The UAPD has been meeting with the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) per the Judge’s ruling against the California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) for the illegal unilateral implementation of the Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program imposed upon BU16 Physicians back in 2019.
The UAPD team is composed of both current and former physicians working at CCHCS from throughout California. Several weeks ago, the UAPD presented to CalHR a comprehensive MAT proposal which included salary increases, increased and improved training, a MAT workgroup with management, and a duty statement that would address the current issues with the unreasonable workload/workflow.
Yesterday, November 28, 2023, management rejected the UAPD proposal. Management accused physicians of lying about the excessive workload and insisted that the MAT program is not responsible for the backlog that currently exists. Management insists the COVID 19 pandemic is what caused the current excessive backlog. The pandemic was concurrent with the CCHCS illegal and unilateral implementation of the MAT program.
The Public Employees Relations Board (PERB) Order provides a timeline of 120 days during which time both parties shall arrive at an agreement over how to satisfy the order.