Contracts

Click here for a copy of Local 2620's current constitution

The Pharmacist Negotiation Team, along with Business Agent Pam Manwiller, Union President Nancy Swindell, Northern and Southern Union Vice Presidents and the designated Union recorder, met with the DPA for the first time on Wednesday July 2 in the morning. The Pharmacist team was comprised of members Karen Young (DHS LA Office), Chuck Hassert (CDCR Corcoran), Bob Lewinter (L & C Southern Ca) as expert witnesses and Cozette Moysa (Occupational Chair).

The team passed contract proposals specific to Pharmacist issues. Substantial increases in Pharmacist salaries not covered by the Plata groups were proposed. The three Pharmacist experts did an exemplary job representing our members. Other proposals were also passed across the table. These items pertained to State reimbursement for costs incurred by Pharmacists for such items as Board Certification, Continuing Education. Also included was a request for a Persable salary adjustment for Pharmacists who routinely provide formal Education Classes and a proposal for on-site licenses for clinical pharmacy information systems.

The vast majority of your numerous suggestions were found to be applicable to ALL Local 2620 Members and many have been presented as proposals to the DPA prior to our meeting on July 2. Other issues extremely important to Pharmacists and other disciplines (such as contracting-out, etc) have yet to be addressed. The bargaining process has just commenced. Any suggestions and ideas from members are encouraged and welcomed.

Cozette Moysa

Pharmacy Occupational Chair

Negotiations! What a harmless sounding word for such a nerve-wracking experience! My fellow IPC, Arthur Schwartz, and myself (both from Sonoma Developmental Center) were invited to join the IPC Occupational Chair Mary Soriel, Chief Negotiator Pam Manwiller and Union President Nancy Swindell at the Bargaining table in Sacramento on June 25 to present our proposals for the 2008-2010 contract. This was a first experience for Arthur and me and we were pretty nervous prior to the meeting. When we arrived we were briefed on the expected code of conduct and protocol and then it was time to begin!

There were 9 State representatives and 8 Union representatives. Once we entered the room and sat down our eagerness to explain the reasons for our proposals overshadowed our previous anxiety. As questions were posed to us, it became clear that who we are and what we do as IPCs was a bit of a mystery to the State. Mary Soriel took the opportunity to provide some history before discussion of specific proposals began.

The proposals were passed across the table to the State side, one by one, and each member had an opportunity to ask us clarifying questions. Mary was clear with regard to the value of IPCs and the work they do. She reminded the State that IPCs are federally mandated and that our work actually saves the state money. Without federal funding, the State would be spending much more. Mary explained, strongly and clearly, that in order to stop the current exodus of IPCs, and to attract more IPCs to our centers, there must be an equitable wage, a reasonable recruitment and retention differential and an opportunity for IPCs to enhance current knowledge and skills by offering a training and development reimbursement program (our proposal asks for $250 per calendar year).

Arthur and I found the State representatives to be respectful and attentive. We were not rushed but were given time to say what we needed to say. They asked good questions and I believe we offered a persuasive case for each of the proposals we submitted.

That being said, I came away from the table with the phrases "fiscal crisis" and "budget deficit", still ringing in my ears. Though there were several members of the 9 State representatives who appeared genuinely sympathetic to our plight as IPCs, the fact remains that there are simply not enough dollars to go around. There is no denying these are tough economic times, but we are hopeful that the State will recognize the value, importance and necessity of the Individual Program Coordinators who are committed to serving our developmentally disabled clients in the Centers throughout the state. Only time will tell!

Regardless of the final outcome of our contract negotiations, we all owe a debt of gratitude to Pam Manwiller and Nancy Swindell for their diligent preparation, tireless efforts and commitment to negotiating a better contract for IPCs and all BU 19 classes. The state of our State may not be in great shape, but the state of BU 19 is strong and purpose-driven. Thanks Nancy and Pam!

Sincerely,

Linda Selby, IPC

Sonoma Developmental Center

* Adobe Acrobat required. If you don't have it installed, you can download Adobe Acrobat Reader free from www.adobe.com.