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. 

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

CAPT is currently accepting applications for its 2019 Anthony Myers Memorial Scholarship Program

CAPT is now accepting applications for the fifteenth 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 Friday, July 12, 2019. The scholarship winners will be announced at CAPT’s 35th Annual Meeting, scheduled for mid-September. Download Flier. Download Application.

CAPT-sponsored AB 529, Introduced by Assembly Members Ramos and Cervantes, passed its first legislative hurdle today in the Assembly Public Employment and Retirement Committee where the bill was approved 5-0. AB 529 would prohibit the state from mandating Psychiatric Technicians (PT) and Psychiatric Technician Assistants (PTAs) from working overtime. Currently, nurses, LVNs, psychiatric technicians (PT) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in private sector employment cannot be mandated to work overtime; unfortunately, the state government is exempt from this 2001 regulation. Download flier.

I want every CAPT member to be aware that our union solidarity has never been more critical than it is today. Well-organized, anti-union organizations are using clever rhetoric to lure public employees against their unions and to file lawsuits, which are intended to cripple the power workers yield when unionized. The Sacramento Bee recently reported nearly a dozen such lawsuits in California alone and sadly, CAPT has been mentioned in a lawsuit and must now devote union resources to fight for your rights under the Dills Act. Download flier.

I want every CAPT member to be aware that our union solidarity has never been more critical than it is today. Well-organized, anti-union organizations are using clever rhetoric to lure public employees against their unions and to file lawsuits, which are intended to cripple the power workers yield when unionized. The Sacramento Bee recently reported nearly a dozen such lawsuits in California alone and sadly, CAPT has been mentioned in a lawsuit and must now devote union resources to fight for your rights under the Dills Act. Download flier.

Attention CMC BU 18 Employees

Self-Scheduling Survey

March 21 through March 31

CAPT is conducting a survey to gain your feedback concerning the self-scheduling program that we piloted for 12 weeks at California Men’s Colony and had hoped to continue. Unfortunately, management has abruptly decided to discontinue the pilot. CAPT is not prepared to give up on the concept of self-scheduling and its benefits that we believe accomplished the goal of the 9.4 Staffing Committee by reducing mandatory overtime. The committee worked tirelessly for ten months and our first 12 weeks produced favorable results without creating any problems. Download flier.

Psych Techs ready to participate in the second round of the self-scheduling pilot at California Men’s Colony were shocked to learn just days before that the pilot was abruptly canceled by CMC prison Warden Josie Gastelo and Chief Executive Officer Teresa Macias. The unilateral decision to cut the pilot was made without CAPT’s involvement. Consequently, the CAPT Board of Directors voted to issue a “red-tag” sanction on the prison. A red-tag sanction warns potential employees about the facility’s egregious labor practices. This is the seventh time CAPT’s leadership has red-tagged a facility for egregious contract violations or bad labor practices. Download flier.

From the BVNPT

Dear Valued Stakeholder,

The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (Board) is working on developing its next strategic plan. The Department of Consumer Affairs, SOLID Planning Solutions is assisting the Board with its strategic planning process. Download flier.

As of January 1, 2019, the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians has a new fee schedule. The new schedule reduces the fees charged for the PT license and its renewal. The new licensing fee and renewal are now $220.00, dropped from $300.00. Conversely, the licensing fee and renewal for licensed vocational nurses went up from $150.00 to $220.00. Download flier.

CDCR to provide free LiveScans

The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians informed CAPT that the Department of Justice had lost some 3,300 of the BVNPT’s licensees’ fingerprint records, which are required by California Code of Regulations, Title 16, sections 2517.5 and 2575.5. Unfortunately, we do not know how many of those lost records affect our members. Nonetheless, the BVNPT will inform the affected licensees with a letter stating that they have 30 days to go get a new LiveScan. Download flier. 

