Unit 1 is our Union’s largest and most diverse bargaining unit, representing classifications in Professional Administrative, Financial, and Staff Services … and today, one in four Unit 1 positions are vacant. Workloads are untenable, driving the loss of qualified employees and diminishing our service to the state.
Today, we proposed a series of pay adjustments intended to reward the value of our Unit 1 employees, and we did it with presentations made by four members of our bargaining team and five additional Unit 1 subject matter experts from across the state.
We believe that our path to respect is to tell the real story of state workers and to prevent the State from considering us as line items on a spreadsheet.
“I’m proud to serve the public with these people,” said Susan Rodriguez, Unit 1 Chair. “Today they will tell you (the State) about the work they do and how they serve our communities and our constituents.”
We proposed Special Salary Adjustments (SSA) for 56 classifications in 27 different series. Members of the Unit 1 Bargaining Team who made presentations were:
- Carolyn Alluis, Management Services Technician, DIR
- Delores Bonner, Staff Services Analyst, DOT
- Jean Colyer, Right of Way Agent, DOT
- Gina Crawford, Research Data Specialist II, CalPERS
They were joined by five additional Unit 1 subject matter experts:
- David Aguinaldo, Business Tax Specialist I, CDTFA
- Cloria “CJ” Barnes, Personnel Specialist, CDCR
- Dan Gargas, Aviation Safety Officer II, DOT
- Michelle Levy, Senior Legal Analyst, DOJ Attorney General’s Office
- Tommy Rico, Television Specialist, CDCR
“I’m advocating for a change in a classification that hasn’t been touched by the state since 1990, the year I was born.” – Tommy Rico
“I’m stressed by the changes over many years that have made my classification more demanding, and more in demand.” – Michelle Levy
“We’re demanding Respect for our contribution, to Pay Us for our commitment, and to Protect Us to keep the quality of our life from slipping further behind in this economy.” – Jean Colyer
“One machine can do the work 50 ordinary men, but no machine can do the work of an extraordinary Personnel Specialist.” – Cloria Barnes
Another new proposal addresses Recruitment and Retention adjustments in 10 different series and a total of 29 classifications. These were identified in a report jointly created by a team from Local 1000 and CalHR. You can read the report here on the Unit 1 website. Of note: This committee and the report was itself the result of Article 5.17.1, a win from our 2020 contract, addressing this important issue.
We presented one additional proposal, Article 11.XXXX.1 – Operational Availability Incentive Program, DWR (Unit 1). This mirrors an existing program in Unit 11. And, keeping our negotiations moving forward, we reached a tentative agreement with the State on Article 21.6.1, Hearst Castle Night Tours.
You can read the details of these and all current contract articles at contract.seiu1000.org
Unit 1’s next meeting with the State to win a contract that Respects Us, Protects Us, and Pays Us is set for May 16. To read about what happened in Tuesday’s other bargaining sessions, please visit the Contract Action Center page at www.seiu1000.org
There’s real truth to the Local 1000 slogan, Stronger Together. We only win a great contract with a strong Local 1000 membership. So, if you’re not already a member, we encourage you to join us today