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 The leave program’s duration was tied to the expiration of the FFCRA and is, therefore, no longer active.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.

If you’re planning to run for a CAPT Chapter office, don’t forget - the March 10 declaration deadline is FIRM!

Which offices are up for election at your chapter?

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 Download flier.  

Bargaining Unit 18 has voted overwhelmingly to approve the tentative contract agreement between CAPT and the state. In December, CAPT mailed ratification ballots and a summary of the contract changes to all BU 18 members on file. In early January, chapter ratification meetings were scheduled throughout the state so that unit members could hear directly from their bargaining team members about the changes made to the contract and how those changes would impact their working conditions, benefits, and wages before casting their ballot. The approval vote for ratifying the agreement was 96 percent strong. Download flier.

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

Donna Tippens-Mendoza, PT-MSH
Evelyn Loarca, PT-S. STAR
Pamela Battle, PT-WSP

Download flier.

The November/December 2019 Outreach is available online. Download here.

Important Contract  Meetings Scheduled for CAPT Members

CAPT Headquarters will soon be mailing a ratification ballot card and summary of our tentative contract agreement (July 1, 2019 – July 1, 2022) to all BU 18 employees. If you need to update your address on file, please call (800) 677-2278 as soon as possible.

CAPT is strongly urging BU 18 employees to vote “YES” to ratify this agreement. To help answer any questions you may have, CAPT has scheduled ratification meetings throughout the state. Please consider attending your local contract ratification meeting. These meetings provide an excellent opportunity to review contract highlights, voice your concerns and ask questions to better understand the agreement before casting your ballot. Download flier.

After six grueling months of bargaining with the state of California, CAPT is pleased to report that a tentative agreement for a new contract (July 1, 2019 - July 1, 2022) was reached Dec. 13 at 3:09 a.m. CAPT’s bargaining team, including the CAPT Board of Directors, Chief Negotiator Ann Lyles and CAPT Legal Counsel Sean Bedrosian, worked diligently with one goal in mind: to improve our contract with enhanced economic benefits, safety, working conditions, professional development, and to preserve critical provisions that enable PTs to strike a balance between their work and personal lives.

Provided here is a summary of the economic/benefit improvements. Detailed contract information, including other key provisions such as Post and Bid, Exchange of Days Off, Mandatory Overtime, etc. will be discussed and explained at member contract ratification meetings at each chapter. Download flier.

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

Evelyn Loarca, PT-S. STAR
Pamela Battle, PT-WSP
Miriam Ortega-Cigala, PT-MSH

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.

Article 6.9 of the CAPT contract gives state-employed Psych Techs and related professionals the right to request leave donations from coworkers in cases of financial hardship due to injury or the prolonged illness of the state Bargaining Unit 18 member or his or her family member, or for parental or adoption leave purposes. Download flier.

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

Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019

CAPT Headquarters
1220 S Street, Ste. 100
Sacramento, CA 958111

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Join us Nov. 5 at CAPT Headquarters for an important member meeting. We will be updating members on our contract negotiations, which are currently stalled. We will have important information for a call to action. Please join us for this meeting. Your input and action is critical.
We look forward to seeing you!

Kim Souza
Northern Corrections Chapter President
(916) 955-4807

Download flier.

Town hall meetings scheduled with call to action!

CAPT’s contract negotiations have hit a road block due to the State’s unwillingness to treat our members fairly and equitably. CAPT and the State are far apart on the economic issues as well as other significant articles in our contract.

CAPT state officers and consultants will be holding informational meetings at each chapter in the coming weeks to discuss the status of our negotiations and to gauge your resolve and commitment.

The meeting dates, times, and locations for each chapter are listed below. We look forward to meeting with you and forging a course of action that will result in a contract that dignifies the work that we do.
If you have any questions, please contact your local chapter.

Atascadero,10/22/19, LCR ,6-8am/2-4pm
Coalinga, 10/18/19, Cafeteria/Courtyard, 7am - 4:30pm 
Community Facilities, 11/08/19, Training Building 618, 6:45am - 3:30pm 
*Northern Corrections, 11/05/19, CAPT Headquarters, 9:30am - 4pm
*Southern Corrections, 11/04/19, CAPT Southern Regional Office, 9am - 4pm
Fairview, 11/01/19, Organization Room, 12pm - 3pm
Metro, 10/24/19, Wellness Center, 7am - 4pm
Napa, 10/29/19, Union Hall, 12pm - 2pm
Patton, 10/30/19, Cottage 67, 7am - 3:30pm
Porterville, 10/28/19, Chapel, 7-8am/2-4:30pm
Stockton, 11/07/19, CHCF Cafeteria, 8am - 4pm

*Corrections members are free to attend any meeting within close proximity.  Download flier. 

