PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEMS 2017 YEAR END CELEBRATION

Los Angeles County PHIS employees celebrated the year end on December 14, 2017 at the Golden Skewer Restaurant with contests and prizes. 

 

The Chairs Contest

  

 

The Joker's Hat Contest

   

 

Application Development and Business Solutions Delivery Team

 

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL

The SEIU 721 Environmental Justice Action Team thanks its members, families and friends for their service and dedication to the residents and communities of LA County.  Your hard work and kindness translate to improved health and well-being for so many.

                                                                                                                                          

EJAT is proud to be part of the SEIU team that fights hard against oppression and injustice, and looks forward to bring lasting environmental changes.

KEVIN DE LEON GUEST SPEAKER AT AGENDA '18

Kevin De León was the Guest Speaker during the Los Angeles County bargaining conference that took place on December 2, 2017.

De Leon was elected Senate President Pro Tempore on June 19, 2014, and was sworn in on October 15, 2014. A member of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, he is the first Latino to hold that position in over 130 years. Prior to being elected to the State Senate in 2010, de León served in the California State Assembly.

In 2018, Los Angeles County workers will be bargaining a new contract. At Agenda ’18, union issues and bargaining conference, members came together to answer the most important questions facing LA County’s working families:

What are the key issues that we should fight for?
What is the County’s financial condition and what is the political landscape?
What is our strategy to win the best possible contract?

Bargaining issues presented during the conference were: Bargaining time line and process; Key issues in 2018 discussion; Lessons rom campaigns; LA County's financial condition; The Political landscape for bargaining; Bargaining committee nominations; and How will the upcoming Supreme Court decision impact bargaining?

The conference also included: Issues Workshops; Bargaining Team Nomination Forms; and Bargaining Strategies.

Together We Win

MIKE GARCIA A WARRIOR OF THE LABOR MOVEMENT

Mike Garcia served as the President of SEIU United Service Workers West between 1988 and 2014. He was a warrior in the labor movement, organizing janitors to stand up for better wages, working conditions, and just immigration policy.

 

Garcia was one of the key leaders in the Justice for Janitors movement. He was the Padrino of the Labor movement and a fierce champion for education and education reform.

 

Reflections on the Life of Mike Garcia

By: SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry

Mike was a driving force in the Justice for Janitors movement, longtime president of SEIU 1877 and USWW, fellow Board member and strong national leader in our Union. 

I've known Mike Garcia since the 80s. His drive and passion were ever present—holding a megaphone, in Hardy Hall at the 7th Street office in Los Angeles, but most especially when he was in the street leading a strike, march, civil disobedience—the times when I often saw a smile on his face and a glint in his eye. He led from an unshakeable belief of the power of people to prevail.

Mike led a historic strike in Los Angeles in 2000—with workers at 500 worksites walking off the job for three weeks—that restored the lost power to the janitors, and later used that power to win organizing rights for the janitors in Orange County.

I was working across the street at the Healthcare Action Campaign at that time and Mike and I would most often catch each other between 9-10pm in the parking lot to figure out how to support each other's organizing efforts.

Mike Garcia was a union warrior and a fierce advocate for immigrant workers—linking the fights for economic and immigrant justice. He was an early leader in our Union who understood the need to speak against anti-black racism and link the fights for racial justice, economic justice, immigrant justice and environmental justice.

I am blessed to have walked with and learned from Mike Garcia. The Union is better, bolder and stronger thanks to his tireless efforts and Sí Se Puede Leadership.

When I spoke to his wife Gloria last week about Mike's transition to hospice, I thanked her on behalf of our 2 million members for the sacrifices she and his children made for his leadership in our Union. We laughed about how Mike would tell us to "fasten our seat belts" because we were in for a wild ride. My heart goes out to Mike’s beloved family—his wife Gloria, daughters Suzanna and Estrella and son Henry and his grandchildren—and his brothers and sisters at USWW. The SEIU family grieves his loss with you. 

Mike’s leadership, passion and dedication made SEIU a better, bolder and stronger union. His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of SEIU members everywhere.

