Updated August 27, 2009
Caltrans is one of the few departments that has five of
the nine Local 1000 bargaining units throughout its’ offices. The following paragraphs are from members of
Units 1, 4, 11, 14 and 15.
Caltrans: Stand strong on Columbus Day
Dear friends,
I am a State employee and proud of it! I have been proud to be employed by Caltrans for over 20 years now. Recently, State employees have really been put through a lot. Furloughs, takeaways, and low public opinion from uninformed media sources are all part of all of our lives now.
Recently, as you are all aware, DPA and our Governor has chosen to take away the Columbus Day Holiday. According to our contract which remains in effect, Columbus Day
is a paid Holiday. The Governor refused to sign our contract which contains the agreement to eliminate Columbus Day as a paid holiday. We
cannot allow him to pick and choose which part of our contract, which was collectively bargained for he is going to agree to. Now more than ever, we need to stick together!
Columbus Day is still currently a paid holiday. Please join your co-workers in forcing the Governor to either sign our contract or allow us the paid holiday in accordance with our previous contract. Take the holiday!
In Solidarity;
Jennifer Horton
Materials and Research Associate
Caltrans District 12 Construction
My name is Jean Colyer; I have been with the state for more than 15 years - more than three years with Caltrans as a Right of Way Agent.
I want to ask each and every employee to take a minute to access our situation. We need to stick together now more than ever, regardless of political affiliation. The fact is the furloughs are affecting your family and mine. If we as co-workers can't stand together, I am concerned this may be a long battle. Every day brings a bigger financial challenge for me to keep my head above water, not to mention the emotional toll it is taking on all of us daily.
Please let's try to keep each other afloat. I need you to stand up with me as I stand up for you.
Jean Colyer
Right Away Agent
Caltrans District 8
I am a Materials & Research Engineering Associate (Specialist) with Caltrans and have worked for Caltrans for 28 years. I have been a Job Steward / DBUR for DLC 727 in Ventura for the last two years. Recently, I was elected as a BUNC alternate for contract negotiations.
I have been involved in many issues facing the protection of our state work force. At the top of my list is private outsourcing of our members job functions and the increased cost to the state. I have researched and compiled data that has shown the state that outsourcing nearly doubles in cost.
In March 2009, I testified before the Little Hoover Commission in Sacramento regarding the waste and abuse of outsourcing during the economy crisis - especially when state employees have three mandatory furloughs.
With this economic crisis and the governor's constant attack on our livelihood, now and in the future it is important for every member to get involved and let the governor and legislators know that state employees need to be valued. We are Californians and we are taxpayers.
Kevin Hopkins
Materials & Research Engineering Associate (Specialist)
Caltrans District 7
With the Governor acting like a dictator and furloughing non-general fund agencies, DOT is in the perfect position to make their voices heard. Many have either been fighting for parity or can't afford these furloughs.
We need to speak as one voice, now more than ever. If we don't step up and act together now, future parity may be at risk, more furloughs may be possible, and future retirement and retiree healthcare benefits are going to be top priority for this administration in the coming months.
Jeff Folwer
Graphic Designer III
Caltrans District 6
I'm Terry Chapman, Unit 11 DBUR, DLC 704. I am a Materials and Research Engineering Associate (Specialist) working for the California Department of Transportation, Caltrans, District 08 in San Bernardino. I have been with the Department for over 29 years. I am a Veteran and a native Californian.
I have weathered through a few economic messes with this state, but none with as much chaos and uncertainty as this one. I realize that sacrifices are necessary in time of economic turmoil. However, furloughs and pay reductions for state employees, those same state employees that are the backbone of the machine that keeps California moving forward, is just down right counter productive and unnecessary.
One thing has become perfectly clear to me; the need for unity amongst us has never been greater. We must stand together, shoulder to shoulder, make the Legislature and governor understand that approving and passing our contract today is in the best interest of the tax payers of the State of California. It will save the state money both today and tomorrow, and will contribute to the economic recovery of this great State. Pass our contract bill now!
Terry Chapman
Materials and Research Engineering Associate