County Seeks to Reopen 2018-2021 Fringe Benefits Contract
April 27: PPOA sent an email to all active members on Monday evening about the County's desire to reopen the current Fringe Benefits contract. The  Coalition of County Unions   (CCU) ,   of which PPOA is a member, was officially notified by the LA County CEO’s office earlier that day of their “desire to reopen the 2018-2021 Coalition of County Unions Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding Fringe Benefits.” The reason cited for the reopening is “to discuss the County’s matching contribution (up to 4%) to 457 plan participants.” Further, the request comes “on the immediate and anticipated ongoing expenses associated with the County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
 
PPOA was advised of the potential of this move by the CEO’s office during conference calls late last week. On Friday, April 24, 2020, a conference with CCU leadership was conducted with every union on that call in agreement that the reopening of the MOU cannot and will not occur until detailed fiscal information of the County’s budget is provided.

COVID-19 Conference with PPOA Legal Team
April 28: Tuesday represented the first regularly scheduled meeting of the week for PPOA President Tab Rhodes, Executive Director Wayne Quint, Labor Rep. Venise Wallace, Labor Rep. Teresa O'Neil, Intake Rep. Kevin Thompson and PPOA attorneys to address and analyze COVID-19 issues impacting PPOA members.
COVID-19 Conference with Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner
April 28:  A teleconference was hosted on Tuesday for PPOA Board Member Joyce Kato, Executive Director Quint, Labor Representative O'Neil, Intake Representative Thompson and executives from the Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. Discussions centered on COVID-19 but also included the recent employee overpayment issues.
COVID-19 Conference with Coalition of County Unions
April 29: In addition to the monthly Coalition of County Unions (CCU) meeting, a teleconference now takes place weekly to discuss the economic impact of COVID-19 and its potential effect on fiscal year 2020-2021. President Rhodes joined fellow CCU representatives for this meeting on Wednesday afternoon.
National News Story about Custody Assistants Who Recovered from COVID-19
April 29: The PPOA Facebook page features a link to an Associated Press article about first responders who have returned to work after recovering from COVID-19. The eye-opening story shined the spotlight on two Custody Assistants assigned to Twin Towers. Click here to read the article.
COVID-19 Conference with District Attorney's Office
April 29: A teleconference was hosted Wednesday morning for Board Member Robert Maus, President Rhodes, Executive Director Quint and executives from the DA's Bureau of Investigation to  discuss issues, mostly concerning COVID-19, affecting PPOA members.
COVID-19 Conference with PPOA Legal Team
April 30: Thursday represented the second regularly scheduled meeting of the week for President Rhodes, Executive Director Quint, Labor Rep. Wallace, Labor Rep. O'Neil, Intake Rep. Thompson and PPOA attorneys to address and analyze COVID-19 issues impacting PPOA members.
COVID-19 Conference with LA County Public Safety Unions
April 30: On Thursday, a COVID-19 teleconference was hosted for leaders of LA County public safety unions. President Rhodes and Executive Director Quint participate in these weekly meetings which provide an important roundtable discussion for PPOA, ALADS, County Fire and Lifeguards. 

COVID-19 Conference with LA County CEO and Labor Unions
April 30: President Rhodes and Executive Director Quint joined fellow representatives from other LA County labor organizations and the LA County CEO's Office for this weekly teleconference to address the impact of COVID-19 on union members. This teleconference is hosted by LA County CEO Sachi Hamai and her executive staff.
Meet and Confer Regarding Pursuit Intervention Technique
April 30: A teleconference was hosted on Thursday for PPOA to meet and confer with LASD executives and Employee Relations regarding the Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) policy. Participants from PPOA included President Rhodes and Board Members Carlos Marquez, Tony Romo and Ryan Vienna.

PPOA College Scholarships Available Online
PPOA is proud to announce that 12 scholarships worth $13,500 total are available to help further the education of PPOA members and their dependents. The  deadline to apply  is close of business (5:00 pm) on  May 15, 2020. Since this program's inception eight years ago, PPOA has awarded approximately $100,000 in scholarships to members of the PPOA family. For more information about the 2020 scholarships, including criteria and applications, please visit  PPOA.COM

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