Council of Classified Employees  

SB 1419 repeal attempt killed in Assembly

May 5, 2004
Dolores Sanchez, CFT Legislative Advocate

It was a feliz cinco de Mayo in our State Capitol as the Assembly Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security Committee killed AB 2415 and the Governor's contracting out bill, AB 2992. Both bills sought to repeal SB 1419 that established minimum standards that districts must follow prior to contracting out the work of classified school employees. Over 250 classified school employees jammed the hearing room and the surrounding hallways as the committee rendered a partisan vote of 3 to 6. A listing of the votes follows below.

Many thanks to Florence Crumsey from Coast Federation of Classified Employees, Local 4794, who represented the CFT at the hearing. Prominent among the onlookers and donning shirts with the CFT/CCE logo were Howard Lowe, Juliana Dunvan, Teresa Scrodin and William Philips from Santa Cruz Council of Classified Employees, Local 6084 and Miguel Quintero from AFT College Staff Guild, Local 1521A. Much appreciation to all who traveled to Sacramento. Their presence was integral to the bill's defeat.

Press Conference

Prior to the hearing, CFT, along with other unions representing classified employees held a press conference urging the legislature to reject AB 2415 and AB 2992. Diana Sharp, president of Coast Federation of Classified Employees, told the news conference that contracting out the college bookstore to Barnes & Noble had resulted in higher costs and lesser service for students. Thanks to Diana for her compelling testimony.

Assembly Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security Committee votes on AB 2415 and AB 2992:

AYES Campbell(R), Maldonado(R), Nakanishi(R)
NOES McLeod(D), Levine(D), Chan(D), Correa(D), Kehoe(D), Laird(D)