Given Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent “stay in place” directive, your UAPD Bargaining Team has been meeting “virtually” every Wednesday and Thursday, without interruption. The team has worked on critical issues ranging from Cost of Living Increases; Contracting Out; Pay Parity; Professional Judgment; Health and Safety; Transfers; and Additional Appointments.
In related news, on March 9th, UAPD testified before the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Public Safety. The hearing showcased the States abuse of the “contracting out process” while maintaining a high vacancy rate for “rank and file” physicians. UAPD bargaining team member, Dr. Navreet Mann, CDCR Psychiatry, represented the union during the proceedings.
On March 19th, UAPD held a “meet and confer” with CDCR regarding “on-call for telemedicine”. The union continues to spar with the Department over its objections to call for volunteers before mandating on-call from its telemedicine doctors. UAPD as asked that the Department to delay the April 1st implementation date until proper procedures are in place. UAPD has a tentative follow up meeting on April 3rd.
These difficult times have exposed many issues in the workplace that UAPD will fight to address in state negotiations. COVID-19 continues to change work environments by the hour. UAPD will work with great vigilance in making your voices heard!