California state medical professionals have negotiated significant pay increases, avoiding a threatened strike.
The two-year contract would cost an estimated $227.1 million, according to the Sacramento Bee. The contract must be ratified by legislators & union members. Gov. Gavin Newsom must then sign it into law.
The settlement is between CalHR and the Union of American Physicians and Dentists, which represents close to 1,700 state medical personnel.
Part of the agreement was a 3% salary increase retroactive to July 1, and 2.5% in 2024, which is parallel to what the state has been giving other unions,
The pact involves California’s state hospital and prison workers.
“I feel good about it,” said Stuart Bussey, the union’s president. “Everybody got a little something.”
Psychiatrists can expect the biggest pay raises, with a $286,000 annual starting salary plus bonuses of about $42,900. Psychiatrists will also receive monthly bonuses totaling 15% of their salary, plus additional casework compensated at 135% of base salary.
There will also be a 3-5% boost in pay for foot doctors, health officials, consultants, physicians, surgeons and dentists.
Workers who like their job will benefit from the new longevity pay. Those who work longer than 12 months will receive a 1% raise for each year on the job, up to 7% at seven years. Employees who have worked longer than seven years will receive a one-time payment of $10,000.
Workers with a growing family or a seriously ill member of the family can get six weeks of 50% paid leave. This can be boosted up to 100% by adding unused accrued leave.
“It’s the hardest job in our union,” Bussey said of the psychiatrists. “They just want to be recognized for their work.”
Other than the money, they wanted a say in how the workplace is run. “They wanted their voice heard,” said Bussey.
