10.1 Grievance Granted at Department Level

The CAPT representatives at Atascadero successfully filed a grievance brought about after the PDAS (Personal Duress Alarm System) failed not once but twice in a health and safety incident requiring backup assistance. During the incident, a CAPT member activated their PDAS with no resulting overhead announcement. Consequently, another attempt was made on another staff person’s PDAS, resulting in no overhead announcement. Finally, an overhead announcement was triggered after the third attempt on another device. The functionality of the PDAS, which is to keep employees safe from immediate threats, failed miserably. The people involved are fortunate to have not sustained any resulting harm or injury. Download flier. 

CAPT representatives met yesterday with CDCR/CCHCS representatives to discuss the implementation and impact of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on BU 18 CDCR employees. The CAPT reps present at yesterday’s meeting were chapter presidents Toni King and Walter Lewis, CAPT State President Eric Soto, CAPT Consultant Ann Lyles, and CAPT Attorney Sean Bedrosian.

To begin, and as already reported, BU 18 employees working for CDCR must be fully vaccinated by October 14. The vaccine mandate was ordered on August 19 by the California Department of Public Health as a public health measure to prevent further infection, subsequent transmission, and outbreaks among vulnerable populations.

The locations and posts identified by the vaccine mandate order include all BU 18 staff. Download flier.

CAPT representatives met today with the Department of Developmental Services to discuss the implementation and impact of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on BU 18 DDS employees. The CAPT reps present at today’s meeting were chapter presidents Randy Tyer and Donald Cofer, Porterville Vice President Mike Simental, CAPT State President Eric Soto, and CAPT Consultant Ann Lyles.

To begin, and as already reported, BU 18 employees working for DDS must be fully vaccinated by September 30, 2021. The vaccine mandate was ordered on August 5 by the California Department of Public Health as a public health measure to prevent further infection, subsequent transmission, and outbreaks among vulnerable populations. Download flier.

CAPT representatives met yesterday with Department of State Hospital representatives to discuss the implementation and impact of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on BU 18 DSH employees. The CAPT reps present at yesterday’s meeting were chapter presidents Paul Hannula, Jaime Garcia, Chuck Garcia, Chris Cullen, and Sylvia Hernandez, CAPT State President Eric Soto, CAPT consultant Ann Lyles and CAPT Attorney Sean Bedrosian.

To begin, and as already reported, BU 18 employees working for DSH must be fully vaccinated by September 30. The vaccine mandate was ordered on August 5 by the California Department of Public Health as a public health measure to prevent further infection, subsequent transmission, and outbreaks among vulnerable populations.

Under the authority of the CDPH order, the California Code of Regulations, Title 8, section 5199 (Aerosol Transmissible Disease Standard), and California Health and Safety Code, section 1288.7, the department established operational procedures for the internal and external vaccination of its employees, and for mandate exemptions.

Download flier. 

Vacant positions will be converted 

A team of CAPT representatives met yesterday, September 1, with CDCR/CCHCS representatives to discuss the Budget Change Proposal, adopted in SB 129, that eliminates our Psych Tech vacant positions inside the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Psychiatric Inpatient Programs. Present at the meeting were CAPT chapter presidents Toni King, Kim Souza, and Walter Lewis and State President Eric Soto, and CAPT consultants Ann Lyles and Coby Pizzotti. Download flier. 

Yes, the vaccine mandate for prison staff has been ordered. Bargaining Unit 18 employees working in state prisons must be fully vaccinated by October 14, 2021. The California Department of Public Health order was issued August 19, preempting the Federal Receiver’s vaccine mandate report and recommendation filed in court and calendared for a September 16 hearing. The new CDPH order closely coincides with the Federal Food and Drug Administration’s announcement today that it has fully approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. The FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine will likely usher a new wave of vaccine mandates for private and public sector workers. Additionally, recent polling by Gallop shows that most workers favor vaccine mandates in the workplace (52% in favor, 38% opposed, and 10% being neutral). Download flier.

Federal Receiver seeks court order to implement recommendation for a vaccine mandate for all prison staff

CAPT has recently confirmed with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation that the August 5 vaccine mandate order for health care professionals issued by the California Department of Public Health is not applicable to state prisons or the health care staff employed there. Therefore, as of now, Bargaining Unit 18 employees employed by CDCR do not have to be fully vaccinated by September 30 as a condition of employment.

As this news may bring some staff a great sigh of relief, a vaccine mandate for prison staff may be forthcoming. On August 4, Federal Receiver Clark Kelso filed a report and recommendation in district court stating the necessity for mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for all institutional staff. The recommendation states “that access by workers to CDCR institutions be limited to those workers who establish proof of vaccination (or established a religious or medical exemption to vaccination.)” The report also recommends vaccination for persons incarcerated who want to work outside the institution or have in-person visitation. Download Flier. 

Sacramento - August 12, 2021  - The California Association of Psychiatric Technicians:

The California Association of Psychiatric Technicians announces today its support for the “Stop the Republican Recall” campaign. The campaign to recall Gavin Newsom seeks to undermine the democratic election held two-and-a-half years ago where California voters elected Newsom by 61.9 percent share of the vote, a more significant margin of victory than any Democratic candidate for governor in state history. These divisive groups will stop at nothing to silence the majority’s will, circumventing the democratic process to advance political/policy agendas that demote the working class. Dowload Media Release.

Employees must be fully vaccinated by September 30, 2021

Tomás J. Aragón, MD, DrPH, the Director and State Public Health Officer, issued an order yesterday, August 5, 2021, that requires health care facility workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by September 30, 2021. The previous COVID-19 weekly testing alternative for unvaccinated employees is being replaced by a vaccine mandate, effective 9/30/21. Health care facility workers must be vaccinated as a condition of their continued employment.

California is the first state to issue a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for workers employed in health care settings. "California is currently experiencing the fastest increase in COVID-19 cases during the entire pandemic with 18.3 new cases per 100,000 people per day, with case rates increasing ninefold within two months," the Order states. Furthermore, recent data suggest that the Delta variant causes more severe illness and is highly contagious, with a viral load 1000 times stronger than the original strain. Download flier.

Atascadero Chapter Treasurer Richard Marshall and CAPT Consultant Ann Lyles delivered a successful win yesterday on a class action grievance involving Article 5.4 Rest Periods. The grievance, filed by Richard, escalated to expedited arbitration. As outlined in Article 13.4, expedited arbitration allows CAPT and the State to frame the issues at a hearing before an impartial arbitrator for a bench ruling. Download flier

This message is to inform and update our membership on hostile workplace issues at Metro State Hospital. Membership concerns are growing throughout the facility about management, their abuse of power and how their actions have created a hostile work environment for our members. Let me assure you that CAPT will not tolerate management behaviors that suppress our dignity and professionalism in the workplace. We will use all means necessary to hold management accountable, to check and balance their actions against the rights of our members as outlined in our MOU. Download flier. 

