Public Can Show Support Online at www.psychtechs.net
California Association of Psychiatric Technicians:
WHEN: | Â | Wednesday, August 12, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
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WHERE: | Sonoma Developmental Center, 15000 Arnold Dr., Eldridge, Calif.; front entrance. | |
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WHO: | Members of the California Association of Psychiatric Technicians. | |
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VISUALS: | Dozens of Psychiatric Technicians and allied state workers wearing union T-shirts | |
and waving picket signs. | ||
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WHY: | The California Association of Psychiatric Technicians is continuing a series of weekly | |
| informational pickets at state hospitals, developmental centers and prisons, this time at | ||
| Sonoma Developmental Center. The events will draw attention to ongoing state budget cuts | ||
| that are not only hurting employees, but also the vital services Psych Techs provide to | ||
| Californians in their care. | ||
As licensed and certified level-of-care nursing staff specializing in therapeutic and medical care for people with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses, Psychiatric Technicians’ concerns are threefold:
- For clients and patients - Proposed layoffs, continuing hiring freezes and unpaid furloughs are impacting Psychiatric Technicians’ ability to provide adequate staffing, which can affect quality of care in 24-hour state facilities.
- For staff - As with many Californians, ongoing pay cuts are
hurting members’ families as well as efforts
to recruit and retain a quality workforce. - For Californians - Increased mandatory overtime to cover
staffing gaps means increased costs
to taxpayers, while unpaid furloughs mean less patronage for local businesses.
CAPT is seeking to lift the state’s hiring freeze at 24-hour facilities, the reduction or elimination of furloughs, and an end to the proposed layoffs of nearly 300 employees.
Members of the public are welcomed and encouraged show their support by filling out an online petition at www.psychtechs.net. Signatures will be forwarded to decisionmakers during CAPT’s continuing efforts to end harmful staffing reductions and cuts.
The California Association of Psychiatric Technicians is the elected union representative for 7,000 state-employed Psychiatric Technicians and related workers who provide compassionate, professional mental health and developmental services for the Californians in our care. CAPT also is the professional organization for all of California’s 14,000 licensed Psychiatric Technicians.
Contacts:
California Association of Psychiatric Technicians
Brady Oppenheim,
800-677-2278
916-952-9961 (Cell)
CAPT Consultant
