THIS WEEK IN BARGAINING: The CASE Bargaining Team and CalHR Representatives met twice last week and began the in-depth, thoughtful process of examining each article in the MOU. The first order of business, however, was formally agreeing to the ground rules guiding the process. Ground rules set expectations for both parties during negotiations, including provisions for virtual bargaining, expert witness participation, and the method for documenting and executing agreements.
Telework on the Table: On Thursday, the parties discussed a topic important to many CASE Members: telework. The Bargaining Team is committed to maintaining maximum telework flexibility for all CASE Members – whether they are looking to become or stay remote centered, or prefer working in-person at the office.
Deliberate Process, Careful Progress: CASE and CalHR have reviewed nearly half of the MOU’s articles and identified those articles that will need discussion and about which CASE or CalHR may introduce proposed changes and those articles that may be suitable for rollover. That said, nothing is truly settled until CASE and CalHR have reached a “tentative agreement” on each MOU article and the MOU as a whole. A tentative agreement is an agreement-in-principle, meaning final ministerial tasks may need to occur before the deal is official (like signatures).
Speaking of Salaries: The Team’s highest priority is developing a comprehensive, evidence-based salary proposal on behalf of all Unit 2 legal professionals. Ample data exists supporting Unit 2’s salary lag behind comparable public sector jobs at the city, county, and federal levels. The Team will leverage that data and your firsthand accounts of the value you provide to the State of California as part of its proposal.
Investments in CASE Members pay dividends for the State: Unit 2 personnel routinely win big for the state in terms of settlements reached, levied fines, collected fees, and more. Your stories can help us illustrate the immense return on investment CASE members provide California through their service. Share your stories here.
Always Top of Mind: It’s worth noting that while you may not read about such important issues as salaries, salary equity for ALJs, and paid family leave mentioned explicitly in each week’s Member-Exclusive Bargaining Report, know that the Bargaining Team discusses these issues at each meeting.
CASE and CalHR resume bargaining tomorrow, Tuesday, April 12.