Unit 15 has secured an important victory for our custodians and for the integrity of civil service work. The State Personnel Board’s Executive Officer has disapproved the Caltrans District 4 janitorial services contract at 111 Grand Avenue in Oakland. The ruling confirms that the state illegally outsourced work that belongs to our members.
The contract was found unauthorized under Government Code 19130(b)(10). The Executive Officer determined that Caltrans did not meet the legal standard required for contracting out work.
Key Findings from the Decision
• Caltrans relied on a long-term custodial staffing shortage, but the decision found that chronic vacancies are not urgent, temporary, or occasional.
• Caltrans did not show evidence of specific recruitment efforts or that civil service hiring options were exhausted.
• Health and safety claims about disease exposure, restroom sanitation, or rodents were speculative, and Caltrans provided no factual evidence that these issues had occurred.
• The collapse of a prior contractor did not justify continued outsourcing.
• The ruling reaffirmed that custodial work belongs in civil service, and Caltrans and DGS-FMD must make a good faith effort to recruit civil service custodians.
What Happens Next
The state has 30 days to comply and return the custodial work to state employees. Caltrans may appeal to the full State Personnel Board, but the decision is currently in effect.
A Message from Unit 15 Chair Eric Murray
“This win shows what happens when we stay persistent and defend the work our members perform every day. Civil service work matters, and we will always fight to keep it in the hands of the people who do it best. I want every Unit 15 member to know that your work is valued, and we will keep pushing back against unlawful outsourcing.”
Call to Action
This victory is the result of members speaking up, filing challenges, and standing together. We need to keep that momentum going.
• Report any contracting out or outsourcing concerns in your workplace.
• Stay active in your local steward network.
• Keep sharing information with coworkers so everyone stays informed.
• Connect with your steward or Unit 15 leadership if you see something that looks like civil service work being shifted to private contractors.
We will continue monitoring compliance and keep members updated. This is a strong win for Unit 15, and there is more work ahead. Stay engaged and stay connected.