Health Facility Evaluator Nurses (HFEN)
Update as of January 5, 2021

Post

Thank you for all your emails and feedback. Please continue sending your questions, comments, and feedback to unit17@seiu1000.org  We read each email and try to respond accordingly in our updates.

1. UPDATES ON MILEAGE CLAIMS & RENTAL CARS 

  • How long do employees have to file a mileage reimbursement claim? 
    Travel reimbursement claims should be submitted as soon as possible and in the same month that the expenses have occurred. However, the travel unit accepts travel expense claims for up to three fiscal years. Currently accepting (FY 19-20, 18-19, & 17-18).
     
  • Do rental cars have to be returned each day? 
    The general policy is that employees need to return the vehicle after returning from a trip because the insurance only covers the vehicle, during the time they are conducting state business. If they need a vehicle more than one day without lodging, they will need to work with the supervisor to provide Travel unit, a car rental justification as to why it is needed overnight.
     
  • Christina Montserrat confirmed that employees who rent cars may ask for reimbursement for taxi/ride-share to and from the rental facility. 

2. UPDATE ON UNFAIR PRACTICE CHARGE (UPC)

  • The Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) issued a complaint against the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on our charge that CDPH committed an unfair labor practice. CLICK HERE  to view the document.
     
  • Our Unfair Practice Charge (UPC) focused on the unilateral implementation of the Duty Statement without completing the meet and confer process. Management’s unilateral action failed to address the flaws in the duty statement, the concerns of the Union and the HFENs, and the separation of functions between training and enforcement.
     
  • Next, we must meet with Management and PERB to try to resolve the issues mutually through a settlement conference. While we are required to engage in this process, we are not obligated to settle. 
     
  • The issuance of the complaint does not mean that we “won.” it just means that we passed the initial procedural hurdles for stating a claim of an unfair labor practice. If there is no resolution, we will continue to move forward towards a hearing at PERB.

3. CHCQ REORGANIZATION NOTICE

  • Management noticed us of the CHCQ Reorganization. CLICK HERE to view SEIU notice #C-2020-429-CDPH.
     
  • Please let us know your questions, comments, and/or suggestions by emailing us at unit17@seiu1000.org
     
  • In response to the Quality & Safety Survey Model Proposal approximately 50 HFENs sent a letter to Deputy Director Heidi Steinecker and many of the elected officials that oversee CDPH.
     
  • CLICK HERE to view a copy of the letter.

4. CDPH HIRING DIRECT PATIENT CARE RNs & LVNs TO DEPLOY INTO EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

  • Management noticed us regarding hiring limited-term (LT) patient care nurses to assist with surges of COVID positive patients. CLICK HERE to view SEIU notice #C-2020-525-CDPH.  
     
  • Management plans to recruit 100 direct patient care clinical staff, who will be limited- term for up to one year in this role. They would provide emergency temporary staffing in facilities, conduct testing, give vaccines, and help provide infection prevention onsite training.   
     
  • The notice above doesn’t mention LVNs, but we will be clarifying whether this notice includes LVNs or not.
     
  • Please let us know your comments, concerns, and questions by emailing us at unit17@seiu1000.org  

5. CDPH VACCINATION POLICY

  • Management noticed us of a new CDPH Vaccination Policy. CLICK HERE to view SEIU notice #C-2020-535-CDPH.
     
  • Please let us know your questions, comments, and/or suggestions by emailing us at unit17@seiu1000.org

6. UPDATE ON PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

  • Management says staff should have access to individualized fit-testing & proper mask sizes.
  • Management has given some staff Power Air Purifying Respirators PAPRs.
  • Everybody is getting fit-tested and there are some staff getting PAPR’s. 
  • If there are other concerns, please email us at unit17@seiu1000.org 

As always, if you have any individual or group issue you need help with, please call the Local 1000 Member Resource Center (MRC) at 866.471.SEIU (7348).

Thanks and In Unity,

Felicia (Lisa) Barbato, HFEN
Andres Villatoro, HFEN
Kim Cowart, RN, Chair, BU 17
Mo Kashmiri, SEIU Local 1000 Staff