For residents of or those who work in Pittsburg, Bay Point area of former healthcare district
Application deadline Nov. 17
The Los Medanos Health Advisory Committee was established by the Board of Supervisors in July 2018 as part of the plan to dissolve the Los Medanos Community Healthcare District, increasing funding available for healthcare programming in the Pittsburg and Bay Point areas. The Committee is charged with development of an area health plan to determine specific health needs of the community, identify priorities to address those needs, and facilitate a request for proposals process to make funding recommendations for health programs in the community to the Board of Supervisors. The Committee includes representatives from the local community and medical practitioners, making this a unique opportunity for collaboration.
The County is recruiting volunteers to fill one vacancy in the “At Large” seat for the three-year term of January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2026. The County Board of Supervisors will make the appointment following a screening process conducted by the Board’s Internal Operations Committee. Residents and those who work in the territory of the District, which is primarily the Pittsburg and Bay Point area, are welcome to apply. This is a volunteer appointment – no stipends or reimbursements are authorized for this Committee.
Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 655-2000 or the application can be completed online by visiting the County website at https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/3418.
Applications should be returned to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, County Administration Building, 1025 Escobar St., Martinez, CA 94553 no later than by 5 p.m. on Friday, November 17, 2023.
Applicants should plan to be available for public interviews to be conducted virtually via Zoom on Thursday, December 14, 2023.
More information about the Los Medanos Health Advisory Committee can be found in the authorizing resolution, available at http://64.166.146.245/docs/2018/BOS/20180710_1118/34028_Resolution%202018-436%20Final.pdf or by contacting committee staff, Ernesto De La Torre, at ernesto.delatorre@cchealth.org.
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By Tim Leong, Director, Communications & Community Relations, 4CD
The Contra Costa Community College District (4CD) is proud to announce that Contra Costa College (CCC) President Dr. Kimberly Rogers was among the 20 residents from Contra Costa County honored by Congressman John Garamendi at his 11th Annual Women of the Year Awards ceremony held on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.
Dr. Rogers was chosen for her tireless dedication in higher education as an administrator and teacher over the past 20 years. She has spearheaded efforts to greatly expand student services such as launching the Free Lunch program, increasing mental health services, extending housing assistance, expending access to professional attire and increasing staffing. CCC is located in San Pablo, CA.
“The service and dedication each honoree has shown their community is deserving of recognition, and by receiving this award, their work will be commemorated and chronicled at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC,” Garamendi said.
Another 33 women from Solano County were also recognized this year, and all 53 women from throughout his 8th Congressional District were acknowledged for making significant contributions to society through public service, business, education and the local economy.
“We congratulate Dr. Rogers and Contra Costa College for this wonderful recognition,” says Interim Chancellor Mojdeh Mehdizadeh. “It is a team effort to successfully serve the thousands of students each of our colleges and centers help every year, and it is our passion to continue our 75-year legacy of making a positive difference in the lives of our students and our communities.”
For more details about the 10th annual Women of the Year Event, awards program, bios and photos of all the honorees, and a link to the live streaming video of the event, see related article.
About 4CD
The Contra Costa Community College District (4CD) is one of the largest multi-college community college districts in California. The 4CD serves 1.2 million residents, and its boundaries encompass all but 48 of the 734-square-mile land area of Contra Costa County. 4CD is home to Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Diablo Valley College with campuses in Pleasant Hill and San Ramon, and Los Medanos College with campuses in Pittsburg and Brentwood. The District headquarters is located in downtown Martinez.
Each college is individually accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. For more information visit www.4cd.edu.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreJoseph Michael Pate had history of arrests dating back to 2014
By CHP-Northern Division
On Sunday, October 15, 2023, at 11:37 A.M., a CHP officer assigned to the CHP Red Bluff office stopped to perform a welfare check on a disabled vehicle southbound I-5, south of Chard Avenue, south of the City of Red Bluff. Shortly after contacting the solo occupant of the disabled vehicle, the CHP officer was met with gunfire. The CHP officer was struck by rounds fired from an assault-type rifle being fired by the occupant of the vehicle. Subsequently, the CHP officer drew his service weapon and returned fire at the occupant, striking him several times. The occupant of the vehicle was later identified as Joseph Michael Pate, a 39-year-old man from Pittsburg, CA.