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

CAPT expresses its deep appreciation and gratitude to every member of the Psychiatric Technician profession for having dedicated their life’s work, sharing their talent, skill, and heart of compassion, with those less fortunate than themselves. Psychiatric Technicians serve and provide specialized care to mentally disordered or developmentally disabled individuals. Nearly 6,000 of the more than 11,000 PTs licensed by the State of California are employed by the state, providing direct-level-of-care to prison inmates, state hospital patients, and developmentally disabled clients.  PTs must meet and face extraordinary challenges and obstacles on the day-to-day, and when the pandemic struck, PTs met that challenge, too.  PTs work in settings where their heroic work and labor of love are concealed from public view and accolade. PTs are our unsung heroes. Today, we say THANK YOU! Download flier. 

The ‘honor system’ is not sufficient

The State of California will soon require its unvaccinated workforce to undergo weekly testing for COVID-19. In addition, unvaccinated state employees will be required to wear a face-covering while at work. The shift in policy is directly related to the rise in COVID-19 cases throughout the state, which is currently averaging at 7,500 new cases per day, with the more contagious delta variant accounting for 83 percent of new infections nationwide. The new testing protocols are being added to the existing health and safety standards to further protect the state workforce, the public it serves and to ensure the continuity of essential state operations.

The California Department of Human Resources has directed state departments to implement procedures for collecting and maintaining employee vaccination status records by Monday, August 2, 2021. The COVID-19 testing procedures for the unvaccinated will be phased in over a period of weeks. More rigorous testing procedures are expected for employees working in state healthcare settings. Download flier. 

The May/June 2021 Outreach is available online. Download here.

CAPT saves positions already filled

The State Legislature and Governor Newsom have signed off on a 2021-2022 fiscal budget that, among other things, eliminates our Psych Tech vacant positions inside the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Psychiatric Inpatient Programs. As previously reported, CAPT discovered CDCR’s Budget Change Proposal in the Governor’s May Revise. The proposal was slipped into the May Revise without notifying legislative budget committee staff or impacted unions. The original BCP sought to eliminate 250 Psych Tech positions and replace them with Registered Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants inside the PIPs at SVSP, CMF, CHCF-Stockton, CIW, and SQSP. Download flier.

Effective July 1, 2021

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has begun automating BU 18’s meal allowance, which, under Article 7.10 of our MOU, requires our employer to reimburse staff an $8.00 meal allowance whenever an employee works two or more hours beyond their regular shift. In our last contract negotiations, CAPT added language at 7.10 (D) that required CDCR, DSH, and DDS to implement an automated payment procedure that would do away with the processing of meal ticket reimbursements, an arduous task that to some employees was more trouble than it was worth. Download flier. 

CAPT concludes Post and Bid Negotiations

Your CAPT representatives met yesterday with CHCF-Stockton management to negotiate the schedule change and our Post and Bid. CAPT is glad to report that the negotiations, which took a full day of bargaining, have concluded. Switching from a cycle schedule to set days off was a monumental endeavor; the task required creating a new Post and Bid from scratch. In the end, CAPT successfully achieved an equitable 70/30 split between watches, regular days off, and location. CAPT also secured our approved vacation days and Ad Hoc through the end of the year.

Provided below are the Post and Bid specifics, including shift times, format, and the tentative schedule for the Post and Bid. If you have any questions about the bid or the process, please reach out to your chapter president, Toni King, at 916-914-4818. Download flier.

The 2017 Lift and Shift directed the release and transfer to CDCR the Department of State Hospital programs operated inside prison facilities. The Lift and Shift of the psychiatric programs from DSH to CDCR gave CDCR complete control and responsibility for the psychiatric programs and personnel located at those prisons. Consequently, it was only a matter of time before CDCR/CCHCS would begin implementing its scheduling policy within the California Health Care Facility’s Psychiatric Inpatient Programs.

Last January of 2020, CDCR/CCHCS noticed CAPT of its intention to change the CHCF PIP schedule from the DSH rotating model to the CDCR set days off model. CAPT attended a preliminary meeting with CHCF to discuss the changes, but CHCF did not have an HQ-approved Master Assignment Roster to provide at the time. CAPT had to reschedule the meeting pending an approved MAR. The COVID-19 pandemic further delayed the issuance of an approved MAR. Download flier.

Premium pay for essential workers waits for federal and state guidelines

CAPT met with CalHR on May 21, June 2, 9, and 10 to negotiate a new Side Letter to the current Memorandum of Understanding (July 2, 2019, through July 1, 2022) between CAPT and the State of California. The new Side Letter addresses the compensation reduction Side Letter negotiated last year that mandated both a 10 percent reduction in state worker compensation and a postponement of all negotiated raises scheduled to take effect on or after July 1, 2020.

CAPT is pleased to report that it has succeeded in its mission to restore its members' compensation fully. CAPT's new Side Letter fully restores BU 18's compensation to pre-pandemic levels—this includes all the economic provisions bargained in our last contract and the elimination of the monthly 16-hour Personal Leave Program. BU 18 will see a near 11% increase in pay beginning July 1, 2021. Download flier.

The California Medical Facility, red-tagged by the CAPT Board of Directors in 2019, has done nothing to alleviate its status. Workplace problems continue to emerge, mount, and stagnate without resolution. In other words, the red-tag sanction at CMF remains active, and consideration to remove, denied. The sanction stands to warn potential employees about the facility’s egregious labor practices.

Originally issued over reckless overtime practices, the red-tag at CMF remains as CAPT members working in the PIP continue to struggle for basic worker rights, including the timely payment of earned wages and accurate overtime pay. Download flier.

The California Men’s Colony, red-tagged by the CAPT Board of Directors in 2019, has done nothing to alleviate its status. Workplace problems continue to emerge, mount, and stagnate without resolution. In other words, the red-tag sanction at CMC remains active, and consideration to remove, denied. The sanction stands to warn potential employees about the facility’s egregious labor practices.

Originally issued over the unilateral decision to cut from existence the successful self-scheduling pilot, the red-tag at CMC remains in place as CAPT members struggle for professional recognition, dignity, and respect. The blatant disrespect of Psych Techs by management is displayed in how they ignore our concerns, show favoritism toward other disciplines, and neglect our staffing needs. Download flier

CAPT stops proposal at the budget subcommittee level

This week, CAPT discovered a Budget Change Proposal prepared by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to eliminate 250 Psych Tech positions in the department’s Psychiatric Inpatient Programs. The BCP made its way into the Governor’s May Revise, which is currently making its way through the legislative process. The Legislature has until June 15 to pass a budget bill to the governor, who has until June 30 to sign the bill.

