In California, a labor dispute is escalating between the Newsom administration and some of the state’s highest-paid public employees over staffing shortages in prisons and hospitals.
The union representing doctors and psychiatrists working in California correctional facilities has authorized a potential strike due to non-competitive salaries, challenging working conditions, and an overreliance on higher-paid contracted doctors.
Dr. Stuart Bussey, president of the Union of American Physicians and Dentists, expressed concerns that the current situation makes it difficult to attract staff physicians. While doctors and psychiatrists in these facilities earn between $285,000 and $343,000 annually, temporary contracted workers receive twice as much.
The shortage of on-site psychiatrists has exceeded 50%, while the overall vacancy rate among all psychiatrists, including telehealth providers, stands at 35%. Moreover, more than 20% of primary care doctor positions remain unfilled, posing significant challenges to patient care and safety.
The main point of contention in negotiations is salaries. The state is offering a 2% raise for each of the next three years, which the union believes is insufficient to address recruitment and retention challenges. In contrast, the union is seeking at least a 15% raise in the first year of the new contract.
The shortage of physicians in correctional facilities is a critical concern, given their crucial responsibilities, which include daily patient assessments, medication management, and providing mental health interventions.
The tweet below verifies the news:
Some of California’s best-paid public employees say they’re ready to strike. 1/4 pic.twitter.com/7YyZJ7HTYG
— CalMatters (@CalMatters) August 2, 2023
Dr. Nader Wassef, psychiatrist and chief of staff at Napa State Hospital, emphasized the unique challenges faced in correctional medical facilities and the urgent need for competitive salaries to attract qualified psychiatrists.
The situation is exacerbated by the state’s reliance on temporary contractors who receive higher pay but lack the benefits and pensions offered to state employees. This pay disparity has led some staff members to quit and return as higher-paid contractors, exacerbating the staffing shortage.
The shortage of medical professionals has also led to difficulties in meeting court-imposed staffing mandates, resulting in fines for the state. In March, a U.S. District Court judge issued a $1,000 per day fine for failing to implement appropriate suicide prevention measures in state prisons due to insufficient psychiatric and case manager staffing.
The ongoing labor strife comes amid a $31 billion budget deficit faced by the Newsom administration. State workers’ demands for higher salaries reflect their struggle to cope with inflation and the high cost of housing.
In conclusion, the intensifying labor battle between California’s highly-paid public employees and the Newsom administration highlights the urgent need to address staffing shortages in prisons and hospitals.
The demand for competitive salaries and improved working conditions is essential to attract and retain qualified medical professionals, ensuring better patient care and safety in the state’s correctional facilities.
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