The Tentative Agreement and ballots to vote on ratifying the contract have been mailed out. Members of the Negotiation T.E.A.M. and our Business Agents have scheduled a number of work site meetings throughout the state to go over the agreement. In addition, as we are unable to go to every work site, we will be hosting a teleconference to discuss the Tentative Agreement and to answer any questions. Further details regarding the teleconference will be provided no later than January 24, 2017. Please refer to the calendar on our web site www.afscmelocal2620.org for the work site meetings scheduled or contact the Burbank office at (800) 698-6553.
Bargaining Update: Ballots for Vote on Tentative Agreement to Be Mailed to Members Soon
We have completed a summary of the Tentative Agreement reached with the State. For the Tentative Agreement to be ratified, a members’ vote must be taken. Of the votes received, a majority is needed to ratify the Tentative Agreement as proposed. A copy of the summary and a ballot with instructions will be mailed to members’ last known address by January 13, 2017.
Ballots will be due by February 1, 2017. Members of the Negotiation T.E.A.M. will be scheduling work site meetings throughout the state during the three week period to answer questions and provide details of the Tentative Agreement.
Want to Know What’s In the New Contract?
The 2016 Negotiation Team reached a new agreement on December 16, 2016, after a lengthy process that included a statewide survey to members, a large Occupational meeting, a statewide Stewards meeting and feedback from members and leaders. We began bargaining on May 2, 2016, and after 32 sessions with the State, concluded with many changes to our agreement. We submitted well over 200 proposals addressing a wide range of issues/concerns for you the member. Although we were not able to reach agreement on all our proposals, we are walking away with many new changes in this new agreement. The agreement needs to be ratified by Members in a vote by mail ballot, which members in good standing will receive in the mail shortly.
Highlights of the new agreement include but not limited to:
General Salary Adjustment
Effective January 1, 2017 – 3.5%Effective July 1, 2017 – 3.5%Effective July 1, 2018 – 2.5%Effective July 1, 2019 – 2%
Special Salary Adjustments
In addition to the General Salary Adjustment, effective January 1, 2017 the following classifications will receive a onetime special salary adjustment of 10%.
Occupational Therapists (Class codes 8288, 9280, 8204)Senior Occupational Therapists (Class code 8287, 9346)Physical Therapist I (Class codes 8280, 9281,8315)Physical Therapist II (Class codes 8277,9342)Speech Pathologist I (Class codes 8279,8309)Speech Pathologist II (Class code 8278)
In addition to the General Salary Adjustment, effective January 1, 2017 the following classifications will receive a onetime special salary adjustment of 5%.
Chaplains (class codes 9768,9769, 9912,9913,9916,9917,9919,9920,9922,9923)Registered Dietitians and Pre-Registered Dietitians (Class codes 9279, 2167, 2172, 2168)Inspector Board of Pharmacy (Class code 8879)Adoption Specialist (Class code 9423)Individual Program Coordinators/Safety (class code 9897)
Prefunding of Post-Retirement Health Benefits contributions
Effective July 1, 2017 members will pay 1%Effective July 1, 2018 Members will pay 1%Effective July 1, 2019 Members will pay 1%
Continuing Education
Increase in CEU reimbursement from $200 to $500 Effective January 1, 2017.
Intern Supervision Differential
Added the following classifications to the Intern Supervision differential:
Registered DietitiansPhysical Therapist I and IIOccupational TherapistSenior Occupational Therapist
On-Call/Call Back assignment for CDCR Exempt Employees
Added new language that will state the following:
When on-call is scheduled on a holiday, the employee may request cash compensation. It is at management’s discretion whether the request is granted.
Union Initiated Classifications Discussions
Increase the number of classifications to be reviewed from 2 to 4
Business and Travel Expenses
Increases in amounts for some counties for lodging.
Vacation/Annual Leave Cash Out
Employees may be permitted annually to cash out up to eighty (80) hours of accumulated Vacation/Annual leave. In those departments that have funds available.
Grievance/ Arbitration language improvements
New language will provide 180 days from request for Arbitration to select an Arbitrator.
Personal Leave 2010 and 2012 program
Extend period to utilize from July 2016 to July 2018.
Health Benefits Dependent Vesting
Eliminate dependent two- year vesting period.
Department of Juvenile Justice, CDCR
Agreed to meet and confer over the OnCall/Callback within 90 days after Ratification of new agreement.
Chaplains Required Denominational Conventions or Gatherings
Increased maximum reimbursement from $200 to $240 annually.
Workplace Violence Prevention
Each department shall maintain a workplace violence prevention program that includes “no bullying”
Personal Leave Program of 2010 and 2012
Extended time frame from 2014 to 2016 for workers to utilize PLP of 2010 and 2012.
