AFSCME Local 685

11/08/2022

Today is the day to make real change on the Board of Supervisors. REMEMBER: Hertzberg for 3rd District Supervisor!

11/07/2022

An important video message from President Hans Liang. Please watch and share!

11/04/2022

AFSCME 685 Endorsed Candidates for November 8th Election

2022 General Election voter guide.

L.A. County Board of Supervisors Robert "Bob" Hertzberg City of Los Angeles – Mayor Karen Bass California State Assembly District 41 | Chris Holden (Incumbent) District 43 | Laura Friedman (Incumbent) District 61/62 | Robert Pullen Miles District 64 | Blanca Pacheco District 65 | Mike Gipson (Incu...

11/03/2022

Our future is on the line - you are needed this weekend!

It's time for change on the Board of Supervisors - step up!

L.A. County Supervisorial candidate Lindsey Horvath, who is endorsed by sitting Supervisor Sheila Kuehl who has an undeniable track record as being anti-Probation and anti-Union, is pushing hard to beat Hertzberg in these final days. ***This is a tight race and it's down to the wire!*** With less th...

11/03/2022

Contract Negotiations Status Update

Contract Negotiations Update

The County of Los Angeles Chief Executive Office recently provided supplemental responses to AFSCME Local 685’s request for bargaining-related information regarding safety issues, working conditions, funding allocations for the SYTF, and staffing ratios in the juvenile halls. Your Executive Board ...

11/02/2022

AFSCME Local 685 updated their address.

AFSCME Local 685 updated their address.

10/12/2022

L.A. in Crisis, Local 685 Demands 3 Councilmembers Resign

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

By now you may have seen the incredibly troubling news that a 2021 meeting between L.A. City Council President Nury Martinez, Councilmembers Kevin DeLeon and Gil Cedillo, and President of the L.A. County Federation of Labor Ron Herrera was secretly recorded and released to the public... (click the link below to read full story)

Dear Sisters and Brothers, By now you may have seen the incredibly troubling news that a 2021 meeting between L.A. City Council President Nury Martinez, Councilmembers Kevin DeLeon and Gil Cedillo, and President of the L.A. County Federation of Labor Ron Herrera was secretly recorded and released to...

10/07/2022

The candlelight vigil in honor of the late Sister DPO II Paula Lind.

10/06/2022

Your Vote IS Your Voice

Volunteering for a few hours this month- will make a difference!

Ballots for the General Election mail next week and voting will run until Election Day, Tuesday, November 8. This election will shape the direction of the future of the L.A. County Probation Department! Please register/sign up for at least one phone bank and canvassing shift to support Senator Bob H...

10/05/2022

Honoring Probation Officer Paula Lind, organized by Hans Liang, President AFSCME 685

Many of you have been asking how to support Officer Paula Lind's family. We have set up a GoFundMe account, if you are so inclined to give. Thank you!

https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-deputy-probation-officer-paula-lind?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cp_guide_do&member=22446099

Officer Paula Lind had just arrived home from working overtime… Hans Liang, President AFSCME 685 needs your support for Honoring Probation Officer Paula Lind

10/04/2022

The Candlelight Memorial Vigil in honor of our late-sister DPO II Paula Lind will be held at PTC on Oct 6th, 2022, at 1830 hours.
As you would be entering a LACoProb Dept facility, you should have ID and/or badge in the display of respects for the fallen sister.

09/30/2022

The Celebration of the Life service information for our fallen sister DPO II Paula Stephanie Lind. Please join her family and friends in her good memories!

09/30/2022

Local 685 Prevails in Push to Recognize Danger in Halls; Temporary Pay Increase for Halls Staff

Local 685 received notification from the Chief Executive Officer that the County has declared a “manpower shortage” in the Probation Department due to the ongoing staffing shortage at the Halls resulting from many members recovering at home after being assaulted by juveniles.

Click here to read full article:
https://www.afscmelocal685.com/post/local-685-prevails-in-push-to-recognize-danger-in-halls-temporary-pay-increase-for-halls-staff

Local 685 received notification from the Chief Executive Officer that the County has declared a “manpower shortage” in the Probation Department due to the ongoing staffing shortage at the Halls resulting from many members recovering at home after being assaulted by juveniles. Over the past few m...

