Contract
June 1, 2011
Mike Jimenez speaks to Sac Bee about contract, cussing, CHP and continuing as CCPOA’s president
From the notebook: Mike Jimenez talks contract, cussing and continuing as CCPOA's president
We never get all of what we learn into a news story, but this blog can give users data, notes and quotes from the notebookthat informed what we published. This is the third in a series of posts spinning off "California Highway Patrol, prison officers compete for pay, respect," published on Tuesday.
Mike Jimenez, president of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, sat down with The State Worker last month for a lengthy discussion that informed Tuesday's story in The Bee about CCPOA and its sometimes-contentious relationship with the California Association of Highway Patrolmen.
Over breakfast at Crepeville in Midtown Sacramento, Jimenez talked about Gov. Jerry Brown, battles with former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the union's future (including his decision to run for a third term, which we reported in this post)...
LINK - SacBee.com (The State Worker)
May 31, 2011
Another newspaper editor gets it wrong on CCPOA MOU
We could not help but notice that members of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, affectionately referred to as the “prison guards union,” voted 85 percent in the affirmative to ratify a new contract proposal that was approved by the state Legislature.
At first glance, nothing unusual, you might think. But it is like that old jar of mayonnaise in the refrigerator. You never really know until you crack it open for the smell test.
Some of us on The Signal Editorial Board have been active members of unions in the private sector, so we get the value unions can bring in creating more balance in the distribution of compensations in a free-market society.
And in a way, our hats go off to the California Correctional Peace Officers Association. Its members are focused in what they want and well-organized in pursuing it...
LINK - The-Signal.com
May 31, 2011
CHP, CCPOA comparison in the news
The "pony riders" vs. "thugs" feud goes back a half-century, long before state workers unionized.
Ostensibly, the battle between the California Association of Highway Patrolmen and the California Correctional Peace Officers Association is about money. It's really always been about what money represents: respect.
"It's like sitting in a bar with guys in the Army and the Marines when the conversation turns to, 'Who's the toughest?' " said Tim Hodson, who heads the Center for California Studies at California State University, Sacramento. "Who's more macho?"
Take the new contract negotiated by the correctional officers and signed this month by Gov. Jerry Brown...
LINK - SacBee.com
May 17, 2011
Supervisory Update: May 17, 2011
Dear Supervisory Member:
As you all should be aware by now the rank and file Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was ratified by the Assembly yesterday afternoon and signed by Governor Brown late yesterday as well. This deal, while perhaps not as wonderful as portrayed in the media, was non-the less a long time coming. And under the current fiscal realities facing the State of California it provides much needed protections to our members.
As I have stated previously I was present at the table for the last two weeks of negotiations as an observer. Some of you may remember this was a major issue under the Schwarzenegger administration, supervisors present at rank and file negotiations that is. Additionally I was present in the Governors Office the final day of negotiations also as the administrations imposed deadline loomed...
May 16, 2011
CCPOA Member Alert - 5/16/2011
At approximately 1:00 pm this afternoon, the California State Assembly granted final approval to Senate Bill 151 (Correa) on its first floor vote attempt. Our MOU was able to garner the requisite 2/3 vote necessary for its passage. The bill now heads to the desk of Governor Brown for his signature.
All 52 Assembly Democrats voted “AYE” for the bill...
May 16, 2011
Correctional officers union OKs tentative pact
The California Correctional Peace Officers Association said Saturday that its members have approved the union's tentative agreement with Gov. Jerry Brown by a wide margin.
CCPOA spokesman JeVaughn Baker said 11,651 of the ballots cast, 85.6 percent, favored the contract. He said 1,960, or 14.4 percent, opposed the deal.
The union represents roughly 32,000 correctional and parole officers who have been working without a contract since 2006. In 2007, then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger imposed terms on the union after mediated talks broke down...
LINK - SacBee.com
May 14, 2011
CCPOA Contract Vote Results
Final Membership Vote Totals on the CCPOA Contract
11,651 voted yes 85.6%
1,960 voted no 14.4%
13,611 Total Ballots Counted
May 3, 2011
Senate approves 6 contracts with state employees
California prison guards and other state employees are closer to having a labor contract.
The Senate on Monday approved six contracts covering more than 50,000 prison guards, engineers, scientists and other state workers.
Senators passed the bill, 27-13, despite concerns from some lawmakers that the contracts did not save as much money as expected by earlier projections...
LINK - ContraCostaTimes.com
May 3, 2011
OC Register opines on CCPOA, other contracts - and gets it wrong - again
Californians have been let down twice already by their representatives in Sacramento, and another disappointment may be looming as final approval of union contracts for 51,000 public employees will be considered by the Assembly any day now.
Despite promising to save more than $500 million in negotiating the six contracts, Gov. Jerry Brown instead negotiated agreements saving taxpayers $300 million. That's a 40 percent shortfall, but not too surprising, considering how nearly 100 percent indebted the governor is to public employee unions, which largely financed his election campaign...
LINK - OCRegister.com
May 2, 2011
Senate approves six state worker labor contracts
Legislation to adopt contract agreements reached with six state employee bargaining units including a controversial labor pact for state prison guards union, squeaked through the Senate today.
Senate Bill 151, by Democratic Sen. Lou Correa, initially came up one vote short of passage, 26-14, but cleared the upper house when Sen. Anthony Cannella, R-Ceres, changed his vote after a roughly two-hour recess. Sen. Sam Blakeslee, of San Luis Obispo, was the only other Republican who voted for the bill.
The bill ratifies the agreements Gov. Jerry Brown reached with bargaining units representing correctional officers, engineers, scientists, administrative law judges and other law enforcement officials. The measure now moves to the Assembly...
LINK - SacBee.com
April 7, 2011
CCPOA proposed contract in the news
The Oscars have the buildup for best picture. College basketball has the finals. And this year's state labor deals have the CCPOA contract.
Sometime between now and Monday, the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office will publish a cost estimate on an agreement with the 32,000-member California Correctional Peace Officers Association, one of six unions that approved tentative deals with Gov. Jerry Brown's administration last month.
The LAO crunches the numbers for legislators, two-thirds of whom must agree to the deals for them to take effect. So far, the LAO has dinged the first four deals for saving too little money...
LINK - SacBee.com
March 25, 2011
Sac Bee reports on changes to CCPOA tentative agreement
The state is ending contributions to a retirement fund for Bargaining Unit 6 employees, according to state officials, in exchange for a higher deferred pay raise and to maintain the current leave system for the 32,000 or so correctional and parole officers represented by the California Correctional Peace Officers Association.
Our earlier report, based on a letter to members by union Executive Vice President Chuck Alexander, said that the program, called POFF II (Peace Officer and Firefighter) would be temporarily suspended to help offset the state's cost to bring CCPOA members' health coverage even with the rest of the state work force. State payments into the fund -- an employer contribution equal to 2 percent of base salary -- were to resume in January 2014...
