Unit 20 Bargaining Update for Wednesday, August 7th, 2019
Unit 20 Challenges State Over Post & Bid and Vacation Scheduling Issues

Post

On Wednesday, August 8th, our Unit 20 bargaining team challenged the state to implement changes to Post and Bid, vacation scheduling, and workplace safety.   

On July 29th our Unit 20 bargaining team proposed changes to the current post and bid process that would give workers more control over the shifts they work. On Wednesday the state submitted a counter-proposal arguing that any stronger language around Post and Bid would restrict the ability of management to control workplace scheduling. In response, the Union submitted counterproposals to improve Post and Bid percentages and advocated for a task force to look at developing a Post and Bid for Medical Assistants. These issues remain outstanding.

The state also submitted counter-proposals that sought to continue the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Dental Assistants and Dental Hygienists Vacation Scheduling Task Force without any clear date for resolution of the issues.  The Union pushed for a quicker implementation process of the new standardized vacation scheduling process. 

Unit 20 did sign important tentative agreements during the bargaining session including:

  • A provision that will ensure safety orientations are given to employees earlier in their employment.  Our hope is that better training and timely safety can improve workplace safety for all parties involved.
  • A Continuing Education Leave provision that would add Medical Assistants to the list of classifications eligible for the leave and increase the hours for the Respiratory Care Practitioners.

Our Unit 20 bargaining team and the state also signed “roll-over” language protecting our rights through on-the-job orientations and exchanges of time off.

“We’re still working through some tough issues around Post and Bid and other scheduling issues that are important to Unit 20 members,” said Luisa Leuma, Chair of Unit 20. “But we also made some progress. We’re determined to make sure that our member’s voices are heard and our concerns are taken seriously.” 

On Friday, August 9th Unit 20 will go back to the table to address mandatory overtime and vacation scheduling for CDCR and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS).