Our Unit 15 bargaining team presented compelling testimony on workload issues, workplace bullying and management harassment as well as a lack of cleaning supplies from a custodian at the Franchise Tax Board. After hearing our presentation, the state proposed creating a new subcommittee of the Joint Labor Management Committee for Custodians to address these issues.

Our team signed a tentative agreement today that changes the number of correctional supervising cooks from 20 to three required to have DBUR super seniority status in the post and bid process in state prisons. The state also proposed creating a task force to discuss hiring and retention as well as overtime concerns in the state prisons.

Today, Local 1000 returned to the negotiating table to meet with representatives from the state and continue bargaining for our new contract. The state spent the last two weeks reviewing the proposals we gave them in April - 31 Master Table proposals affecting all Local 1000-represented employees, and 50 different proposals affecting our nine individual bargaining units.

During that same time, the bargaining team took this opportunity to host seven town hall and 158 worksite meetings up and down the state. They updated members and encouraged them to become active because each member is critical to a successful contract fight. Before and after each town hall meeting, bargaining team members spoke one-on-one with attendees, connecting with them on a more personal level to hear their comments and answer their questions.

Dear Unit 15 employee: Today our bargaining team met with the State to present proposals, which pertain specifically to our unit. These proposals seek to protect our existing contract language and improve our unit specific interests. The team outlined the various types of work that are performed by Unit 15 employees.   At the table, we conveyed the importance and value of each Unit 15 employee and the work we perform. We also held discussions regarding healthy work/public environments and the adherence to safety regulations. Here are the highlights of the proposals presented today: Creates a custodian Joint Labor Management Committee to study the custodian classification and work issues Institutes allowance for safety footwear for most Unit 15 employees Makes time off exchanges and multi-shift operations grievable Requests the State will roll the institution worker supervisors pay of $190 into the Correctional Supervising Cook base pay In Solidarity,   Maria Patterson Unit 15 Bargaining Vice-Chair   Stay informed throughout the bargaining process - there are several ways for you to keep up-to-date on the latest news and information:  Our Bargaining Central web page - online at seiu1000.org Timely email blasts as developments occur Regular reports from the Channel 1000 news Call our toll-free bargaining hotline - 1-855-814-1205 Text '1000' to 787753 to receive immediate text updates straight from your bargaining team

Hundreds of bargaining unit member leaders recently met on October 6-7 in San Diego to discuss critical campaigns for Local 1000. Representatives came from all areas of California to discuss the importance of the November election and make over 3,400 calls to urge a NO vote on Proposition 32.  
 
We heard from speakers from our coalition partners such as the League of Women Voters and the Center on Policy Initiatives regarding the importance of partnering to defeat anti worker propositions and campaigns.  
 
We discussed the implementation of our side letter agreement and were given an in-depth review of common violations since July 2012.
 
In addition, with contract bargaining approaching, member leaders discussed best practices for prioritizing diverse and critical issues. Preparation for bargaining will take center stage at our next Statewide Bargaining Advisory Committee meeting in January 2013. Please click here for the full bargaining unit report.

Bargaining Unit 15 October 2012 SBAC [PDF]

Please join us in defending our political voice - help us defeat deceptive Proposition 32

SEIU Local 1000 is sponsoring a custodian-specific phone bank for you to reach out to fellow custodians across the state. Volunteers have been calling voters for seven weeks, making over 100,000 phone calls.

We will be calling other union custodians from 2 - 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 27. Lunch will be provided.

RSVP to Keith Carter at kcarter@seiu1000.org or 916.601.7266.

 

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The so-called "Stop Special Interest Money Now Act" will be on the ballot in November. Proposition 32's backers claim this initiative is a "simple, fair and balanced solution" to the problem of big money in Sacramento. But their claims just don't add up.

Prop 32 is not what it seems. When you take a close look, it's clear that this measure was intentionally written to create special exemptions for billionaire businessmen--giving them even more power to write their own set of rules. It's an unfair, unbalanced approach, and that's why newspapers across California are warning voters to take a look at what's really inside.