Posted on the CAPT website
www.psychtechs.net
December 26, 2007

President's view: Looking back, planning ahead

It’s been an incredible year in the history of our profession and our union.

Accomplishments include:

Pay increases for DMH and DDS licensed staff. When we included our recruitment-and-retention reopener language in our contract, we got to use it this year for a lot more than just R&R. When major raises went into effect in CDCR, that contract language gave us the opportunity to fight for pay increases for DMH and DDS licensed staff as well. After being offered 18 percent less than Corrections, DMH pay increases got action in the courts (where we provided evidence of department shortages and skyrocketing overtime), and we fought for and won similar increases at the bargaining table to help DDS hold on to staff. Dozens of facility rallies -- and related media coverage -- across California, coupled with other Psych Tech actions, kept pay parity pressure high.

Across-the-board raises in effect. Everyone in our bargaining unit -- DMH, DDS and CDCR -- received a 2.5-percent pay increase effective July 1, thanks to our current contract.

$6 million in training funds. Bargaining Unit 18 PTAs stand to profit from increased educational opportunities won at this year’s contract reopener. Millions of dollars will go to pumping up our popular 20/20 Programs, with $500,000 specifically going toward BVNPT test preparation classes.

And these are just some of our really big accomplishments. Others include additional stewards and activists to strengthen our union’s on-site presence, more members showing the state that we’re stronger in numbers, dozens of successful adverse action and license defenses, numerous grievance wins, increased publicity for the Psych Tech profession, Unit Supervisors and Senior Psych Techs established in CDCR, and much more.

But we’ve got equally big challenges on the horizon:

Major bargaining battle. With a state budget deep in the red, we’re facing an uphill battle during 2008’s contract negotiations.

Agnews Developmental Center’s scheduled closure. We’ve fought the closure of Agnews for years on behalf of staff and the individuals we care for. Hundreds of clients remain at Agnews, but the rush is on to move everyone out of the facility by July 2008 -- no matter what the financial or human costs. We’ll continue to speak out on behalf of our members and our clients.

Defending secure retirements. Pension attacks will continue in 2008, thanks to a new initiative drive promoted by former Assembly Member Keith Richman.

With these and many other issues facing us in 2008, we’ll once again need everyone’s help. But as we’ve seen time and again this year, when we work together, we win.

As always, feel free to give me a call at (800) 926-CAPT or e-mail me at myerscapt@aol.com.

In unity,

TONY MYERS CAPT State President