March 24, 2011
SacBee on recent state contracts and cost savings
Feelings are facts – and sometimes they're the most important facts when you're talking about resolving conflicts.
How else to explain the nearly three months – and unnecessary furlough days for 60,000 affected state workers – for six unions to reach new labor deals with Gov. Jerry Brown?
"These were very tough negotiations," said Brown's labor chief, Ron Yank. "There are still some hurt feelings. I understand it."
Brown brought in Yank, a former state labor lawyer, to get contracts with the groups that didn't reach deals with then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger...
LINK - SacBee.com
March 17, 2011
CCPOA Chapter Presidents at CIM, CIW discuss tentative agreement (proposed MOU)
When Kathleen Jones opened an email informing her that a tentative agreement was reached between her union and Gov. Jerry Brown, the first words out of her mouth were "Thank you!" "
We have been working without anything in place to properly represent our membership," said Jones, a correctional officer at California Institution for Women in Chino. "Now there is a light at the end of the tunnel."
The state Department of Personnel Administration earlier this week came to its first labor agreement since 2006 with the California Correctional Peace Officers Association - if approved by the union and then ratified by the Legislature...
LINK - DailyBulletin.com
March 16, 2011
Prison guards, governor reach contract agreement
The California Correctional Peace Officers Association, the union representing prison guards, parole agents and fire captains, announced today that its leaders have reached a contract deal with Gov. Jerry Brown, ending years of uncertainty for its members.
The 31,000-member CCOPA has been working under a contract imposed by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger since 2007, when talks with the former governor broke down. The latest deal, reached at 5 a.m. today, is likely a big relief for both sides -- Brown came into office with a handful of outstanding union contracts, the CCPOA's the most closely watched.
Perhaps most importantly for the deficit-plagued state is the fact that the deal will end three-day-a-week furloughs imposed on the prison workers by Schwarzenegger...
LINK - SFGate.com
March 16, 2011
Calif. prison guards reach tentative contract deal
A union representing state prison guards reached a tentative contract agreement Tuesday with Gov. Jerry Brown's administration _ five years after former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger imposed a contract stripping the union of much of its power in prison operations.
The California Correctional Peace Officers Association supported Brown in last year's gubernatorial campaign after years of being at odds with the Schwarzenegger administration.
Union spokesman JeVaughn Baker said negotiators were constrained by the state's nearly $27 billion budget deficit...
LINK - NCTimes.com
March 16, 2011
California prison guards union reaches contract
After years without a contract, the union that represents California's prison officers and parole agents has a new labor deal.
If approved by union members and lawmakers, the tentative agreement would end the furloughs for the 32,000 members of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association that have cut their pay by roughly 15 percent.
The union's bargaining team agreed to a contract that calls for one unpaid day per month for a year – roughly a 5 percent reduction of pay and hours – and for members to pay 2 percent more of their pay toward their pensions. The highest-paid officers also would get a yet-unspecified raise at the end of the contract...
LINK - SacBee.com
March 16, 2011
Correctional officers agree to new contract
California's Department of Personnel Administration and the union representing State correctional officers have reached agreement on a new contract that, if ratified, generates immediate budget savings by requiring correctional officers to pay a greater share of their pension cost and take a day of unpaid leave each month for a year.
The Legislature and the California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) must approve the agreement, which will run from April 1, 2011 to July 2, 2013. The last CCPOA contract expired in 2006. Negotiations for a new contract failed, and since 2007 the union has operated under imposed terms...
LINK - DPA.ca.gov
March 15, 2011
Contract Agreement Reached
After the roughly 3 month contract negotiation process with Governor Brown’s administration, we have reached a tentative agreement on a successor MOU at 5 a.m. The tentative agreement expires July 2, 2013 and contains enhancements as well as concessions...
March 15, 2011
LA Times reports CCPOA reaches MOU with administration
California prison guards, who are represented by one of the largest and most politically powerful state-employee unions, have reached a contract agreement with Gov. Jerry Brown.
Neither the California Correctional Peace Officers Assn. nor the governor's office would provide details of the long-awaited contract on Tuesday afternoon, but David Gay, a spokesman for the Department of Personnel Administration, confirmed a deal was struck early Tuesday morning.
The prison guards, who have a reputation for being among the best paid state employees, have been operating without a formal contract since reaching an impasse over wages and benefits with former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006...
LINK - LATimes.com
January 21, 2011
California Correctional Peace Officers’ Association 2011 SUPERVISORS Contract Survey
This survey is designed to get Supervisory Members’ input on matters that are of the most concern of those who work the toughest beat in the state. In offering their comments, members should bear in mind the difficult fiscal condition of the State budget. The information gathered through this survey will be used to formulate proposals to submit to the new administration.
The survey will conclude Sunday night, January 23rd, so please complete this survey TODAY so we can get to work on implementing the results.
January 20, 2011
California Correctional Peace Officers’ Association 2011 Contract Survey
This survey is designed to get Members’ input on matters that are of the most concern of those who work the toughest beat in the state. In offering their comments, members should bear in mind the difficult fiscal condition of the State budget. The information gathered through this survey will be used to formulate proposals to submit to the new administration.
The survey will conclude Sunday night, January 23rd, so please complete this survey TODAY so we can get to work on implementing the results.
December 27, 2010
Mike Jimenez looking for CCPOA contract
Mike Jimenez, president of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, says he has three goals next year: "Get a contract. Get a contract. And then there's get a contract."
After four years without one, the 32,000-member union might finally get that deal. Gov.-elect Jerry Brown's incoming administration represents a bargaining do-over for CCPOA, which covers about half of all state workers still without contracts.
The union's last pact expired in mid-2006. After several rounds of contentious talks, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared an impasse and imposed terms in 2007.
Since then, Jimenez has been in the labor equivalent of an isolation cell. CCPOA has historically used its millions in member dues to make or break political careers with targeted spending, but Schwarzenegger has virtually ignored the union. Legislators, sensing CCPOA's weakened clout, no longer feared it...
LINK - SacBee.com
December 20, 2010
Dan Morain: Brown, prison union walking hand-in-hand
Jerry Brown is preparing to dance with the ones who brung him, specifically 31,000 members of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association.
Jilted by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the union cozied up to Brown by spending $1.4 million to help elect him. It was part of an effort to regain some of the dominance it once had in the Capitol and win a labor contract, after having operated without one since 2006.
Brown has responded, giving union leaders VIP treatment at his invitation-only election night party in Oakland and flying to Las Vegas earlier this month to address the union's convention...