CAPT spent the early part of this week contacting legislators and the governor’s office to expressly voice our opposition. CAPT is pleased to report that through our lobbying efforts, both the Assembly and Senate Budget Sub Committees with the jurisdiction of this subject matter voted to reject this unvetted proposal. However, the fight is not over. If CDCR really wants this proposal, they will have another chance to get it back into the budget through the conference committee process. Download flier.

Attention Corrections Members

Disciplinary action has been taken against members in corrections for “falsified” sign-in sheets. At issue is the chunk of time between checking out keys from key control and signing in to work. CAPT has learned that in some instances, management is violating the FLSA by rejecting the on-duty time an employee records for those extra minutes it takes to check out keys. At some facilities, the key control is located at a distance from where the employee signs into work, which has caused an “on duty” disputable time frame between management and employees. Download flier.

DSH identifies affected  BU 18 members 

The Department of State Hospitals has recently notified CAPT that approximately 63 DSH-Atascadero BU 18 employees were affected by the privacy data breach reported by DSH on March 18, 2021. On March 18, the department announced an information technology employee at Atascadero State Hospital improperly accessed “patient, former patient, and employee names, COVID-19 test results, and health information necessary for tracking COVID-19” from the facility’s data servers. The breach was discovered during an annual review of employees’ access rights to data folders. Download flier.

CAPT met with CalHR on May 21 to renegotiate last year’s compensation reduction side letter. CAPT is seeking to have our compensation fully restored to pre-pandemic levels—this includes all the economic provisions bargained in our last contract and the elimination of the monthly 16-hour Personal Leave Program. Download flier

May 6 -12, 2021

CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIANS

An association of essential heroes

National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6 and ends on May 12, Florence Nightingale's birthday. First observed October 11–16, 1954, National Nurses Week honors the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale's mission to Crimea, where she and a team of nurses improved the unsanitary conditions at a British-based hospital, reducing the war death count by two-thirds. Download flier.

For us, Every Day is Workers' Memorial Day

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Fallen CAPT Brothers and Sisters
PT Patsy Snow, MSH
PT Donna Gross, NSH
PT Fortune Njoku, CSH
PTA Phouvanh Inthasone, PDC
PT Mitch Rubin, PSH

Known as International Workers’ Memorial Day and the United Nations’ World Day for Safety and Health, April 28 marks the annual day of mourning for workers killed, disabled, injured or made unwell by their work. The day also serves as a potent reminder that most workplace deaths, injuries, and illnesses are preventable.

As licensed and certificated nursing professionals, we always remember the importance of both safety and prevention. That’s why we always have worked – and will continue to work – to make our facilities the safest possible for both ourselves and those we serve.

We’ve made progress, but there is much more to do. Contact your chapter office to find out how you can get involved to help improve safety for those living and working at your facility. Download flier.

The March/April 2021 Outreach is available online. Download here.

Media Advisory

Sacramento - April 27, 2021  - The California Association of Psychiatric Technicians:

State-employed psychiatric technicians from Bargaining Unit 18 will hold an informational picket on Wednesday, April 28, outside the front main entrance of the California Health Care Facility, Stockton, to demonstrate unsafe working conditions that are jeopardizing patient safety.

Psychiatric Technicians at CHCF, Stockton, are worn out and fed up with the unfair, unsafe working conditions that are putting patient safety and professional licenses at risk. A staffing shortage with over 70 Psychiatric Technician vacant positions has led to unprecedented mandates beyond contractual limits. PTs are being denied their two 15-minute breaks and are asked to violate patient safety policy by combining required clinical rounds with staggered safety rounds. All the while, management has refused to offer support to its overworked staffed. Dowload Press Release

Psych Techs at CHCF, Stockton, are worn out and fed up with the unfair, unsafe working conditions that are putting patient safety and professional licenses at risk. A staffing shortage with over 70 PT vacant positions has led to unprecedented mandates beyond contractual limits. PTs are being denied their two 15-minute breaks and are asked to violate patient safety policy by combining required clinical rounds with staggered safety rounds. All the while, management has refused to offer support to its overworked staffed. Join us on April 28 in solidarity to fight for working conditions that will safeguard patient safety, our licenses, professionalism, and agility in the workplace.

Wednesday, April 28 from 1-4 pm
CHCF Front Entrance
7707 Austin Rd, Stockton

Staff cannot attend a picket on state time. Join us before and after your watch or during a break if you are fortunate enough to get one. For more information, contact Stockton Chapter President Toni King at (916) 585-2093 or tonikingcapt@gmail.com

Download flier

The COVID-19 extended sick leave program that expired December 31, 2020, has been extended retroactively from January 1, 2021, through the end of September 2021. SB 95, authored by Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, was introduced December 16, 2020, to preempt the program’s expiration. After a series of policy hearings, amendments, and votes from both houses of the State Legislature, the bill’s final language was passed to the governor on March 18. Governor Newsom signed SB 95 into law March 19. Download flier.

The January/February Outreach is available online. Download here. 

Scheduled improvements outlined below

With the New Year comes new contract improvements, some of which are already in force, and a new weekend differential beginning July 1, 2021. Provided below are the contract provisions activated this year. If you have any questions about these new benefits or any other contract-related questions, do not hesitate to contact your local chapter for assistance.

Effective immediately, except in emergency cases, the Mandated Overtime limits in Article 5.1 were reduced from five to four times per month (Excluding DDS STAR Homes). Download flier.

What options do I have?

As you may already know, the COVID-19 related leave provisions afforded to employees through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) expired December 31, 2020. Although California moved to exempt Psych Techs and other essential healthcare personnel from the leave benefit, CAPT was successful in convincing the state to deliver an alternative extended paid leave benefit in the form of Administrative Time Off for BU 18 employees. As a result, Psych Techs were eligible to receive up to 14 calendar days of ATO if they could not work due to a COVID-19 related quarantine. The leave program’s duration was tied to the expiration of the FFCRA and is, therefore, no longer active. Neither CalHR nor the Governor’s Office has offered to extend the program. Download flier.

Yes, our employer has the legal duty and obligation to require essential staff to wear a securely fitted surgical N95 mask for our safety and protection and for those around us. A tight face-to-respirator seal provides greater protection from airborne hazards, in this case, the coronavirus. Studies have shown that any amount of facial hair within the seal area can compromise the seal. Download flier.

