News

Resources

Have union news to tell us? Contact uapd@uapd.com.

UAPD Pulse: Taking Action and Presenting Options for State Negotiations

May 18, 2020

By Stuart Bussey, MD, JD, UAPD President

You have no doubt heard about the Governor’s budget which includes a 54 billion dollar deficit and a 10% proposed cut to all state employees, including yourself. I have already heard from some of you and share your concerns. The union does not intend to stand idly by while the State tries to cut your hard-earned salaries.

We resume bargaining this Thursday morning and will ask the state to adopt a number of ideas that are described in an article that I plan to get into the press. These ideas basically involve moving money our bargaining unit’s salary savings into your pocket as an employee. There are also various ways to backload money and preserve pensions… even if there are furloughs. Our bargaining team is creative but welcomes any responses or ideas you may have in order to avoid these cuts. It may be little solace to realize that there are even greater cuts to physician and dentists’ salaries all across the country. UAPD will do its best to soften the blow and be proactive. The economy will pick up eventually and we will emerge in better shape.

We will be sending you a Survey Monkey soon to further ascertain any ideas or actions you may be willing to take that would help our negotiations. Meanwhile, stay healthy, stay safe, and strong and work smart! Your union stands with you.

Cases of COVID-19 Enter the Dozens For CDCR Employees

April 6, 2020

Fifty-three employees for California state prisons have tested positive for COVID-19, according to new figures released on Sunday.

The California Institute for Men (CIM), in Chino, had 16 reported cases, the most among the state’s 18 facilities — including prisons and other offices — where employees have reported positive tests, according to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

California State Prison, Sacramento had 5 positive tests and Folsom State Prison had 4, according to a tally the corrections department keeps on its website.

Among the offices with a positive test is the department’s headquarters at 1515 S Street, according to an email sent to employees in the building Friday.

The number is up from a dozen workers on March 26.

After staff members test positive, the corrections department restricts movement at their institutions and works to identify who the infected person has been in contact with, according to the department. The institutions restrict movement and quarantine people determined to be at risk.

Employees at the institutions are screened for COVID-like symptoms at the gates and turned away if they have symptoms, the department has said.

The corrections department has published extensive guidance for employees at its website, including instructions for keeping home and work surfaces clean, keeping in communication with loved ones during the pandemic and talking to children about what is happening at https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/covid19/information/.

An Important Message for All UAPD Members Regarding COVID-19

March 17, 2020

Covid-19 is causing major changes to the way that we go about our lives and work as health care professionals. Social distancing and telework can be difficult to achieve, depending upon your particular workplace. Here are some general work guidelines for UAPD workers, distilled from individual departments, organizations, and government edicts.

Employees at Highest Risk

As the disease progresses, morbidity and mortality of various age groups will become clearer. What is currently accepted is that people over 65 and those with chronic conditions are highest risk for poorer outcomes. If you are in this category, you can request all viable options for flexible scheduling and telework. You can request leaves of all types if your position is not conducive to working from home. Paid administrative leave (ATO) should be requested if you have no leave balances and face hardship due to illness, caring for sick family members or children whose schools have closed. Employees subject to quarantine or self-monitoring should ask for telework or ATO. Those who test positive for COVID-19 should expect leave credits of all types 14 days after the quarantine begins. They may also be eligible for FMLA. Most paid ATO is at least 14 business days in duration.

These general policies vary by specific department, organization, and state. As previously mentioned they are subject to change. Listed below are some of your rights and suggestions to protect yourself:
Read more …

UAPD Meeting with Director of DSH At Napa State Hospital This Friday

January 21, 2020

Upon member request, the Director of DSH will be at Napa State Hospital this upcoming Friday for a meeting. NSH members have been sent details regarding this upcoming Friday’s visit.

If you have any questions regarding the upcoming meeting this Friday, please call the UAPD Northern California HQ office at (916) 442-6977 or email uapd@uapd.com.

Newest San Mateo UAPD Contract is Available

December 30, 2019

The updated Memorandum of Understanding for the County of San Mateo is now online and available in PDF format. SMEP members with mailing addresses on file shall also receive a physical copy of the MOU as a booklet from UAPD in the upcoming weeks.

If you are unsure your mailing address on file is current or have any other questions regarding the contract, please contact UAPD’s Northern California office by phone or e-mail.

UAPD Battles Current Payroll and PEPRA Issues

December 20, 2019

In recent months, the UAPD has approached the State Controller’s Office on behalf of our membership. UAPD members have had the issue of excess pension funds being taken out of their paychecks only to have random checks administered to members by the Controller’s office.

This is an ongoing problem for UAPD and other unions. In addition, other unions (CASE) have voiced their frustrations in publications such as the Sacramento Bee (click here to read the article) regarding not having their pay raises factored into current paychecks.

Please be advised that UAPD remains in “direct contact” with the Controller’s legal staff. Clearly, it will take some time to resolve this matter. The union will prevail in rectifying all Controller issues.

Ralph Coleman v. Gavin Newsom

June 7, 2019

This case deals with five misleading practices CDCR has been implementing and their push for psychiatric staff reductions.

Read UAPD’s amicus brief here

CCSF Negotiations Come To A Close While Ratification Revs Up

April 30, 2019

As of April 25th, UAPD’s bargaining team has wrapped up negotiations with the City and County of San Francisco. CCSF members will receive an email containing an agreement summary and a link to the ratification ballot within the next few days, so keep an eye out.

Many thanks to Tim Jenkins and our bargaining team’s hard work on negotiating this new three-year tentative agreement.

UAPD Proposals Implemented at DHCS for RAFT Program

April 25, 2019

In January, CAASD members notified us that employees were being asked to sign a new RAFT agreement. In response, the UAPD reached out to the department. The department replied by providing an update with the following changes, many of which are proposals that UAPD made back in August of last year:

1. Expectations were removed from the RAFT agreements
2. Only employees who perform telework are required to sign the RAFT agreement
3. The department removed the term “agreement” from the form

If you do not telework and you are being asked to sign a RAFT agreement, please contact your union representative and provide details.

Ratification for Los Angeles Contract On The Horizon

April 19, 2019

As UAPD schedules the ratification process for the new Los Angeles contract, it is important that we have your most up-to-date contact information. Voting will start soon and it is vital that every member gives their feedback on the new contract.

Please sign up here so you can get the most update contract summary and vote on your contract. You can also contact us via e-mail or by telephone with your newest contact information.

If you are currently on steps 1 – 10, please contact UAPD. If you would like to have a representative to meet with you, your department, or your clinic about the new contract, please contact our Southern California location at (310) 398-4038.

Search UAPD

News: State of California Doctors