The Latest from AFSCME 2620

Budget Update- 3rd Day of Furlough, Layoffs, and IOU's

Dear AFSCME Brothers and Sisters,
On June 30, 2009, Governor Schwarzenegger issued Executive Order S-13-09, mandating a 3rd day of furlough for all state workers through June 30, 2010. This now brings our salary reduction to a whopping 13.85%, a reduction that may well throw many of us into fiscal insolvency. Though this really comes as no surprise we are nonetheless outraged at this Governors calloused and cavalier willingness to make state workers his budget scapegoats...
Read More!

State Controller Will Pay State Workers - No IOU's Yet.

State workers may be forced to take 3 days off

San Francisco Chronicle
Matthew Yi, Chronicle Sacramento Bureau

"The governor has made us into budget scapegoats," said Nancy Swindell, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees AFL-CIO ... "
Click here to read article

Governor Threatens 3rd Furlough Day for State Workers

News10.net - Sacramento,CA,USA
Posted By: James Scullary

"American Federal of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 2620 President Nancy Swindell said her union's 5000 state health service employees have ... "
Click here to read article

SB 788 Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors Update

State Workers Should Be Part of the Budget Solution - Not Budget Scapegoats

''We are eager to be part of the budget solution, but we’re unwilling to be Schwarzenegger's budget scapegoat,'' said Nancy Swindell, President AFSCME 2620.
Click here to read entire statement...

Budget Update, June 10, 2009

Greetings AFSCME Brothers and Sisters,


The budget battle continues in Sacramento. The California Legislature is under immense pressure to reach an agreement by next week that will address a 24 billion dollar deficit. The Governor's Budget has proposed draconian cuts to vital services that will drastically impact California services for many years to come. California is on the brink of insolvency, and lawmakers are currently without a clear plan to fix the State’s problems.


On your behalf, I have been meeting with members of the California Senate and Assembly Conference Committee and testifying at the public hearings. I am vigilantly reminding each and every lawmaker that services you provide are not optional or ancillary. Today, your work keeps communities safe, and, tomorrow, your services will save taxpayer dollars. I have been addressing the wasteful, unnecessary practice of using private contractors instead of civil service workers, and I have been emphasizing the devastating impact more salary cuts would have on you and your communities.


The Conference Committee has completed the public comment period and is now painstakingly addressing each and every cut the Governor has proposed. As of today, no decisions have been made, and no proposal has been voted on. The entire process must be completed by the end of June.


We have been unable to move forward with bargaining our new contract, as the State appears to be on hold until a budget agreement is reached. Yesterday, at an informal meeting with the Department of Personnel Administration (DPA), we were told they would consider any proposals we bring to them. At this time AFSCME 2620 is working to see if we can gain some protection from future cuts by reaching an agreement in the very near future. We will keep you posted as changes occur.


California officially notified AFSCME 2620 about layoffs, Friday, June 5, 2009. Our official negotiation with the State will begin on July 2, 2009, at which time we will meet with each of the departments that have affected employees. Currently, the only departments affected are CDCR (23), DDS (2), DSS (2) and CDVA (6). The Department of Rehabilitation has exempted all Counselors from layoff and CDCR has exempted all clinical staff.


I will provide you with updates as they become available. In the meantime, you should know that we are still on the frontlines, fighting the good fight on your behalf.

In Unity,
Nancy Swindell, President
AFSCME 2620

AFSCME 2620 Members- Urgent- Take Action!

The news out of Sacramento keeps getting worse. Governor Schwarzenegger now proposes cutting our salaries by an additional 5% indefinitely. If the legislature doesn't agree, Schwarzenegger's office says the Governor may sign an Executive Order calling for a third day of furlough through June of 2011. AFSCME 2620 leadership is aggressively fighting this proposal, but we need your help.
Read More!

Click Here for a Sample Letter to send to your Legislator!

Latest budget proposal eliminates CalWORKs, lets out inmates early

The Sacramento Bee
By Kevin Yamamura

In California's latest doom-and-gloom announcement, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's Department of Finance on Tuesday proposed closing the state's main welfare program, releasing nonviolent prisoners one year early and shuttering up to 80 percent of state parks to shrink the state's $24.3 billion budget deficit.
Read More!

