Furlough Days

Updated July 28, 2009
The governor’s mandated furlough days continue to cause great anxiety and hardship to our state Registered Nurses.  Each department, and at times each facility, have set up their own rules.  In many of the 24/7 facilities RN’s are told they CANNOT use furlough days.  So, it is clear that the facilities are working the RN’s without pay!

Please make sure that RN’s are keeping track of both the furlough time (days) they are accumulating and of the number of furlough days they use.  

For those of you who are being refused furlough days off or  that are being given specific dates by your supervisors for furlough time off, please send the information in writing to the Local1000.

Fax it to Unit 17 at 916-554-1269. Or mail it to Unit 17 SEIU Local 1000, 1808 14th street, Sacramento, Ca 95814

Unfair Labor charge – RN Post and Bid/CDCR

Updated July 28, 2009
Last October, Local 1000 filed an Unfair Labor charge against CDCR, DPA, and the Receiver’s Office for the interference with the RN post and bid process in CDCR.  Currently, there is a signed settlement agreement between the DPA and CDCR.  We are awaiting the formal signatures from the Receiver’s Office.  Basically the settlement agreement states that a rebid in October 2009 will follow the language of the contract.  The Telemedicine and the TTA’s will NOT be exempt assignments.  We hope to have training regarding the RN Bid process prior to the total rebid in October.  There will be a discussion and power point training at the SBAC in August in Oakland.

Layoffs – State Registered Nurses

Updated July 28, 2009
Local 1000 and the DPA have met regarding the layoffs of our members.  On July 29- 31, 2009, we will be meeting with the specific Departments and the DPA to discuss these possible layoffs.  There were about 35 State Registered Nurses on the list from several departments.  We believe that these positions will be mitigated (they may have to change jobs or move to another building but would continue in state service). We will keep you all updated on the out- come of these meetings.

RN Board fired by Gov. Schwarzenegger

Updated July 28, 2009
The governor used an inaccurate and inflammatory LA Times news article to fire three members of the RN Board.  A fourth member resigned and the next day the Executive Director of the Board, Ruth Ann Terry, also resigned.  The governor. has been attacking RN’s for years.  He calls us ‘special interest groups’.  He has attacked us by backing hospital corporations and fought to weaken the patient ratios.

Local 1000’s Unit 17 is joining with the SEIU Nurse Alliance in trying to see if we can influence the choice of a level of care RN to be placed in the one remaining vacant position on the Board.  Just to be clear, this governor is replacing the board members with Administrators and Supervisors from large corporations and Hospitals.  We should all be very concerned about the abuse of power this Gov. Schwarzenegger  uses  in regards to the Registered Nurses of the state.  He has stacked the RN Board as AGAINST the Registered Nurses!

Washington DC and the Health Care Reform Bill

Updated July 28, 2009
On June 25, two members of Bargaining Unit 17 attended a Rally in Washington, DC.  It was a wonderful experience and gave a great feeling of purpose and solidarity.  There were over 12,000 people from 17 States and many unions there to support President Obama and the Health Care Reform movement.

Dianne Bradford and Nancy Lyerla were also invited to a Town Hall Meeting with Doctors and Nurses from around the country.   It was a meeting where Senate and House members came to answer our questions.  And then the group was able to tell what they wanted in the bill.  It was a very quick and busy time but well worth the effort.  We must push for Health Care change and competition within the pharmaceutical and insurance industries of our country.

Unit 17 Purpose Statement:

The purpose of Bargaining Unit 17 is to represent Registered Nurses who are working in prisons, veteran’s homes, developmental centers, mental hospitals and special schools for the state.  And to represent those who work for the health care services and public health and other state departments that care for Californians.  To assure they operate under a fair and legal contract and are a part of a strong member-led union. 

By education, organizing and mobilizing the members of Bargaining Unit 17 in the workplace, the political arena and within the union itself, we strive to improve the living standard and rights of members, their families and other working people.  Through these efforts we will accomplish economic and social justice for ourselves and others.