In recent months, UAPD has seen an increase in grievances and workplace issues throughout the LA Department of Mental Health (DMH). In the next month UAPD Worksite Leaders from DMH will be meeting with Director Marvin Southard to make a plan for resolving the issues affecting county doctors.
The UAPD group will discuss the safety problems present in some facilities as well as ways to improve M.D. – Ph.D relations. In addition UAPD will be selecting a member to join the Staff Advisory Committee that meets regularly with Director Southard to advise him on issues within DMH.
UAPD Bargaining Unit 325 members will also be forming a committee to address the issues of pension reform, health care reform, and the union’s influence over future elections of the Board of Supervisors. In the last general election, negative pension reform measures were passed in every California locality where they appeared on the ballot, with the exception of San Francisco, so it is crucial that union doctors learn how to defend their pensions from this kind of attack. The committee will be tasked with instituting a Medical Defense Fund, which other UAPD units have used successfully to assist their efforts in the political realm. A letter will be sent later this month to members with further details. If you have any questions call Christopher Ige at the UAPD Southern California Office (310-398-4038).