Your bargaining team met with the State over two recent sessions, addressing multiple tentative agreements (TAs), counterproposals, and continuing concerns regarding management’s approach to negotiations.
Below is a summary of key updates from the sessions:
Tentative Agreements (TAs)
Management provided several existing contract language TAs, including:
- 12.6.17 – Alternate Transportation
- 19.16.17 – Change in Shift Assignment
- 19.17.17 – Mixed Shift Work Weeks
- 21.22.17 – Licensure
- 10.11.17 – Hazardous Materials
A TA was reached on minor cleanup language updates related to hazardous materials documentation. The change updated terminology from “Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)” to “Safety Data Sheet (SDS).”
The BU 17 bargaining team submitted counterproposals on several issues:
10.19.17 – Prevention and Management of Assaultive Behavior or Therapeutic Strategies and Interventions Training
The BU 17 bargaining team proposed creating a joint committee involving Union representatives and CalVet management to discuss ways to reduce assaults and improve safety at veterans’ homes. Management rejected adding the committee directly to this article section.
Despite the rejection, the BU 17 team secured an agreement that CalVet and Union representatives will meet through the statewide Joint Labor Management Committee (JLMC) process to discuss assault prevention strategies.
10.38.17 – Rest Areas
The rest area proposal aimed to strengthen language, ensuring employees have designated break areas and are not disciplined for taking a reasonable time to reach the area.
14.4.17 – Duty Statements/Post Orders, and Work Instructions
Management made only one minor language update by adding the acronym “CCHCS” in Section B of this article section.All other Union-proposed changes were rejected, and the section was returned to existing contract language status. The bargaining team then submitted a counterproposal with stronger language aimed at protecting nurses from confusion regarding job expectations and preventing disciplinary action tied to unclear or missing Post Orders. The proposal also sought to ensure nurses receive proper work instructions, and it doesn’t interfere with the Post and Bid process.
The overall goal was to prevent situations that could jeopardize nursing licenses or lead to progressive discipline due to unclear assignments or expectations. This item has not yet been agreed to and is still awaiting a response from the State.
19.6.17 – Show Up Time
The Union continued advocating for protections for Unit 17 employees who work in locked facilities and experience delays due to security checks and access procedures.
The proposal aimed to ensure employees are given reasonable travel time from facility entry gates to their designated sign-in areas without being docked pay, marked late, or subjected to progressive discipline.
Management rejected the proposal and pushed to maintain the current language.
The bargaining team clarified that the proposed language was added to address issues not currently covered in the contract.
Counterproposal Activity
The BU 17 bargaining team submitted a third counterproposal on the show-up time issue after prior versions were rejected. Previous proposals included allowing employees to sign in at facility gates or protecting them from disciplinary action while traveling through secured areas.
Appendix N – Side Letter 7.17 – Activation of Correctional Treatment Centers (CTC’s)
The Union attempted to update language to include maintenance of CTC’s. Management rejected the proposal and pushed existing contract language instead. The bargaining team plans to ensure that CCHCS is added alongside CDCR to reflect the current department structure.
Frustration with the Negotiation Process
The BU 17 bargaining team expressed increasing frustration with State representatives’ handling of negotiations. The team feels these issues are slowing progress and causing unnecessary delays in reaching agreements.
We’ll continue sharing updates as bargaining progresses, so be sure to watch your inbox every Thursday morning for the latest news and ways to stay informed throughout this fight.
BU 17 Bargaining Team
Chair, Vanessa Seastrong – DSH
Vice Chair, Kimberly Manuel – CDCR
Alternate Vice Chair, Elsa Monroe – CDCR
BUNC Member, Michele Taylor – CDCR
BUNC Member, Leticia Whitman – CDCR