Ballots are Mailed NEXT Friday — Update your Address by THIS Friday, September 13, in order to ensure that your ballot is received ON TIME. The 2019-2021 CAPS Board of Directors Election is currently underway. Nominating Petitions were submitted in July, Candidate Statements were submitted in August and this month, YOU will receive a ballot! Contact CAPS today (caps@capsscientists.org) to update your mailing address! If your address is incorrect or missing in the system you will not get a ballot. Voting will take place by secret ballot via U.S. mail only. Be sure YOUR voice is HEARD!
Top 5 Benefits of Being a Member. The CAPS Membership Communications Committee, Chaired by District II Director Kelley Aubushon, have developed different informative flyers and infographics to illustrate to members their rights, the work that CAPS does on their behalves and other pertinent information. You can always access these flyers and infographics on the CAPS website here. The latest round of infographics centered around information that will help members understand what CAPS can DO for YOU and why CAPS Matters. Review the TOP 5 Benefits of Being a Member here.
Know Your Rights. Employee Time Off. Did you know you are entitled to confer with your union at work, during work hours? That’s right! You do NOT have to call CAPS on your own time, on your own phone, or using your own computer. You have the right to use state time and resources to contact CAPS regarding workplace issues, questions and grievances. No matter how simple the question, or how involved the discussion – this time is covered. Section 10.7 – Employee Time Off states “employees shall be entitled to reasonable time off…to confer with a CAPS representative.” These activities, when performed at your worksite, are “subject to prior notification and approval” by your supervisor.
CAPSule on the Web. The latest issue of CAPSule is now posted on the CAPS webpage. Watch for the August issue in your mailbox soon! If you’d prefer to go green, and opt-out of the paper copy of CAPSule, click here.
News Briefs
What’s killing sea otters? Parasite strain from cats – Many wild southern sea otters in California are infected with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, yet the infection is fatal for only a fraction of sea otters, which has long puzzled the scientific community. A new study identifies the parasite’s specific strains that are killing southern sea otters, tracing them back to a bobcat and feral domestic cats from nearby watersheds.
Newcastle disease detected in local birds – Virulent Newcastle disease was detected last weekend at a property in central San Diego County after a private veterinarian submitted dead birds to the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, according to state veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones.