PPOA Week in Review: August 15, 2020

PPOA & ALADS Joint Meeting with LASD re: Body Worn Cameras

August 10: PPOA and ALADS representatives held a followup meeting with LASD executives on Monday to discuss the rollout of body worn cameras scheduled for October. Meeting participants from PPOA included President Tab Rhodes and Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr.

Click here for more information about the body worn cameras, including details announced by Sheriff Villanueva at a press conference held midweek.

LA County Federation of Labor Meeting

August 11: The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor’s (LA FED) Committee on Political Education (COPE) hosted L.A. Community College Trustee candidate interviews as well as a presentation on the upcoming November ballot measure to amend the County Charter (click here for info) and reallocate funding away from LA County law enforcement. Representatives from more than 90 unions, including PPOA Executive Director Wayne Quint, Jr. participated in the virtual meeting. The COPE voted to oppose the ballot measure and on Thursday the LA FED’s Executive Committee also voted to oppose the measure. PPOA is grateful for the labor solidarity in its opposition to this ill-advised measure.

PPOA Supports Members with Elliptical Machine for Employee Gym

August 11: In order to support members, PPOA's Star & Shield Foundation teamed up with New Life Cardio Equipment (NLCE) to secure treadmills and ellipticals for employee gyms. The machines are purchased by the Star & Shield Foundation at discounted pricing and delivered by PPOA to units in need. On Tuesday, PPOA donated a new elliptical machine to the gym at Central Arraignment Court and supplied members there with hand sanitizer, masks and more. Deliveries to additional units are scheduled to take place once the pandemic restrictions on businesses in Los Angeles are lifted and NLCE is able to reopen. PPOA has also arranged for NLCE to extend special PPOA pricing to any member interested in purchasing cardio equipment for personal use at home. Call Jason at New Life Cardio for more info: (323) 345-7216.

PPOA Board of Directors Meeting

August 12: The monthly PPOA Board of Directors meeting took place on Wednesday. Directors participating included: President Rhodes, Vice President Jim Blankenship, Secretary Tony Coleman, Treasurer Robert Maus and Directors Jody Clounch, Joyce Kato, Chris Lee, Carlos Marquez, Tony Romo, Jim Schallert and Ryan Vienna. Collectively, the PPOA board brings nearly 300 years of county experience to the table.

LACERA Issues Update re: Court Affirmation of Vested Pension Rights

August 12: On Wednesday, CEO Santos Kreimann of the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA) issued an important update regarding the California Supreme Court affirmation of Vested Pension Rights. PPOA shared this update with members via our mobile app. Click here to view the full article. We also encourage all PPOA members to download the PPOA app by clicking here.

Coalition of County Unions Special Meeting

August 12: The Coalition of County Unions (CCU) held a special meeting on Wednesday to discuss the upcoming November ballot measure to amend the County Charter (click here for info) and reallocate funding away from LA County law enforcement. Executive Director Quint participated in this teleconference on behalf of PPOA.

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. For more information about the CCU, visit http://www.coalitionofcountyunions.com/

COVID-19 Conference with PPOA Legal Team

August 13: PPOA hosted a teleconference on Thursday 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.

LASD Sergeant/Lieutenant Promotional Grievance Update

August 13: PPOA Attorney Jim Cunningham hosted a teleconference on Thursday to update all impacted PPOA members on the status of PPOA's efforts to get 98 recently-promoted Sergeants and 29 recently-promoted Lieutenants their proper compensation and back pay. After the County Board of Supervisors and CEO's Office originally refused to acknowledge the promotions of those members, which prevented them from collecting their proper compensation, PPOA's Counsel began working with the Board of Supervisors, the Sheriff's Department and the CEO's office in order to get the matter resolved.

Click here to read the detailed update.

California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associations

August 14: The California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associations (CCLEA) hosted a teleconference yesterday to discuss political action and endorsements. President Rhodes represented PPOA at this meeting.

CCLEA is California’s largest law enforcement coalition, representing 40 police associations (including PPOA) and 150,000 peace officers.

Click here for more information about CCLEA.

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.)