DHA Core

Greetings, union brothers and sisters,

Your 008 and 005 negotiations team met with the department over the implementation of CORE. UPE continued to try to convince the department to offer additional training in a traditional induction-style classroom. The department is proposing that HSS staff take 5 days’ worth of WBTs (web-based training modules) at their desks, followed by a week of self-taught case practice. Not only is this style of training inadequate, but much of the relevant program information has also been removed from the schedule altogether.

Despite repeatedly advocating with explanations and attempts to reason with the department’s managers, they refused to make any movement from their position. They claim that a 2-week self-taught training schedule is enough for a HSS worker to be functional in Cal Works, both intake & continuing. Because we are fundamentally divided on this critical issue, UPE declared an impasse. UPE will be issuing a statement of declaration for a fact-finding hearing. The hearing will allow us to advocate our position in front of a neutral third party.

Stay tuned for additional information as we progress in this process.

Special thanks to Stephanie McCall, Tony DeRego, Nichole Gorman, Olivia Brown, Debbie Tellez, and Jennifer Avalo.