Hello BU 15 members. My name is Garth, Vice Chair of BU 15. I want to highlight one of our key wins this bargaining cycle.
I started state service in 2007 and have been part of the bargaining team for four cycles. One thing about bargaining is that if we do not win something in one contract, we keep working on it the next.
A good example is Article 13.9.15, known as the Letter of Instruction, or LOI. The previous language was very limited. It stated that an LOI expires after one year and that the employee can request its removal. That was the extent of it, and many members felt it did not provide enough protection.
We heard this clearly from the field. Members like Pete Garza, a BU 15 steward and Correctional Supervising Cook at Valley State Prison, told us the language was not working.
This cycle, we made it a priority to strengthen that article.
We proposed requiring the State to remove LOIs automatically after one year, but that was rejected. The State maintained that employees must still request removal.
However, we secured several important improvements:
- Employees now have the right to submit a rebuttal to any LOI or WID
- LOIs must be issued in a timely manner, generally within 30 days
- This article is now grievable through Step 3, meaning it can go to CalHR
This last point is a major step forward and gives members stronger enforcement beyond the department level.
Overall, the language is clearer and gives members better tools and protections when dealing with LOIs.
We had many wins this cycle, but this is one worth highlighting.