LINK - SacBee.com
December 9, 2010
The State Worker: For labor deals, it’s now Brown
The not-so-special special session that opened Monday marked the last chance for out-of-contract state employee unions to cut a deal with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The Assembly likely won't assemble again until Jan. 3, so it's not around to approve contracts before they go to the governor. From here on, all deals go to Jerry Brown.
For most unions, the guv-elect is a welcome change. Six bargaining units representing 63,000 state workers still don't have contracts. Half are prison and parole officers represented by the California Correctional Peace Officers Association. They haven't had a deal since 2006. They despise Schwarzenegger...
LINK - SacBee.com
December 6, 2010
Jerry Brown to address correctional officers’ convention
Gov.-elect Jerry Brown is speaking at the California Correctional Peace Officers Association convention today. His appearance, announced this morning on the convention floor at the Rio All-Suite Hotel in Las Vegas, was confirmed by Brown spokesman Sterling Clifford a few minutes ago.
Brown has spoken to more than a dozen interest groups so far, according to Clifford, who said, "He's carrying a message of the seriousness of the budget situation."
Despite the grim message, Brown's appearance in Las Vegas signals a turn in management-labor relations for CCPOA. The union has been out of contract since mid-2006 and under terms imposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger since late 2007. Its relationship with the governor has alternated between public recriminations and stone-cold silence, punctuated with furlough lawsuits and several dozen unfair labor practice complaints against Schwarzenegger and his policies...
LINK - SacBee.com
December 2, 2010
In from the cold: Prison officers’ union gears up
California’s prison guards’ union hasn’t been happy since 2006, when it was still savoring the fruits of a lucrative pact it had successfully negotiated earlier with the state.
In the years since, the Schwarzenegger administration and the 28,000-member California Correctional Peace Officers Association have been bitter foes.
But with Gov.-elect Jerry Brown headed back to office, all the CCPOA wants for Christmas is a contract. And it may happen.
“CCPOA and the members worked hard to help elect Jerry Brown. Now that the campaign is over we can begin talking with Gov.-elect Brown and his team about what it will take to better our working conditions,” the CCPOA wrote in a letter to its members. The union spent at least $1.8 million backing Brown or opposing his rival, GOP contender Meg Whitman...
LINK - CapitolWeekly.net
February 12, 2009
GEO Group Guards Get New Contract After Threatening to Strike
Guards at one of the nation's largest immigrant detention facilities have approved a new labor contract rather than strike.
Union workers at the South Texas Detention Facility in Pearsall ratified the new deal late Wednesday that union leaders say promises improved equipment and increases the likelihood of wage increases.
Chief union negotiator Howard Johannssen said the new three-year contract passed by a slight margin but declined to release the vote…
LINK - The Houston Chronicle
September 5, 2008
Bee: “Lots of reasons to be nervous as Legislature keeps churning”
Gideon J. Tucker's famous warning that "No man's life, liberty or property are safe while the Legislature is in session" takes on new meaning now that the California Legislature has, in effect, extended its 2008 session because of the budget stalemate.
Technically, Sunday was just the last day that a bill requiring a simple majority vote and going into effect Jan. 1 could be enacted. Lawmakers still have until Nov. 15 to pass additional legislation involving appropriations and/or deemed to be "urgency," and thus requiring two-thirds votes.
Even as the last few bills facing the deadline were being hastily approved Sunday, lobbyists and legislative staffers packed into the Capitol's back hallways were gaming out the extension's political implications…
LINK - SacBee.com (The Sacramento Bee)
August 29, 2008
Look For the Crucial Information in Paragraph 10 of Any “Bee” Story - - (Or You May Be Misled)
Yesterday I wrote (LINK) that Andy Furillo, a Bee reporter, substituted his editorial view for 'news' in an article (LINK) that suggested that the California Correctional Peace Officers Association had made a contribution to the campaign against Prop 11 in return for Pro Tem Perata's support for prison guard pay raise bill.
Furillo took exception. He said that a more attentive reading of his story would have - in his words - "made it pretty clear that no pay raise bill had been introduced" (see first sentence, 10th graph of his article). Furillo is quite right. But so was I.
Before you get to "graph 10", Furillo writes that "Jeannine English of the AARP along with Governor Schwarzenegger and groups such as Common Cause called the CCPOA contribution shameful. "For CCPOA to be trying to buy off Senator Perata so they will get a huge pay increase is appalling", English said…
LINK - CaliforniaProgressReport.com
August 28, 2008
Cavala: Editorial Opinion Masquerading as “News” in the Bee
When their contract expired, the California Correctional Peace Officers Association tried to negotiate a renewal with Governor Schwarzenegger. The Governor declined to renew. The previous contract, from the standpoint of a Republican Governor, was a sweetheart deal the prison guards had extracted from Democrat Gray Davis. It was time to rollback provisions that gave managers supervision over sick leave and tied pay to that of other peace officers in admittedly liberal cities.
Without a new contract, the Governor could put into effect his "last and best offer" which included the rollbacks odious to the union. Faced with this, the union sought relief in the Legislature in 2007 with a last minute bill that included their demands. The bill was defeated amid the noisy opposition of the Capitol's paper of record, the Sacramento Bee. The Bee, which has long opposed the goals of public employee unions, successfully painted the CCPOA effort as sleazy and underhanded, and it came to nothing…
LINK - CaliforniaProgressReport.com
May 15, 2008
Schwarzenegger administration, unions negotiating collective bargaining pacts
Unions representing thousands of state employees have begun hammering out labor contracts: The state has presented its initial proposals, the unions are responding–many did so earlier–and both sides are preparing for a major round of face-to-face negotiations.
One of the state's 21 bargaining groups, the California Highway Patrol, has negotiated an agreement–it was negotiated two years ago and runs until 2010–and 18 others are in the midst of doing so. The two remaining groups, the correctional officers and the state's attorneys, are working with expired contracts.
The state has about 189,000 rank-and-file employees covered by union contracts or about 235,000 employees when supervisors, managers and exempt employees—typically political appointees—are included. When higher education, judiciary and legislative employees are tallied, the number totals about 340,000…
LINK - CapitolWeekly.net
April 3, 2008
Letter to the Editor: DPA discusses bargaining with CCPOA
The following is a "letter to the editor" submitted to Capitol Weekly by Julie Chapman, Deputy Director of DPA:
Your report (Capitol Weekly, March 27) describing attempts by the California Correctional Peace Officers Association to "force the state back to the bargaining table" conveys an impression that this administration has refused to bargain with CCPOA. In fact, we've been open to negotiating a new contract…
LINK - CapitolWeekly.net
March 12, 2008
SacBee.com Opinion - Dan Walters: “Tribes rise as guard union fades”
One of the most interesting – and perhaps significant – twists of Capitol politics has been the rise of the prison guards' union and the casino-owning Indian tribes from utter obscurity to vast political power.
