Local 1000 helps former members win appeals

Local 1000 has gone to bat and obtained unemployment insurance benefits for about 200 former state employees who left state service last year as part of wider cutbacks at their agency. 

Because of the combined efforts of Local 1000's Legal Department and Union Resource Center, nearly 200 workers who were initially denied unemployment benefits are now entitled to receive them.

"We helped out these former members because it was the right thing to do," said Tamekia N. Robinson, vice president for organizing/representation.

"Our action is also consistent with our purpose statement '... to have the power necessary to give our members--and all California--the opportunity to have a good life ...'," Robinson said.

Pressure from Local 1000 returns work to state employees

Also, new scholarships for the children of State Fund employees

For months, Local 1000 has told State Fund that they were cutting "too deep," with too many layoffs, and they finally listened.  State Fund cancelled 267 layoffs that were scheduled for the end of May 2012, which included many Unit 1 and Unit 4 positions. 

Yet State Fund still plans to relocate approximately 370 employees in August and September, as part of its efforts to consolidate its operations.   While some relocations involve short distances, others do not --  such as moves from Oxnard to Bakersfield and Monterey Park to Fresno. 

For months, Local 1000 has told State Fund that they were cutting "too deep," with too many layoffs, and they finally listened.  State Fund cancelled 267 layoffs that were scheduled for the end of May 2012, which included many Unit 1 and Unit 4 positions. 

Yet State Fund still plans to relocate approximately 370 employees in August and September, as part of its efforts to consolidate its operations.   While some relocations involve short distances, others do not --  such as moves from Oxnard to Bakersfield and Monterey Park to Fresno. 

After a week of contentious negotiations between Local 1000 and management, State Fund has announced that layoffs have been cancelled. 267 jobs were set to be cut at the end of May.

"We've told management all along that the cuts they wanted to make were too deep and would negatively impact the entire state," said Sophia Perkins, chair of Bargaining Unit 4. "Our message finally got through to them. Our lobbying efforts with State Fund Board members and legislators worked."

"They made some outrageous demands at the bargaining table, but we continued to push until we saved our members' jobs," said Brenda Modkins, chair of Bargaining Unit 1.

• Local 1000 member negotiators stop State Fund's plan to layoff hundreds of employees this month. We'll tell you what members did to stop the SCIF plan.
• We'll tell you about Local 1000's part in a new Health and Wellness plan for state employees, plus you'll hear from daytime television host Doctor Oz.
• And we'll show you what Local 1000 members are doing to elect lawmakers who value state services.
• Download today's transcript of the Channel 1000 News [PDF]

State Fund management will delay the department's layoff date from April 30 to May 30

"Obviously we're happy that management has extended the layoff date," said Brenda Modkins, chair of bargaining unit 1. "It gives impacted employees more time to look for new employment."

Modkins says she's especially appreciative of the hundreds of Local 1000 members who signed petitions or contacted State Fund Board members, telling them that the layoffs are happening too fast and too deep.  

Local 1000 is working hard to mitigate the remaining layoffs, despite the department's continued refusal to use all of its vacancies to alleviate layoffs and end outsourcing contracts. New bargaining dates are scheduled for March 26 and 27th.

"This is a complex layoff situation," said Sophia Perkins, chair of bargaining unit 4. "The extension will allow Local 1000 to more carefully monitor State Fund's procedures and make sure the remaining layoffs are in full compliance with our agreement."

Last December, State Fund proposed to lay off 1500-1800 employees. More than 900 employees took a Local 1000 negotiated transition package - the first time in state service that such an option was provided.  Hard work has reduced the layoff numbers to 356.

• Management at the State Compensation Insurance Fund (SCIF) has delayed the departments upcoming layoff date a full month. We'll tell you what this means for Local 1000 members monitoring the process.
• A state politician said hard work by Local 1000 members lead to the reopening of a DMV office in West Covina.
• Plus, Local 1000 members embark on a statewide effort to help ensure Gov. Jerry Brown's tax initiative makes its way to the November ballot.
  

• Download today's transcript of the Channel 1000 News [PDF]

Teresa Hubbard stayed at SCIF to make a difference

Surplus letters are now available for State Fund employees who are scheduled to relocate in 2012. Employees impacted by the relocation can request a surplus letter from SCIF Human Resources.

Surplus letters give you priority hiring status. Unlike SROA status, you are not notified of vacancies by hiring agencies and must seek out job opportunities on your own.

Important dates for you to know:

May 15-31:
Time period to cash out 80 hours of accrued time if you're relocating more than 35 miles (Article 13).

June 1:
Deadline to choose an extended employment option (Article 9).

60 days prior to your move date:
Notice of your report-to-work date and options that may be available for you (Article 38).

To read the full agreement on the relocations between Local 1000 and State Fund management, click here >>

• SCIF members statewide give 'Thumbs Down' to management
• Member Profile: Jim Holverstott - A history of activism

State fund workers speak out against mismanagement

Local 1000 members at the State Compensation Insurance Fund (SCIF) are joining together across California to demand that SCIF board members examine staffing levels, outsourcing initiatives and executive bonuses as hundreds face layoffs as part of the agency's new business model.

Since last fall there have been a steady stream of workplace actions as members have pushed management to be more responsive. In December, members held a rally in San Francisco and spoke at a board meeting. In late January and early February, members held "Thumbs Down" rallies at workplaces throughout California.

On Feb. 16, dozens of Local 1000 members rallied at the State Fund offices in Pleasanton before traveling to the SCIF board meeting. At the meeting, Local 1000 reminded board members of our attempts to work together to find solutions that benefit all parties -- California's injured workers, Local 1000 members and management. However, recent board actions have brought that relationship into question.

Local 1000 members working for State Compensation Insurance Fund (SCIF) united statewide, pushing SCIF board members to examine staffing levels, outsourcing initiatives and executive bonuses as hundreds face layoffs as part of the agency's new business model.

"I think executives want State Fund to fail so they can outsource our jobs," said Jeanne Brigman, worker's compensation claims adjuster, at the State Fund office in Riverside. "That's against the contract and it shows how mismanagement is hurting this agency."

• We'll show you what Local 1000 members at State Fund did when the agency's president and CEO arrived at their worksite for a town hall meeting.
  
• Assemblymember Roger Dickinson is sponsoring a State Employee Bill of Rights that would guarantee more worksite protections for our members.
• Plus, Local 1000's fight to end outsourcing moves inside the State Capitol.
  

• Download today's transcript of the Channel 1000 News [PDF]

SCIF releases faulty job loss numbers

Local 1000 is pressing the state to revise the State Compensation Insurance Fund's faulty layoff plan to account for nearly 1,000 workers who have already voluntarily left the department.

"We need accurate, timely information from SCIF management in order for Local 1000 to help our members make the best decisions for their families," said Margarita Maldonado, Local 1000 vice president for bargaining. "We want to ensure that services continue to be provided to California employers and injured workers."

• Governor's budget plan: cuts, consolidations
• CDCR: Defending members during realignment
• SCIF: Reorganization continues to impact members at trouble department

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