Critical Vote at LA County Federation of Labor Meeting
August 17: Designated PPOA representatives for the LA County Federation of Labor (LA County Fed) attended the monthly "House of Labor" Zoom meeting on Monday evening. A critical vote took place among union leaders regarding opposition to the County Supervisors' charter amendment measure that would redistribute critical funding away from public safety. PPOA is pleased to report that when the vote was taken, two-thirds of the union representatives united in labor solidarity in confirming our collective opposition to the ill-advised charter amendment. PPOA's registered delegates for the LA County Fed are President Tab Rhodes, Vice President Jim Blankenship, Secretary Tony Coleman, Treasurer Bob Maus, Board Members Jody Clounch, Joyce Kato, Chris Lee, Tony Romo, Jim Schallert and Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr.
Custody Labor Management Committee
August 18: PPOA participated in the monthly Custody Labor Management Committee (LMC) meeting with Assistant Sheriff Chase, department executives and Employee Relations representatives to discuss issues impacting members working custody. Participants from PPOA included President Rhodes and Executive Director Quint.

COVID-19 Conference with PPOA Legal Team
August 18: On Tuesday, PPOA hosted the first of two weekly legal meetings in order for President Rhodes, Executive Director Quint, Senior Labor Rep. Venise Wallace, Labor Rep. Teresa O'Neil, Intake Representative Kevin Thompson and PPOA attorneys to address and analyze COVID-19 issues impacting PPOA members.
Conference with Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner
August 18: A COVID-19 teleconference took place on Tuesday with PPOA Board Member Kato, Executive Director Quint, Labor Representative O'Neil, Intake Representative Thompson and executives from the Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.
PPOA Members Among Recipients of Distinguished Service Awards
August 18: The dedicated work of more than 40 LASD employees was acknowledged by the Department on Tuesday at a Distinguished Service Awards ceremony. Click here to view the ceremony. We are particularly proud of the following PPOA members and congratulate them for their outstanding efforts as part of the combined Pre-Employment/Intake/Operations team:

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
  • Civilian Investigator Richard Alvarez
  • Lieutenant Michael Del Real
  • Sergeant Brian Kehoe
  • Sergeant Kim Lam
  • Sergeant Brian Mann
  • Captain John McBride
  • Sergeant Jose Salgado

UNIT COMMANDER COMMENDATION
  • Lieutenant Ernie Bille
  • Lieutenant John Carter
  • Sergeant John Castro
  • Custody Assistant Regina Chavez
  • Sergeant Mark Cho
  • Lieutenant Chadney Watters
PPOA Board of Directors Meeting
August 18: The PPOA Board of Directors participated in a Zoom meeting on Tuesday evening to discuss the promotion process and Sergeant/Lieutenant update, a legislative update from PPOA's lobbyist in Sacramento and board governance issues.
Meeting with Fraud and Cyber Crimes Bureau Executives
August 19: A teleconference was hosted on Wednesday for President Rhodes, Vice President Blankenship, Executive Director Quint, Senior Labor Rep. Wallace, Labor Rep. O’Neil and executives from the LASD Fraud and Cyber Crimes Bureau. Discussions centered on the apparent arbitrary and unexplained personnel transfers which violated the requirement to Meet and Confer on issues that affect working conditions, work locations, and schedules as well as previously established agreements with PPOA related to Crime Analysts transfers. This is the third time in 16 months that PPOA management has met with department executives regarding Crime Analyst members who were transferred, some without prior notice to their bargaining unit. Information has been formally requested and additional meetings are planned.

Conference with Coalition of County Unions
August 19: President Rhodes and Executive Director Quint represented PPOA in a conference call with fellow members of the Coalition of County Unions (CCU) on Wednesday. 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.
Memorial Service for Sergeant Eric Johnson
Photos courtesy of LASD
August 20: The life and legacy of LASD Sergeant Eric Johnson were honored by family, friends and department members on Thursday. Eric was a 31-year department veteran and tragically passed on August 14th from a sudden, critical illness. He was assigned to Compton Station at the time of his passing and was well-respected throughout the department. Eric is survived by his wife and son and we ask that you continue to keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
LASD Sergeant/Lieutenant Promotional Grievance Update
August 20: 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.

COVID-19 Conference with PPOA Legal Team
August 20: PPOA hosted the second of two weekly teleconferences on Thursday in order for President Rhodes, Executive Director Quint, Senior Labor Rep. Wallace, Labor Rep. O'Neil, Intake Representative Thompson and PPOA attorneys to address and analyze COVID-19 issues impacting PPOA members.
PPOA Board Member Issues Update for Custody Assistants
August 20: PPOA Executive Board Member Coleman provided an update to his fellow Custody Assistants on Thursday regarding CCWs, the C.A. classification review and more. Click here to view the video update.
Reminder: LACERA Election Window Closing on August 31
IMPORTANT REMINDER: The voting window to elect representatives for the Los Angeles County Employee Retirement Association (LACERA) will close on August 31, 2020 and the stakes are significant. PPOA has endorsed LES ROBBINS (LASD ret./PPOA member/former ALADS president) for the Board of Retirement and JOE KELLY (retired LA County Treasurer) for the Board of Investments. Voting is open until August 31st and we are urging all PPOA retired members to vote for LES and JOE as they are both uniquely qualified to protect the interests of PPOA members, including our pensions and healthcare benefits! Both incumbents are also endorsed by PPOA member and Trustee for the Board of Retirement and Board of Investments SHAWN KEHOE (LASD Lieutenant.)

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