 

SAINT MARTIN OF PORRES HUMILIATED

A  statue of St. Martin de Porres was covered up after complaints that it was too suggestive.  The statue is at Blackfriars Priory School in suburban Adelaide, Australia,

The statue shows the saint giving a loaf of bread to a boy.  The bread is being held at crotch level as the smiling boy gazes up with a hand reaching for the loaf. 

“The two-dimensional concept plans for the statue were viewed and approved by the Executive Team in May but upon arrival the three-dimensional statue was deemed by the Executive to be potentially suggestive,” Principal Simon Cobiac said in an apology posted on Facebook. 

7 News informo que una estatua de San Martín de Porres en el Colegio Blackfriars Priory School en los suburbios de Adelaide, Australia, fue cubierta después de las quejas de que era demasiado sugerente.

La estatua muestra al santo dando un pan a un niño. El pan es sotenida a la altura de la entrepierna mientras el niño sonriendo mira hacia arriba con su mano alcanzando el pan.

"Los planes conceptuales bidimensionales para la estatua fueron vistos y aprobados por el Equipo Ejecutivo en mayo, pero al llegar la estatua tridimensional fue considerada por el Ejecutivo como potencialmente sugestiva", dijo el director Simon Cobiac en una disculpa publicada en Facebook.

 

 

 

SEIU 721 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

The winning color for the official EJAT shirt was selected by the majority of the EJAT members.

Purple, dark green and black were the choices of most members

Purple was the first choice of the majority of voters

 

 

 

The Green won 2nd place by only one vote over the dark blue.

 

The Environmental Justice Action Team meetings take place on the second Thursdays of every month, at 5:30 pm.
Location: SEIU Local 721, 1545 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017

The EJAT goal is to educate union members on the principles of environmental justice, the science of climate change, and the impact of air, water and soil pollution on the health of our members, our communities and the general public; and to organize as many members and community residents as possible to engage in effective mass action and to build political strength in order to create a safe and pollution-free sustainable energy future.

KEVIN DE LEON NEXT MOVE UP THE POLITICAL LADDER

Kevin de León announced he will challenge fellow Democrat Dianne Feinstein for her U.S. Senate seat.  He said he is ready to wage a more aggressive fight against President Trump’s conservative agenda.

“We’re overdue for a real debate on the issues, priorities and leadership voters want from their senator. I think California needs a senator not just fully resistant to Trump’s presidency, but who understands the issues most Californians face every day,” De León said in an interview.

 “We now stand at the front lines of a historic struggle for the very soul of America, against a president without one,” he said. “Every day, his administration wages war on our people and our progress. He disregards our voices. Demonizes our diversity. Attacks our civil rights, our clean air, our health access and our public safety.”

Kevin de León, the Democratic leader of the California Senate, is one of California’s most powerful politicians without an obvious or easy-to-win next election.

The mystery over his political future has injected uncertainty into the races for governor and U.S. Senate, and demanded patience from those Democrats aspiring to succeed him as leader of the Legislature’s upper house.

 

Those in his inner circle say De León is in no hurry to decide what to do now that he is up against a term limits law in place when he was first elected. They say he did not want the decision to be a distraction as he led the state Senate during an ambitious year.

Those close to him say his 2018 options include running for governor or the seat held by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, running for mayor of Los Angeles should current Mayor Eric Garcetti seek higher office.

Erick Garcetti, Los Angeles Mayor, Hilary Clinton and Kevin de Leon

Kevin de León, el líder demócrata del Senado de California, es uno de los políticos más poderosos de California sin elecciones obvias o fáciles de ganar.

El misterio sobre su futuro político ha inyectado incertidumbre en las carreras para la posición de gobernador y el Senado de Estados Unidos, y pidió paciencia de los demócratas que aspiran a sucederle como líder de la cámara alta de la Legislatura.

Los que están en su círculo íntimo dicen que De León no tiene prisa para decidir qué hacer ahora que está en contra de un mandato de ley que limita el periodo de su posición y que se puso en efecto cuando fue elegido por primera vez. Dicen que no quería que la decisión fuera una distracción mientras dirigía el Senado estatal durante un año ambicioso.

