We’re reporting today on two Unit 20 bargaining sessions—held on June 16 and 19.
While there was evidence of some movement at the Unit 20 table in these sessions, there remains a serious frustration with the State’s approach to bargaining with just ten days remaining before our current contract expires. Just today, we spent more than ten hours with the State’s team, and we reached no tentative agreements on behalf of the Medical and Social Service Specialists we represent. And that’s on the State, according to Silas Wagner, a member of our Unit 20 team who works at one of our state’s Special Schools:
“We feel that today’s session was a big waste of time,” said Wagner. “Our team has spent a great amount of effort crafting our proposals in response to our members’ priorities, yet, the State remains disengaged and less than fully responsive.”
“We’re being asked to give them information we presented over a month ago, multiple times. We have given them thoughtful input, and it seems that they’ve forgotten it.” Wagner added.
In just one example of the team’s frustration at the State’s response, after our initial SSA proposal, the State wanted to make sure our members were aware that the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available. For members who are struggling to pay for meals, for medication, and for a roof over their head, “EAP is not a solution,” said Wagner. Yes, EAP can provide assistance to members in crisis but the real help would be if the State would provide a livable wage. When discussing SSAs, BU 20 Chair Heather Markovich asked the State “What are your state employee’s worth to you?”
At the same time, the State’s bargaining team is floating verbal responses to our proposals, rather than the traditional approach, which is we propose on paper, they should respond on paper.
“The State’s bargaining leadership is not listening to our members concerns with our new language proposals and is pushing back, offering instead to say ‘no’ or to take the easier approach by rolling over existing language, but we are not done fighting“ said Heather Markovich, Unit 20 bargaining chair.
Here’s a look at the progress Unit 20 made in the June 16 bargaining session:
Our Unit 20 team proposed to “roll over” (maintain previous contract language) on three sections:
- 8.28.20 Continuing Education Leave (Unit 20)
- 11.16.20 Alternate Range (AR) 40 (Unit 20)
- 14.21.20 Classification Studies (Unit 20)
We reached two tentative agreements with the State on this day, both of which maintain previous contract wins from past campaigns:
- 8.24.20 Department of Developmental Services/LVN Vacation Scheduling (Unit 20)
- 8.30.20 Family Crisis Leave Bank, State Special Schools (Unit 20)
The State made one proposal to Unit 20:
- 12.11.20 Uniform Replacement Allowance (Unit 20) – State proposed rollover language
On June 19, we achieved the following:
Unit 20’s team made the following proposals to the State:
- 19.32.20 Overtime Distribution at the California School for the Deaf, Riverside (Unit 20) – proposed new language to include the Fremont School for the Deaf
- 10.38.20 Rest Areas (Unit 20) – new language to request that the State provide a refrigerator and microwave in break areas for all employees
- 20.XXXX.X Assignment Preference Teaching Assistants– Special Schools (Unit 20) – new proposal to request that Teaching Assistants take a survey annually to request assignments for the school year so they have some choice in what they do each year (member choice)
- 20.11.20 Post and Bid Procedure for CNA Positions: California Veterans Homes (Unit 20) – added new language to existing proposal to strengthen the article section
- 20.18.20 Post and Bid Task Force for Medical Assistants at CHCF Stockton (Unit 20) – updated proposal to include all MAs statewide, not just at CHCF Stockton
- 8.22.20 DSH Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Vacation Scheduling (Unit 20) – counterproposal with rollover language as the team didn’t want to accept the State’s language due to negative impact
- 10.5.20 Safety Orientation (Unit 20) – counterproposal to ensure Unit 20 employees have management support until job orientation has been completed
- 13.30.20 Orientation (Unit 20) – counterproposal to ensure Unit 20 employees have management support until job orientation has been completed
Unit 20 received the following proposals from the State:
- 20.12.20 Post and Bid Procedure for Vacant LVN Positions, CDCR (Unit 20) – State proposed rollover language (upcoming joint meeting with Unit 17)
- 19.9.20 Exchange of Time Off – Multi-Shift Operations (Unit 20) – State proposed rollover language (we proposed looser rules, RNs psy techs, probation)
- 19.13.20 Overtime Mandatory Scheduling – Excluding CDCR LVNs and CNAs (Unit 20) – State proposed new language that the team will need to review before responding
- 19.14.20 Overtime Mandatory Scheduling – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and California Correctional Health Care Services LVNs (Unit 20) – State proposed new language that the team will need to review before responding
- 19.15.20 Overtime Mandatory Scheduling – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and California Correctional Health Care Services CNAs (Unit 20) – State proposed new language that the team will need to review before responding
- 19.21.20 Overtime Voluntary Scheduling – Excluding CDCR LVNs and CNAs (Unit 20) – State proposed a new number system to mimic SEIU (19.21.20); other than that it’s rollover language
- 19.22.20 – Overtime Voluntary Scheduling – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and California Correctional Health Care Services LVNs (Unit 20) – State proposed a new number system to mimic SEIU (19.22.20); other than that it’s rollover language
- 19.23.20 – Overtime Voluntary Scheduling – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and California Correctional Health Care Services CNAs (Unit 20) – State proposed a new number system to mimic SEIU (19.23.20); other than that it’s rollover language
- 19.XX.XX Mixed Shift Work Weeks (Unit 20) – a new proposal that the State rejected
- 20.XX.XX Post and Bid Task Force for Pharmacy Technicians at CHCF Stockton (Unit 20) – a new proposal that the State rejected
You can read the details of these and all current contract articles at contract.seiu1000.org
Unit 20 will return to the table on Monday, June 26. With just 10 days remaining before our contract expires, look for possible additional bargaining sessions through the weekend.
To see updates on other bargaining unit contract sessions, please visit the Contract Action Center page at seiu1000.org
There’s real truth to the Local 1000 slogan, Stronger Together. We only win a great contract with a strong Local 1000 membership. So, if you’re not already a member, we encourage you to join us today.
If you are, help support bargaining teams by purpling up on Wednesday and attending our upcoming rally in Los Angeles on June 22.