09/26/2022

AFSCME Local 685 representing Los Angeles County Probation Officers is deeply saddened to mourn the tragic passing of one of our own sister of past 16 years, DPO II Paula Lind of East San Fernando Valley Area Office Probation Information Center in the early morning of Sunday, September 25, 2022, at her residence. As the apparent victim of a homicide, her remains was discovered by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies responding to a burglary call. As the investigation by LASD is pending, we pray that those responsible for her untimely passing be brought to justice swiftly.
Our Department’s Honor Guard and SEO deputies escorted her remains in a procession to Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.
As the family wishes to mourn in private, please join us in sending our heartfelt condolences with thoughts and prayers during this difficult tragic time.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-09-26/la-county-probation-officer-killed-lancaster-home?_amp=true

09/25/2022

Woman dies of blunt force trauma in Lancaster; probe underway

Sad breaking news.
One of our DPO II was found deceased early this morning at her residence in Antelope Valley. The procession of her remains is being conducted with SEO and Transportation vans to Downtown L.A. Coroner’s office as of this writing. The preliminary information is that she may be a victim of homicide.
As more information flow in and that her next of kins notified, they will be shared with you. Meanwhile, please pray for family during this tragic event.

https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/probe-underway-after-woman-dies-in-lancaster/

Authorities on Sunday continued to investigate the death of a woman in the Lancaster area.

09/22/2022

Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Webinars

Sign up for a webinar before the October 31, 2022 deadline!

Our union is committed to helping you get the student debt relief you deserve. Thanks to the Biden administration, millions of public service workers, including AFSCME members, are eligible for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF). If you have outstanding...

09/20/2022

"The union" is an organization you build with your coworkers, not a service you receive.

3 Quick Steps to Strengthen Our Union

Say it again. And again. And again. Our profession and our personal safety are under attack. Our strength is in our numbers and in our willingness to be a part of the solution. That’s the core value of a Union and Local 685 is no exception. If we are going to make change and force the Board of Sup...

09/15/2022

LABOR VOTES BBQ & RALLY

Join Senator Hertzberg and the Local 685 Executive Board on Saturday at the L.A. County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, for the "Labor Votes BBQ & Rally"!

L.A. County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO
2130 James M. Wood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016
Saturday, September 17, 10 AM- 12 PM

https://www.afscmelocal685.com/post/labor-votes-bbq-rally

There's never been a more crucial time to get involved in politics than with our upcoming election for a new County Supervisor to replace outgoing 3rd District Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. Kuehl has endorsed Lindsey Horvath; however, the entire house of labor is rallying behind Senator Bob Hertzberg who...

09/14/2022

RUMOR ALERT

READ THE FACTS HERE!

There are rumors flying around that our Union, Local 685, has agreed to deployment of DPO IIs to the Halls. THIS IS NOT TRUE. The Union has neither agreed to nor even entertained this proposal (or even heard from the Department regarding this matter)!

09/14/2022

L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl's house searched by sheriff's investigators

Sign the petition of no confidence today!! https://form.jotform.com/AveNew/online-petition-Form

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-09-14/l-a-county-supervisor-sheila-kuehls-house-search-by-sheriffs-investigators

L.A. County sheriff's investigators arrived at County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl's home early Wednesday with a search warrant.

09/12/2022

Malibu City Council Virtual Meeting

MEMBER ACTION ALERT:

The City of Malibu has made clear that they are opposed to moving youth who committed serious crimes (707b offenses) to Kilpatrick without major modifications to the open cottage setting designed for low-risk offenders – which is exactly the issue we have raised with the County.

We are urging all available members to speak TONIGHT (9/12) at the VIRTUAL Malibu City Council meeting.

Click below to let us know that you are ready to speak out and we will email and/or text you the details and suggested talking points.
https://form.jotform.com/AveNew/Malibu_City_Council_Meeting

Please click the link to complete this form.

