EDD Task Force members testify
“EDD management not doing enough”

EDD Task Force members testified on out of control workloads before the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on State Administration on April 10.

“EDD’s efforts to address the current crisis do not fix the long term systemic problems including, retention and recruitment issues, lack of upward mobility and most importantly, stressful workloads,” testified Adrienne Suffin, Local 1000 EDD Task Force Chair.

The subcommittee members told EDD management to provide “an honest assessment” of what is happening in the field with workers and customers. Assemblymember Juan Arambula (D-Fresno), chair of the subcommittee, quoted the Los Angeles Times article saying “something definitely needs to be done.”

EDD Task Force members also sited several instances where employee knowledge could help fix some of the problems - like not having ID alerts follow a client every time they file a claim, because it slows the process. Yet, EDD management has refused to discuss solutions with Local 1000.

Assemblymember Sandre Swanson (D-Oakland), told Task Force members to follow up with him and to let him know if EDD management continues to refuse to work with the Local 1000 on workload and other issues.

“The legislators seemed to understand that we’re in a crisis and EDD management isn’t doing enough,” said James Thomas, EDD Task Force member. “They were receptive and willing to work with us to fix our issues.”

To read the entire LA Times article, click here
To read the fact sheet we distributed to Assemblymembers, click here