The California Correctional Peace Officers Association and the casino tribes spent tens of millions – perhaps hundreds of millions – on campaign contributions, lobbying and advertising campaigns, especially in the 1990s, to establish themselves as political powerhouses.
They assiduously played both sides of the partisan aisle, used ballot measures to enhance their economic and political positions, and even merged forces on occasion. But whether together or singly, the CCPOA and the tribes joined the very select circle of political interest groups that were virtually unbeatable on issues they considered vital.
LINK - SacBee.com (The Sacramento Bee)
February 28, 2008
For Corrections, Next Year’s Layoffs May Be Steep
The proposed staff reductions of 5,854 "personnel years" for the 2008-09 fiscal year that begins July 1 are contingent on legislative approval of the governor's plan to release of 22,000 inmates statewide. The prisoner-release order - which applies to releases of "nonserious, nonviolent, and non sexual offenders" is still pending in legislature.
"To achieve the budget projections, there needs to be a significant reduction in staff," said Seth Unger, spokesman for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). "We believe that many of these savings would be achieved by eliminating vacant positions and offering early retirements."
LINK - CapitolWeekly.net
February 25, 2008
President’s Message: 2-25-08 Update
Last week, CCPOA received a letter from DPA (Dave Gilb) dated February 15, 2008, in which he continues to deny any culpability for the status of labor relations between CCPOA and CDCR.
He tries to be clever in asserting "facts" that only show that he either:(I) has no knowledge whatsoever of his department's failed attempts to negotiate with CCPOA; or more likely that (2) he simply has no concept of words like truth, honesty, or good faith negotiations. He does make it abundantly clear however, that he doesn't believe he will ever be called to answer for his dealings with CCPOA. I won't use this forum, or my time to address all the false statements, but will respond to some of the more critical issues raised in his letter.
Make no mistake, it is Mr. Gilb and his Department that have placed the people of California in harm's way, if that is where we all collectively stand at this moment. His continuing efforts to evade any public review of the facts surrounding the negotiations between the State and CCPOA force the elevation of consequences. It is painfully obvious that they have no understanding of the resolve of this union, its leadership, or the members that we represent. Our position could not be any clearer.
When each and every CCPOA member puts on a badge, we swear an oath to the people of California to voluntarily give our lives to protect the life of a citizen, a coworker, and every inmate, no matter what crime he or she committed.
What would give them the impression that we would allow them to steal the past twenty years of effort by this member run union, without engaging them with every ounce of strength we can muster and every penny we can beg or borrow? How do they presume that we fear their threats more than serious injury or death?
Their threats of retaliatory or punitive actions will have no effect on our future decisions. Managers like that already make such threats every day to Unit 6 members working on the line. We are used to this type of behavior. A threat to hold CCPOA responsible for any job action we undertake means nothing, insofar as they are already seeking an author for legislation to destroy CCPOA and our members' rights under the Dills Act. The inference that CDCR or DPA will terminate our employment, or have us imprisoned, only strengthens our resolve to move forward with a vote.
The claim that a law or statute exists that specifically prohibits CCPOA and its members from engaging in a labor action that may include a strike is just plain false. There is case law that may favor that position, but the statement "we both know that a strike is unlawful" is further evidence of their chronic inability to tell the truth.
As we have previously stated, it's evident that the State knows the five members of the Public Employees Relations Board (PERB) are all Governor Schwarzenegger appointees. Such people are not likely to fairly adjudicate CCPOA's complaints. The deck has been stacked against us in the very forum where we would normally take labor management disputes. At a minimum, this forum (PERB) will take years to hear our issues if their current "speed" is any indication.
However, the probability of our success is not the prevailing factor in determining whether or not to take on this fight at PERB or in any other forum. Mr. Gilb and his sycophants' tactics require us to respond with unconventional methods when fundamental rights are under attack. Under no circumstance will CCPOA stand idly by and allow them to take away our right to collectively bargain. The legislation devised to implement their self-proclaimed "last, best and final offer" does precisely that and you, as members need to know that. The legislation strips the protections of the Dills Act from the members of Unit 6 and this Administration would have it done quietly and without the knowledge of our members and the people of California. We cannot permit that to occur.
CCPOA does not seek a job action of any kind. A job action appears to be the one ofthe few options still available, as the DP A and CDCR have systematically attempted to eliminate all other forums and methods available to us. We cannot let them take the rights of our members without fighting them every way we can.
Their actions allow no forum, and therefore no other options!
In the attached letter responding to Gilb's February 15 letter, we did challenge Mr. Gilb to what amounts to a "lie detector" test. We challenged him to agree to voluntarily appear before a committee of the whole of the Legislature to answer questions while under oath about the acts, by him, or his underlings on behalf of his department, while engaged in negotiations with CCPOA. We committed to make ourselves part of that same "hearing" in order for the public and the Legislature to hear the truth. CCPOA has no fear of the truth being revealed. [CCPOA response letter to DPA]
Unfortunately, Mr. Gilb and I both know that if such a hearing occurs, this Administrations behavior will not withstand the scrutiny. DP A and this Administration have never engaged in good faith negotiations with CCPOA. They never intended to get a MOU with CCPOA, and from the start they intended to destroy the rights of Unit 6 members. The truth will reveal this simple fact, which is the reason they have so diligently avoided bringing their tactics into the light of a public forum. It is time to bring all the facts into the open.
In my February 7 letter, I stated that their immediate return to good faith negotiation provided one path to avoid drastic action by CCPOA. They of course refused to take this path. In an effort to do everything possible to avoid job action, and because they will not negotiate fairly with CCPOA, what we are seeking, at this point, is a chance to show their conduct to the public in the fair and open forum described above. Rest assured Mr. Gilb, that we shall not stop until you are required to defend the deplorable tactics you have utilized during negotiations with CCPOA, while under oath, in a forum that is immune to the influence of you or this Administration.
Mike Jimenez, President
Documents:
Gilb's February 15 letter
CCPOA response letter to DPA - February 22
February 15, 2008
President’s Message from Mike Jimenez
Every new year brings both a desire for a better future and resolution to correct the faults of the past. As we enter the year 2008, the leadership team of CCPOA is no different than anyone else. We want the best future for our members, whether that be through training, safe working places, or equitable pay with other law enforcement professionals. Unfortunately, we currently work for an administration that does not value or understand the hard work of correctional peace officers. Well, if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger thought we would quietly go away, he was sorely mistaken. CCPOA will continue to fight in every available venue for the best future for our members and their families.
In respect to resolutions of change for the new year, your leadership team recognizes that hardly a day goes by when there is not a story of some kind regarding correctional issues. Often, our members are whipsawed back and forth by the latest media-driven rumor of the day. It is our goal in 2008 to provide accurate and timely information to our members on all events relevant to our profession.
