OROVILLE, CA - United Public Employees of California Local 792 received official communication from Butte County Human Resources voiding the Biutte County General Unit & Social Service Unit Decertification Election based on Petitions filed by Teamsters Local 137 in January 2016. This means that all previous ballots will be destroyed.

PERB issued a cease and desist order to the County of Butte in May after BCEA had filed a complaint against the County for violating the County rules on open window periods. The County determined there was an open decertification window in January 2016. The Teamsters folled by UPEC Local 792 filed decertification petitions in January 2016 based on the County determination. UPEC Local 792 later filed a petition for the BCEA General Unit in April and the SSW Unit in May 2016 during the official open window period for both contracts.  Business Manager Chris Darker has been in communication with Butte County Human Resources this week and confirmed these petitions will be recognized and a new election will be organized.

UPEC has been asked by supporters what is in the future. Business Manager Darker responds; "Butte County will start the decertification process over. UPEC's petitions have been accepted by the County and I believe Teamsters have resubmitted their petitions as well. There will be a 30 day waiting period where other unions may petition for the two units. I would predict an election by the end of September early October 2016",  stated Darker.  The new ballot will have the same choices as the previous ballot.