Unit 1 layoff update: closures, sales and cutbacks
2:50 PM - January 21, 2011

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Local 1000 will continue bargaining with the state to mitigate the effects of layoffs. However, the state hiring freeze makes it difficult for affected employees to transfer to vacant positions in other departments.
Heman G. Stark Adult Correctional Facility, Chino

The closure had an effective date of Jan. 14, 2011. This facility was used on an emergency basis to temporarily house adult offenders who were displaced from the California Institution for Men (CIM) due to riots in August 2009. Originally, 29 Unit 1 members were originally subject to layoffs–the number has now been reduced to one. Other affected employees transferred to vacant positions within the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation (CDCR) or opted to demote in lieu of layoff.

CDCR “Fall 2010 Surplus Positions”

The California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation (CDCR) recently announced layoffs in multiple counties and job classifications. They must eliminate positions due to insufficient funding. For some individuals this will be a second round of layoffs, as they were placed in positions in the first round (winter 2010) that are now being eliminated. Twenty-six Local 1000 members are potentially affected, of which five are in Unit 1. The effective date is April 18, 2011.

Preston Youth Correctional Facility, Ione

Closure is targeted for June 30, 2011, as more youth offenders are returned to their home communities. This potentially affects 273 employees, 23 of whom are in Unit 1. Since the closure of this facility will devastate the local economy Assemblymember Alyson Huber sponsored town hall meetings and a joint legislative hearing. Huber introduced AB8, a bill which would delay closure of the facility.

For more information on CDCR/Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) layoffs, contact Karen DeVoll, Unit 1 District Bargaining Unit Representative at kadevoll@yahoo.com.

Lanterman Developmental Center, Pomona

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) announced plans to transfer 400 clients to community-based facilities, potentially affecting 38 Unit 1 members. DDS said the transfer process could take at least two years. They have not announced a closure date for the facility.

For more information on Lanterman, contact Todd Snell, Unit 1 District Bargaining Unit Representative at tsnell@dss.ca.gov.

Orange County Fairgrounds

Plans by the Department of Food and Agriculture (DFA) to sell the Orange County Fairgrounds are tied up in legal proceedings. Twenty-one Unit 1 employees will be impacted should the sale continue.

For more information, contact Brenda Modkins, Unit 1 Alternate Vice Chair, atbrenda.modkins@doj.ca.gov.

Sale of state properties by the Department of General Services (DGS)  

Former Gov. Schwarzenegger’s controversial decision to sell–and then lease back–11 state properties is currently in litigation. The 11 properties include 24 buildings from around the state. Should the sale go through, the hardest hit group will be approximately 350 Unit 15 members serving as custodial staff in these buildings. However, a small number of Unit 1 employees–19 individuals–may see layoffs if the sale proceeds.  

For more information, contact Jacqueline McCollum, Unit 1 Classification Bargaining Unit Representative at Jacqueline.mccollum@dot.ca.gov.