With that goal in mind, we have already made some positive changes this year. Our website, ccpoa.org, has been completely redesigned and has a dedicated webmaster providing support.
Also, to provide more up-to-the-minute information, starting with this issue members will again be receiving monthly issues of our Peacekeeper magazine. Within the magazine, you will notice a return of the sections California Pens and Across the Country, which provide information on what's happening in corrections-both at home and around the country. Most importantly, this is your magazine and we want to hear from you, so be sure to send your letters for inclusion in Response Time.
CCPOA has also produced four episodes of a video program titled California Prisons Under Pressure, detailing the story of how California has become the national ground zero for correctional issues and reform. You can view California Prisons Under Pressure by logging on to the website, www.prisonsunderpressure.com.
You can be sure 2008 will be a year of many challenges for the correctional profession. From our continued fight to secure a fair contract, to the governor's insane proposal for the wholesale release of over 22,000 inmates, there will be much to talk about. Together we have come through tough times in the past, and by strongly standing together throughout the coming year we will again achieve our desire for a better future.
Until next month, stay safe.
February 15, 2008
Gilb’s February 15 letter
Dear Mr. Jimenez:
I am in receipt of your letter dated February 7, 2008, in which you continue to mischaracterize and distort the status of Labor Management Relations with Bargaining Unit 6. I will address each of your false assertions below.
First, however, I must address the last paragraph of your letter, which threatens unlawful conduct by your organization and your members. As the CCPOA President, you state, "I will immediately consult the CCPOA Executive Council to call for a vote on a job action. which may include a strike." (Emphasis original). Your threat demands a response because, as you concede, engaging in such a job action "places California in a perilous position." As sworn peace officers it is incumbent upon correctional officers not to use public safety...
February 7, 2008
LAO: Don’t Give Prison Guards a Raise
The Legislative Analyst's Office has recommended that the Legislature reject Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to give the prison officers' union a 5 percent pay raise this year at a cost of $260 million. In a report released today, Legislative Analyst Elizabeth Hill said that the 30,000 employees represented by the California Correctional Peace Officers Association already make enough money, with a base pay for the top-step officer reaching to approximately $73,000 a year…
LINK - SacBee.com
February 7, 2008
Opinion: Lining Up for State Prison
After talks failed to produce a replacement for a prison guard contract that expired in July 2006, the administration imposed its "last, best and final" offer under a rarely used law. The tactic allowed the administration to change disputed work rules that were a sticking point in contract talks. The administration said the work rules obstructed prison management, but the union said they protected guards. Now the administration needs legislation for a 5 percent pay raise package in its final offer, estimated to cost $260 million. The analyst recommended that the Legislature reject the administration's pay raise plan…
LINK - SignonSanDiego.com
September 1, 2007
Chapter 3: “They said, He said, We said”
This latest MOU negotiations information update is based upon a series of correspondence between the Legislative leaders, Governor Schwarzenegger and CCPOA President Mike Jimenez.
As you will see, the Legislature expressed its concern about the direction of the contract negotiations between CCPOA and DPA. They also expressed reservations about the ability of the state to successfully implement the prison reform plan (AB 900) without the state having a better working relationship with its employees (CCPOA).
The governor responded, declaring "I have been following these negotiations closely and will continue to do so."
"Following?"
Does it sound a bit odd that our Governor, California's Chief Executive, is simply "following the negotiations?" Aren't leaders supposed to lead?
This curious quote is followed by a series of inaccurate statements and untruths designed to convince the Legislature that his office wants to bargain fairly with us. You can read the entire letter and decide for yourself.
The last letter included in this collection is the response memo from CCPOA President Mike Jimenez, addressed to the Legislative leaders, which identifies and highlights the inaccuracies and misinformation within the Governor's letter.
These letters are followed by four additional attached documents containing recent arbitration decisions where CCPOA was forced to file grievances against the state when the state failed to honor the terms of the most recent contract it entered into with CCPOA.
The state wants a new contract with us, but still refuses to follow the terms of the most recent agreement it made with us. Moreover, the state refuses to supply us with the details of all the take-aways they are seeking and instead have simply stated, "trust us."
Incidentally, there were no take-aways required of the highway patrol association during their contract negotiations, which lasted just twelve hours.
"Trust Us," they say.
Not likely.
Please see below for related attachments:
ltr_frm_Arnold.pdf
ltr_frm_Jimenez.pdf
ltr_Arb_transfers.pdf
ltr_frm_legislators.pdf
ltr_Arb_mileage.pdf
ltr_Arb_Ch_Pres_RTB.pdf
ltr_sups_an_CHP.pdf
ltr_Arb_bultin_brds.pdf
September 1, 2007
Chapter 2: “Negotiations”
On July 13, 2006 principals representing the Department of Personnel Administration (DPA) and CCPOA met in an out of the way little restaurant, sat down to have a burger and discuss how the negotiation process might begin and per Dave Gilb "outline the issues to see where we need to go."
Dave Gilb, then recently appointed Director of the Department of Personnel Administration (DPA), shared with us that the State was mainly interested in making progress on six areas of our contract. He said, "We want to focus on very specific things in the MOU-not everything. We want to get an agreement to start building trust." He also said that the leadership of the CDCR felt that they were "unable to properly manage" with sections of the contract that spoke to sick leave, post and bid, grievances and the "entire agreement" (Section 27.01) section of the contract. He further broke the State's wish list into six fairly narrow items:
- Addressing sick leave "offenders"
- PIEs calling in sick after being hired for a shift causing triple costs for coverage of one post.
- More flexibility on post and bid
- Changing the DJJ staffing ratio to conform to staff increases in the Ferrall consent decree.
- Modifying 27.01 to allow management flexibility
- A more effective grievance process
Mr. Gilb also spoke about the need for some "technical clean-up" of language in the contract that was antiquated or no longer applicable in light of the change in the name and mission of the departments. Mr. Gilb made it a point to tell us that the Administration wanted to make a deal. He stated several times in several different ways that the Governor understood how critical the situation in the prison system had become. Declaration Of Emergency He also said that the Governor knew how much overtime was being forced and how many vacancies existed. Mr. Gilb said the Governor knew that real reform would cost a lot, but his commitment was to fix it.
Mr. Gilb only spoke briefly about pay, but indicated that our formula wasn't a big problem except for classifications at the high end of the pay scale (PAs, CC1s, CC2 Specialists, etc.) and asked if we would entertain a set dollar amount for all members, but still maintain the formula for top step Correctional Officer. His hook was neither accepted nor rejected, we weren't negotiating.