Los que están cerca de él dicen que sus opciones de 2018 incluyen la candidatura a gobernador o la sede de la senadora Dianne Feinstein, candidata a la alcaldía de Los Ángeles si el actual alcalde Eric Garcetti postula a un cargo más alto.

SEIU International Latino Caucus

The SEIU ILC convention took place in New York City, during the week of September 28-30, 2017 with the participation of Latino Leaders, Elected Officials, SEIU members and Community Allies.

Through the efforts of the International Latino Caucus and plea from Hector Figueroa President of SEIU 32BJ, locals contributed to Puerto Rico's Relief efforts with $434,500.00!!!

 

 

Agenda

 

Call to Order: Latinos in the Moment in Time

Gilda Valdez, Chair - SEIU International Latino Caucus

A Timeless Legacy: Celebration of Mike Garcia

Gilda Valdez, Chair – SEIU International Caucus

Ray Baeza, SEIU Local 521

David Huerta, President, SEIU United Service Workers West (USWW)

Resist and Fight on Immigration Presentation

Rocio Saenz, SEIU International Executive Vice President

Panel Discussion: Puerto Rico Status/Fiscal Crisis

Roberto Pagan, SPT Local 1996

Gerson Guzman, President, SEIU Local 1199/UGT

Shirley Aldebol, Vice President, 32BJ and Director, NY Commercial Division

Racial Justice: Framing the Discussion

Gerry Hudson, SEIU International Executive Vice President

Racial Justice Panel Discussion

Panelists: (In- formation)

David Huerta, President, SEIU-USWW

Elsa Caballero, President, Texas

Kyle Bragg, Secretary-Treasurer, SEIU Local 32BJ

Luisa Blue, SEIU International Executive Vice President

Moderator: Jaime Contreras, Vice President, SEIU Local 32BJ

Conclusion and Closing Remarks

Jaime Contreras, Chair - SEIU International Latino Caucus

SEIU 721 Latino Caucus Members preparing for the registration process

SEIU ONE VOICE MEMBER ENGAGEMENT EVENTS

Assembly Member Miguel Santiago

As COPE contributors you know better than anyone that we have to fight to make sure that our laws and our lawmakers have our backs. Powerful, greedy, anti-worker forces are trying to rig the system against our families and our communities. COPE is how we fight. And when we fight, we win!

Incumbent candidates who are labor champions, are joining at a series of SEIU California, One Voice endorsement process, member engagement events. We enthusiastically invite you to attend this COPE-member-only events!

SEIU COPE members and Assembly Member Miguel Santiago

Monday, September 25, 5:00 PM
State Senator Robert Hertzberg (SD 18)
SEIU 99
8363 Reseda Blvd Suite #6
Northridge, CA 91324

Monday, September 28, 6:00 PM
State Senator Holly Mitchell (SD 30)
SEIU 721
1545 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90017

Friday, September 29, 12:30 PM
Representative Norma Torres (CD 35)
SEIU 121RN
1040 Lincoln Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91103

Friday, September 29, 1:00 PM
Representative Julia Brownley (CD 26)
SEIU 721
2472 Eastman Ave #30
Ventura, CA 93003

 

An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth To Power

INCONVENIENT TRUTH brought climate change into the heart of popular culture. The follow-up shows just how close we are to a real energy revolution. Former Vice President Al Gore continues his tireless fight traveling around the world training an army of climate champions and influencing international climate policy.

Critics Reviews

The New York Times

Al Gore, in “Sequel,” takes on the air of a Shakespearean figure, a man long cast out of power by what he casually refers to as “the Supreme Court decision” (meaning Bush v. Gore) but still making the same arguments that have been hallmarks of his career.

If there is a thesis in this new documentary, is that a rise in extreme weather is making the impact of climate change harder to deny.

“The dots are seldom connected in the media,” Gore says at one point, but events like these are symptoms of global warming.

