Search: 2010

Governor Schwarzenegger recently signed into law changes that could result in the early release of about 6,500 low-risk felons over the next year. Prior to release, correctional case records analysts working in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) must review the records of more than 20,000 inmates to determine if they meet the new early release eligibility criteria to recalculate release dates.

Local 1000 represents nine different bargaining units and over 95,000 state employees. The power of these numbers enables us to make workplace improvements that make life better for everyone.

This is a summary of the tentative agreement for Unit 1. To learn more about all tentative agreements, visit the Contract Ratification page.

Establish JLMCs (Joint Labor Management Committees) on workload for:

The last straw for the thirty correctional case records analysts and technicians working at Case Records North in Rancho Cordova was this outrageous remark by a CDCR manager: “If you’re having stress at work, it’s because you’re having problems at home. Stop taking your home-problems to work.”
An overwhelming majority of employees did a “Vote of No Confidence” petition and marched in on a new head manager last month. Employees demanded a Joint Labor Management Committee (JLMC) to focus on workload issues and management harassment. The JLMC was agreed to on the spot.

An initial meet and confer was held with CDCR in late May on the effects of recent changes in the penal code on the workload of correctional case records analysts (CCRAs). Although no concrete agreements were reached, the meeting was helpful in developing a framework for future discussions. Representing Local 1000 were CCRAs Karen Devoll of Jamestown and Rhonda Roduner of Chowchilla. 
Future meetings are being planned to focus on workload issues concerning non-revocable parole (NRP) criteria and SOMS (a data management system for inmate central files).  

Unit 1 continues to monitor the status of 180 Unit 3 employees who transferred last March to Unit 1 positions in lieu of layoff. It’s been a difficult transition for many. William Hall, one of about a dozen Unit 1 Statewide Bargaining Advisory Committee (SBAC) members who volunteered to call Unit 3 transfers, says: “They are mourning the loss of their prior teaching positions. The transition to analytical work, and the management style that goes with it, can be a challenge.”

Local 1000 has met twice with the state, and more meetings are planned, over the effects of the creation of this new department on our membership.
Senate Bill 63 (2009) merged the functions of the now-defunct Integrated Waste Management Board and the Division of Recycling of the Department of Conservation into the new Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, effective January 1, 2010. The legislation stated that no non-exempt civil service employee was to lose rights or employee status in the merger.

After pressure by Local 1000, the Employment Development Department (EDD) converted 24 permanent intermittent positions to full-time positions last month, bringing the total number of conversions to 630 over the past five years.
Local 1000 has successfully argued that EDD was understaffed even before the economic recession began in 2008 and the unemployment rate spiked above 12 percent, which forced the department to hire more than 1,000 people.

A way to build support for public services is to make sure our voice is being heard in the local media.  Here are some excerpts from letters written by Unit 1 members.   Keep writing those letters!

Politicians keep spreading myths about state pay and benefits
Peter Brand, Conservancy Project Development Specialist, CCON, Sacramento Bee, July 6, 2010
 

A major organizational priority this summer is political activism. Unit 1 members are committed to electing local and statewide candidates who support public services – and then hold them accountable. The November election is coming up and we need even more volunteers to ensure the right candidates win. If you can help, contact unit1@seiu1000.org.
Here is what’s been happening:

The first ever Local 1000 IT Professionals Conference was held the weekend of April 17 in downtown Sacramento. IT professionals were able to network, get hands-on training and learn about trends in a fast-changing industry.

“We hope this conference will set the stage for future events that will focus on the professional needs of the state’s IT workforce and other occupational groups within Unit 1,” commented Margarita Maldonado, chair of Bargaining Unit 1 and an associate information systems analyst at the Department of Justice.
Conference workshops included: