Local 1000 Champions Fair Pay and Real Representation
A dedicated welding instructor at Folsom Prison, Melvin Johnson, recently won a significant victory with the support of our union, securing a pay scale grievance worth nearly $40,000. This win came after he didn’t receive proper credit for his state teaching credentials.
Melvin, a Unit 3 educator and Local 1000 job steward, has been serving the state for over a decade. In 2018, he obtained the credentials needed to move from Range A to Range C. Although he provided his employer with copies of these credentials, the corresponding pay increase never followed.
This situation serves as a cautionary tale for all of us. Despite being owed a raise, Melvin didn’t realize there was an issue with his pay until several years later. While assisting another Unit 3 employee with their pay, he discovered his own discrepancy.
Over the course of a year, Melvin communicated with prison officials and CalHR. He eventually requested and received a formal salary audit, which confirmed that he had been underpaid. However, the state initially offered to pay only one year’s worth of back pay instead of correcting the entire five-year oversight.
Melvin turned to our Local 1000 Union Resource Center (URC) for help. Working with one of our skilled advocates, he was able to navigate the issue and press for a fair and just resolution.
Earlier this year, we celebrated a major win when Melvin received a $40,000 correction covering the underpayment dating back to 2018.
Today, Melvin continues his valuable work as a welding instructor at Folsom State Prison, a role he takes great pride in. Many of his students have served their time and are now successfully working as welders and welding inspectors.
This story underscores the importance of vigilance and the power of solidarity in standing up for our rights. At Local 1000, we take pride in supporting one another and ensuring that every member receives the fair treatment and compensation they deserve.