DDS to reimburse Psych Techs

The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians informed CAPT that the Department of Justice had lost some 3,300 of the BVNPT’s licensees’ fingerprint records, which are required by California Code of Regulations, Title 16, sections 2517.5 and 2575.5. Unfortunately, we do not know how many of those lost records affect our members. Nonetheless, the BVNPT will inform the affected licensees with a letter stating that they have 30 days to get a new LiveScan. Download flier.

Kia Yang, a Psych Tech and doctorate student at Alliant International University, Fresno will be conducting a research studying a brief online mindfulness-based technique with psychiatric technicians.

The study will explore stress among psychiatric technicians. This study is entirely online and will consist of two parts. The initial part will take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete, and the second part will take 5-10 minutes. Participants may experience benefits such as less stress and better ways of coping. Download Flier

There are just two weeks left for you to have your voice heard concerning CAPT’s upcoming contract negotiations with the State of California. Be sure to participate in our contract survey by visiting the survey link at the bottom of the page. Our contract expires this summer, which means CAPT will be heading to the bargaining table this spring to negotiate a new contract; but, before we do, make sure we hear from you.  For those of you who do not have access to the Internet, hard copies of the survey are available. Just contact your local chapter to receive a copy of the survey, fill out, and return your completed survey to your local chapter by Jan. 31.  Your feedback is critical, as it will help shape and define CAPT’s bargaining priorities. You can help your bargaining team even more by sending your survey in as soon as possible. Don’t let your voice go unheard. Please fill out your survey and stay tuned as CAPT advocates prepare and negotiate our wages, hours and other terms of employment.

www.surveymonkey.com/r/XQXQ2LM

Download flier.

The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians informed CAPT that Department of Justice had lost some 3,300 of the BVNPT’s licensees’ fingerprint records, which are required by California Code of Regulations, Title 16, sections 2517.5 and 2575.5. Unfortunately, we do not know how many of those lost records affect our members. Nonetheless, the BVNPT will inform the affected licensees with a letter stating that they have 30 days to go get a new LiveScan. Download flier.

The Southern Corrections Chapter will be holding a meeting at the CAPT Southern Regional Office and Training Center on Tuesday, January 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The regional office is located at 13085 Central Ave., #7, Chino, CA 91710.
Topics include chapter budget and contract negotiations. For more information, Download flier.

The Southern Corrections Chapter will be holding a meeting at the CAPT Southern Regional Office and Training Center on Tuesday, January 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The regional office is located at 13085 Central Ave., #7, Chino, CA 91710.
Topics include chapter budget and contract negotiations. For more information, Download flier.

The Red-Tag issued on Canyon Springs last August has been lifted. The CAPT Board of Directors voted at it’s last meeting that the Red-Tag was no longer needed after Canyon Springs made good on it’s original offer to let Psych Techs at the facility choose from one of two work schedules, 5-2 with set regular days off or the 6-2 cycle. CAPT is happy to report that the sanction was a success. The chosen 5-2 work schedule was implemented. Download flier. 

The November/December 2018 Outreach is available online. Download here. 

Contract Negotiations Survey
Jan. 1 through Jan. 31
www.surveymonkey.com/r/XQXQ2LM

It’s that time again! Our contract expires this summer, which means CAPT will be heading to the bargaining table this spring to negotiate a new contract; but, before we do, we want to hear from you. Visit our 2019 Contract Survey between Jan. 1 and Jan 31. The link is provided at the end of this page. For those of you who do not have access to the Internet, hard copies of the survey are available. Just contact your local chapter to recieve a copy of the survey, fill out, and return your completed survey to your local chapter by Jan. 31. Your feedback is critical, as it will help shape and define CAPT’s bargaining priorities. You can help your bargaining team even more by sending your survey in as soon as possible. Timely feedback supports the team’s preparation and prioritization of current issues and concerns. As your coworkers and chapter presidents, your CAPT bargaining team is personally invested in the bargaining process and will work hard to represent your voice at the table. Don’t let your voice go unheard. Please fill out your survey and stay tuned as CAPT advocates prepare and negotiate our wages, hours and other terms of employment. Download flier.

