Unit 4 Bargaining Updates

Post April 19, 2023

Bargaining Unit 4 Recap: Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Unit 4 continues to negotiate with representatives from the State this week, with a focus on the need for more involved discussions at the table to get represented employees a contract that respects, protects, and pays every state worker.

“The process has been moving forward compared to previous weeks, so we’re hopeful that the State will recognize the protections our workers need and deserve,” said Karen Jefferies, Unit 4 Chair. “We are fighting to get this work done in a timely manner and without losing any of the gains we have already made.”

However, without more tentative agreements or counter proposals offered by the State to our new language, negotiations have slowed. Apparently, lack of preparation and delays by State negotiators interfere with getting state workers the pay, protection, and respect they deserve on the job.

Permanent Intermittent (PI) workers are often seasoned employees with years of experience, but they often lack the opportunity to advance in state service. While the state suffers from an understaffing crisis, these workers need to be supported in their careers to help solve this problem.

“We were able to keep existing protections for PI workers which allows them to convert to a full-time position as soon as a position becomes available,” said Tom Krieger, Unit 4 Vice Chair.

Unit 4 reached Tentative Agreements with the State on three sections:

20.13.4 – Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) – Motor Vehicle Representative PI (Unit 4)
19.9.4 – Exchange of Time Off – Multi-Shift Operations (Unit 4)
19.13.4 – Overtime Assignments for Work Week Group 2 (WWG 2) Employees (Unit 4)

Additionally, the following rollover sections where proposed:

1.2.4 – Designation of Confidential Positions (Unit 4)
13.31.4 – 20/20 Program (Unit 4)

While there is progress being made and more Tentative Agreements reached, there still remain many critical issues we want addressed at the table.

“They have not countered on some of the new language we have proposed, and many of our rollover sections still are awaiting the State response,” said Jose “Eric” Alcaraz, Unit 4 Alternate Vice Chair.

These outstanding rollovers do not carry a financial cost to the State and relate to existing protections enjoyed by state workers. The team is waiting to hear back on these issues as bargaining continues.

“It’s important that our negotiations with the State conform to past practices, and one of those practices is getting articles across in a timely manner, sharing information, and really negotiating,” said Terry Gray, bargaining team member.

As our contract expiration date approaches, it’s important for the State to come to the table prepared to discuss the issues that matter to our represented workers.

“True dialog over these protections is important,” said Jefferies. “We want the State to recognize this and come to the table ready to discuss and counter our new language and rollover articles.”

Unit 4 returns to the table next week, on Tuesday, June 6. To see updates on other bargaining unit contract sessions, please visit the Contract Action Center page at seiu1000.org

There’s real truth to the Local 1000 slogan, Stronger Together. We only win a great contract with a strong Local 1000 membership. So, if you’re not already a member, we encourage you to join us today.

And be sure to save your spot for the upcoming June 8 March to the Governor’s Mansion here.

Bargaining Unit 4 Recap: Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Bargaining Unit 4 continued to negotiate with representatives from the State this week, with a focus on the need for consistent and fair treatment for workers across the state.

“We are disappointed with the lack of movement on the State’s part, but we’re pushing ahead and addressing their questions and trying to make our member’s needs heard,” said Karen Jefferies, Unit 4 Chair. “Our members have made very specific demands, which need to be respected.”

The State faces a lot of inefficiencies in its workforce, especially without strong universal standards across workplaces. The State can solve these issues at the table through negotiations with Unit 4 when they come to the table with solutions in mind.

“We took time to explain and go into detail on our members needs on the issues at the table today,” said Jose Eric Alcarez, Unit 4 Alt-Vice Chair. “We are focused on the changes our members have called for, and we’re demonstrating in detail the importance of these issues while we’re at the table.

BU 4 passed the following new language proposal to the State:

5.XX.4 – JLMC DMV (Unit 4)

We are looking for consistency statewide within DMV to maintain fairness for all of our members. This impacts our workers and the public they serve. We need to send a consistent message to Californians, not regional variations that confuse the public and frustrate employees.