From the BVNPT:

With the increased work that our LVNs and PTs are seeing with the pandemic, I wanted to reach out to everyone.

First, thank you for the hard work you do every day. The team at BVNPT appreciates the LVNs and PTs who use their licenses to help others.

Due to the hectic pace of this year, I want to also remind everyone of a few things to ensure no one has late fees or allows their licenses to lapse. Please take a moment to:

Ensure your contact information is updated, including a correct mailing address and an email. We want to keep you informed of the latest news and issues, and with your email we can reach you much faster than having to mail a letter. Please remember that BVNPT can and will issue a citation if you do not keep your mailing address up to date.

• Ensure you have an understanding of your scope of practice and call us if you have any questions. The Board recently posted a precedential decision on our website about an LVN’s scope of practice concerning her conduct in relation to her operation and performance of treatments at a skin care salon and related medical spa. The LVN administered Botox, Juvederm, and Kybella injections; performed platelet rich plasma therapy and vitamin drips when she was not certified; performed skin growth removal procedures; and injected glutathione: all procedures which were beyond her scope of practice.
• Ensure that you do not let your Continuing Education (CE) lapse during this pandemic. There are many online ways to take trainings that count toward your required CEs. Download flier.

In the article “Coronavirus Memorial: BU 18 loses two members to COVID-19,” on page 5, paragraph 5, line 2, Mike Simental was incorrectly referred to as the "Chapter President." Mike Simental is the Vice President of the Porterville Chapter.

In the article “Masks with valves do not slow the spread of COVID,” on page 22, paragraph 5, line 6, the Inauguration Day date was incorrectly given as "Jan. 1, 2021." The actual Inauguration Day is on Jan. 20, 2021.

Mandated in Excess of Contract Limits? 

Here’s what to do

The working conditions at our CDCR facilities concerning excessive mandates are at an all-time low, compromising our ability to execute our duties safely. Unfortunately, during a declared state of emergency, operational needs can override our contractual mandate limits, which means we must be proactive by documenting and notifying management whenever a non-contractual mandate compromises our professional and physical ability to be alert while performing critical duties.

CAPT has prepared a list of cautionary statements tailored to each type of mandate that exceeds a contract limit. Use these statements via email to document and put management on notice that you are being mandated beyond your physical capacity to perform your duties safely. Do not rely on verbal warnings. Be sure to provide these statements in writing via email for documentation purposes and copy your local CAPT representative. Download flier.

Mandated in Excess of Contract Limits? 

Here’s what to do

The working conditions at our DSH facilities concerning excessive mandates are at an all-time low, compromising our ability to execute our duties safely. Unfortunately, during a declared state of emergency, operational needs can override our contractual mandate limits, which means we must be proactive by documenting and notifying management whenever a non-contractual mandate compromises our professional and physical ability to be alert while performing critical duties.

CAPT has prepared a list of cautionary statements tailored to each type of mandate that exceeds a contract limit. Use these statements via email to document and put management on notice that you are being mandated beyond your physical capacity to perform your duties safely. Do not rely on verbal warnings. Be sure to provide these statements in writing via email for documentation purposes and copy your local CAPT representative. Download flier.

The 2020 Nov/December Outreach is available here.

CDCR to administer vaccine

Frontline healthcare workers to recieve vaccine on a voluntary basis

CAPT learned today that the department plans to administer the COVID-19 vaccine as early as tomorrow (Dec. 22, 2020) at Stockton on a voluntary basis for all staff and inmates/patients.

CAPT, along with other bargaining units, attended a conference call today with the department to learn more about the department's vaccine rollout plan. Today, CAPT learned that the department has acquired a vaccine allotment and that its distribution to the various institutions would be carried out as storage capabilities and supplies become available.

Download flier.

Mandated in Excess of Contract Limits? Here’s what to do

The working conditions at Stockton concerning excessive mandates are at an all-time low, compromising our ability to execute our duties safely. Unfortunately, during a declared state of emergency, operational needs can override our contractual mandate limits, which means we must be proactive by documenting and notifying management whenever a non-contractual mandate compromises our professional and physical ability to be alert while performing critical duties. Download flier

Q&A with Tessa Hannula

It has been expressed that Exempt Employees will only qualify for COVID self-illness ATO pending test results for COVID if asymptomatic and that if the results come back positive, then they will no longer qualify for COVID self-illness ATO leave. Is this correct, and if so, what leave would they be expected to use?

• Yes, that is correct. Once the employee tests positive or is experiencing symptoms related to COVID, then the employee would have to reapply for ATO related leave under the FFCRA.

If an Exempt Employee was to test positive for COVID, would they qualify for FFCRA leave?

• Yes. However, if the employee has already used the 80 hours ATO leave benefit, they would no longer qualify for this leave.

Download flier. 

BARGAINING UNIT 
18 MEMBER(S) 
CURRENTLY IN NEED OF 
C.L. DONATIONS

Tiffany Jones, PT-CSP-Corcoran
Michelle Parsons, PT-CSP-Corcoran

Want to find out how many donations you’ve received? Contact your facility’s personnel department.

CAPT got the concept of Catastrophic Leave off the ground two decades ago; the program’s been in our state Bargaining Unit 18 contract since 1989. Download flier.

The September/October 2020 Outreach is available online. Download here.

With the prevalence of COVID-19, healthcare professionals are urging people to get their flu vaccination early in the season. As healthcare professionals ourselves, we know the role vaccines play to reduce the spread of contagious, infectious, or communicable diseases. CAPT encourages you to be part of the solution to implement flu-prevention measures, especially this year, as extra demands are being placed on healthcare facilities and providers during this pandemic.

Policy directives require healthcare personnel, such as ourselves, to receive either a flu vaccination or wear a protective mask. While we are already being required to wear face-covering while at work due to COVID-19, please don't let mask-wearing relax your motivation to help stop the spread of influenza this season. Download flier.

As many of you are already aware, the Department of Developmental Services announced unit movements at PDC and a change in the AM shift start time for Level of Care (LOC) Nursing Staff working in the Secure Treatment Program. After receiving notice of these workplace changes, CAPT requested a meet and confer to discuss the impact of the changes on our bargaining unit at PDC.

CAPT representatives, including Porterville Chapter President Kara Johnson, State President Eric Soto, and CAPT Consultant and Chief Contract Negotiator Ann Lyles, met yesterday with DDS and Porterville labor representatives to discuss these changes. Provided below are the results of our meeting. Download flier.

DDS announces unit movements and AM shift start time, meet and confer in the works

CAPT received two notices from the Department of Developmental Services announcing unit movement at PDC and a change in the AM shift start time for Level of Care (LOC) Nursing Staff working in the Secure Treatment Program.

