COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate UPDATE |
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This week, PPOA, along with ALADS and the other unions of the County Coalition of Unions (CCU) continued impact bargaining negotiations related to the proposed COVID-19 vaccination policy. PPOA, as an organization, is an unyielding advocate during these negotiations, fighting for all of our members regardless of personal beliefs or positions on this issue, as due process was bypassed, and your rights to employment are being challenged.
The PPOA Board of Directors is following a legal, political, and collaborative strategy with our labor partners, ALADS, and the other members of the CCU. We have thoroughly researched legal options and opinions from the top legal defense attorneys utilized by our coalition partners (FOP, California Coalition of Law Enforcement, Southern California Alliance of Law Enforcement, Peace Officer’s Research Association of California) and monitor numerous lawsuits nationwide for any nuggets of knowledge which may adjust our strategy.
The COVID-19 vaccination mandate issue has caused more confusion between the Chief Executive Office, County Departments, the unions and our members, than any other concern in recent times. The Board of Supervisors set direction which the County Departments do not have the resources to accomplish by October 1. The CEO’s negotiators present information from the Department of Human Resources which is complex, convoluted, and sometimes incorrect. The Sheriff has said “I must state my belief this is a labor issue which must be worked out between the unions and the Board of Supervisors.” Who at the County can provide clear direction? This is the problem.
PPOA is doing our best to provide membership with the best information available. The problem is, there is very little! Negotiations are slow going, lengthy, and far between, as scheduling with the County is difficult based on their negotiations with other unions also.
Please be patient as this confusion is generating voluminous inquiries. PPOA will continue to provide factual information as it develops. Should you have any questions or concerns not being addressed, be sure to email PPOA at info@ppoa.com.
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Mourning the Passing of Dedicated Law Enforcement Technician |
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September 13: PPOA was sincerely saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of LASD Law Enforcement Technician Elena Espinoza. The 33-year LASD veteran died on Monday following a short battle with cancer.
"Elena's dedication to her career was evident to everyone who knew her," said PPOA Vice President/Law Enforcement Technician Jim Blankenship. "She took great pride in her job and
will be deeply missed by her peers throughout the Department."
PPOA extends heartfelt condolences to the Espinoza family and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
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Welcoming New LASD Sergeants to PPOA |
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September 13: PPOA representatives were proud to meet with 36 new members at Sergeant Supervisory School on Monday. This was the first of three classes from the 90+ newly-promoted Sergeants who attended orientation on Labor Day. Participants from PPOA included President Tab Rhodes, Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr. and Labor Representative Teresa O'Neil. |
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September 14: On Tuesday, PPOA hosted the first of two legal meetings this week in order for President Rhodes, Executive Director Quint, Senior Labor Rep. Venise Wallace, Labor Rep. O'Neil, Intake Rep. Kevin Thompson and PPOA attorneys to address and analyze COVID-19 issues impacting PPOA members. All parties met again on Thursday for further discussions. PPOA representatives now meet twice a week to stay current in all aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related negotiations. This dedication of PPOA resources will continue to supplement and enhance the efforts of the Coalition of County Unions (CCU) to negotiate reasonable terms as well as mitigate impacts on PPOA membership regarding this issue. |
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Meet and Confer re: FSB Work Locations and Schedules |
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September 14: PPOA representatives took part in a Meet and Confer with the Director of Facilities Services Bureau to discuss proposed work location changes and scheduling issues. Meeting participants from PPOA included President Rhodes, Vice President Jim Blankenship and Executive Director Quint. |
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Meet and Confer re: Transcript Requirements for Lieutenant Applicants |
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September 14: PPOA representatives took part in a Meet and Confer with LASD executives regarding transcript requirements for lieutenant test applicants. Meeting participants from PPOA included President Rhodes, Executive Director Quint and union legal counsel.
Background: In the PPOA Week in Review dated September 4th, PPOA communicated the Department’s notification to numerous lieutenant test applicants of the requirement of “official transcripts” to validate educational diplomas/certificates submitted during the promotional exam process. PPOA had objected to this change in advance of this notification and filed a Cease and Desist letter (click to read) with the Department, demanding the end of this new requirement and a Meet and Confer to address these changes to working conditions of our members. Additionally, conversations with the Department during the second week of September led to a successful effort resulting in an extension (click to read) to this transcript requirement.
Updates will be provided to those impacted, following further developments.
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Negotiations re: Vaccination Mandate |
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September 14: On Tuesday, PPOA representatives joined ALADS and fellow Coalition of County Unions (CCU) leaders for another round of negotiations with the LA County CEO's Office regarding the COVID-19 vaccination mandates for County employees. During these negotiations, the CCU and the County negotiated proposed COVD-19 Accommodation Forms and Guidelines. No agreement has been reached regarding finalization of these documents and, unfortunately, there is very little additional information to report at this time. PPOA and the CCU will return to the negotiations table to continue the meet and confer process.
Negotiations participants from PPOA included President Rhodes, Executive Board Member Tony Coleman, Executive Director Quint and union legal counsel.
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Star & Shield Foundation Meeting |
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September 15: Board members of PPOA's Star & Shield Foundation took part in a teleconference on Wednesday. Since its inception in 2001, the Foundation has proudly raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support worthy causes, including its most important mission: providing assistance to the families of fallen officers. Meeting participants included President Rhodes, Executive Board Member Robert Maus, as well as Members-at-Large Juan Carlos Calderon and Kevin Thompson. |
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Coalition of County Unions |
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September 15: President Rhodes and Executive Director Quint participated in a teleconference with fellow representatives of the Coalition of County Unions (CCU) on Wednesday to discuss issues affecting PPOA members and other Los Angeles County employees.
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.
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Off-Duty Accident Claims Life of LASD Deputy |
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September 16: We were extremely saddened to learn of the tragic loss of a Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff in an off-duty vehicle accident early Thursday morning in Temple City. Deputy Cameron Fish was a 12-year LASD veteran who served with distinction as a Bailiff at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
Footage from the accident scene showed LASD Deputies and CHP Officers saluting as the flag-draped body of Deputy Fish was loaded into a Coroner van and given escort to the LA County Coroner's Office.
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UPDATE: LA County Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Forms |
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September 17: Yesterday afternoon, PPOA was informed that the Department of Human Resources planned to distribute COVID-19 Accommodation Forms and Guidelines at or around 5:00 PM. Immediately following our email blast to PPOA members to inform them of this ill-conceived development, we were notified that the forms would not be distributed after all. Unfortunately, this is indicative of the confusion caused by the County's insistence on barreling full speed ahead rather than working thoughtfully and collaboratively with PPOA and other employee unions as we deal with the COVID-19 vaccination policy.
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Fraternal Order of Police COVID-19 Policy Statement |
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PPOA is a longtime member of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the world's largest organization of law enforcement officers, with more than 364,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges nationwide.
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