State Board Notes

The State Board convened today and below you will find a segment from Secretary Mathew Cates and his staff. This is a very informative posting and I thank next Avenal Chapter President for taking such meticulous notes

State Board Meeting 04/21/12

No Chapter 13 cases were brought up during the state board meeting.

Meeting started at approximately 0836 hrs. Mike started off saying that he wasn’t going to talk for a long time. Today we had some special guests that were going to speak to the Board of directors. CDCR Secretary Matthew Cate arrived (with his team) to speak to the Board of directors.

Cate started off by saying huge changes were coming to the department. He discussed that the package of 135% (deduction) design became “law of the land.” He stated big changes happened in a very short period of time. He stated that 22,000 inmates we have “lost” since last “October.” He stated that jails are starting to “swell” and parole took the biggest cuts in populations. The new classification score changes will be a big help. It will bring down population in level 4s and fill low level prisons. He stated that Jerry Brown wants to address the “out of state inmates,” that California should be incarcerating it own citizens. Those out of state inmates should be back within 5 years. Cate kept address this Monday and that its going to be a BIG day. The standardizing Staff prison ratio package is going out this Monday. They looked at every prison, and this is a true “staff package.” He stated that it addresses the realignment and should be able to bring thousands of jobs coming back for that “floor.” He stated that it’s going to be rocky for the next 8-9 months but looks really good. He stated that he wasn’t sleeping well at night because of fear for staff safety. He stated that the staffing model will be out there for you to see. He stated what “we” are asking for our help. He stated that we need to work with the wardens to “save” a couple dollars for the long term help. He stated that we need to fight for “rehabilitation” funds like we would for “Staffing” He stated that he thinks we will be pleased with the safety and security of the package. He stated that we need to get the courts out of our business. Parole was hit the hardest and in the “long term” job for agents if they “want” it. Talked about running an academy in about 6-9 months if this package is pushed through. He stated that he wants the Board of Directors to study the plan and have a partnership with administration. He doesn’t want to go back to the days when management and us were divided.

Terri Mcdonald came up to speak (CDCR). She stated that wave 2 notices will be out in June, and the effective “lay off” date will be in October. She stressed the importance of the staffing package and how it would help us. She also talked about the importance of programs and having inmates in programs. Educational, Vocational, and enhanced programs.

Cates came back up and addressed DJJ, stated that the closure of DJJ was just a proposal. They are looking into different things. They should know more around May. He also made an announcement about a closing a prison. He didn’t say what prison, but said we will know on Monday. That the plan is to close it down in about 4-5 years. He thanked Mike and the E.C. for working with them and for working with them on a contract that if fair. He also thanks Ron Yank.

Cates and his team opened it up for Q and A: (I did my best on the Q and A. It was really fast pace and I didn’t get all of the questions that the board of directors asked)

Q) Will we have flexibility where job cuts will come from?

A) They stressed the importance of the standardizing package that they would be more them happy to listen.

Q) Eliminate “double dipping” (Taking more positions)?

A) The standardizing package addresses “double dipping” and the realignment positions.

Q) About classification score

A) It’s part of the standardizing package, and it has to go negotiations before it’s implemented.

Q) Asked about OTAP/PICO and those with more seniority being “forced” to bid PICO because of fear of being fired, and those with less seniority not participating and being full time.

A) They are working on the wave issues. They are sitting down and working on fixing it for wave 2.Cates stated if OTAP/PICO didn’t happen they would have been “massive” layoffs.

Q) If redirection (yard blackouts) are starting in May?

A) They haven’t called for state wide redirections, but if the budget is not passed they will mandate cuts. Meeting sometime this week.

Q) The PPAS2 (pay roll) system what are they doing to correct it.

A) Sometimes things don’t go the way it was planned. Stated the computer had a “glitch” and that it has been fixed.

Q) Why are limited terms being rolled over?

A) Can’t roll over limited term when there are layoffs in that county. Limited terms should be stabilized till at least October.

Q) When is OTAP/PICO going to be able to roll over?

A) A lot is riding on the “package” can’t be more direct than that.

Q) Can OTAP bid?

A) Mike and Chuck A say “yes”, state says “No”

End of Q and A

Mike came back up to the podium. State that some of the states answers of “I don’t know” are real. He talked about the next budget is not the rescue of all Ab109 issues. He stated he heard a lot of “groups” saying to stop AB109 and to fight AB109, but if we do that we have to have an alternate plan, and he doesn’t know what that is. If we had any ideas to share it with him. He stated when money goes so does the employee. Mike stated that we got use to the overcrowding and chaos and that it was the “norm”, but it will not be the “norm” anymore. He talked about the republican plans to have us furloughed, and to keep an eye on pension. Pension reform remains an objective for a lot of people out there. He talked about pay check protection, and what it will do to us in the long run he stated it will be damaging to us in the long run if it passes. He stated we have to make a decision on what position we are going to take on Browns tax increase. He stated if the tax doesn’t go through we might see massive cuts. He talked about the state elections coming up, and that we need to discuss what we will be doing with that. Some of the issues on the ballot are Tax initiative, three strikes and the death penalty. He talked about the staffing package, and that he hasn’t seen it yet. We got to make a decision on what to do with the MOU coming up next year. He also talked about the issue with Community Correctional Facilities, and we needed to address if we want them apart of “BU6”. He talked about how we got to stop attacking each other. He stated some are trying to “bring down” the union, and if they take the time to do that they need to take the time to write to their assemblymen. We need to invite them to the prisons and to do ride alongs with parole agents. He stated he can’t do it alone. He stated we should see a full pay check this month. He stressed to the board to speak their minds at these meetings.

They conducted an audit but only showed the board members the audit for a short period of time. When Chapter President J. Gary, expressed his concerns about not able to understand what this audit was talking about. Mike quickly came to the podium and told him his “Fiduciary” responsibility is to listen to this license professional.

SOP/BYLAW changes, they wanted to change some verbiage in the chapter 13 where retirees could only file on retirees. Board of Directors voted “no” A proposed change to the chapter 13 process to remove the “arbitration” to save “money” when Perry Speth spoke to the Board of Directors, he said some “members” have expressed this concern. When Perry was challenged on to who the “members” were Chapter Presidents E. Latimore (CMF) and C. Huges (CSP LA) came forward. The issue was discussed and later dropped.

Steve Weiss: Talked about excessive sick leave and what does it mean. He stated that they will be starting a grievance on the issue. He discussed “Post and bid” and they are trying to collaborate those issues. Talked about the problems with Wave 1 and they are working on fixing those for wave 2. He stated that the next 6-8 months are going to be rocky. He discussed the “job exchange” the number for the job exchange is open 24/7 and must meet the strict deadline.

Chuck Helton talked about rolling over OTAP/PICO positions and knows a couple prisons have started (Cor1, Pelican Bay) they are fighting for that still. The issue was about the 918 blanket.

Military points counts for 1 point for up to 12 months. Only counts for layoff notices for counties.

Chuck A. talked about POFFII, he stated they had to wait for that “window” to address it through legislation. That it more likely dead on arrival then not, and a HUGE obstacle is in the federal statue. Stated might have 3 options 1) cash out 2) roll over 3) or buy services credit. Most likely won’t be able to pull money out, but will have control on what to do with it.

Jevaughn walker talked about the “members’ only site” and that it is done with a launch date of May 1st.

Some discussion was talked about retirees and the life insurance reduction. To contact the person in charge call (916) 779-6308 that is his direct line.

Next state board meeting is during the convention in August.-Ali Guiron (For The Members)