Effective Nov. 1, 2020, the current AM Shift, 0630-1500, will be adjusted to 0645-1515. The AM shift time change increases communication flow and allows more time for the important shift change exchange. The time change will not impact the PM or NOC shifts, nor will it affect your ability to exchange days off. Download flier.

Some SSA information omitted from first contract printing

CAPT regrettably reports that an error was found in the printed version of our newly released labor contract with the State of California. The contract should be arriving in CAPT-member mailboxes in the coming weeks.

The error included missing Special Salary Adjustment information for Psych Techs and Sr. Psych Techs in Safety at Appendix A-2, located on page 126. The contract has been revised to include the SSA information missing in the original printed version. The revision added a page to Appendix A-2. Given that an additional page was added, the table of contents has also been updated.

Please note that while some of the SSA information is missing from the first print version of our contract, it is included in the CalHR pay letter and is in effect. The information will also appear in any future CAPT contract printings.

Our contract’s digital version is correct and is available to you for downloading or viewing at www.pyschtechs.net.

If you have any questions or would like more information about our new contract, please contact your local chapter and keep connected to www.psychtechs.net.  Download flier.

State employees would owe the taxes next year 

On August 8, 2020, President Donald Trump issued a Presidential Memorandum directing the IRS to allow the deferral of withholding, deposit, and payment of payroll tax obligations for certain employees effective September 1, 2020. The order came when Congress and the White House hit an impasse over the next Federal stimulus package. Essentially, Trump issued an executive order to give workers a tax holiday. Whether the taxes would be forgivable or due later remained questionable, thus delaying guidance on implementation.

IRS guidance provided August 28, 2020, clarified that Trump did not have the power to waive workers’ taxes. Only Congress has the power to waive taxes. The IRS also made employer participation in the tax deferral program optional. As an employer, the State of California has determined not to participate in the tax deferral program. Dowload flier.

Printed copies to arrive in CAPT-member mailboxes by mid-September

Following a complete review of our recently enacted contract by both CAPT and the California Department of Human Resources, CAPT is pleased to report that a finished copy of our new contract was delivered to the printer for processing and mail distribution. CAPT members, for whom we have addresses, can expect to receive their personal contract in their mailboxes by 
mid-September.

If you do not receive your contract by Sept. 18, please contact Debi Loger at loger@psychtechs.net or by calling CAPT Headquarters at (800) 677-2278. Please provide your current mailing address so that CAPT can verify/update your address and send you a copy if needed. Download flier 

The July/August 2020 Outreach is available online. Download here.

BARGAINING UNIT 
18 MEMBER(S) 
CURRENTLY IN NEED OF 
C.L. DONATIONS

Glen Canter, PT-ASH
Jeaneen Armstrong, PT-ASH
Jason Ivey, PT-ASH
Corrine Esmon, PT-ASH

Want to find out how many donations you’ve received? Contact your facility’s personnel department.

Download flier.

Possible redirects to conduct surveillance rounds, workload issues may arise

Mule Creek State Prison is currently experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak with approximately 500 inmates in quarantine/isolation. CAPT met this afternoon with California Correctional Health Care Services and MCSP administration to discuss the redirection of classifications to help conduct surveillance rounds. MCSP administration assured CAPT that it would make every effort to minimize interruptions to our regular assignments. Volunteers will be sought and utilized across suitable classifications. If necessary, however, mandatory assignments may be made from the appropriate classifications. Download flier.

CAPT State President Eric Soto, Metro Chapter President Chuck Garcia, and CAPT Consultant Ann Lyles met August 17, with Metropolitan State Hospital administration and Department of State Hospital representatives regarding notice of a 12-hour shift program at Metro. To their shock and amazement, your CAPT representatives learned that, despite previous communications and understandings between the hospital and CAPT that the 12-hour shifts would be voluntary, the hospital intends, effective September 1, 2020, to force all Bargaining Unit 18 employees in Program VI and Unit 406 to work these elongated shifts.

At an earlier meeting, CAPT made abundantly clear the union’s position that a 12-hour shift program would only be acceptable if staffed with willing volunteers. After gaining Dr. Barsom’s word that the hospital would only utilize volunteers to staff these 12-hour shifts, CAPT began spreading the message on behalf of the facility to identify potential volunteers. Download flier.

RETRO PAYMENTS 
(Retroactive 2.75% General Salary Increases) 
Many of you have already seen your 2.75% retroactive GSI in your paycheck (around mid-July) for the period of January 1, 2020, through July 2020. This is great news. We know it’s been a long time coming. As for overtime, any overtime payments already issued were included in the processed retro adjustments. The Health Benefits (CoBen) adjustment is a separate process and refunds were distributed.

RAISES (2.75% General Salary Increases) 
The new contracted 2.75% salary rate went into effect January 1, 2020. If you believe your retroactive or general income is incorrect, you will need to contact your personnel office. The information keyed in by the personnel office is the basis for all adjustments relative to our 2019-2022 contract with the state. Dowload flier.

As Psychiatric Technicians, we understand our responsibility under best nursing practices for evidence-based infection control. We are bound as nursing professionals to seriously address and control the Coronavirus spread within our facilities by practicing hand hygiene, decontamination, and barrier protection. Not doing so can jeopardize your job and even your license.

Hands should be washed after every patient interaction and equipment and rooms decontaminated after each use. For the health and safety of patients and staff, continued vigilance during this pandemic is vitally important. We must continue to wear our face coverings while at work. The virus has spread among patients and staff and can lurk in and be transmitted through asymptomatic individuals. The virus is highly contagious, and it can kill. Download flier.

State officer election not needed

At a recent special meeting of the CAPT Board of Directors, CAPT's incumbent state officers—State President Eric Soto, State Vice President Paul Hannula (Atascadero Chapter), and State Secretary-Treasurer Jaime Garcia (Coalinga Chapter) were nominated to serve the association in their respective offices for another two-year term. Community Facilities Chapter President Donald Cofer nominated incumbent Jamie Garcia for the office of State Secretary/Treasurer and incumbent Eric Soto for the office of State President. Patton Chapter President Sylvia Hernandez nominated incumbent Paul Hannula for the office of State Vice President. Download flier.

At the directive of CAPT’s Board of Directors, Atascadero Chapter Secretary Tessa Hannula has been hard at work holding CDCR responsible for the fair implementation of COVID-19 related Administrative Time Off, ensuring eligibility and accessibility to all affected staff. After the State of California moved to exempt Psych Techs from the expanded employee leave benefits created by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, CAPT representatives immediately went to work pressuring the state to deliver an alternative extended paid leave benefit in the form of ATO for BU 18 employees. Since then, CDCR was the only department that reserved the right to determine ATO eligibility on a case-by-case basis, which made accessing leave benefits a logistical nightmare. Thanks to Tessa’s hard work and persistence, CDCR has supplied an ATO decision tree to help staff obtain and exercise their COVID-19 leave benefits during this public health crisis. The ATO Decision Tree is attached to this document, but here are the nuts and bolts: Download flier.

