Stewards Lead the Way Doing Real Representation

Article Published on November 4, 2022

When our members find themselves facing conflict in the workplace over contract language, their first line of defense is their Job Steward. Across the state, hundreds of SEIU Local 1000 members have stepped up to act in the role of advocate for their coworkers, receiving regular and thorough training in our contract and the codes and regulations that protect our rights and working conditions.

Many issues are solved through informal meetings with management. When we’re unable to reach a solution, we will file a grievance and initiate a process that brings to bear the full resources of our representational staff, which includes specialists at our Union Resource Center and our union’s team of labor attorneys.

Here’s just one example of the results we can achieve for our members:

Out-of-Class grievance win earns member back pay and more

When one of our members—working in Sacramento at the Emergency Medical Services Authority—completed a 120-day out-of-class assignment, her increased duties were not removed by the Department, and the expectations remained.

Our Contract offers strict guidelines to protect our represented employees from working above their current classification without an increase in pay.

The member reached out to our Member Resource Center and a grievance was filed. The member was appointed to the higher classification retroactive to the end of her 120-day assignment, received back pay along with experience credit that allows the member to advance to Range B sooner than otherwise expected.

 

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: Article 14.2 Working Out of Class

  1. An employee is working “out-of-class” when the employee spends more than half of his/her/their time over the course of at least 2 consecutive work weeks performing duties and responsibilities associated with a higher-level classification.
  2. Employees may be temporarily required to perform out-of-class work by the department for up to 120 calendar days in any 12 consecutive calendar months, if certain conditions are met.
  3. Employees required to perform out-of-class work are paid the same rate of pay as the higher classification.

To learn more about Article 14.2 Out-of-Classification Grievances and Position Allocation Hearing Process, you can read your contract online with our easy-to-use, mobile-friendly search tool at contract.seiu1000.org

If you feel your Contract rights are being violated, you should first contact your Local 1000 Job Steward, or call the Member Resource Center at 866.471.SEIU (7348) for guidance.