Today’s Unit 21 bargaining session showed greater engagement by State negotiators, and we made some positive steps with six tentative agreements reached today.

There was troubling news: The State attacked us with counter proposals on three contract sections that define the very nature of the work of Education Consultants and Librarians.

 “This is disrespect, pure and simple. These three sections are foundational, at the heart of Unit 21,” said Bobby Roy, Unit 21 chair. “The State wants to weaken our professional status and to diminish our autonomy.”

“These are three sections that matter most to us,” added Bobby Roy. They are: 19.19.21 and 19.19.21 (a), which govern how our work is scheduled, and 21.16.21, which governs how we do our jobs. “This cannot stand, and we need to engage as a Unit and push back to protect our rights and our ability to provide quality services to California’s residents.”

Here’s where the fight begins: Unit 21-represented workers are encouraged to attend a bargaining update (Zoom call) where you’ll learn more about the State’s dangerous proposal and our plans to maintain our professional status as stipulated in the contract.

Here are the scheduled times you can join this important update:
**Please note the Thursday call requires pre-registration.

  • Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 12 Noon to 1:00 p.m. :
https://seiu1000-org.zoom.us/j/82053318155?pwd=bStnMXNDQ2YrRWdNWHNWMDBHRHVWQT09

In other Unit 21 bargaining today:
We proposed to roll over and protect earlier contract wins on two sections:

  • 9.18.21 – Alternative Pre-Retirement Death Benefit
  • 13.12.21 – Employment Opportunities

We reached tentative agreement with the State on six contract sections, plus the two sections (above) that were proposed today:

  • 8.21.21 – 10-12 Leave
  • 8.31.21 – Personal Leave Program: 1992 and 2003
  • 17.11.21 – Education Leave: Conversion at Retirement
  • 17.12.21 – Retirement Systems: State Teachers’ Retirement System (STRS) and Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS)
  • 9.18.21 – Alternative Pre-Retirement Death Benefit
  • 13.12.21 – Employment Opportunities

Unit 21’s team also agreed to move these two economic proposals to the master table for further negotiations:

  • 11.1.21 – Special Salary Adjustments
  • 12.14.21 – Professional Development

You can read the details of these and all current contract articles at contract.seiu1000.org

Unit 21’s next session with the State has not yet been scheduled. To see updates on other bargaining unit contract sessions, click here for our 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.

And be sure to save your spot for the upcoming June 22 Rally at the Governor’s Office in Los Angeles here