Attention CAPT Members

From The Sacramento Bee State Worker:
We want to hear from California state employees:
Tell us what it’s like to work during coronavirus

The coronavirus will affect California’s state workforce for a long time to come.

The State Worker is looking for ways to improve and expand our reporting on how this pandemic is affecting state work.

With the survey below, we hope to get a broader picture of how your employer and your unions are managing responses to the pandemic. We’re also looking for tips and specific suggestions for our future reporting.

The form (linked here) is designed to keep you anonymous, but if you’d like to hear from us, feel free to include contact information in one of the text fields. We will keep all of your information private.

And as always, feel free to email me (Wes Venteicher) at wventeicher@sacbee.com. Download flier.

The May/June 2020 Outreach is available online. Download here. 

CAPT is still accepting applications for the sixteenth round of scholarships it will award to students enrolled in Psychiatric Technician education programs.

For applications to be considered, they must be postmarked no later than August 17, 2020. This is an extended deadline, which provides an additional month for students to submit their applications and supporting documentation. CAPT made this extension in light of the COVID-19 pandemic which caused many programs to make adjustments to their curriculums and teaching processes. In addition, the union is acutely aware of the hardships this has caused both students, and their nursing instructors who provide their letters of recommendation. Download Flier | Download Application 

Due to the Coronavirus Recession, which has caused significant reductions in state revenue, the State Legislature and governor mandated both a 10 percent reduction in state worker compensation and a postponement of all negotiated raises scheduled to take effect on or after July 1, 2020. Bargaining units were given until June 30, 2020, the day before the start of the 2020-21 fiscal year, to negotiate the terms of the compensation reductions. If CAPT had failed to negotiate an agreement on time, the governor would have unilaterally imposed the cuts, effective July 1, 2020. After many proposals, passes, and counter-proposals, CAPT and the State of California reached a side-letter agreement that significantly mitigates the economic loss to our base pay. Please note that the term of our contract was not extended. CAPT will be back at the bargaining table in 2022 to negotiate our next contract. The terms of the side letter are provided below. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your chapter president. Download flier.

CAPT’s tentative agreement with the State of California was finally signed into law on June 29 by Gov. Newsom. The state’s approval of our contract was stymied due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 recession, and Gov. Newsom’s state budgetary revisions, which called for a 10 percent reduction in state employee compensation to be negotiated in a side letter through the collective bargaining process, as well as placing a freeze on state worker wages as of July 1, 2020. The retroactive 2.75 percent pay raise scheduled for January 1, 2020, remains in full effect and will be funded once the State Controller receives the pay letter. Our new memorandum of understanding has a three-year term and will run through July 1, 2022. Other key provisions of our new MOU include the state funding 80 percent of the healthcare increases for each year of the contract and a special salary adjustment of 2.5 percent, effective July 1, 2020. Download flier.

Hello to all of my fellow CAPT Brothers and Sisters. I am Eric Soto, your CAPT State President. I am writing to give you the latest updates on the status of our contract as well as the governor’s May Revise and its impact on our bargaining unit.

On May 26, CAPT met with the state representatives to discuss the governor’s May Revise, which included considerable budgetary revisions to help address the projected $54 billion deficit created by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

At that meeting, the state presented a plan to implement two monthly furlough days for one year. More shocking was the governor’s plan to freeze state worker wages as of July 1, 2020.

CAPT representatives spent a considerable amount of time working on a counter-proposal mindful of three critical principles: our social responsibility to be part of the solution to the state’s economic downturn, the value of our work as essential state personnel, and upholding the terms and conditions of a contract bargained in good faith. CAPT’s proposal included a monthly two-day furlough for one year and a one-year postponement of our July 1, 2020, general salary increase. CAPT sought to mitigate the impacts of a potentially prolonged recession by limiting the furlough program and GSI deferment to one fiscal year. Download flier.

Are you interested in representing your chapter as a 2020 Annual Delegate?  Or, do you know a member who is? Pass the word!

Each year in September, CAPT holds its Annual Meeting, hosted by the chapters from the region selected. After contracting this year with the Mandalay Beach Resort in Oxnard, the coronavirus made its appearance. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CAPT Board regrettably voted to not to move forward with this year’s meeting, scheduled for September 22-24, 2020. Download flier. 

CAPT is happy to report that the Office of Inspector General, responsible for the independent oversight of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, is conducting an investigation relative to the COVID-19 outbreak inside CDCR.

Speaker Anthony Rendon from the 63rd Assembly District asked the OIG to review the conditions at our state prisons relative to COVID-19. As part of its investigation, the OIG has created a survey via Survey Monkey released at multiple institutions May 29, 2020. The survey link will be sent out to employees via email.

If you are an employee of CDCR, CAPT urges your participation in this survey. Additionally, the OIG has invited CAPT to collaborate further and to share our members’ concerns related to COVID-19 inside CDCR.

If you have any questions or have information to share, please contact your local chapter president. Download flier.

CAPT is committed to keeping the membership informed as developments occur regarding the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the state and our bargaining unit. As you know, Governor Newsom recently released his proposed state budgetary revisions, known as the May Revise. As previously reported, the governor’s latest budget proposal projects an estimated $54 billion deficit, whereas the January budget projected a $5.6 billion surplus. As we all know, the deficit is a result of the economic ramifications and loss of state revenue caused by the nearly unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. On May 14, Governor Newsom proposed reducing state worker compensation by ten percent through the collective bargaining process. Download flier.

Call to Action Sample Letter 

Every two years, CAPT members hold chapter elections to determine who their officers will be. This year, elections were held for seven chapters – Atascadero, Coalinga, Northern Corrections, Southern Corrections, Patton, Porterville, and Stockton. No other elections were held because either the current officers ran unopposed, or there was no opposition to a new candidate. Officers officially took office as of 5 p.m. on May 20. The following is a list of all chapter officers for the current term of office – through mid-May, 2022. State officer elections will be held by CAPT’s Annual Delegates in September. Results will be posted on the CAPT website following the election and will be published in Outreach. For reults, download flier.

Download flier.

