SCIF releases faulty job loss numbers

Local 1000 is pressing the state to revise the State Compensation Insurance Fund's faulty layoff plan to account for nearly 1,000 workers who have already voluntarily left the department.

"We need accurate, timely information from SCIF management in order for Local 1000 to help our members make the best decisions for their families," said Margarita Maldonado, Local 1000 vice president for bargaining. "We want to ensure that services continue to be provided to California employers and injured workers."

State Fund's new business model: greater efficiencies or growing chaos?

A letter from Margarita Maldonado, vice president for bargaining:   

State Fund's new business strategy is that restructuring will result in a better position in the worker's compensation market. But if this was business school, State Fund would get an "F" in project planning.   

December 2010: SCIF announces a two-year relocation plan. Approximately 1600 employees are relocated by October 2011. Another 900 are scheduled to relocate in 2012. State Fund says "There will be a job for everyone who wants to relocate."

October 2011:  State Fund does a 100% flip-flop from "jobs" to layoffs and announces deep cuts of 25% of its work force.  

Transition plan helps members avoid uncertainty 

SEIU Local 1000 and your negotiations team has concluded their meet and confers with State Fund on the new vehicle policy.  While SCIF would not concede to all team requests, we were able to secure many agreements that aid members, including field employees' reassignment to non-field jobs with no loss of pay or class if they do not want to use private vehicles for SCIF business, provisions addressing transitional transportation assistance, mobile storage devises, tax assistance, and damage to personal vehicles while conducting SCIF business. 

If you accepted the transition package, be sure to read the following information.  You can rescind your decision until December 30, or your day of separation from state service, whichever comes first.

Letter from State Fund Bargaining Team [PDF]
 
Instructions for employees who separated from State Fund prior to December 30 [PDF]
 
Table comparing transition package to 4 months of salary and 26 weeks of UI benefits [PDF]

There continues to be confusion, conflicting information and controversy over unemployment benefits for employees who choose the transition/severance package. 

The transition package agreed upon by Local 1000 member negotiators and State Fund management has been approved by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and is now in place for layoff-impacted employees to take advantage of by December 15.

"The decision to leave state service can be life altering," said Margarita Maldonado, Local 1000 vice president for bargaining. "I'm happy the JLBC worked quickly to make sure layoff-impacted members received the benefits we negotiated for them."

Local 1000 and State Fund have reached a pre-layoff agreement that will offer a financial transition package to approximately 2,800 employees. To be eligible for this option, you must be in an "impacted classification"--a classification that has been targeted for layoffs. This is an option that may work for some individuals and it is an individual choice. 

You'll have until Thursday, December 15 to make your decision.

SCIF options handbook [PDF]

Letter of Agreement [PDF]

Local 1000 member negotiators have reached an agreement with State Fund management on several pre-layoff issues. The agreement goes into effect pending a recommendation by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee on whether the deal goes before the Legislature.

"This is a very important day for our members," said Margarita Maldonado, Local 1000 Vice President for Bargaining. "Our member negotiators worked hard to make sure layoff-impacted employees would have a financial incentive for leaving prior to the layoffs taking place."

Plan puts recently relocated employees at risk

Local 1000 member negotiators are meeting with State Fund management this week in response to the department's layoff proposal and the impact of the agreement negotiated earlier this year.

"Our contract guarantees certain rights for our members," said Margarita Maldonado, vice president for bargaining. "Our goal is to get an understanding of State Fund's monetary constraints and offer solutions that protect members and keep them employed."