Unit 1 Bargaining Team Continue to Raise Workload and Compensation Issues in Latest Negotiations

May 21, 2026

Our Unit 1 bargaining team returned to the negotiation table with CalHR on May 14 and the 19th with an ongoing focus on workloads and fair compensation. The bargaining sessions were centered on the unsustainably high workloads of our EDD Employment Program Representatives (EPR) and also returned to the issues of FSLA exempt employee scheduling and Arduous Duty Pay.

On May 14, our Unit 1 Bargaining Unit Negotiating Committee (BUNC) was joined by subject matter expert, Irene Green, EPR and president of DLC 790. She made sure to remind the state that EPR workloads are constantly shifting. “There is never a time that we aren’t working. EPR’s doing this work are committed civil servants, but the workload has increased. We are asking for a workload that is achievable, sustainable, and supports timely decisions for the public so that we can meet the mission of the department.”

On May 19, the Unit 1 team again raised concerns regarding FLSA exempt employees and presented proposals related to appropriate scheduling and Arduous Duty Pay. 

This progress in negotiations has been steady, but the overall pace has been slow. Susan Rodriguez, Chair of Unit 1 commented “When you look at the number of proposals our team has presented in comparison to what the state has returned or responded to, it just highlights how one-sided this process has been over the last three weeks.”

We are waiting for CalHR to respond, and despite the slow pace of the state team, our Unit 1 team is not deterred.

Unit 1 will be returning to the table on Thursday May 21.