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Professional Engineers in California Government

Eureka Section Quarterly Report

2017/18 Officers:

Member Activities

The Eureka section of Professional Engineers in California Government continues to host quarterly meetings to keep members informed of the organization’s activities, disperse pertinent information, and answer employee questions.

Eureka Quarterly Meetings

• Ansel Ortiz

Director

• Katie Everett

President

• Lisa Hockaday

President-Elect

• Suzi Theiss

Vice President Supervisory

• Robert King

Vice President Rank and File

• Patrick Vaughan

Vice President at Large

• Brian Simon

Secretary

• Dianne Edwards

Treasurer PECG Principal Labor Relations Consultant H. Mattson Austin

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SPRING 2018 EUREKA SECTION QUARTERLY REPORT

Hot topics included upcoming contract negotiations, open enrollment and new premium rates, pension protection, mandatory overtime, the impacts of Senate Bill 1, and the promotion process through the Senior Transportation Engineer exam.

A section meeting was held October 3, 2017 at Runeberg Hall with special guest speaker Gerald James, PECG Chief Counsel. The following meeting was held January 23, 2018 at Caltrans District 1 with special guest speaker Matt Austin, PECG Principal Labor Relations Consultant.

From left to right: Brian Simon, Matt Austin, Katie Everett, and Jen Buck

Eureka section meeting at Runeberg Hall in October

Eureka section meeting at Caltrans District 1 in January

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SPRING 2018 EUREKA SECTION QUARTERLY REPORT

Eureka PECG members attended the 32nd annual Democrat of the Year dinner at the Sequoia Conference Center in Eureka on October 27, 2017. The event was hosted by the Humboldt County Democrats and honored former Wiyot tribal head Cheryl Seidner.

Democrat of the Year Jim Wood Holiday Dinner Eureka PECG members attended the annual holiday dinner hosted by Assemblymember Jim Wood, who represents the 2nd California Assembly District. The fundraiser was held on November 30, 2017 and the proceeds benefited fire recovery following the destructive northern California wildfires.

Legislative Day 2018

Political Outreach

PECG members from throughout the state, including the Eureka section, gathered in Sacramento to attend the 2018 Legislative Day and reception on February 13, 2018. PECG representatives met with legislators and key staff in their capitol offices to discuss top union priorities like protecting the retirement plan and benefits, and implementing the additional transportation funding provided by Senate Bill 1 in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

From left to right: Ansel Ortiz, Aaron Dorsch, Jim Wood, and Brian Simon at the 2018 PECG Legislative Day reception

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SPRING 2018 EUREKA SECTION QUARTERLY REPORT

The 2nd annual PECG Mentor Day was held December 1, 2017. PECG members from throughout California served as mentors for 130 middle and high school students in the Sacramento area. Students designed engineering projects to benefit the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary and presented proposals to the mentors at the event.

Eureka PECG members on the Promoting Readiness for Engineering Professions (PREP) committee served as judges in the California Bridge Building Competition in Sacramento on January 20, 2018. This event, planned and created by PECG, models the National Bridge Building Competition sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Students used balsa wood and computer aided drafting software to design bridges and create presentations, aiming for the highest strength-to-weight ratio. Teams competed for cash prizes and bragging rights for their stellar bridge designs.

PECG Mentor Day

California Bridge Building Competition

From left to right: Brian Simon, Katie Everett, and PECG Director of External Affairs Chelsea Merrill at the 2017 PECG Mentor Day

Student teams at the California Bridge Building Competition in Sacramento January 20, 2018

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SPRING 2018 EUREKA SECTION QUARTERLY REPORT

Bruce Blanning, one of the founding fathers of PECG, was recognized at the March 2, 2018 quarterly board meeting in Sacramento. He is finishing his career with the titles of President of Blanning & Baker and the Executive Director of the Professional Engineers in California Government. Bruce has served as bargaining table chief negotiator for PECG since collective bargaining for state employees began in 1981.

Achievements

Bruce Blanning Retires

PECG extends many thanks to Mr. Blanning for his relentless devotion to protecting the professional needs, goals, and interests of state employees and for all these years.

Bruce Blanning receives honors at the March 2nd PECG quarterly board meeting

Bruce Blanning, Professional Engineers in California Government Executive Director

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SPRING 2018 EUREKA SECTION QUARTERLY REPORT

Section Goals

Bylaws

Memorandum of Understanding

Membership

Outreach

Member Issues

We are continuing recruitment efforts to increase both our management and rank and file membership. There are many new engineers hired as a result of Senate Bill 1 and several opportunities to increase section membership.

Eureka PECG wants to continue its efforts to be involved in the community, including promoting academic competitions, judging science fairs, and fundraising for engineering projects. We are also looking at opportunities to participate in activities sponsored by local chapters of other engineering groups such as Engineers Without Borders, the Society of Women Engineers, and the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Eureka PECG members with issues or concerns are encouraged to contact the section officers. PECG continues to effectively represent the employment and professional needs, goals, and interests of its members.

The Eureka section would like to revisit the current bylaws, make any necessary changes or updates, and vote to adopt a new set of bylaws in the coming year.

The current PECG MOU expires June 30, 2018. Contract negotiations for the next MOU are underway and the membership will vote following a ratification meeting.

EUREKA SECTION QUARTERLY REPORT SPRING 2018

Coming Up

Follow us!

• 4/7/2018 Humboldt Homebrew Fest – a fundraiser for Engineers Without Borders

• 4/15/2018 Society of Women Engineers Resume Workshop

Doing something related to engineering in our community? We want to hear about it!

Contact us:

pecgeureka@gmail.com

Events

What to Watch For

• Eureka section survey results

• Update to section bylaws

• Contract negotiations and ratification