California Association of Psychiatric Technicians rally against state budget cuts

Oct 21 2009

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 Patton State Hospital and Fairview 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 – Recent layoffs at other state developmental centers, continuing hiring freezes
  and unpaid furloughs throughout the state 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 – Any overtime used to cover staffing gaps means increased costs to taxpayers,
  while unpaid furloughs mean less patronage for local businesses.

CAPT is seeking to fully lift the state’s hiring freeze at 24-hour facilities and the reduction or elimination of furloughs. Union counsel recently filed a lawsuit outlining how Governor Schwarzenegger’s unpaid furloughs violate several labor laws and orders. The document is available online at www.psychtechs.net.

California Senate researchers released a study last week showing furloughs’ negative effects on state 24-hour facilities, such as Patton and Fairview. The report is available at http://tinyurl.com/yjpfqrn.

Members of the public are welcomed and encouraged to show their support by filling out an online petition at www.psychtechs.net. Signatures are being forwarded to decision makers during CAPT’s continuing efforts to end harmful staffing reductions and cuts.

http://www.psych-health.com/