“We’ve had this JLMC for well over eight years informally, and we have stated this over the table several times,” said Tom Krieger Unit 4 Vice Chair. “The State is willing to include this provision, so we hope to see a tentative agreement reached on this issue soon. It benefits both workers and the state.”

Additionally, the bargaining team proposed the following rollover sections to the State:

11.67.4 – Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Toll Collectors’ Night Shift
19.9.4 – Exchange of Time Off – Multi-Shift Operations
19.13.4 – Overtime Assignments for Work Week Group 2 (WWG 2) Employees
20.13.4 – Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) – Motor Vehicle Representative Permanent Intermittent

This rollover language includes language that protects Permanent Intermittent employees and provides opportunities for them to become permanent employees. This established a path for a strong retirement for workers and increasing employee retention, a long-standing issue, for the State.

11 sections remain where we have made a proposal and are waiting for a response. With our contract expiration date approaching, the State knows that time is running out. We have not received any TAs this session.

“What we’re asking for, especially with the JLMC, is not unreasonable,” said Jefferies. “We’re asking the State to come to the table with DMV decision makers prepared to address these issues.”

Unit 4 returns to the table next week, on Tuesday, May 30^th. To see updates on other bargaining unit contract sessions, please visit the Contract Action Center page at seiu1000.org

And be sure to save your spot for the upcoming June 8 March to the Governor’s mansion here.

Bargaining Unit 4 Recap: Tuesday, May 16, 2023

We are entering our fourth week of bargaining with the State for a contract that respects, protects, and pays the workers who have kept California running. The bargaining team for Office and Allied Workers represented by Local 1000, Bargaining Unit 4, went to the table on May 16 to reiterate to the State that the needs of their workers should be the priority at the table.

The sections we sent over for rollover included the following:

11.21.4 – Recruitment and Retention Differential for Accounting Clerk Series
11.23.4 – Out of State Pay Differential
11.37.4 – Dictaphone Differential
11.38.4 – Calendaring Differential (CUIAB)

You can read the details of these and all current contract articles at contract.seiu1000.org

After rollovers were sent, the team discussed our items that have not been responded to, and the State had nothing to offer. The State has taken a long time returning any articles, even those that would create new protections for our state workers. “The articles that have not been addressed by the State are infuriating,” said Chair Karen Jefferies. “For example, section 10.XX.4, Transportation and Disposal of Bodily Fluids, and 10.XXX.4, Wellness and Recovery Time, are two important sections that address our core issue of protection in the workplace. Bargaining Unit 4 employees across departments are being asked to do tasks that are outside their job specs and beyond their work capacity, which creates risks of danger for employees.” Our members need protection,” said Jefferies

“We take a lot of time with our language and make sure that it’s complete and in compliance with our member’s needs,” said bargaining team member Terry Gray. “We expect the State to either counter or TA the proposal, and the State is not doing the work.”

The bargaining team will continue to negotiate with the State to ensure that their unit’s needs are met by their employer.

Unit 4’s next meeting with the State to win a contract that Respects Us, Protects Us, and Pays Us is set for May 23. To read about what happened in Monday’s Bargaining Unit 11, 20, and 21 sessions, please visit the Contract Action Center page at seiu1000.org

And be sure to save your spot for the upcoming June 8 March to the Governor’s mansion here.

Bargaining Unit 4 Recap: Tuesday, May 2, 2023

We are entering our third week of bargaining with the State for a contract that respects, protects, and pays the workers who have kept California running. The Bargaining Unit Negotiating Committee (BUNC) for Office and Allied Workers represented by Local 1000, Bargaining Unit 4, went to the table on May 2 to bring a focus on the dangerous situations that state workers have faced and to demonstrate the protections that we need on the job.

The Team proposed one article as a “rollover,” signaling our desire that the existing language remains unchanged, keeping in place the hard-won rights from previous contract campaigns. The rollover article is the following:

13.11.4 – Upward Mobility and Training

Additionally, they proposed two new articles. These articles are intended to address issues not covered in our current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

New Language – 10.XX.4 – Transport of Bodily Fluids/Specimens (Prohibits management from mandating Unit 4 to collect, handle, or transport bodily fluid/specimen)

New Language – 10.XXX.4 – Wellness and Recovery Time (Creates a mandatory 48 hour “off work/recovery” time when employees work 8 consecutive days or more than 200 hours in a pay period)

The first new language proposal on the Transport of Bodily Fluids/Specimens addresses the longstanding issue of Unit 4 employees being told to perform tasks outside their roles as Office & Allied Workers.

