CDCR bears brunt of Brown budget cuts

In the department most heavily impacted by the governor's proposed budget, Local 1000 will continue to defend the rights of our members and help state workers with all possible options.

Under Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed budget the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) will cut more positions than any other agency as thousands of inmates are released from prisons, juvenile facilities are closed, and supervision of thousands of parolees is transferred to counties.

"As we go forward in realignment, we will continue to fight for our members' rights, ensure that the CDCR works more efficiently and, most importantly, protect the safety of all Californians," said Margarita Maldonado, Local 1000 vice president for bargaining.

Process, options discussed at worksite meetings

Local 1000 members at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) worksites up and down the state are attending meetings to learn more about their options as CDCR begins its multi-year realignment process.

"We are sharing with them the details of a 46-point agreement we reached with CDCR that provides more opportunities and more protections for CDCR employees," said Margarita Maldonado, Local 1000 vice president for bargaining. "It's a much more transparent process."

Download the CDCR Realignment Guide [PDF] >>

Realignment of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) represents a dramatic shift in public safety and criminal justice policy. After decades of growth, the population of inmates in our state's prisons will fall, crowding will be reduced, and many parolees and low-level offenders will be handled at the county level.

The first wave of Realignment at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has begun.  Two different letters are in the process of being mailed by CDCR.

by Jon Ortiz

Some employees who work for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation can't believe that their jobs in the state's prison and parole system are going away.

Calls and emails to this column spiked Wednesday after The Bee reported that state employee unions had agreed to deals that end moving allowances for many CDCR employees, replacing them with much cheaper incentives to transfer to some of the least desirable jobs in some of the remotest parts of California.

Labor agreed to the deals hoping the concessions would save jobs. State workers asked: "Are they really going to lay people off?"

Realignment deal signed: New agreement protects seniority, workers' voice in preferences

Local 1000 negotiators have reached a comprehensive 46-point agreement that will significantly lessen the impact felt by members affected by the legislatively mandated Realignment in the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).

"Our members will have many more opportunities and protections than they would have under any previous layoff process," said Margarita Maldonado, Local 1000 vice president for bargaining.

Unprecedented agreement protects seniority, workers' voice in preferences

Local 1000 negotiators have reached a comprehensive 46-point agreement that will significantly lessen the impact felt by members affected by the legislatively mandated Realignment in the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).

"Our members will have many more opportunities and protections than they would have under any previous layoff process," said Margarita Maldonado, Local 1000 vice president for bargaining.

Protecting members' seniority, placement and safety

Local 1000 is at the bargaining table to negotiate the impact of budget cuts and the effects of the realignment of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Under Realignment, much of CDCR parole services will be transferred to county probation agencies.

SEIU Local 1000 met with the Department of Personnel Administration (DPA) and management at the Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation (CDCR) to discuss the impact of budget cuts and the effects of CDCR Realignment (AB 109). Discussions included an alternative layoff process as part of the Realignment.

Your Local 1000 representatives have met with the administration three times so far--with additional sessions scheduled through the end of the month. We're hoping to begin the negotiation process next week.