The sequel delves deeper into the arcane details of compromise than its predecessor, with scenes of Mr. Gore working to find a middle ground between the needs of developed and developing nations.

The movie has been updated since its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival to include Mr. Trump’s announcement of the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris climate accord, a decision that probably forecasts another sequel.

Rolling Stones: Al Gore Returns to Save the World, One Lecture at a Time

Gore meant the new film as a celebration of the progress we've made in eco-awareness since the first film, and the cut of Sequel that was shown at the Sundance Film Festival in January preceded Trump pulling the U.S. out of the Paris Accords on climate change. So the doc was re-edited to include reference to what Gore calls Trump's "reckless and indefensible action. If President Trump won't lead, the American people will."

His latest cinematic salvo in the fight to save our world certainly makes a persuasive argument in its depiction of eco-disasters, such as soaring temperatures, rising sea levels, a shrinking glacier in Greenland and flooded streets in Miami.

The public will realize that pollution isn't politics – it's an urgent issue of global survival.

Gore recalls how the first film was roundly mocked for suggesting that storm surges could flood the 9/11 memorial site in Lower Manhattan – and as footage here shows, that's exactly what happened during Hurricane Sandy. Eco-deniers will continue to throw stones, and for those with no intention of joining the choir that An Inconvenient Sequel is preaching to, Gore offers a simple alternative: Don't go to the movies. Just look at the world around you.

 

 

 

EXIDE CONTAMINATION FADING FROM NEWS?

 

For decades, there have been reports of toxic contamination from the Exide battery recycling plant in Vernon: leaks of toxic chemicals, including arsenic; emission of so much lead that children were warned not to play in their yards. Finally, after the threat of federal prosecution, Exide has been shut down — with promises of demolition and cleanup. That's not due to action by the State Department of Toxic Substances Control, which allowed Exide to operate without a permit for more than 20 years. It took the threat of federal criminal prosecution.

Department of Toxic Substances Control statement:

Our commitment is to protect the health of the community by ensuring that Exide properly and safely closes its Vernon facility and cleans up contamination in the surrounding neighborhoods. We began the process of denying the company's permit application and shutting down the facility. And we will use every tool at our disposal to ensure that Exide meets its obligations going forward.

Exide Advisory Group

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control(DTSC) and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) have joined together to create and support an advisory group for the Exide Technologies project in Vernon.

The purpose of this advisory group is to create a forum for the diverse interests of the community to discuss their needs and concerns related to the oversight of closure and cleanup work on and around the Exide facility. It creates the opportunity for community interests to be considered early on by the oversight agencies, and keep the community informed about data, plans and work throughout the cleanup process.

How does the advisory group fit in with other elements of public outreach?

• Advisory group meetings are one of a variety of public outreach methods that will be used to engage the community. They enhance, increase and complement the opportunities for the public to provide input, and do not replace other outreach such as public meetings, workshops, and open houses. All other outreach activities will be continued. Advisory group meetings are open to the public, and will be announced publicly. Each agenda will have an opportunity for members of the public to speak.
·         Each meeting will have a purpose and agenda. Because the meetings are open to the public a Spanish translator will be provided.
• There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of each meeting.
• At each meeting the advisory committee will review action items from the prior meetings, present or update advisory group members on the progress of the work, discuss upcoming work, review and discuss new information.
• Each meeting will include time for the discussion of upcoming agendas.

"Mune: Guardian of the Moon" free screening

SEIU Local 721 Americans with Disability Caucus presents a screening of "Mune: Guardian of the Moon" for kids and young adults with special needs.

Date: Saturday, October 7th at 10 am.
Free Admission
Location: Downey Civic Theater
8435 Firestone Blvd, Downey CA

For reservation, please call the

SEIU 721 Member Connection

Phone: (213) 368-8660

NATURAL DISASTERS - NO PLACES TO HIDE

Excerpt of Jay Inslee’s, Governor of Washington, article that appears on the Huffington Post to bring awareness on climate change.

As the hurricanes and forest fires rage, we know there are no Republicans or Democrats in lifeboats, only survivors. Where are climate change deniers supposed to go? 