Typically, if you fall ill on the job, you must prove in your workers’ compensation claim that your injury was the result of your work, and your employer has the right to contest your claim. Today, however, essential workers are reporting to work in settings where there is increased exposure to and possible contraction of a serious communicable disease, known as the Coronavirus. Due to intense pressure from labor groups, Governor Newsom signed an executive order on May 6 that would create a presumption for essential employees who fall ill due to COVID-19 that the disease was contracted on the job. The COVID-19 presumptive exception makes it easier for affected employees to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. Download flier.

BARGAINING UNIT
18 MEMBER(S)
CURRENTLY IN NEED OF
C.L. DONATIONS

Donna Tippens-Mendoza, PT-MSH

Want to find out how many donations you’ve received? Contact your facility’s personnel department.  Download flier.

May 14, 2020

CAPT Brothers and Sisters:

The governor today released his revised budget, otherwise known as the May Revise, for the State of California. The May Revise is drastically different from the budget presented in January. The latest budget projects an estimated $54 billion deficit, whereas the January budget projected a $5.6 billion surplus. As we all know, the deficit is a result of the nearly unprecedented COVID-19 global pandemic and the state’s efforts to slow its spread.

The May Revise calls for a 10 percent reduction in state payroll to be negotiated through collective bargaining. This would allow us to be a part of the process in determining how to reach the state's budget needs. Unlike past administrations where furloughs were unilaterally implemented, the governor has stated he intends to bring unions to the table. The governor also made mention of the Hero's Act. The Hero's Act, which is supported by numerous governors throughout the nation, would provide federal assistance to states to lessen the impact on state operations and cuts. Our members should contact their local congressperson, US Senator, and the President of the United States to urge them to support the Hero's Act.

CAPT’s primary objective is to ensure our MOU is ratified by the Legislature and signed by the governor. Due to the current administration’s transition into office, the state’s bargaining team, despite CAPT’s timely readiness and preparedness, was not ready to negotiate until June. CAPT entered negotiations in good faith, and after six months of lengthy and vigorous bargaining, was able to secure a Tentative Agreement with resounding membership approval. From there, our TA went to the state Legislature; however, due to the pandemic and state of emergency, our TA was put on hold to allow the state to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. Download Letter.

Under our Scope

Due to the recent pandemic and the increasing need to test patients for the Novel Coronavirus, the question of whether California Psychiatric Technicians can perform a nasopharyngeal swab test has come up, and many Psych Techs are not clear whether administering this test falls within our Scope of Practice. This question is especially important for our CAPT Brothers and Sisters working inside the prisons where there are, as of today, within CIM, CMC LAC, CIW, and CEN, 429 combined confirmed, active coronavirus cases. Download flier.

This is an important notice to all of our CAPT Brothers and Sisters to remind you to verify your dependent(s’) healthcare eligibility before June 1, 2020. Failure to do so will result in your dependent(s) being deleted from the CalPERS health coverage effective July 1, 2020. 

State law requires state employers to verify the eligibility of their employees’ dependents every three years for employer-sponsored health coverage benefits. All BU 18 employees should have received a detailed letter from CalPERS outlining the instructions to verify your dependents’ eligibility with your employer through your department’s personnel office. Download flier. 

The March/April 2020 Outreach is available online. Download here.

After the State of California moved to exempt Psych Techs from the expanded employee leave benefits created by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, CAPT representatives immediately went to work pressuring the state to deliver an alternative extended paid leave benefit in the form of Administrative Time Off for BU 18 employees. ATO is a form of paid administrative leave status initiated by appointing authorities for a variety of reasons. Download flier.

April 28, 2020

Every 15 seconds, a worker dies from a work-related accident or disease, and 160 workers experience a work-related accident.

Known as International Workers’ Memorial Day and the United Nations’ World Day for Safety and Health, April 28 marks the annual day of mourning for workers killed, disabled, injured or made unwell by their work. The day also serves as a potent reminder that most workplace deaths, injuries, and illnesses are preventable. Downlad flier.

The Department of Consumer Affairs, which serves Californian consumers through the oversite, regulation and administration of more than 3.9 million licenses in various disciplines, issued a temporary order to waive certain statutory license renewal requirements, including Continuing Education Requirements for Psychiatric Technicians. The waiver came in response to the governor’s March 4 State of Emergency declaration and Executive Orders to help increase the response to and mitigate the impact and spread of COVID-19.

For individuals whose active licenses expire between March 31, 2020, and June 30, 2020, including Psychiatric Technicians, the director of the DCA, effective immediately, temporarily waives: Download flier.

ATTN: CAPT MEMBERS of the Atascadero, Coalinga, Northern Corrections, Southern Corrections, Patton, Porterville or Stockton Chapters

If you’ve been an active CAPT member since March 15 of one of these seven chapters and have not yet received your chapter election ballot packet, or believe you may be missing a piece of information, please contact Debi Loger immediately at CAPT Headquarters at loger@psychtechs.net. Given that we are abiding by the COVID-19 order, we may not be on-site and available if you call.

In your email, please be sure to include the following:

• Yourname, your full address and a phone number so that we may contact you if necessary.
• Be clear as to what you are missing and what chapter you are from.

Download flier.

COVID-19: Paid sick leave and expanded family medical leave

State moves to exempt Psych Techs, other ‘critical workers,’ from FFCRA

CAPT regrettably reports that the State of California has reneged on its word that Psychiatric Technicians would be eligible for the expanded employee leave benefits created by the recently enacted Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which, effective April 1, 2020, enacted both the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (E-FMLA). These laws gave expanded FMLA and extended sick leave benefits to employees for specified COVID-19 related illnesses and childcare needs. Download flier.

If you have fallen ill and are unable to work due to the novel coronavirus, CAPT would like you to share your personal story. These are difficult, unprecedented times, especially for a workforce deemed essential, a workforce whose jobs cannot be conducted in the safe confines of their homes. Each day you report to work, you risk additional exposure—whether that exposure is pumping gas to drive yourself to work, standing in the health-check screening line to report to work, or simply being near coworkers, patients, inmates or clients. Download flier. 

From the Governor's Office of Emergency Services:

Non-Congregate Sheltering for Health Care Workers

COVID-19: Paid sick leave and expanded family medical leave

The California Department of Human Resources recently sent labor leaders a draft CalHR policy in response to the recently enacted Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which, effective immediately, enacted both the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (E-FMLA). A brief synopsis of CalHR’s policy implementing the EPSLA and FFCRA is provided below. Please note that policy implementation is still being developed. For the most current information, please contact your local human resources or CAPT chapter. Download flier.

From the BVNPT

Dear Stakeholders,

While California continues to navigate the uncertainty of Novell Coronavirus (COVID-19) and limit its spread, the BVNPT is committed to supporting our licensees, applicants, and consumers throughout the course of this pandemic and to provide continuity of service at all times. The BVNPT is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation, coordinating with the state and local governments, and working with our partners to protect the health of Californians.