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

Luisa Smiley, PT-CF
Michelle Parsons, PT-CSP-Corcoran

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

The Northern Corrections Chapter will be holding a meeting at CAPT headquarters on Tuesday, December 18 and Friday, December 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CAPT headquarters is located at 1220 S Street, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95811. Topics include chapter budget and contract negotiations. For more information, Download flier.

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

Michelle Parsons,
PT-CSP-Corcoran
Risma Ndidi, PT-MSH
Jeremiah Rosenthal,
PT- CSP-Corcoran

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

Vote Sabrina Cervantes for Assembly District 60-Riverside. To learn more about Sabrina and our endorsement, download CAPT's mailer.  

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

In Memory of Donna Kay Gross
Born March 30, 1956
San Jose, California
Died October 23, 2010
Napa, California

October 23
12:00 P.M.

Wear black ? Bring flowers

October 23 marks the eighth anniversary of the death of Donna Gross. Mother, grandmother and dedicated NSH Psychiatric Technician, Donna was brutally attacked and killed by patient Jess Massey on the NSH grounds. Massey murdered Donna as she was returning to her unit to work another shift. Donna, 54, died by asphyxiation. Pleading no contest, her assailant is serving 25 years to life at California State Prison, Corcoran.

The CAPT Napa Chapter, along with the Safety Now Coalition, invites you to join us Oct. 23 as we remember Donna and honor her living legacy, which produced safety changes at our facilities. We will gather at the NSH front entrance to lay flowers, share memories and recommit ourselves to work in Donna’s memory. Lunch will be provided.  Download flier.

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

Risma Ndidi, PT-MSH
Jeremiah Rosenthal, PT- CSP-Corcoran
Isatta Conteh, PT - CHCF

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

Join us in a suicide prevention walk on Saturday, Oct. 13.

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. Download Flier

Join us in a suicide prevention walk on Saturday, Sept. 29.

‘Out of Darkness’

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, September 29
Check-in at 9:00 a.m.
Walk begins at 10:00 a.m.
Walk ends at 12:30 p.m.
State Capitol - 1315 10th Street - Sacramento, CA

Contact CAPT Consultant Carol Wiesmann at 916-329-9140.  Dowload Flier

After a few setbacks, we are moving forward with the Self-scheduling Pilot at California Men’s Colony October 1, 2018. The nine participants have selected their schedules and the self-scheduling period will run from October 1 through December 23. The Self-scheduling Pilot is the result of many months of hard work at our Joint Labor Management 9.4 Staffing Committee meetings. The goal of the committee is to comply with contract language in Article 5.1, which mandates us to reduce and eventually eliminate mandatory overtime.  Download flier.  

BU 18 Rally
September 10 | ASH Main Entrance | 1000 - 1430

Join us September 10 as we rally united in opposition of the administration’s new staffing procedures, which, starting Sept. 10, will follow licensing minimums instead of acuities. The hospital has always staffed according to acuities, which CAPT believes is a much safer staffing model for staff and patients alike. CAPT strongly argued against this action on the grounds that it would create an unsafe working environment. Furthermore, there are plenty of Psych Techs willing to work volunteer overtime so that the units are safely staffed. Despite our objections, the hospital administration plans to move forward. CAPT strongly favors Safety First and urges hospital administration to reconsider and revert back to the acuity staffing model. Join us Sept. 10 and let your voice for safety be heard!

If you would like more information, please contact the Atascadero Chapter at (805) 468-2493. Download flier.

Sacramento - September 7, 2018  - The California Association of Psychiatric Technicians:

State-employed psychiatric technicians from Bargaining Unit 18 will hold a rally Monday, Sep. 10 outside the front main entrance of Atascadero State Hospital to demonstrate the immediate need for safer staffing allocations that should prevent unnecessary health and safety violations.