Climate change deniers are running out of places to hide ― places to hide from hurricanes, places to hide from forest fires, and places to hide from scientific truth. Yet this did not stop Donald Trump’s administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Scott Pruitt, from taking time to proclaim: “To have any kind of focus on the cause and effect of the storm vs. helping people, or actually facing the effect of the storm, is misplaced.”

For the Trump administration, talking about climate change is always “misplaced.” The fact is that climate change is altering our climate, our weather and our future. These changes leave us precious little time in the future when climate change is not inflicting pain on someone, somewhere.

The current administration never wants to address either the science, or the public health, or the economics of climate change. They can run, but they cannot hide from Mother Nature.

Now is the time for a national commitment, when the winds are blowing and fires are burning. What we’re starting to see is beyond the normal bounds of mere weather changes.

The floods and fires are not a time just for sorrow; they must be a time for action. We must seize this moment to help the victims, and we must seize this moment to take action on climate change.

For the complete article please click on the link below:

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/no-place-for-climate-change-deniers-to-hide_us_59b55cc4e4b0b5e53106ca87?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

EQUIFAX BREACH - YOUR PERSONAL ACTION NECESSARY ASAP

 
            For more information visit: https://www.equifax.com/personal/

CITY HALLS GO GREEN - LOS MUNICIPIOS SE ILUMINAN DE VERDE

América brilla verde para demostrar apoyo para el acuerdo de París.
Para protestar por la decisión del presidente Donald Trump de retirar a los Estados Unidos del acuerdo climático de París, funcionarios locales de todo Estados Unidos declararon su compromiso de salvar el medio ambiente iluminando edificios y estructuras en verde.
Los alcaldes estaban entre los 61 líderes municipales que co-firmaron una carta enojada tras la decisión de Trump de que los Estados Unidos ya no formara parte del acuerdo de 190 naciones para combatir el cambio climático. Los alcaldes se comprometieron a seguir los principios del acuerdo, declarando: "El mundo no puede esperar y nosotros tampoco".
Los gobernadores de California, Nueva York y Washington también formaron una coalición para organizar a otros estados a tomar medidas agresivas en la lucha contra el cambio climático.

El apoyo se extendió a otras ciudades alrededor del mundo. Muchas de las luces utilizadas en la protesta eran LEDs de bajo consumo energético.

 

 

America Glow Green To Show Support For Paris Accord.

To protest President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate accord, local officials across the U.S. declared their commitment to saving the environment by illuminating buildings and structures in green.

The mayors were among 61 city leaders who co-signed an angry letter in the wake of Trump’s decision that the U.S. would no longer be a part of the 190-nation agreement to battle climate change. The mayors vowed to follow the principles of the accord, declaring: “The world cannot wait and neither will we.”

The governors of California, New York and Washington also formed a coalition to organize other states to take aggressive action in combating climate change. 

The support extended to other cities around the world. Many of the lights used in the protest were energy-efficient LEDs.

Peru's Capital rich colonial architecture heritage

El establecimiento del virreinato transformó la ciudad de Lima en el principal centro político y administrativo de América del Sur. Durante este período, se construyeron importantes iglesias, monasterios, mansiones y balcones. La llegada de la modernidad no transformó el centro histórico, que es reconocido como Patrimonio de la Humanidad.

Museos con grandes obras de arte, sitios arqueológicos, playas, paseo marítimo, valles, reservas naturales, vida nocturna, la emoción de los deportes de aventura y la exquisita gastronomía dan a la capital de Perú una auténtica personalidad y hacen del turismo en Lima una experiencia única e inolvidable.

 

 

Lima's history predates the colonial presence in the country. The establishment of the viceroyalty transformed the city into the main political and administrative center of South America. During this period, significant churches, monasteries, mansions and balconies were built. The arrival of modernity didn’t transform the historic center, which is recognized as a World Heritage Site.

Museums with great works of art, archaeological sites, beaches, the boardwalk, valleys, natural reserves, the nightlife, the thrill of adventure sports, and the exquisite cuisine gives Peru’s capital an authentic personality and makes tourism in Lima a unique experience in the country.

