Bargaining Unit 17, representing Registered Nurses across state facilities and departments, met with the State in subsequent sessions to continue unit-specific negotiations for the 2026 Contract.
In the recent sessions with the State, the negotiating team worked through a broad range of contract articles, resulting in multiple tentative agreements (TAs) that protect existing contract language and include new proposals aimed at improving working conditions, compensation structures, and retention across the nursing classifications.
Below is a summary of key updates from the sessions:
Tentative agreements (TAs) reached, protecting existing contract language:
- 8.13.17 – Court Appearance and/or Court Subpoenas.
- 8.29.17 – Non-Paid Educational or Research Leave
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12.10.17 – Replacement of Damaged Personal Clothing and/or Articles
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13.25.17 – Mandatory Training
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13.26.17 – Non-Mandatory Training
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13.28.17 – Education and Training Opportunities and Resources
- 16.7.17 – Continuation of Benefits
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19.6.17 – Show Up Time
- 19.22.17 – Overtime Voluntary Scheduling – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and California Correctional Health Care Services
- 19.24.17 – Floating
Initially, the State proposed removing the CTC from the language, but the Union responded with a counterproposal to create protections across departments. A Tentative Agreement (TA) was reached that includes the reinstatement of the CTC into the language.
APPENDIX N Side Letter 7.17 – Activation of Correctional Treatment Centers (CTC’s), BU 17 team presented and TA’d following cleanup language, including clarification to reference CCHCS.
In addition to contract movement, your Union introduced a new proposal (XX.XX.17 – Automatic Reimbursement Process), calling for the development of an automated reimbursement system to ensure nurses receive timely payment for expenses already contractually owed.
The State also presented a counterproposal on 20.9.17 – Post and Bid Assignments by Seniority – CDCR, which removed most of the Union’s proposed changes and remains an open item for future counterproposals.
Bargaining negotiations continued with additional movement across key articles:
- 14.4.17 – Duty Statements/Post Orders, and Work Instructions
Protecting existing contract language with minor cleanup, adding a CCHCS reference. - 11.21.17 – Seniority Differential
The bargaining team advanced a proposal expanding eligibility to additional hard-to-fill classifications, including several other nursing classifications, with a focus on recruitment and retention. - 12.9.17 – Overtime Meals Allowance
The bargaining team proposed a significant increase in meal allowance and introduced language supporting more efficient reimbursement processes for DDS, DSH, and DVA nurses.
As discussions progress, the bargaining team emphasizes the ongoing need to address outdated compensation structures, inefficiencies in reimbursement processes, and persistent staffing shortages across critical nursing classifications.
“This week’s progress reflects steady movement across multiple articles, but also reinforces the urgency of addressing retention, compensation, and operational barriers that directly impact our nurses and the patients they serve,” said Vanessa Seastrong, Bargaining Unit 17 Chair.
The Bargaining Unit 17 team will continue working through outstanding proposals and counterproposals as bargaining transitions toward upcoming sessions, including continued work at both the unit table and the Master Table as applicable.
We will continue to provide regular updates as negotiations progress. BU 17 workers are encouraged to stay engaged and watch for weekly bargaining communications shared on Thursday mornings.
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