“Lift and Shift” Bargaining Update for June 5

Notification

SEIU Local 1000 Met with the State to Negotiate Impacts of the “Lift and Shift” on the Psychiatric Programs at Vacaville, Stockton and Salinas

On June 5, 2017, SEIU Local 1000 met with representatives from the Department of State Hospitals (DSH), California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS), California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) to negotiate the impacts of the transfer of the Psychiatric Programs from DSH to CDCR and CCHCS at Salinas Valley State Prison – Salinas, California Medical Facility – Vacaville, and California Health Care Facility – Stockton.

The SEIU Local 1000 team included Brenda Modkins, Chair of Unit 1; Karen Jefferies, Vice Chair of Unit 4; Elena Schneider, BUNC  Unit 15; Kim Cowart, Chair of Unit 17; G Perdigones, Steward Unit 17; Mary Naidoo, Steward Unit 17; and Bob Mutebi, Steward Unit 17.

Our team passed proposals to secure the rights, respect and compensation for the impacted members who will be transferred from DSH to CDCR and CCHCS.  After hours of bargaining, the State accepted many of our proposals. The team secured the following:

  1. The Psychiatric Programs will retain the same organization and structure as they have today. Impacted employees will continue to perform the same duties, using the same work flows, staffing models and schedules as they currently do. Any changes will require a new notice to the Union.
  2. DSH classifications will be consolidated into CCHCS-specific classifications, which addresses the difference in DSH and CCHCS salaries. Those classifications that could not be consolidated will be retained.
  3. No one will suffer a loss in compensation as a result of the transfer.
  4. All vacation bids will be honored through 2017.
  5. There will be no new probation periods. If you are currently on probation, your time at DSH counts towards completion of your probationary period.
  6. DSH policies and procedures will be adopted by CDCR and CCHCS. Any changes will require a new notice to the Union.
  7. There will be no new background checks as a result of the transfer.
  8. Thirty (30) days after the transfer of the Psychiatric Programs, the Union and CCHCS will meet and confer over Unit 15 and 17 Post and Bid issues.
  9. The Union has the option to request a meet and discuss within ninety (90) days after the transfer to address any unforeseen issues or problems that may arise.

“We engaged our members through our survey campaign, worksite visits and one-on-one conversations to make sure that we knew what we had to fight for.  Our priority was to secure these rights, protections and salary adjustments for our members.”
~ Kim Cowart, Chair of Bargaining Unit 17