WALK TO FIGHT SUICIDE - Kern County

Join thousands of people in this nationwide event benefiting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The AFSP has set a goal of reducing suicide 20 percent by 2025. Suicide claims nearly 40,000 American lives each year. CAPT is grateful to give its support. Coverage of CAPT’s participation will be included in the Nov/Dec Outreach.

Saturday, October 26
Check-in at 9:00 a.m.
Walk begins at 10:00 a.m.
Walk ends at 1:00 p.m.

The Park at Riverewalk - Bakersfield, CA

Contact Coalinga Chapter President Jaime Garcia at (559) 978-1582. Download flier.

CAPT is looking for interested CAPT members who would like more information about becoming a job steward. If you are interested in learning more about CAPT and our contract or would like to attend a Job Steward training session, contact your local chapter president by Nov. 1. Training sessions will be scheduled throughout the months of November and December.

Don’t forget that 2020 is an election year and to run for CAPT office, you must have been a CAPT member and completed job steward training on or before Jan. 1, 2020.

CAPT is always seeking Bargaining Unit 18 employees who want to help their colleagues by serving as job stewards. Stewards help employees resolve all kinds of job-related problems and concerns. They work to solve problems informally if they can. But sometimes it involves filing grievances over contract violations or filing complaints about other issues. Stewards may also provide representation in parts of the adverse action process.  Download flier.

CAPT’s Bargaining Team will resume negotiations on October 8, 9 and 10, as well as on October 15 and 16. The CAPT Board of Directors will arrive at CAPT headquarters on Oct. 7 at 10:30 a.m. to conduct board business as well as prepare for negotiations.

CAPT spent 16 days at the bargaining table with the State since June 17. Negotiations were temporarily suspended after it became apparent that the State was asking for too many takeaways. There was no way to reach an agreement before the legislative deadlines this year.

CAPT’s Bargaining Team is determined to fight the good fight until an agreement is forged that respects Psych Techs. The goal is to deliver acceptable wage increases and preserve the non-economic provisions that are so important to our members, such as Post and Bid and Exchange of Days off, provisions that provide a work/life balance for Psych Techs in state service. Download flier.

WALK TO FIGHT SUICIDE - San Luis Obispo

Join thousands of people in this nationwide event benefiting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The AFSP has set a goal of reducing suicide 20 percent by 2025. Suicide claims nearly 40,000 American lives each year. CAPT is grateful to give its support. Coverage of CAPT’s participation will be included in the Nov/Dec Outreach.

Saturday, October 12
Check-in at 8:45 a.m.
Walk begins at 10:00 a.m.
Walk ends at 12:00 p.m.

Mission Plaza--San Luis Obispo, CA

Contact Atascadero Chapter President Paul Hannula at (805) 235-7832. 

Download flier.

The July/August 2019 Outreach is available online. Download here. 

CAPT’s bargaining season officially kicked off on March 29, the date CAPT and the State exchanged contract proposals at a public ceremony commonly referred to as “sunshining.” As previously reported, bargaining did not begin until June 17. The timeliness of our bargaining was delayed due to a series of leadership changes at CalHR. Despite these delays, your Bargaining Team members, led by State President Eric Soto and Chief Negotiator Ann Lyles, along with each chapter president, spent several days, 16 total, with the State at CAPT headquarters trying to iron out an agreement before this year’s legislative deadline expired. CAPT was given just 60 days to agree on a contract that could be ratified by the members, and passed by the legislature before September 13, the last day for any bill to be passed before the interim recess. Download Flier

The CAPT Board of Directors will meet for its third quarterly meeting in Ontario at 10:00 a.m. (meeting times are subject to change) at the Ayres Hotel Ontario Mills Mall on August 13 and 14.

CAPT board meetings are open to all CAPT members. Space is limited, so RSVP your attendance to State President Eric Soto so that accommodations may be made well in advance. Meeting agendas will be provided at the meeting. Download flier.

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

Kylia James, PTA-FDC

Jenifer Ngo, PT-Stockton

Miriam Ortega-Cigala, PT-MSH

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

On Behalf of the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, CAPT is posting a job analysis survey request from BVNPT Executive Officer Elaine Yamaguchi. Please see the request below and follow the survey link for your participation.

