Bargaining Unit 21, the unit representing our Educational Consultants, Child Development Consultants, Librarians, Archivists, and Specialists, met with the State on Monday, May 11, and again on Wednesday, May 13, to resume unit-specific bargaining negotiations for our 2026 Contract.
Unit 21 remains firm in continuing to engage in discussions with the State that protect our FLSA-exempt status and maintain the professional standards of our classifications. These conversations reflect our ongoing commitment to ensuring our work is recognized, respected, and supported through fair contract language.
In our discussions with the State, we proposed language changes to several sections of our Contract. We began with 15.4.21 Employee Opportunity Transfer, seeking to clarify the language to better reflect the actual operation of the transfer process. Additionally, we presented new language for a Career Mobility Transfer Opportunity, as career mobility remains an important priority for members in Unit 21.
In an effort to make this provision more equitable and less burdensome to access, we proposed language changes to section 11.65.21 Arduous Pay Differential, particularly given the significant barriers FLSA-exempt employees face in qualifying for and receiving this differential under the current structure. Additionally, our team proposed language changes to 8.28.21 Educational Leave to expand the benefit, and related new languageto invest in future Unit 21 professionals.
Unit 21 reached a tentative agreement (TA) with the state for section 10.25.21 Training in Infectious Disease Control, strengthening protections related to the health and safety of our Unit 21 employees.
While the State moved to conclude our Wednesday afternoon session earlier than planned, our team was able to revisit the antiquated classification specifications of Archivists I and II, which have gone nearly 60 years without meaningful revision. We continued to press for updates that reflect the modern responsibilities and technological demands of the profession.
This week, our observers were Marissa Friedman from the California State Library, along with Aritz Cardenas, Ivan Tiet, and Heather Bell from the California Department of Education. Our subject matter experts who helped provide further insight on our proposals were Jonathen Yang from the Department of Social Services, Angela Data and Hilary Thomson from the California Department of Education, and Veronica Lara, from the California State Archives.
Our Unit 21 Bargaining team, led by Chair Bobby Roy, Vice Chair Danielle Fiore, Alternate Vice Chair Melissa Tyler, Joycelyn Ward-Richardson, and Monica Grimes, will continue fighting for what we deserve while pressing the State to recognize the professionalism of our classifications through fair compensation, workplace protections, and the respect our employees deserve.
Unit 21 returns to the table next week on Monday, May 18. We’ll share updates on negotiations regularly, so be sure to watch your inbox every Thursday morning around 9 a.m. for the latest bargaining news and opportunities to stay involved throughout this fight.
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