The new staffing procedure, which is based on licensing minimums as opposed to an acuity-based staffing model, was to be implemented Sep. 10. The local administration and Sacramento has decided, however, to reconsider and delay implementation until further notice. We are waiting for their response. BU 18 believes minimum staffing jeopardizes the health and safety of both staff and patients. Download press release.

Psych Techs at Canyon Springs have experienced bad-faith bargaining over the facility’s scheduling practices. As a result, CAPT’s Board of Directors has voted to warn potential employees away from Canyon Springs with a formal “red-tag” sanction. The sanction warns new workers about the facility’s egregious labor practices.Canyon Springs received the sanction for reneging on its offer to allow Bargaining Unit 18 employees to choose from two schedules: a 5-2 with set regular days off or a 6-2 rotation. Download flier.

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

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

Jeremiah Rosenthal, PT - CSP-Corcoran

Download Flier

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

Ashlee Nicole Torres, PT - CSP-Sac

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BU 18 Demands a Safe Working Environment

Safety Rally Aug. 10

PSH main entrance

1000 - 1430 

Join us August 10 as we stand united for a safe working environment. We should all leave work the same way we came in. Unfortunately, this was not the case for our dear friend and coworker who was brutally assaulted by a patient with a sharp weapon. Such an outrageous attack can neither be forgotten nor ignored. We demand adequate safeguards that will save lives. Join us in solidarity and let your voice be heard. If you have questions or would like more information, contact Patton Chapter President Sylvia Hernandez at (909) 864-1610. Download flier.

Sacramento - August 6, 2018  - The California Association of Psychiatric Technicians:

State-employed psychiatric technicians will hold a safety rally Friday, Aug. 10 outside the front main entrance of Patton State Hospital to demonstrate the immediate need to implement effective safeguards to protect employees from assaultive patients.

On July 11, a psychiatric technician was brutally assaulted by a patient with a makeshift weapon obtained from a paper towel dispenser. Holding the weapon in one hand, the patient snuck up from behind his victim, dragging her by the neck backward. The victim suffered several slashes to her face, forearms, and hands. After the victim broke free, she was immediately transported to an outside emergency medical facility. Download press release.

Remaining PTAs now have 120 days from the date of the next noticed layoff

The California Department of Human Resources has notified CAPT that the Psychiatric Technician Assistant classification has been removed from the Phase 1 of the Fairview Developmental Center facility closure layoff. According to the CalHR, removing the PTA classification from the surplus list was necessary to maintain the required level of care by ensuring an adequate staffing to client ratio. Download flier.

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

Isatta Conteh, PT - CHCF

Download flier.

Effective immediately, CAPT will no longer be recommending Liberty Mutual Insurance.

After several years of sponsoring the insurance company as one of our member benefits, Liberty Mutual has made drastic changes to our members’ policies. Without prior notice to CAPT, Liberty Mutual wrote to union policy holders noticing them that they had less than two weeks to seek an alternative to their convenient payroll deduction process via the State Controllers’ Office. When CAPT members contacted Liberty Mutual regarding this change, they were either told that the change was initiated by CAPT, or by “your employer” – the state of California. Neither is true. Download flier.

Effective immediately, CAPT will no longer be recommending Liberty Mutual Insurance.

After several years of sponsoring the insurance company as one of our member benefits, Liberty Mutual has made drastic changes to our members’ policies. Without prior notice to CAPT, Liberty Mutual wrote to union policy holders noticing them that they had less than two weeks to seek an alternative to their convenient payroll deduction process via the State Controllers’ Office. When CAPT members contacted Liberty Mutual regarding this change, they were either told that the change was initiated by CAPT, or by “your employer” – the state of California. Neither is true. Download flier.

Effective immediately, CAPT will no longer be recommending Liberty Mutual Insurance.

After several years of sponsoring the insurance company as one of our member benefits, Liberty Mutual has made drastic changes to our members’ policies. Without prior notice to CAPT, Liberty Mutual wrote to union policy holders noticing them that they had less than two weeks to seek an alternative to their convenient payroll deduction process via the State Controllers’ Office. When CAPT members contacted Liberty Mutual regarding this change, they were either told that the change was initiated by CAPT, or by “your employer” – the state of California. Neither is true. Download flier.