Taking our turn at sharing wish lists, we presented five items (coming in Chapter 3). Overall it was a reasonably cordial meeting, professionally conducted by all present, including Dennis Batchelder, the State's specially contracted Chief Negotiator. Job Bulletin The meeting closed with Mr. Gilb assuring us that he would demonstrate the need for his proposed changes, that he would "justify and defend" each and every proposed language change the State negotiators planned to present.
We departed with the customary exchanges of handshakes and contact information. CCPOA's Chief of Labor/Chief Negotiator, Steve Weiss made arrangement to resume negotiations later in the week.
Moving back in history a small bit let me tell you what preceded the quaint luncheon I've just recounted.
The very first negotiation session between the parties took place at CCPOA Headquarters on June 9, 2006.
The State team arrived and gathered in their appointed conference room. After a short period the Chief Negotiator for the State, Dennis Batchelder, (hired specifically to negotiate against CCPOA) Batchelder Hired knocked on the door to the main conference room and announced that his team was ready to bargain. For our part, team members had read and discussed each of the member questionnaires, studied the issues important to both sides and felt fully prepared. To demonstrate our organization's commitment to the process, achieving an equitable outcome and our collective support for the team, every Executive Council member of CCPOA was present. We also wanted the Batchelder consortium to know that we were perfectly willing to engage in the process if circumstances warranted.
We were also prepared to record negotiations, admittedly an unprecedented act. We had arranged video and audio equipment so the entirety of negotiations would be available for the Legislature, the courts, the media and the general public to review. We felt recording the meeting was appropriate in light of all the attention being drawn by the Governor's very recent declaration of "a crisis in the prison system." In fact, the Legislature had been directed to enter in to a "special session" to pass legislation to rescue the severely overcrowded system.
Once again we knew, no matter what kind of agreement was made, it would be CCPOA alone defending it to the world. It seemed that both audio and video records of the process would be an adequate answer for anyone willing to watch and/or listen to hours and hours of what tends to be mostly boring exchanges. Verification seemed appropriate, considering three of the State's negotiators had also participated in the (2004) amendment to our 2001-2006 MOU, which resulted in a bitter arbitration concerning our pay. CCPOA was victorious achieving a decision that resulted in a large cash settlement. (Pay Arb. #1) Certainly we are all familiar with the cliché, "Fool me once; shame on you, fool me twice; shame on me."
Why wouldn't we want to record the process of negotiating a new contract? If for no other reason, it would reduce any potential for damage to the employer/employee relationship borne from fighting over who said what, which proposal was put across the table last, how a formula works and what is included, and who was present on any given day. Consider that any time one our members are questioned about our acts or omissions, we are questioned while a tape is rolling. Many of us work under the constant vigil of a recording device.
Some of us have become victims of poor quality video, and a complete absence of audio, in the department's recordings. Despite any concerns we may have with being recorded, we still go to work and do the job that we are paid to do. Heroic and courageous acts are also recorded but are seldom seen by the public. One might think the management team would just accept our videotaping and consider it an aspect of the job. One would be horrifically wrong if they made that assumption.
We signed in, asked a few perfunctory questions and passed the State's negotiators and document acknowledging that they had full authority to negotiate all of the proposals presented in the State's "sunshine" package, which they refused to sign Authority to Bargain. Mr. Batchelder received a note from a member of his team. He immediately called a caucus (timeout) meeting with his team and they all exited the room. After fifteen or twenty minutes, Mr. Batchelder returned and asked Steve Weiss to step out of the conference room. Mr. Weiss returned and informed our team that "under no circumstances" would the State team return to the negotiating table with any recording devices present. Video Cameras In hindsight, this single dispute would reveal more about the DPA's motives, objectives, and tactics than we ever imagined.
It's the absence of an objective record that has allowed DPA to declare impasse without having a single proposal on the table. Because no records exist beyond handwritten notes, except for two days of transcription and our brief recording, the DPA is able, and more than willing, to deceive the world by saying they have done everything possible to make a deal.
Later, using the Governor's bully pulpit, with the media as his audience, Mr. Gilb knows that he will be able to portray us as greedy guards Billion $ Statement and won't be challenged by any of the "invited guests" or be affected by the truth. The Governor will remain a media darling and reporters will still jump at the opportunity to interview him. Any serious challenge to the Administration could jeopardize the chance of a lifetime for a reporter. Its all "he said/she said" anyhow. Because none of it was recorded and DPA's design will have been preserved.
Fast forward to late July 2006:
After meeting the week prior without success in our attempts to negotiate ground rules, we set negotiations for Sunday, July30th. The CCPOA team was seriously interested in moving negotiations along in hopes of having something for the Legislature to vote on before adjournment in early September. After all, there was a Special Session of the Legislature underway and we were in the eye of the storm.
We were also cautiously optimistic that Mr. Gilb was basically genuine in luncheon meeting when he said the Administration wanted to move forward on prison reform. This optimism wasn't based solely on Gilb's assurances though. In the widely publicized meetings between CCPOA and the Administration's Senior Staff, there were numerous discussions about the Governor's thoughts on rehabilitation, and the impossibility of accomplishing significant reform without the support of Bargaining Unit 6.
It now appears that some cost/benefit analysis was done and the Administration has decided the cost of reform wasn't worth the benefit of rehabilitating anyone. Besides, the Administration had apparently already developed a plan to carry out the first rule of ALL bureaucrats: HAVE SOMEONE ELSE TO BLAME! The Governor has made this an art form. With just a little prompting, he once again took aim at state employees.
Unaware they were again forming a plan to blame Correctional Peace Officers for all the failings of the overcrowded prison system, CCPOA's negotiating team worked hard (without recording) all week to achieve ground rules so the real issues of bargaining could begin. At about five o'clock on a hot Sunday afternoon, after CCPOA compromised on nearly every issue concerning ground rules, the state refused to sign them. After a week of debating, time, location, number of team members, travel costs, travel time, supervisory presence, room size, room costs, recording devices, transcribers, length of caucuses, length of workdays, what would and what wouldn't be negotiated, and everything else in between, Dennis Batchelder refused to sign ground rules.
Ground Rules They Passed Ground Rules We Passed
Mr. Batchelder then decided ground rules were unnecessary. Oddly, it was Batchelder who refused to negotiate with recording devices present, clearly an element of ground rules, but with cameras out of the room, rules aren't needed. In the interest of making a deal, we had softened on all the issues that Mr. Batchelder said were important for him to be able to move the State team towards a deal. CCPOA Executive Council members had stepped away from the negotiating table as an exercise in good faith to give the negotiating teams a chance to start working collaboratively in an environment apart from the pressures of press and politics.
Despite the hard work and anguish associated with early compromise, nothing had been accomplished. Then, to add insult to injury, Mr. Batchelder chose a rare Sunday session to drop a three-hundred-fifty-page package proposal State Package Offer on the table and add that the State was done for the day. With that, the State's negotiating team got up, collected their belongings and walked out of the room.