State Budget Crisis Gets Worse!

Click here for President Nancy Swindell's Analysis of the Worsening Budget Crisis

IMPORTANT UPDATE

LAO Recommends 3 Furlough Days and Retirement Changes

Click here to read the May 21, 2009 Budget Analysis

AFSCME 2620 President Nancy Swindell Addresses Pink Slips

ABC-News10 May 15, 2009

AFSCME 2620 President Nancy Swindell Speaks Out About Special Election,

San Francisco Chronicle
STEVE LAWRENCE, Associated Press Writer

"When you talk about something going off the cliff, you have to look at who is going to fall on the rocks below," she said. "Those are my members. Those are the people I represent."
Click here to read article

AFSCME 2620 President Nancy Swindell Opposes Budget Cuts on News10 ABC-TV

ABC-News10 May 14, 2009

Governor Schwarzenegger's May Budget Revision

Click here to read more about Schwarzenegger’s proposed cuts...

LAO Cites 'Slow Progress' on AB 900 Prison Initiatives

A new report by the Legislative Analyst’s Office says the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is making slow progress on construction of AB 900 projects and predicts plans to create new infill beds and reentry facilities could increase state costs by $1.3 billion a year.
Read More!

'STATE'S FUTURE AT STAKE IN MAY 19 VOTE'

San Fransisco Chronicle
John Wildermuth,Matthew Yi, Chronicle Staff Writers

If California voters reject a package of budget measures in next week's special election, it will set off a fiscal free-for-all that could set the state's course for years to come.
Read More!

'SEIU CONTRACT SNARED IN SPECIAL ELECTION FIGHT'

Capitol Weekly
Anthony York, Malcolm Maclachlan and John Howard

Union officials lashed out at Assembly Republicans for slowing down the progress of a State employee contract negotiated with Gov. Schwarzenegger earlier this year.
Read More!

MFT Bill (AB 1113) Update: ALL STATE PSYCHOLOGISTS AND SOCIAL WORKERS IN CDCR

The bill allowing MFT's into prisons to earn hours toward their licensing has been passed by the last two committees and is due to go on the Assembly floor as early as next week (May 4, 2009) for a vote. Your action now is essential to stop this bill from making it out of the Assembly. Click on the button above - "Take Action, Get Involved" - for a sample phone message or sample letter, and contact your Assembly member as soon as possible. You can find out who represents you by going down the list on the left to the bottom and clicking "Find Your Legislator." Type in your zip code and it will tell you your Senator and Assembly representative. Please contact your Assembly representative as soon as possible.


Bargaining Update April 13, 2009

Dear AFSCME Brothers and Sisters,
Many of you have been asking for an update on bargaining. I haven't provided you with any information because no real progress is being made.
Right now we are stuck, waiting for the state to respond favorably to our request for 16 hours of holiday time to compensate us for the two holidays they took away. There are numerous other unions representing tens of thousands of state workers now facing the same dilemma. We all feel that the state is not dealing fairly with us, having granted several conciliatory proposals on behalf of the members of SEIU, while refusing our members the same consideration. We cannot and will not tolerate such blatant disparate treatment...
Read More!

AFSCME 2620 Takes Stand On May Ballot...Measures

Dear AFSCME Brothers and Sisters,
As a part of the recent California budget agreement, six initiatives are slated for a statewide special election May 19, 2009. The ballot measures are a crucial component of the bi-partisan budget package approved by both Republicans and Democrats last month. The initiatives are needed to help avoid even deeper program cuts and put California on a path toward greater financial stability. ....
Read More!

Frequently Asked Questions About Furloughs

- What is the purpose of the furlough program?
Due to a 41 billion dollar shortfall, the state needs to reduce spending. The furloughs are intended to decrease the need for layoffs, though layoffs are also proposed as a means to recoup necessary budget dollars.


- Have the Federal Receiver and the Coleman Court agreed to the furlough plan which reduces court ordered salaries?
DPA met with the Receiver’s office and the Coleman principles. Neither have they have produced a court order to block the furlough program...
Read More!

Read More AFSCME Items Here...