Effective immediately, CAPT will no longer be recommending Liberty Mutual Insurance.

After several years of sponsoring the insurance company as one of our member benefits, Liberty Mutual has made drastic changes to our members’ policies. Without prior notice to CAPT, Liberty Mutual wrote to union policy holders noticing them that they had less than two weeks to seek an alternative to their convenient payroll deduction process via the State Controllers’ Office. When CAPT members contacted Liberty Mutual regarding this change, they were either told that the change was initiated by CAPT, or by “your employer” – the state of California. Neither is true. Download flier.

Don't let this opportunity pass you by, last chance reminder

CAPT is still accepting applications for the 14th round of scholarships it plans to award to students enrolled in Psych Tech education programs.

CAPT will award up to 10 scholarships: eight in the amount of $750 each; two additional scholarships may be awarded to the individuals whose applications are not only accurately completed, but whose signed statements are exceptionally inspiring and whose letters of recommendations are highly supportive. One top scholar- ship may be awarded in the amount of $1,500 and one runner-up award in the amount of $1,000.For applications to be considered, they must be post- marked no later than July 13, 2018. The scholarship winners will be announced at CAPT’s 34th Annual Meeting, scheduled in mid September. Download flier.

Your CAPT representatives met June 27 with Department of State Hospital administrators to discuss level-two class action grievances filed at the Coalinga Chapter and the Atascadeo Chapter (filed by Secretary and Union Steward Tessa Hannula) relating to contract enforcement of 5.7, Exchange of Days Off. At the meeting were Coalinga Chapter President Jaime Garcia, Atascadero Chapter President Paul Hannula, Patton Chapter President Sylvia Hernandez, Metro Chapter President Chuck Garcia, and CAPT Consultant and Chief Contract Negotiator Ann Lyles. Download flier.

The May/June 2018 Outreach is available online. Download here.   

The 12-hour shifts at Atascadero have resulted in fewer mandates, which is why CAPT and the hospital would like to see the program expanded to more employees. CAPT and the 9.4 Committee is looking to improve the 12-hours shifts to meet the needs of our members. To understand more fully members’ disposition to 12-hour shifts, CAPT has devised a short survey to accurately assess where members stand. In other words, the goal of this survey is to know what we can do to make 12-hour shifts more attractive to our members. We encourage you to participate in this brief survey. The more information CAPT collects, the better we are equipped to work with hospital administration in achieving flexible work schedules that benefit members, patients, and the hospital alike. Download flier.

The political action special assessment took effect this last pay period. CAPT hoped that the special assessment would take effect in January. Implementation, originally scheduled for January, was delayed due to software issues with our database. The $6.50 special assessment should be reflected in your pay stub. To check, simply compare last month’s pay stub with your current pay stub. Download flier.

Effective July 1, 3%

Effective July 1, 2018, all eligible CAPT represented classifications will receive a general salary increase (GSI) of three percent. The three percent increase represents the third and final incremental pay increase negotiated under Article 4.2 on the Adjusted Pay Ranges of our 2016-19 BU 18 Agreement. The July 1 pay raise represents the last installment of the nine percent raise that was negotiated for the term of the contract. BU 18 employees received a three percent raise in July of 2016 (paid retroactively), 2017 and 2018. Download flier.

CAPT proudly endorsed Assembly Member Anna Caballero at its May 15 Board of Director’s meeting. The 12th Senate District encompasses the cities of Coalinga, Merced, Hollister, Los Banos, Patterson, Huron, Kingsburg, and Mendota.

“Anna Caballero is intimately familiar with our issues as she was Governor Brown’s Cabinet Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency,” said Eric Soto, CAPT Statewide President. “This agency oversees the Department of Consumer of Affairs which has jurisdiction over the Board of Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technicians. Additionally, Caballero has served as a member of the California State Assembly for six years and has been a leader on state hospital and union issues.” Download flier.

