CS 02 (10)Jennifer L. Hall
From: Laura Alcala
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 11:14 AM
To: Public Comment
Subject: Support for MOU/AFSCME
Honorable Mayor and City Council Members;
My name is Laura Alcala, a 30+ year City employee. I have dedicated my professional career to
fulfilling my life's goal, a simple yet fulfilling one: improving the lives of others. I have been
fortunate and grateful thus far for being able to participate in some life changing projects that
have positively impacted the lives of residents and visitors to Anaheim. My commitment has
been so deep, that when asked if I live in Anaheim, I respond "Yes ... but I sleep in another
city". While I have not devoted my life to being a public servant to get rich, I certainly did not
choose this vocation to be treated unfairly and disrespected as it pertains to compensation and
benefits.
The rationale and statistics for the AFSCME request have already been presented to you by my
colleagues on the negotiating team, but I would also like to stress the need to change the
administration of the Retirement Health Savings (RHS) program. Unlike other bargaining
units, the classification to which I belong only allows us to utilize the funds for insurance
premiums. Co -payments and other medical expenses CANNOT be paid from funds that we
earned. While I understand that participation is mandatory, I would hope each retiree could use
their funds in a manner suitable to their needs.
On the surface my plea for your support may appear petty, and perhaps even self-serving;
however, I am speaking up not only on my own behalf, but that of several colleagues whom I
have mentored. The City used to actively encourage employees to participate in leadership
training intending to "build the bench" aka successor planning. In the past I not only
encouraged fellow employees to participate but stress the importance of their participation and
role in the organization. Today, as I experience the number of employees exiting to work for
cities with better pay rate structures, I can no longer in good conscience continue to encourage
the younger generation to be patient and wait for change. Please consider the talent we as a
City stand to lose if there are no raises.
Respectfully,
Laura Alcala
Community Investment Manager
City of Anaheim Economic Development Department
1
200 S. Anaheim Boulevard, Seventh Floor
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 765-4317- Direct Number
www.anaheim.net
www.centercitvanaheim.net