Contract Term
Four-year agreement from July 1, 2016 through July 1, 2020.
Bargaining Update: AFSCME Local 2620 Reaches Agreement
AFSCME Local 2620 has reached a tentative agreement which is subject to approval by the Membership.
A summary of the tentative agreement is forthcoming.
Bargaining Update: Negotiations Team Meets with the State
The AFSCME Local 2620 negotiation team met with the State on December 7 and 8 in Sacramento, California.
We have made some progress in bargaining and will return back to the bargaining table on December 15, 2016.
We are doing all we can to settle on a contract that benefits all our members.
SEIU Calls Off Strike
We have just confirmed through the SEIU Local 1000 web site that the strike is OFF!!!
SEIU Local 1000 has reported that they have withdrawn their notice to strike and will continue to bargain with the State since they felt they found a pathway forward.
As previously e-mailed on December 1, we go back to the negotiating table on December 7 & 8. Our hope is that the State will move towards a more equitable agreement for our members.
We will update members after our December 7 & 8 bargaining session with the State of California.
Bargaining Update: SEIU Local 1000 Calls Off Strike
We have just confirmed through the SEIU Local 1000 web site that the strike is OFF!!!
SEIU Local 1000 has reported that they have withdrawn their notice to strike and will continue to bargain with the State since they felt they found a pathway forward.
As previously e-mailed on December 1, we go back to the negotiating table on December 7 & 8. Our hope is that the State will move towards a more equitable agreement for our members.
We will update members after our December 7 & 8 bargaining session with the State of California.
Bargaining Update: Going Back to the Negotiating Table on Dec. 7
As most of you are aware, AFSCME Local 2620 is still in Contract negotiations with the State of California.
We broke off negotiations in early August after the State provided us with what we consider an unacceptable four year agreement. This agreement would have granted a 9.5% increase, minus 3% that our members have to pay for the Governor’s pre-funded medical retirement plan. This would result in a 6.5% increase over four years.
We go back to the negotiating table on December 7 & 8. We are not alone. Currently, five unions are still without a new collective bargaining agreement. Our hope is that the State will move towards a more equitable agreement for our members.
SEIU Local 1000 has declared a strike for Monday, December 5. While AFSCME is still in bargaining and not on strike, we want to make it clear that public workers have a right to strike as a fundamental right. We know that departments are issuing memos which are causing confusion and misunderstandings. We expect individuals to follow the policies and procedures within the State and their collective bargaining agreement. However, we want to make it clear that individuals have a right, on their own time, to do what they feel is right for them.
We will update members after our December 7 & 8 bargaining session with the State of California.
TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE!
Remembering Our Beloved Sister, Gail Penny
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of our beloved Central Business Agent Gail Penny. We have lost a dear friend and valued colleague. Gail was such an extraordinary person. This is truly a great loss felt by those who knew her and to our community as a whole. She will be profoundly missed by everyone whose lives she touched. Nevertheless, let us remember Gail each time, with a smile upon our faces.
Gail Penny, an amazing human being, passed away unexpectedly, at the age of 64, from heart failure on October 9, 2016. She was many things to countless people and touched a multitude of lives. Gail resided in Visalia, California for the past 27 years and has also been known in the community as Gail Gaffney and Gail Hendershot.
Gail was born on May 5, 1952, in Oakland, California to Jack and Anita Penny. After graduating high school, she proudly served her country in the Navy. After her military service, she worked and went to college, while raising two young children. Gail received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin. When she settled in Visalia, Gail became employed with Tulare Youth Services, where she was an advocate for children’s rights. She then enjoyed serving her community as a psycho-therapist. Her office was in Exeter, California, where she specialized in working with Veterans for a decade. Gail then changed professions and was involved in the mental health field for the Corcoran Department of Corrections for multiple years, where she was very active within her union. She switched gears and spent her last years as a Union Representative with AFSCME Council 57 for mental health employees of the California Department of Corrections. Gail lived life full of passion and was very spiritual. She loved humor and human connection. She always fought for what she believed was right.
Gail’s memory will live on through her loved ones including her daughter Jamie Davis, son Kevin Doyle, grandchildren Brian Davis, Courtney Davis and Neala Aine Doyle, great-granddaughter LeslieAnn Davis, father Jack Penny, brothers Steven and Calvin Penny, sisters-in-law Ginger and Patrice Penny, nephews Brian Pacheco, Kyle Penny, Carson Penny, niece Skye Penny and best friend Cindie Fonseca. Gail’s passing is preceded by her mother, Anita Penny.
We have loved her in life, let us not forget her after death. In loving memory of Gail Penny.