AEU and CSEA continued negotiations on April 10-11, narrowing the non-economic issues on the table. The parties made progress toward tentative agreements on several articles. Significant work was accomplished this week on the following issues:
Sick leave rights
10.2.3 -- Premature discipline for suspected sick leave abuse: Proposals were exchanged regarding improved parameters that allow the worker to demonstrate the leave was used for the appropriate purpose before a disciplinary letter of warning may issue. AEU takes the position that an employee should not receive a letter of warning for excessive use of sick leave when they need to use their earned sick leave for bona fide illness, injury or other medical need.
Elimination of medical exams
10.4.2 -- Elimination of employer medical exams for workers returning from the 39 month list: Proposals were exchanged to better reflect current law that protects employees from intrusive inquiries about their medical details.
Disciplinary action limits
17.3 -- Two year limitations period for bringing disciplinary action: Proposals were exchanged to clarify the meaning of the two year rule.
Due process for member complaints
17.7.1-- Improved CSEA member complaint procedure: AEU believes the contract should provide sufficient due process that allows the target of the complaint to know both its existence and substance.
Improved grievance procedure
19. 3.1, 19.4.1, 19.4.2, 19.6.1 - 19.6.6 - Improved grievance machinery: Comprehensive proposals were exchanged to improve the efficiency of the grievance process including the potential creation of a contractual panel of arbitrators in order to significantly reduce the time it takes to secure an arbitration decision when one is necessary.
Tentative agreements on two articles
AEU and CSEA also had a substantive dialog regarding uniform standards for expense/activity reporting (Concur) and meal reimbursement criteria, and notice and bumping related to layoff. Two minor tentative agreements were signed off on Articles 8 and 12. To view a list of tentative agreements go here.
AEU members in the North Bay Field Office show off their "I am AEU" buttons.
I am AEU
The Bargaining Committee would like to thank the Bargaining Council comprised of the statewide stewards for their effort to get us facts that directly assisted in improved dialog at the table. The Committee would also like to thank the membership for the statewide show of support this week through the successful launch of the I am AEU campaign. Some 70 Headquarters Brothers and Sisters surrounded us wearing the I am AEU button during both days of negotiations. The North Bay staff encouraged us even more when they texted in the “We are AEU” picture above!
AEU remains cautiously optimistic that labor and management will reach good faith internal compromise in the current climate that will allow both parties to emerge united in the greater fight for improving worker rights and benefits. Fair and equitable improvements for both CSEA and AEU members are available since the victory of Proposition 30. The AEU staff is working hard to restore prior concessions suffered by CSEA members prior to Prop. 30. We think this same goal should extend within CSEA’s own house -- without a bloody fight, without hypocrisy and consistent with the core values of unionism reflected by the true CSEA.
Support AEU, the internal staff union of the CSEA serving CSEA members throughout the State of California for over 45 years.
In Solidarity,
Debbie Pichetto
Val Hollins
Karen Hartmann
Scott Hendries
Carol Koenig
Chris Platten
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