Our friend and co-worker need the support of their CAPT brothers and sisters during this sad and difficult time. Tragedy struck Jeremiah's family on April 29. Their heartbreaking story is provided below.

On April 29 our world was turned upside down due to a tragic accident at our home. Our twin daughters were hospitalized after falling into our pool; both had a significant brain injury. On May 12 our daughter Maya was taken off life support after being declared brain dead by several neurologists. In her honor, her organs were donated to save six children’s lives. Her twin sister Makayla continues to make progress toward recovery but remains in ICU. She has recently begun breathing on her own as she continues to fight for her life. Her road to recovery will be extensive and long, but not lonely. As she shows us good signs and gives us hope, we have a reason to be strong. For Makayla, I ask that you all keep her in your prayers, and ask for healing. Thank you all.

Jeremiah Edwards, PT - MSH and Erica Alvarado, RN - PSH

Please consider visiting their gofundme page, which has been established to help pay for medical and funeral expenses. No donation is too little or small.

https://www.gofundme.com/maya-and-makayla-twins 

Download Flier.

CAPT member suffers tragic loss of child by drowning 

Our friend and coworker need the support of her CAPT brothers and sisters during this sad and difficult time. Tragedy struck Mykeshia on May 8, when her five-year-old son, Gerron, lost his life due to an accidental drowning. The unimaginable loss came after a tragic chain of events that led to his drowning. No parent anticipates the sudden and tragic loss of their child, yet this is the heart-wrenching reality that has fallen upon Keshia.

Please consider visiting her gofundme page, which has been established to help pay for her son's funeral expenses. No donation is too little or small.

 https://www.gofundme.com/gerron-funeral-expenses?member=163768

 Download Flier

Dear CAPT Coalinga Member,

As you know, the 2018 election process for the Coalinga Chapter was delayed. On March 20, a formal complaint was filed alleging campaign violations. An investigation was conducted, a special committee was convened and ultimately the CAPT Board of Directors upheld the committ ee' s findings. Download letter.

Every two years, CAPT members hold chapter elections to determine who their officers will be. This year elections were held for seven chapters – Northern Corrections, Southern Corrections, Napa, Patton, Porterville, Sonoma and Stockton. No other elections were held because either the current officers ran unopposed, only one candidate was eligible to run, or there was no opposition to a new candidate. Officers officially took office as of 5 p.m. on May 16. The following is a list of all chapter officers for the current term of office – through mid-May, 2020. State officer elections will be held at the CAPT Annual Meeting in September. Results will be posted on the CAPT website following the meeting and will be published in Outreach. Download flier.

The candidates listed below have received the CAPT Board of Directors’ endorsement for the June 5, 2018, Primary Election. 

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS

Governor
Gavin Newsom-D
Lieutenant Governor
Ed Hernandez-D
State Controller
Betty Yee-D
State Treasurer
Fiona Ma-D
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Tony Thurmond
Attorney General
Xavier Becerra-D
Secretary of State
Alex Padilla-D
Insurance Commissioner
Ricardo Lara-D
Board of Equalization 2
Cathleen Galgiani-D
Board of Equalization 3
Scott Svonkin-D

Download flier.

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

Jeremiah Edwards PT - MSH
Jorge Fernandez PT - CEN

Download flier.

Make your vote count! Don’t forget to mail backyour ballot!

If you’ve been an active CAPT member since March 15 of the Northern Corrections, Southern Corrections, Napa, Patton, Porterville, Sonoma or Stockton Chapter and have not yet received a chapter election ballot packet, or believe you may be missing a piece of information, please contact Debi Loger immediately at CAPT Headquarters at (800) 677-2278. Download flier.