 

  

 

SEIU COPE EDUCATES

Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
SEIU is a labor union representing almost 1.9 million workers in over 100 occupations in the United States and Canada.



Committee on Political Education (COPE)
COPE is a voluntary, bipartisan Political Action Committee for political and legislative activities at SEIU Local 721. Through COPE, we hold elected officials accountable to working families. COPE also makes it possible for our union to build the political power necessary to win strong contracts and to pass laws protecting both our jobs and the services we provide.

Chair: Lydia Cabral, lcabral@seiu721.org
Meetings: 6 PM on the third Thursday of every month.
Location: SEIU Local 721, 1545 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017

 

WAKAYAMA - TOURISTIC HIDDEN GEM OF JAPAN

Wakayama is a Japanese prefecture in the Kansai region, on Honshū island's Kii Peninsula. Its namesake capital is home to Wakayama Castle, an Edo-period replica set in a hilltop park with city views. 

Castillo de Wakayama

 Pilgrimage routes connect a trio of Shinto shrines collectively known as Kumano Sanzan. More than 100 temples rest among the peaks of Mount Kōya, where Shingon Buddhism is headquartered.

Wakayama Castle

 Wakayama es una prefectura japonesa en la región de Kansai, en la península Kii de la isla de Honshū.

 Catarata Nachi Waterfall

Su capital, también llamada Wakayama, alberga el Castillo de Wakayama, una réplica del período de Edo fijada en un parque de la cumbre con vistas de la ciudad.

Engetsuto is an islet with a full moon shaped cave hole in the middle. A sunset over the islet is beautiful to see.

Las rutas de peregrinación conectan un trío de santuarios sintoístas conocidos colectivamente como Kumano Sanzan. Más de 100 templos descansan entre los picos del Monte Kōya, donde el Shingon Buddhism tiene su sede

Serene landscapes

 Wakayama and Peru look alike a little
Wakayama y Peru se parecen un poco

JAPON-PERU LAZOS HISTORICOS

El Perú es uno de los países latinoamericanos donde se percibe una mayor huella de la cultura japonesa. El origen lo encontramos a finales del siglo XIX, cuando se iniciaron las relaciones diplomáticas entre Perú y Japón. Fue durante la época de la era Meiji cuando se establecieron esas relaciones diplomáticas que harían de Perú el primer país latinoamericano en recibir inmigración nipona. 

En 1899 el barco Sakaru Maru trasportó a 790 japoneses (la mayoría procedentes de Okinawa) hasta el puerto del Callao, con el fin de trabajar en las haciendas desempeñando labores agrícolas. Tras esa primera oleada llegaron nuevos grupos de inmigrantes japoneses. La presión de los negocios japoneses contra los peruanos provocó que a principios de los años 3o surgieran protestas y campañas contrarias a los inmigrantes, lo que llevó a que el presidente Óscar R. Benavides limitara el ingreso de japoneses. No fue mejor la situación de los inmigrantes y sus descendientes durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial, en la que muchos de los ciudadanos peruanos procedentes de Japón fueron perseguidos y, en muchos casos, enviados a Estados Unidos y forzados a ser recluidos en campos de trabajo.

 

Actualmente es la segunda comunidad japonesa más numerosa de América Latina (por detrás de la de Brasil), estimándose más de 100.000 personas descendientes de japoneses. También hay que destacar que las relaciones peruano-japonesas también se extienden al País del Sol Naciente, donde se registran más de 50.000 peruanos de origen japonés. La mayoría de ellos descienden de los inmigrantes japoneses que llegaron a Perú a finales del siglo XIX.

 

BRIAN TAGGART WANTED SCREEN WRITER

Brian is known for his screen writing work for the movies: Wanted: Dead or Alive, Poltergeist III, Omen IV, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane and several television series.
























Dutch actor Rutger Hauer has an international reputation for playing everything from romantic leads to action heroes to sinister villains.

His most memorable performances were in the movie Blade Runner (1982), The Hitcher (1986), True Blood.