Unit 4 members are not trained in handling bodily fluids and cleaning up biohazards. “Our training is an overview of what an airborne or blood borne pathogen is, not how to handle these samples,” said BUNC member Nicole Crist. “Our members are support staff. It’s not in our job scope to take vitals or patient history.”

Our proposal surrounding the wellness and recovery time is a response to ongoing calls from our members to address workload issues. “This came about because there is an increase in Unit 4 employees being mandated to do overtime work,” said BUNC Chair Karen Jefferies. “We wanted to make sure that our employees’ work-life balance could be respected.”

“Mandatory overtime creates burnout,” said Crist. “It’s long past time that this issue was addressed.”

A Tentative Agreement was reached on five (5) rollover articles:

13.11.4 – Upward Mobility and Training
13.35.4 – Employee Recognition and Morale Program – Franchise Tax Board (FTB), Board of Equalization (BOE), California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), and Office of Tax Appeals (OTA)
14.16.4 – Program Technician Classification Series
14.25.4 – Dispatcher Clerk/Dispatcher Clerk, Caltrans Classification Task Force Study
20.14.4 – Post and Bid Program for Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 4 (S.F. Bay Area)

Of these proposals, 13.11.4 – Upward Mobility was presented by the BUNC and accepted by the State in the same session, which shows the critical need for this language, and the ability of the BUNC team to push aggressively to ensure that important protections for Unit 4 employees are maintained.

“Upward mobility has been a long-time coming, and it’s something we needed to thoroughly address,” said Crist. “Karen and her commitment to this issue made sure that it was heard.”

“We want things to move on our table, and the State is on the same page with us on this,” said Jefferies. “We’re trying to make sure that we’re putting the things that our members are asking for across the table.”

Members will continue to lead the direction of negotiations with the State through worksite actions and member statements. “We want to bring our member’s voices into the room by bringing their statements and evidence to the table,” said BUNC Alternate Vice Chair Jose Eric Alcaraz.

You can read the details of these and all current contract articles at contract.seiu1000.org

Unit 4’s next meeting with the State to win a contract that Respects Us, Protects Us, and Pays Us is set for May 9. To read about what happened in Tuesday’s other bargaining sessions, please visit the Contract Action Center page at seiu1000.org

Bargaining Unit 4 – Recap: Tuesday, April 25, 2023

The Bargaining Unit Negotiating Committee (BUNC) for Office and Allied Workers represented by Local 1000 Bargaining Unit 4 went to the table with the State on April 25^th for the second week of negotiations on unit-specific issues.

Unit 4 presented three articles as “rollovers,” proposing that the existing language remains unchanged, keeping in place the hard-won rights from previous contract campaigns. The rollover articles are the following:

13.7.4 – Performance Standards
13.35.4 – Employee Recognition and Morale Program (FTB, BOE, CDTFA, OTA)
20.14.4 – Post and Bid Unit 4 Caltrans in District 4 (San Francisco)

Additionally, we proposed two articles for language changes. The changes are intended to address issues previously identified as needing revision.

During our last bargaining negotiations, a Joint Labor Management Committee was agreed upon. The Lottery Scratcher Sales Bonus language has not been updated since the 1990s. Now, with the input of our Joint Labor Management Committee (JLMC) at the State Lottery, we were able to bring new recommendations to the table. With the recommendations of both parties at the JLMC about these changes, so the bargaining team is hopeful that the State recognizes this as a common-sense change. said Bargaining Unit Negotiating Committee (BUNC) Chair Karen Jefferies.

Finally, the State agreed to one of our rollover articles, and thus, a “Tentative Agreement” was reached on one of our proposed articles:

9.18.4 – Caltrans Life Insurance

This article, maintaining the existing protections of CalTrans’s life insurance policy, is important to BU4 members and is a part of the essential safety net for workers across the state.

