3, 2020; ballots returned at a secure ballot drop box must be deposited by 8:00 p.m. on November 3, 2020.

Members are encouraged to use the PPOA endorsement guide below when voting in the upcoming election:

Los Angeles County