The next day's session, scheduled to begin at nine o'clock, signified what would soon become typical of the State's effort for future meetings: it started late and ended early. Our entire team was present on time, despite spending long hours the night before digesting the State's "package deal" and still seething over its actions the day before. It wasn't just the waste of an entire week's effort, nor was it the cavalier attitude displayed when the State team tossed down what they had to know was a completely unacceptable and reprehensible proposal and left the building. Even the collective effort by DPA staff to negotiate in bad faith, by itself, wasn't enough to provoke my response on that last day in July. All of the issues combined, when viewed in the context of the existing situation, created an explosion. The blast was fueled by the frustration of genuine effort and time wasted. The flames were fanned by the unmitigated gall of DPA to pick six issues we care about and make a mockery of them by burying them in three hundred fifty pages of garbage. And the fuse was ignited when Dennis Batchelder told us that the State expected us to pay half of the cost of the transcriber he hired.
Yes, there was a tirade and it went on for several minutes. The transcript is nothing we should be or are proud of. Certainly my mother would not be pleased to hear many of the words that flew from my mouth that morning. The State's total lack of concern about the dangers of overcrowding referenced in the Administration's Emergency Declaration became a catalyst for that mounting fury. My mind's eye could not dislodge the image of young children, friends and family members mourning the deaths of brave, honest men and women like Sgt. Birchfield, YCC Baker or Officer Gonzalez, all killed during my career by the cold deliberate and preventable inmate acts. These images haunt my sleep and keep me awake at night. The words of a father missing his child still rings in my ears constantly. That anyone, let alone the likes of Batchelder, Gilb or our current Governor, could imagine that those three-hundred-fifty-pages represented anything akin to a deal worth the sacrifice could only cause a more reasoned man than I more rage than I have the capacity to express.
I do not apologize for, nor do I justify my behavior that day. It is what it is, I said what I said, and I still feel what I felt. This is not the time for apologies. Promises were made, insults were exchanged and the business at hand has yet to be attended. But if an apology is what is needed to give the negotiators for the State what they need to begin anew in earnest, I can deliver as much. They should know up front that if any of them think it is OK to be cute, clever, or play games and recklessly endanger the lives of the men and women who walk our beat every day and night so the citizens of California can sleep safely, work and play without fear, I'll likely be apologizing again.
I do not fear apologies. I welcome the opportunity to express my passionate respect and appreciation for the membership of CCPOA, the professionalism and dedication they exhibit everyday as they perform a necessary and despicable job under the most adverse of circumstances. For years our union has been falsely credited with being the most powerful labor force in the State of California. If this were true, after 30 years, we would not still be trailing the meter maids of the State's highways in respect, working conditions and compensation. We would not still be burdened with the false public image of being the villains of law enforcement. We already work the toughest beat in the state; how much more punishment should our members endure for the failures of the last few generations of the Corrections Agency's leadership?
September 1, 2007
Chapter 1: “Are We Getting Anywhere in Mediation?”
By now most members of CCPOA should be aware that the Department of Personnel Administration (DPA) has declared that negotiating with CCPOA over the terms and conditions of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is futile. As such, DPA sent a request to the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) to grant them a declaration of "impasse" and assign a mediator to assist with negotiations.
Their request was granted. A shocking turn of events in light of the fact that the presiding members of the board responsible for rendering the decision are all Gubernatorial appointees. I'll bet you'll never guess which Governor appointed them. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed them all. He even has the authority to make temporary appointments to the Board. Theoretically, he could appoint someone for as little as one day, or even for just one decision. These might be difficult decisions to defend publicly, but in light of the current tone of mediation, nothing would be a surprise.
That ought to give you some idea of how the mediation process is moving along. We are proceeding in "negotiations" with the assistance of a PERB assigned mediator. At the onset, which has been the only time we actually sat in the same room with the state's team, the mediator informed us that he expected complete confidentiality from both parties while mediation is going on. Under most circumstances this might be understandable. But our MOU, if we manage to get the state to negotiate in good faith and reach agreement, will be subject to legislative hearings, judicial review, and intense media scrutiny of every detail of the final product.
Considering the attention the "prison crisis" has received in California, and CDCR's inability to stay under the radar, the thought of not commenting about the specifics of negotiations had never once crossed my mind. It has always been the expectation to be grilled about our MOU in every forum possible. But for now, we are expected to be quiet.
My comments about restricting external communications are not meant to criticize the mediator; it appears to be part of the process. But as it turns out, secrecy, or perhaps silence, seems to be exactly what the state representatives need to continue down their current path towards impasse. That is precisely where they have been headed from the onset of bargaining for our new MOU. That's why it doesn't make sense for CCPOA to remain silent, and that's why we haven't.
You may remember when we started bargaining, we brought in camcorders and audio equipment. We wanted to establish an objective record of the proceedings. We believed at that time, based on the way DPA had tried to swindle us on our pay in the 2001-2006 MOU, that they would play fast and loose with language, intent, and the substance of any agreement made. DPA refused to allow any recording of the process.
They said we "ambushed" them with the recording devices. We didn't, we had them out in the open. This is unlike the session when DPA hired a transcriber, who unbeknownst to the entire DPA team, ran a tiny microphone under the table and secretly recorded an entire negotiation session. They apologized repeatedly at the time. We have a letter that says they had no idea that she was recording. They felt so bad about it; they could hardly wait to use it as evidence in their request for impasse.
It didn't get any better after that incident. Every day of bargaining, DPA would show up less prepared than the day before. They were unable to answer even the most basic questions about their 300 plus page proposal. They weren't able to provide any information about what the background was to their proposals and they refused to bring anyone that could. Generally, after about an hour (or less) they would remove their team for a caucus, and then leave for the day. No real negotiations ever occurred. We have spent less than 24 hours bargaining. The last MOU took somewhere in the area of 1000 hours to finalize a deal. DPA has no intention of putting in that kind of effort.
As stated earlier, their intentions were obvious from the start. The mediation process that Dave Gilb swore would help things move along hasn't provided a single signature on a proposal. DPA wont even put their names on a "sign in sheet." It looks like they are just going to spend enough time and taxpayer money to make it look like they tried and then they will request a formal declaration of impasse. That's bargaining in bad faith. We could file an unfair labor practice charge against DPA, but that goes in front of PERB too. So we have a bit of a problem on our hands don't we?
Some of you may ask, "Why don't we just take the 18% pay raise they offered us and call it good?" The truth is they never offered us 18% in the first place. That's the story for the media and the legislature to consume. It's for the members' consumption as well. They want the media and Legislators to accept once and for all we are just a bunch of "greedy prison guards." They want the CCPOA membership to believe our negotiating team walked away from a great deal. Neither is true and neither will survive the disinfectant properties of daylight.