The State’s slow pace to return proposed articles and proposals to “clean up” articles has caused some concern for the Bargaining team. “It seems like the state is haste to make changes to our articles,” said BUNC Alternate Vice-Chair Jose Eric Alcaraz. In spite of these issues, the team is able to respond. By sending proposals as rapidly or slowly as the State is considering them, the team is able to make sure the state addresses these language changes, rather than letting them linger in limbo during this process. “We don’t want to sit back and wait for them to work through a ton of proposals.”

However, some of the proposed “cleanup” language creates an unbalanced agreement that does not help our members. “The state wants to change this language to something that would be more beneficial for management than our members, said BUNC member Terry Gray. “We are looking for an equal distribution of power with these language changes, and fair language that benefits both parties.

Proposed “clean up” language from the State creates issues not only with the fairness of our contract but affects the timing of bargaining. “The languages we passed over last week was easy for the State to agree to, but they decided they wanted to hold onto the proposals,” said Jefferies. “It’s only week two, but we’re sending over proposals with minor language changes. Their attempts to ‘clean up’ this language, reworded and chipped away at the intent and strength of the language. We continue to push back on this.”

Unit 4’s next meeting with the State to win a contract that Respects Us, Protects Us, and Pays Us is set for May 2^nd. To read about what happened in Monday’s Bargaining Unit 11, 20, and 21 sessions, please visit the Contract Action Center page at seiu1000.org

Bargaining Unit 4 Recap: Monday, April 18, 2023

The Bargaining Unit Negotiating Committee (BUNC) for Office and Allied workers represented by Local 1000 Bargaining Unit 4 went to the table with the State on April 18 for the first day of negotiations on unit-specific issues.

The bargaining team knew that they were in for a fight. Karen Jefferies, Bargaining Unit Negotiating Committee (BUNC) Chair for Unit 4 says “Right now, I see us as defending years of contract legacy, the protections that we’ve secured over the years. It’s important that the language we get reflects the spirit of the membership’s original demands.”

This bargaining session focused on six non-economic articles that covered language pertaining to upward mobility, Joint Labor Management Committees (JLMCs), task forces, and classification studies. These are crucial tools for state workers to take advantage of their training and expertise to develop their careers and maximize their time in state service.

The State’s negotiators were surprised when the BUNC pushed back against what they called “clean up” changes to the article language. “The State came in trying to clean up language that they didn’t understand and hadn’t studied,” said Jose Eric Alcaraz, BUNC Alternate Vice Chair. “These are hard-won protections, and our language wasn’t chosen lightly. We were able to make them understand why we’re fighting to defend it.”

The experience of SEIU Local 1000’s negotiators was clear. “I was 19 when I started with the state; I’m 43 now,” said Nickia Brisco, a BUNC member, and employee at the Department of Consumer Affairs. “Our experience working for the state exceeds theirs. That’s why we value that language. While we’re making progress toward a stronger contract, we need to remember nothing in our contract is there by default. We have to fight for all of it.”

The bargaining team presented a number of contract articles for “rollover,” a term used to describe parts of the contract that don’t require negotiation this cycle. The State agreed to roll over Article 5.16.4, which continues the Disability Determination Services Division JLMC. “We had good discussion and dialog,” said Alcaraz. “The chief negotiator listened and gave thoughtful responses. There’s an understanding that we both want Unit 4 to have progressive language, but it’s early, and in the end, it comes down to the language we agree on.”

Members of Unit 4 have made it clear that pay is our priority. “We’re going to have a battle over pay,” said Jefferies. “Unit 4 is the face and the backbone of the state. When the public utilizes state services their first contact with a state employee, it’s a Unit 4 classification, be it face-to-face or over the phone. There are only eight of us at the table, but we need to have all of our represented workers and the people they serve standing behind us.”

Unit 4’s next meeting with the State to win a contract that Respects Us, Protects Us, and Pays Us is set for April 25. To read about what happened in Tuesday’s Bargaining Unit 1, 3, and 17 sessions, please visit the Contract Action Center page at seiu1000.org

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