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

Visit career center for transfer eligibility assistance

CAPT is urging all Psychiatric Technician Assistants at the Department of Developmental Services to make an appointment with the career center for assistance in filling out your Transfer Eligibility worksheet, CalHR form 880. The PTA classification will only exist at the Canyon Springs facility and at the Secure Treatment Program at the Porterville Developmental Center; however, you can use your Certified Nursing Assistant certification to work in another classification at another department. There are currently job opportunities for CNAs at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation/California Correctional Health Care Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Download flier.

CAPT is currently accepting applications for its 2018 Anthony Myers Memorial Scholarship Program

In 2014, CAPT’s Board of Directors voted to rename its annual scholarship program the Anthony Myers Memorial Scholarship Program in honor of CAPT’s previous state president who passed away from cancer.

The Board agreed that it was only fitting to rename the program after Tony, who was not only instrumental in establishing the scholarship program, but dedicated to the education of Psych Techs and advancement of the profession.

Tony was first elected as state president in 2000. He continued to be re-elected and held office through 2013.

CAPT is now accepting applications for the fourteenth round of scholarships it will award to students enrolled in Psychiatric Technician education programs. Download flier. Download application.

Chapter election ballots have been mailed!

With March 10 being the deadline for filing declarations of candidacy with CAPT Headquarters, seven CAPT chapters have had ballot packets with detailed voting instructions mailed out to their members for whom the union has addresses.

NOTE: Ballot packets for an eighth chapter - Coalinga, are on hold pending an investigation for alleged campaign violations. CSH CAPT members will soon be notified directly of the status of their chapter election process.

In the remaining four chapters - Atascadero, Community Facilities, Fairview and Metropolitan - those who declared for candidacy are running unopposed; therefore no ballot election is necessary.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

If you’ve been an active CAPT member since March 15 of the Northern Corrections, Southern Cor- rections, Napa, Patton, Porterville, Sonoma and Stockton Chapters, you should receive a ballot packet within the next several days. Each packet includes a ballot specific to your chapter, return envelopes, information on how to submit your ballot and a candidate statement for each candidate. Download flier.

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

David Miller, PTA - CSH
Joann Ramirez, PTA - FDC

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.

If you haven’t already heard, the BVNPT discontinued issuing pocket cards to new licensees and for license renewals. In the past, our members used these cards to demonstrate that their license renewal was processed successfully. Now that we are no longer receiving the paper cards, the only way for you or your employer to verify licensing status is online, so you must take it upon yourself to follow up with the BVNPT to be sure that the status of your license is current. Failure to resolve licensing issues before your license expires will will likely result in a non-punitive dismissal. If you do not have an active license, your employer will dismiss you from work until your licensing issue is resolved. It is therefore imperative that you renew early and accurately and that you follow up to verify that your licensing status is active. Download flier.

If you are an active candidate – one who is facing competition at one of the chapters currently holding officer elections, you’re no doubt in the middle of campaigning at the chapter level.

When you declared, you should have received a letter from CAPT along with a copy of the union’s operating policy on the Chapter Election Procedures. Within the letter, CAPT listed some of the do’s and don’ts for running your campaign. For clarification, again here are the guidelines: Download flier.

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

Joann Ramirez, PTA - FDC

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. 

CAPT has received official notification that the California Department of Human Resources has initiated layoffs at the Fairview Developmental Center. As a result of the 2015 Budget Act and other legislative trailer bill provisions, the Fairview Developmental Center is scheduled for closure no later than 2021. Due to the decreasing clientele, the closure of Fairview may come sooner than expected. Download flier.

The Jan/Feb 2018 Outreach is available online. Download here.

Don’t forget to declare - the March 10 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 (3 offices) 
President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer

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

Download Flier

The Quarterly Meeting of the California Association of Psychiatric Technicians Board of Directors will be Tuesday, March 20 and Wednesday, March 21, 2018. The meeting will be held at Harris Ranch in Coalinga CA and will begin at 11:00 a.m. Board meeting times are subject to change. Meting agendas will be provided at the meeting. For more information, please contact CAPT State President Eric Soto at (909) 365-2486.

CAPT Board Meetings are open to all CAPT members. Download flier.