Over the next couple of weeks while there are no meetings with the mediator or the state planned, we are going to send you information about the status of negotiations. While we are going to maintain the level of confidentiality about the mediation process that we are required to, we think its important that you know what DPA is demanding from you.
We plan on providing you with the last proposals from our last meeting on March 29, 2007, (you can't really call it negotiations), with some analysis from CCPOA along with hyperlinks to the proposals and background information as well. It would be nice if DPA had exerted the effort to answer questions so we could give you the intent of their proposals, but instead we must guess about what is the truth beyond their written words. I will leave you to make up your own mind about how much your employer values and understands the difficulty, danger, and demands of the job that you do every day and night, 24-7-365.
You will also see how our employer has intentionally withheld pay and benefits from new staff while telling the Legislature, the media, and a federal judge how hard they are working to fill the vacancies. Talk about a "code of silence." Employers in the private sector face hefty fines and the possibility of criminal charges for this type of conduct. It appears that State employers are immune from criminal charges, but that doesn't mean there isn't a consequence and every single manager across the state has to be aware of that. DPA gave us a proposal to continue this inequitable practice. They expect us to agree to it. In fact, DPA is demanding we agree to it, without any compromise.
DPA expects us to waive state and federal law for future use of leave credits while we are injured, ill, or caring for one of our children. They want us to return to the days when "sick leave abuse" was what we got from the boss when we felt our worst or when our family needed us most. They want the ability to make us choose between the comfort, concern, and care of our family and ourselves and our financial security. Again, they have no compromise.
For those of us awaiting transfers, especially after CCPOA's victory in the recent arbitration decision there is more bad news. DPA has decided they shouldn't have to negotiate at the main table on this issue. Mr. Gilb couldn't possibly allow any leveling of the playing field. No, they have noticed CCPOA of their decision to negotiate on a statewide basis away from the main table. That way their ability to implement their last, best, and final offer on August 1, 2007, isn't hampered by their tactics of regressive bargaining on our master contract.
It isn't difficult to point out the obvious designs of management to continue the pattern of blaming the rank and file for all the failings of the department while enjoying significant pay raises and increased opportunities to make our jobs more difficult. They have proposals to allow every Warden to change the vacation or holiday policies and schedule in any fashion they desire without having to agree to, or honor, the new procedure for a week, a day or even an hour.
DPA is insisting that we waive our right to enforce staffing levels, workload agreements, post and bid agreements, and overtime procedures, along with many other employee rights whether guaranteed by law or not. DPA is set on eliminating all benefits associated with seniority by designing a grievance procedure that provides no enforcement by CCPOA or its members. The demand is one of absolute control and the return of management's ability to punish us without having the procedural safeguards we fought long and hard for.
And about that 18% pay raise DPA is allegedly offering, we must first all waive our rights to any back pay for wages or benefits for the current year, (potentially several thousand dollars) and then accept the new pay formula developed by DPA which cannot be enforced through their new grievance process (previously mentioned) for any amount over $250,000.00. That change alone would have reduced the $7,000.00 check we just received to $10.00 (ten dollars) each.
And in case anyone forgot, unless and until the Governor and the Legislature enact a budget that fully funds all expenditures out of the general fund, (like our MOU in 2004), any agreement we enter into would become void of additional pay and/or benefits. We would be forced to renegotiate. As long as the statute (and for that matter the Governor) that forced us back to the table in 2004 remains in place, long term contracts don't seem very wise.
Not to mention that by DPA's own projections for the next four years and new DPA formula, the CHP will get 28%-29% over the same time period they are allegedly offering us 18%. The CHP deal also has absolutely no takeaways, no retirement smoothing, no sick leave punishment, and no transfer freezes - just bushels and bushels of money. Lets be very clear, for us it's not just about money, but we all know that money is part of it.
The list just keeps going on and on. Rather than try to say it all in one letter, you will receive a new message with new information every few days for a couple of weeks. By the end of this week we hope to have an e-mail address set up for you to provide questions, comments or thoughts on DPA's proposals. We'll be happy to share your thoughts with the State team. We can remove identifiers from messages before delivery if you want, not that any retaliation might occur. After all, it is against the law for management to retaliate.
Be aware, some members of the public and most managers will see this as nothing more than complaining by a group of people, (all of us) who are used to getting our way. When this message lands in Dave Gilb's hands, rest assured that he will get it to one of Arnold's sycophant media trolls and they will try to make something out of it. That act of and by itself should tell everyone who reads this message what this fight is all about. It's about respect for men and women doing a tough job in an overcrowded negative environment, without enough staff, space, resources, equipment, or management support to get it done. It's about DPA and this Governor recognizing and acknowledging the effort that goes into the comfort and safety they feel when they go to bed each night. The CHP doesn't get it done all by themselves!
Thank you for helping us get information to you by providing us with an e-mail address for contact. You will receive the most updated information available, right from the horse's mouth, (so to speak). Feel free to share the information and also to respond when our public mailbox is set up.
We do have a plan for success, but it will need the support of our members. This is not a union of one; it's a union of 30,000 men and women working the toughest beat in California. In our minds and hearts it's our union, in the state of California, and across the nation it's THE UNION!
BE SAFE! TAKE CARE.
July 10, 2007
Letter from Mike Jimenez, July 10 2007
Dear Speaker Nunez, Senator Perata, Assemblymember Villines and Senator Ackerman,
This letter is intended to respond to the letter from the Governor to you dated June 26, 2007, regarding the status of negotiations between the Governor's representative (DPA) and CCPOA.
The Governor states that "we've been negotiating with CCPOA for more...
June 26, 2007
A Letter From Arnold June 26 2007
Dear Speaker Nunez, Senator Perala, Mr. Villines and Senator Ackerman,
Thank you for your letter regarding negotiations between my administration and the California Correctional Peace Officers' Association (CCPOA). I have been following these negotiations closely and will continue to do so.
As you know, we've been negotiating with CCPOA for more than a year, both in formal negotiations and infonnal discussions. We've explored alternatives and held frank conversations about our differences, leading us to place an offer on the table valued at more than $250 million per year which, over four years, would exceed $1 billion.
June 11, 2007
Arbitration Proceedings DPA Case No. 06-06-0299
This Arbitration arose pursuant to Agreement between the California Correctional Peace Officers Association Bargaining Unit 6, hereinafter referred to as the "Union, and the California
Department of Personnel Administration, hereinafter referred to as the "State", under which C.
ALLEN POOL was selected by the parties to serve as the Arbitrator. The Parties stipulated that the matter was properly before the Arbitrator and that his decision shall be final and binding.
The parties further stipulated that the interaction of Section 4.01 Management Rights and Section 27.0 1 Application and Duration, Entire Agreement imposes Dills Act obligations on the parties.