On behalf of the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (Board), I am requesting your assistance with completing a job analysis survey concerning the duties you perform as a psychiatric technician practicing in California. The Board’s examination committee will develop examination items based on the information collected from the survey responses. Such surveys enable examination items to reflect current technologies, methods and practices.

All survey information obtained will remain confidential.

You may access the survey at
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PT2019OAsubscriber_link.

Please submit your responses by August 26, 2019.

If you have any questions regarding this survey, send an email directly to Geralyn Maracino, Education Analyst, at geralyn.maracino@dca.ca.gov.

The Board welcomes your feedback and appreciates your time!

Elaine Yamaguchi
Executive Officer
Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians

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

Jenifer Ngo, PT-Stockton
Miriam Ortega-Cigala,
PT-MSH

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

CAPT-supported AB 418, introduced by Assembly Member Ash Kalra (D- San Jose), was passed 5-2 by the Senate Judiciary Committee July 2. The bill now heads to the full Senate where it will undergo further analysis. If passed by the Senate, the bill could reach the governor’s desk no later than September 13, the last day for each house to pass bills. Download flier.

Important contract negotiation updates to be discussed

CAPT state officers and consultants will be holding informational meetings at each chapter in the coming weeks to discuss the status of our negotiations and to seek direction, strategy, and resolve. The Bargaining Team first met with the State on June 17 and continued to bargain our contract on June 20-21, 24-25, 28, and July 1-3. Our next bargaining dates are scheduled for July 22-23 and August 1-2, 6-7, 15-16, and 20-21.

The meeting dates, times, and locations for each chapter are listed below. We look forward to updating you on our progress and receiving your input. If you have any questions, please contact your local chapter.

Atascadero
July 15, 0600 - 1700, CAPT Chapter Office, 4401 El Camino Real, Ste. K, 
Atascadero, 93422

Coalinga
July 11, 0600 - 1600, In Front of Sally Port Download flier.

The May/June 2019 Outreach is available online. Download here.

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

Miriam Ortega-Cigala, PT-MSH

Download flier.

On Tuesday, September 17 through Thursday, September 19, the California Association of Psychiatric Technicians will hold its 35th Annual Meeting. This year’s meeting will be hosted by the CAPT Napa, Northern Corrections and Stockton Chapters and will be held at the Village at Squaw Valley / Alpine Meadows in Olympic Village, North Lake Tahoe, California.

Each year this conference provides for CAPT chapter officers and elected delegates a voice in establishing or amending the language by which the Association is governed. This annual meeting also offers members an excellent opportunity to network with CAPT’s Board, its consultants and other members from each of the Association’s 11 chapters.

If you are interested in representing your chapter as an Annual Meeting Delegate, contact your local chapter. Some chapters have elected post their flier below. 

Download Atascadero Flier

Download Southern Corrections Flier

Download Northern Corrections Flier

Download Patton Flier

As previously reported and as a result of the new administration, the leadership at CalHR has undergone a series of changes that have impacted the timeliness of not only our contract negotiations, but that of four other bargaining units, including the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association, the International Union of Operating Engineers, and the California Attorneys, Administrative Law Judges and Hearing Officers in State Employment. All five bargaining units, including our own, have contracts that are set to expire this summer. Download flier.

CAPT-sponsored AB 529, introduced by Assembly Members Ramos and Cervantes, was passed 67-7 by the Assembly on May 24. Fifty-nine Democrats and eight Republicans voted in favor of the bill. The seven ‘no’ votes were cast by Republicans. The bill now heads to the Senate where it will undergo further analysis. If passed by the Senate, the bill could reach the governor’s desk no later than September 13, the last day for each house to pass bills. Download flier.

National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6 and ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale. 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.

Arbitrator upholds Post and Bid posting criteria under 9.2 B

Section 9.2 B of our MOU establishes a Post and Bid posting criteria that include, among other things, the position’s unit, even if the units are within a program. Unfortunately, in an attempt to undermine our Post and Bid, management at California Healthcare Facility, Stockton failed to include the unit assignments on several listed positions. CAPT representatives met with CHCF on Sep. 11 to remedy the violation, but management was not persuaded. Management advised CAPT that it was unwilling to include the unit assignments on the nearly 20 positions in question. Management’s blatant disregard of this provision affected members’ right to choose the position and unit for which they could bid upon, thereby denying our freedom to choose not only our shift and regular days off but our work location. Download flier.

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. Download flier.

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

Jeremy Cantrell, PTA-PDC
Liza West, PTA-PDC

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