FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR
SIGN UP for e-mail UPDATES SIGN UP
for e-mail UPDATES
 

Nancy Swindell's letter

August 2, 2007

Dear AFSCME Brothers and Sisters in DMH, DDS, and CDVA,

Enclosed you will find information about a tentative agreement your union reached with the State regarding the implementation of the Coleman Court order of June 28, 2007,as it pertains to the Department of Mental Health; and the salary improvements extended to the Department of Developmental Services and the California Department of Veterans Affairs.

We are very pleased with this agreement, as it represents a significant salary increase for many of our workers in the above referenced departments. As with all negotiations, there is a certain amount of give and take. However, this agreement reflects significant gains with very little compromise on the part of the union. The union was successful in winning:

    management discretion
  • Salary increases for eleven (11) classifications, including five (5) classifications not previously included in Coleman Court orders.(see attached document)
  • The 3.4% COLA increase will be calculated on the new higher base salary.
  • Expansion of the Rehabilitation Therapist classification to include, art, dance, music, recreation, and occupational.
  • All Recruitment and Retention Bonuses rolled into base salaries.
  • A new anniversary date for all affected classifications that will provide an MSA every July until the employee reaches the new maximum salary.

In exchange for these improvements, we agreed to a multi-year phase in the persability. Simply said, this means you will receive the new salary immediately upon ratification of this agreement. The amount to be included in the calculation of your retirement benefit, should you decide to retire within the next three years, will be phased in. Depending on the percentage of increase the new salary represents, this phase in will be either, one year (less than 15% increase); two years (15% to 30% increase); or three years (above 30%).

What does your yes vote mean? It means we will secure forever, the higher salary rates referenced on the attached document. It means your base salary will now be secure and no longer subject to the “management discretion” of recruitment and retention bonuses. . It means your new higher base salary will be used to calculate all future raises negotiated by the union. And it means these classifications may very well attract and retain adequate numbers of staff needed to positively impact the services you are now providing. And, as we are called back to the negotiating table to discuss salary improvements for the Plata lawsuit classes (Dieticians, Pharmacists, and Physicians Assistants), we are in a much stronger position to bargain for the same increases realized in this agreement.

What does a no vote mean? The State could very well pull back the offer of a salary improvement for our brothers and sisters in DDS and CDVA. The State would pull back the offer to expand the number of classifications due to receive the increase. And finally, as we head back to the bargaining table to discuss Plata increases, it is doubtful the State will be inclined to make such generous offers for affected members

Please carefully consider your decision as you vote to ratify this contract. We urge you to vote YES on this agreement so we can secure these improvements forever, and build a strong base for even greater improvements in our 2008 negotiations.

In Solidarity,



Nancy Swindell
President, AFSCME 2620