Our Bargaining Unit (BU) 3 team held an ongoing statewide 5.19.3 Classification and Compensation Committee meeting on January 26, addressing multiple statewide concerns impacting BU 3 teachers across CDCR and CDE, with primary focus on leave usage, PLP implementation, workplace practices, staffing tools and equity issues.
Management stated that partial PLP must be combined with other leave types to equal a full 8-hour day. Our BU3 team pushed back on this, citing Article19.1.3 F 5 which prohibits FLSA Exempt employees from being charged paid leave or docked for absences in less than whole-day increments. No clear written policy was produced by state management to justify the practice. Management agreed to research and report back. Aggressive enforcement of PLP 2020/2025 priority usage has created unintended consequences, including forced leave combining and potential loss of Personal Necessity Leave (PNL) – the state agreed to research and investigate possible remedies concerning this.
Another concern we brought up to the table was pertaining to CDE. A Letter of Intent was presented at Fremont Special School for the Deaf in a manner perceived as mandatory and included questions regarding retirement plans. Staff reported harassment through repeated reminders and deadlines, and fear of retaliation after a teacher who disclosed tentative retirement plans was reassigned. We requested simple remedies: clearly state LOI is voluntary, remove retirement questions, and stop repeated pressure. Management acknowledged concerns, emphasized LOI’s planning value, and committed to reviewing the issue.
Our efforts to establish a credential-clearing program within CDCR and OCE continue to face obstacles regarding CCTC approval, adult education classification, lack of curriculum, and budget constraints. Both sides acknowledged the growing teacher shortage and the need for long-term solutions.
As always, if you have questions or concerns you wish to bring to your Bargaining Unit Chair, please send an email to: [email protected]
In Solidarity,
SEIU Local 1000, Bargaining Unit 3