AB 755 vetoed, Local 1000 fights back

Updated Nov. 4, 2009
After being held hostage for nearly a month, Local 1000-sponsored bill, AB 755 (Brownley), was vetoed by Gov. Schwarzenegger on Oct. 11.

In his veto message, the governor cited (PDF) that in certain instances “…state civil service employees may not provide the same level of expertise and may be more costly.”

The governor got it wrong. If signed, AB 755 would have retained professional expertise and reduced costs. AB 755, sponsored by Assemblywoman Julia Brownley (D-Santa Monica), would have closed loopholes that allowed the state to outsource work to private contractors, referred to as “visiting educators,” who perform less work yet receive higher salaries than Local 1000 members who perform the exact same work.

For now, Local 1000 is working with the State Personnel Board (SPB) to develop guidelines for the hiring of outside contractors. This issued is scheduled to be addressed at the Nov. 9 SPB meeting. Brownley is also continuing with her support and has requested that SPB continues their support for guidelines and oversight of California Department of Education.

“The veto of AB 755 is deeply disappointing considering the fiscal situation of our state,” said Terry Lawhead, chair of Bargaining Unit 21. “We want the governor to recognize what Bargaining Unit 21 members and the Legislature have known for years – California needs to stop costly outsourcing and instead utilize the expertise of our workers if this state is ever going to become fiscal sustainable.”