09/09/2022

LA County Supervisors Violate Our Contract; Legal Action Filed Today

L.A. County Supervisors Violate Our Contract, Order Chief to Begin Transfer of Youth Who Have Committed Serious Crimes (707b Offenses) to Kilpatrick Without Safety Modifications; Legal Action Filed Today (Click below to read story)

https://www.afscmelocal685.com/post/la-county-supervisors-violate-our-contract-legal-action-filed-today

LA County Supervisors Violate Our Contract, Order Chief to Begin Transfer of Youth Who Committed Serious Crimes (770b offenses) to Kilpatrick Without Safety Modifications; Legal Action Filed Today Dear Sisters and Brothers and Sisters, On Tuesday, Sept. 6, the Board of Supervisors voted to ignore ou...

09/08/2022

🗣 Join the Secure Youth Treatment Facility Discussion

Share your thoughts 9/8/2022, at noon, on housing SYTF youths, formerly DJJ minors, at CVK.
BOS will hear you when you speak up!

‌ 🗣 Join the Secure Youth Treatment Facility Discussion County of Los Angeles sent this bulletin at 09/07/2022 10:28 AM PDT We Want to Hear from You Join our commission meeting this Thursday, September 8th at 12:00p.m. to discuss the Secure Youth Treatment Facility options. Your opinions will b...

09/01/2022

Supervisor wants to reopen one of its juvenile halls, probation officers say not so fast - 2UrbanGirls

https://2urbangirls.com/2022-08-supervisor-wants-to-reopen-one-of-its-juvenile-halls-probation-officers-say-not-so-fast/

Urban voices matter. We are an Inglewood-based news site amplifying community voices, through investigative reporting, since 2011.

08/26/2022

file.lacounty.gov

Join this meeting of BOS Justice Deputies Public Safety Cluster on August 31, 2022, at 0930 hours, to voice your concerns and support Chief Deputy Karen Fletcher, on behalf of Chief Probation Officer Adolfo Gonzales, making the request to lift the hiring freeze placed by BOS on Oct 5, 2021. The request letter can be found at the end of the attached meeting agenda. The link to join the meeting and voice your supports can be found in the first page of this agenda.

https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/ceo/agendas/1129061_08.31.22PublicSafetyagendaanddocs.pdf

08/25/2022

Probation Unions Respond to BOS Chair Holly Mitchell's Visit to BJN

On Tuesday, Aug, 23, L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, who currently serves as Chair of the Board of Supervisors, issued a statement regarding the working conditions at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall. Click below to read the letter sent today in response to Chair Mitchell by the Coalition of Probation Unions:

https://www.afscmelocal685.com/post/probation-unions-respond-to-bos-chair-holly-mitchell-s-visit-to-bjn

On Tuesday, Aug, 23, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, who currently serves as Chair of the Board of Supervisors, issued a statement regarding the working conditions at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall. Click here to read Chair Mitchell’s statement. The following is the letter sent today ...

08/22/2022

Local 685 Members Sound Off on 8/16 Probation Rally!

https://www.afscmelocal685.com/post/local-685-members-sound-off-on-8-16-probation-rally

“On 8/16/22, I had the pleasure to attend a long-time coming Probation Rally at the BOS offices. I saw a sea of green shirts representing officers and supervisors in attendance. The unity and cohesiveness observed last Tuesday was beautiful. All the speakers present were on point and addressed the...

08/21/2022

CAN I VENT?
By Stacy Ford, Camps VP

Sisters and Brothers, I want to thank all of you for attending the rally. Because of you, we were successful. Approximately 300 people showed up from the Coalition of Probation Unions – Local 685, Local 721, and Local 1967. We had a ton of support from the Coalition of County Unions (CCU), AFSCME Council 36, the L.A. County Firefighters’ Union, the L.A. County Federation of Labor, and others.

Click here to read full article:
https://www.afscmelocal685.com/post/can-i-vent-1

08/20/2022

Facing Unprecedented Assaults & Serious Injuries on the Job, L.A. County Probation Officers, Supervisors & Managers Rally to Demand the L.A. County Board of Supervisors Support Probation!

