Next steps to Implement Your Merit Based Promotions & Raises

Over the course of (3) three weeks, the APDSE Labor Union has conducted three weekly meetings on March the 16th, 22, & 29th, respectively, that were held at DCRC, between 5:30-7:30 p.m. A phone conference option was made available for APDSE members to increase maximum participation in this process. Thank you for your participation.

Ms. Desiree M. Gambos, Union Liaison/Admin/IT, recorded notes at all (3) three meetings. This weekend, and throughout this process of developing the first ever IL Proficiency and Merit based pay standards, Jeff Michaelson, Board President and Chief Negotiator, Ms. Gambos and Arist Niciforos, Secretary Treasurer, met on the Friday after the third meeting to discuss, review and analyze notes taken at the three meetings, and incorporate other proposals from the members. The IL Competencies and Merit based Pay Standards were revised.

Moving forward, an emailed one page summary, to be posted on this website, of the IL Competencies and Merit Based Pay Standards, shall be released no later than April 3rd, with specific percent wage increases and the process that DCRC shall implement.

In addition to the one page summary, with respect to the IL Proficiency and Merit standards that shall increase the wages for each CBUE [Merit Based] which will be emailed on April 3rd, by no later than 8 pm, a schedule for purposes of a ratification vote via a secret ballot election to be held in accordance with the APDSE Constitution, shall also be submitted to ensure that proper elections are followed.

As usual, do not hesitate to call Jeff Michaelson (310) 461-9648, or (323) 816-4239, with any questions , suggestions, or concerns. Lastly, this is a very critical, precedent setting policy that the elite ILC bureaucrats have long since resisted from the outset of the APDSE - DCRC first Collective Bargaining Contract Negotiations that began on May 08, 2015.

IL bureaucrats have long resisted and discouraged the development of IL Professional standards since the passing of the great Ed Roberts. These IL Proficiency promotion / employment and Merit based standards shall serve as the first ever professional Independent Living Center's foundation, ensuring that persons with disabilities whom the ILC's serve under the 1973 Rehab Act are properly provided. For too long since the passing of the great Ed Roberts, Justin Dart, and retirement of other great leaders of the Disability Rights Movement including U.S. Senator Harkin; persons with disabilities have been denied the IL Services they require through incompetence, arrogance, and the apathy of these currently serving ILC bureaucrats. In summary, in no uncertain terms, please understand that this precedential ratification vote will serve as a model throughout the state of California and, perhaps, nationally, at other ILCs in the United States.This IL Proficiency and Merit Based Pay Raise ratification vote not only affects you, but shall substantially improve the much lacking credibility, incompetency and apathy created by the authority of the previous DCRC Management and current DCRC Board of Directors.The previous DCRC Management and current DCRC Board of Directors thwarted the dedicated efforts of the front line IL Service Employees and the DCRC Consumers that the IL Workers so diligently intended to serve in spite of the previous mismanagement's obstructionist tactics.

Quite simply and unequivocally, the IL Proficiency and Merit Based Pay Standards were developed by the ACTUAL FRONT LINE IL PROFESSIONALS THROUGH THEIR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENT IN COLLABORATION WITH MEMBERS OF THE DCRC ADVISORY BOARD AND DCRC CONSUMERS TO PROVIDE THE LEADERSHIP THAT THE PREVIOUS DCRC MANAGEMENT AND CURRENT DCRC BOARD OF DIRECTORS REFUSED TO CORRECT.

Thank you for your time and attention.

In solidarity, with MUCH Respect,

Jeff Michaelson

Desiree Marie Gambos

Arist Niciforos