Lift & Shift Team Protects Rights, Compensation in Upcoming Transition

Notification

Members affected by the upcoming transfer of the Psychiatric Programs at several correctional medical facilities have had their rights, respect and compensation secured and protected after our bargaining team met with state and department representatives to negotiate the impacts of the move from DSH to CDCR and CCHCS. 

The transition affects members in Units 1, 4, 15 and 17 at Salinas Valley State Prison, the California Medical Facility in Vacaville and the California Health Care Facility in Stockton. 

Our bargaining team successfully negotiated a number of proposals that retain the same organization and structure. Impacted employees will continue to perform the same duties, using the same workflows and schedules as they currently do. 

More than a thousand members will benefit from the efforts of the bargaining team. One key agreement is that our union must be notified of any changes in operational guidelines prior to implementation. 

“We engaged our members through our survey campaign, worksite visits and one-on-one conversations to make sure that we knew what we had to fight for. Our priority was to secure these rights, protections and salary adjustments for our members,” said Kim Cowart, Chair of Bargaining Unit 17.