Click below to read article and watch video:

https://www.afscmelocal685.com/post/l-a-county-probation-officers-sups-managers-rally-to-demand-the-safety-respect

08/19/2022

LA County Probation Department demands support from Board of Supervisors

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/la-county-probation-department-demands-support-from-board-of-supervisors/ar-AA10OGX1?ocid=windirect&item=flights:prg-tipsubsc-v1a&disableErrorRedirect=true&infiniteContentCount=0

Facing Unprecedented Assaults & Serious Injuries on the Job, L.A. County Probation Officers, Supervisors & Managers Rally to Demand the L.A. County Board of Supervisors Support Probation! LOS ANGELES– On Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, more than 300 Los Angeles County Deputy Probation and Detention Servic...

08/15/2022

REMINDER: Enough is Enough! It's time to rally at the Board of Supervisors (even though they're on vacation) to demand they support Probation! Tuesday, 8/16, from 10-11:30 AM. Get details here: bit.ly/probationrallyenough

08/10/2022

Local 685 Teams up with the Assoc. of Deputy DAs to Improve Staff Safety, Save Pretrial

https://www.afscmelocal685.com/post/local-685-teams-up-with-the-assoc-of-deputy-das-to-improve-staff-safety-save-pretrial

By SDSO Eric Walton, Local 685 Institutions Vice President Dear Sisters and Brothers, These are challenging times for those of working in the Institutions and Local 685 will not back down from our demand that the L.A. County Board of Supervisors assure that officers are safe, and the Institutions ar...

08/09/2022

Can I Vent?

https://www.afscmelocal685.com/post/can-i-vent

by Stacy Ford, Camps Vice President Sisters and Brothers, All the years I have represented this Union I have never lied to you about anything. I have always been transparent. I must admit that I may have made you mad by my response to a particular question or situation, but I have always been truthf...

08/04/2022

L.A. County Supervisors Acknowledge Need For Substantial Pay Raise

BREAKING NEWS:
L.A. County Board of Supervisors Acknowledges Need For Substantial Pay Raise for Officers Working With Justice-Involved Youth; Local 685 Revising Bargaining Proposals

Local 685 Revising Bargaining Proposals Yesterday, the Department of Human Resources, unquestionably with the approval of at least 3 members of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors (if not more), posted three new open competitive positions in the newly created Department of Youth Development (DYD):....

08/04/2022

Anchor of Hope Construction Job Fair

Anchor of Hope International Ministories is seeking volunteers for their construction career resource fair on Sept.15 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at South Park Recreation Center in Los Angeles. Can you help with the following?

* Need volunteers to help with setting up tables and chairs for vendor tables
* Need donations (water, soft drinks, individual package chips and individual package pastries)
* Encourage your clients to bring copies of their resumes to event

Contact Jean Franklin if you are able to volunteer at [email protected]

https://www.afscmelocal685.com/post/anchor-of-hope-construction-job-fair

AFSCME Local 685 has supported Anchor of Hope Reentry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals for several years, and this year we are participating in the planning committee for their upcoming Construction Job Fair on Sept. 15, 2022. This event has drawn the attention of several construction....

08/04/2022

Townhall Meeting with Deputy Chief at Central Juvenile Hall

https://www.afscmelocal685.com/post/townhall-meeting-with-deputy-chief-at-central-juvenile-hall

Deputy Chief Karen Fletcher has been keeping the staff updated on the progress of issues taking place in the Probation Department. At Central Juvenile Hall, Deputy Chief Karen Fletcher gave presentations at two separate townhall meetings for officers. Each meeting was two hours long with the afterno...

08/03/2022

Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall Closed Circuit Television Project

Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall Closed Circuit Television Project

There will be a number of changes at taking place at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall as the Closed-Circuit Television Project begins to move forward. The Recommendation will begin as follows: Establish and approve the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall Closed Circuit Television Project, Capital Project No....

08/03/2022

Central Juvenile Hall Found Suitable by the BSCC

Central Juvenile Hall Found Suitable by the BSCC

Between July 18-20, 2022, Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) staff completed a reinspection of Central Juvenile Hall’s safety check documentation to determine compliance with Section 1328, Safety Checks. During the reinspection, BSCC staff reviewed 325 safety checks across all shifts ...