The BVNPT understands the ability to perform your jobs with a license is a priority. We appreciate your patience as we work on implementing new technologies to work remotely and adhere to social distancing guidelines. We apologize in advance for any delays in reaching our staff or potential delays in our processing times. Download flier.

BARGAINING UNIT
18 MEMBER(S)
CURRENTLY IN NEED OF
C.L. DONATIONS

Evelyn Loarca-PT, Southern STAR
Lorena Rodriguez-PT, CSP-Corcoran
Donna Tippens-Mendoza, PT-MSH

Want to find out how many donations you’ve received? Contact your facility’s personnel department. Download flier.

Contract may be stalled due to pandemic

As many of you know, our Tentative Agreement with the State of California must be ratified by the Legislature and governor before its provisions can go into effect. Our TA was assigned a bill number shortly before the coronavirus pandemic emerged in California. Since then, Governor Newsom has proclaimed a State of Emergency, and the Legislature has suspended its session until April 13.  Download flier.

CAPT activists at Patton State Hospital are using the Unfair Practice Charge (UPC) process to enforce members’ rights and state law. A UPC is essentially a lawsuit against management claiming violations of state labor laws. An Unfair Practice Charge can go both ways—it can be committed by either an employer or a union. Download flier. 

Data may be a matter of public record!

CAPT cannot stress enough how important it is to avoid state computers for personal Internet browsing or to use your state email address for personal or union correspondence. Using state email to contact your union rep for brief communications or to arrange representation is permissible, but please know that your state employer can monitor all messages. Furthermore, just recently, a patient in a state hospital filed a California Public Records Act Request (CPRA) seeking copies of a Psych Tech’s state email correspondence and Internet activity. Download flier.

CAPT’s Yahoo Group Forum has been closed due to Yahoo Groups no longer hosting user-created content on its sites. CAPT created the Yahoo -hosted forum in the late nineties as an added means to communicate news relevant to our industry and union. The group also provided a forum by which subscribers could ask questions and receive feedback from fellow Psych Techs, as well as from CAPT representatives and consultants. Download flier.

CAPT is in communication with The California Department of Human Resources, as well as the three departments in which we work to help inform BU 18 members of the latest guidance and screening protocol measures for COVID-19 at our facilities and what Psych Techs can expect concerning necessary leave time for illnesses and to care for children affected by school closures. Please note that this information is subject to change as the pandemic evolves. CAPT will inform BU 18 of any changes or new developments as they emerge. Download flier.

The January/Febriary Outreach is available online. Download here.

BARGAINING UNIT 18 MEMBER(S)
CURRENTLY IN NEED OF
C.L. DONATIONS

Lorena Rodriguez-PT, CSP-Corcoran
Donna Tippens-Mendoza, PT-MSH

Want to find out how many donations you’ve received? Contact your facility’s personnel department. Download flier.

Don’t forget to declare - the March 10 deadline is FIRM!

Atascadero Chapter (4 offices) 
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer

Coalinga Chapter (3 offices)
President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer

Community Facilities Chapter (4 offices) 
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer

Northern Corrections Chapter (4 offices) 
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer

Southern Corrections Chapter (3 offices) 
President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer

Fairview - STAR Chapter (3 offices) 
President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer

Metropolitan Chapter (3 offices) President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer

Napa Chapter (3 offices) 
President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer

Patton Chapter (4 offices) 
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer

Porterville Chapter (4 offices) 
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer

Stockton Chapter (4 offices) 
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer

If you have any questions regarding the election process, please refer to the Chapter Election Procedure section in CAPT’s Operating Policies.  Or, contact Debi Loger at 800-677-2278 or at loger@psychtechs.net.

Eligibility to run 
To run for office, you must have been a CAPT member and completed job steward training on or before January 1, 2020. Download flier.

The true history of the United States is a history of labor. The history of labor is the story of very ordinary men and women doing very extraordinary things. It must be said and said over and over again, that the fundamental purpose of labor unions is the struggle to be equitably paid in proportion to the work they do, to be treated with respect and dignity, for a safer workplace, and to the idea that their hard work will provide a better future for our children. The gains we have won have not been easy. Throughout this nation's history, powerful and immense forces have used their vast wealth and influence to suppress and subvert the working class and their attempts to bring about a more just workplace and a more just society.

On this Valentine's Day, I shall, of course, express my love for my wife and two children, and I will also express my love for all the heroes of the Labor Movement.

--CAPT State President Eric Soto

Download flier.

CAPT’s Board of Directors – which includes chapter presidents from throughout our state facilities – has voted to warn potential employees away from California Medical Facility with a formal “red-tag” sanction. A red-tag sanction warns potential employees about the facility’s egregious labor practices and working conditions.

Local CAPT representatives have filed dozens of grievances, citing clear violations of the overtime provisions in our contract. CMF agreed and granted our grievances at the local level but then failed to take any corrective action to stop the violations. It has become apparent that CMF has acted disingenuously, has no real intention in honoring our overtime provisions, and is only interested in placating Psych Techs to avoid elevated grievances. Download flier.

For flowchart, Download flier. 

Due to a calendaring error in the state’s payroll process, all Bargaining Unit 18 employees utilizing direct deposit are being paid a week early. Many unit members have already reported seeing their payroll funds available in their bank accounts. If you have not already received your pay and you use direct deposit, you will likely see the funds available to you as early as this Monday. The state has no plans to recover the funds.

Employees who receive their paycheck in paper should receive their paycheck on their regularly scheduled payday.
Please note that in no way do these deposited funds represent any retroactive pay from our recently negotiated raises. The funds are NOT EXTRA. They represent your regular pay and should be budgeted accordingly. These funds must last you three weeks—that is until your next regularly scheduled payday.

Our retroactive raises will not be issued until our contract is passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor, at which time a pay later will be issued before funds can be dispersed. CAPT estimates that the Legislature will take up our contract in late February or early March.

If you have any questions, please contact your local chapter. Dowload flier.

Attention Stockton Chapter

Your license depends on it 

Several of our members have approached CAPT representatives to report that correctional officers at California Health Care Facility, Stockton, are allegedly pressuring Psychiatric Technicians to let them administer inmate-patient medications.

CAPT responded to the news immediately. On January 9, Stockton Chapter President Sam Ortiz and State President Eric Soto met with the acting hospital administrator to put hospital administration on notice of the activity and the need to educate their COs about licensing standards and the role of Psych Techs and the illegality of medications being passed by unlicensed personnel. Sam made clear that the activity poses a direct danger to our PT licenses as well as the health and safety of the I/P population. Download flier.