The CHP officer broadcasted a request for emergency assistance. As officers from the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office, Red Bluff Police Department, Corning Police Department, and CalFire were responding to assist, Pate entered the CHP patrol vehicle and fled southbound on
I-5. Shortly after stealing the CHP patrol vehicle, Pate crashed into a truck-tractor pulling a semi-trailer, causing the truck-tractor to overturn. Pate crashed the CHP patrol vehicle into an open field west of I-5, where it caught fire.
Pate was arrested at the scene and emergency aid was rendered for gunshot wounds. Pate was transported to a local hospital and later succumbed to his injuries. The recovered rifle used by Pate had no associated serial numbers.
The CHP officer was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries and underwent surgery. The officer’s surgery was successful, and the officer is currently recovering from his injuries.
Northern Division Chief Greg Baarts said, “the California Highway Patrol is grateful for the quick response of our allied law enforcement partners and the medical professionals who tended to our CHP officer’s injuries. The CHP works tirelessly every day to provide Safety, Service, and Security to the communities we serve. While performing our duties there are inherent dangers our officers face. The courageous officer involved in this incident faced such danger and defended himself. We are very thankful he is now on the road to recovery. The CHP is immensely grateful for the outpouring of support from the communities we serve.”
According to localcrimenews.com Pate had a history of arrests dating back to 2014 by multiple agencies including Haywood, Dublin, Concord, Livermore and Pittsburg PD’s, as well as by Alameda and Contra Costa Sheriff’s Departments for crimes including robbery, burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is being requested to contact the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 529-7920.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
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Application deadline Nov. 30
Contra Costa County is seeking an individual to serve on the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) as Public Representative on behalf of the County. The individual will serve a four-year term in a volunteer capacity. The individual selected for this position must:
- Live in the unincorporated area of the County;
- Attend virtual committee meetings on the 4th Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m.; and
- Review agenda packets and develop input on agenda items beforehand.
The CCTA CAC reviews transportation programs and plans throughout the County, with the objective of advising and providing recommendations to the CCTA Board of Directors. This includes transportation projects and programs funded by the county half-cent transportation sales tax, which CCTA oversees. CCTA maintains its standing CAC in order to provide citizen perspective, participation, and involvement in the Measure J-funded and voter-approved Transportation Expenditure Plan and Growth Management Program. The CAC members have an opportunity to learn about and influence transportation and growth issues within Contra Costa County and in other jurisdictions through scheduled presentations by transportation experts, advocates, and CCTA staff.
Application forms are available from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors or by calling (925) 655-2000.
Please submit completed applications to the Department of Conservation & Development, 30 Muir Road, Martinez, CA 94553 (Attn: Robert Sarmiento) or email transportation@dcd.cccounty.us with “CCTA CAC County Representative Application” in the subject line no later than November 30, 2023.
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By David Biggs, Orinda City Manager
First published on calcities.org
When it comes to voter issues, poor road quality is usually second only to housing or public safety. However, there often aren’t enough resources to repair every road, especially in smaller communities. So how did Orinda — a city with under 20,000 people in Contra Costa County — transform what were some of the Bay Area’s worst roads into its best roads?
A little over a decade ago, the city had an average Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of 48. Municipalities use the index to measure the severity and extent of distress on a pavement surface, like cracking and potholes. PCI ratings can range from 0 to 100. A lower rating signifies more roadway damage and conditions, which will require reconstruction rather than preventive maintenance. Reconstruction is much more costly than prevention.
Today, Orinda’s PCI is 84 — far higher than the Bay Area’s average PCI of 67 and the second highest in the Bay Area. This is a tale of community engagement, building trust, and keeping promises.
“It may seem trivial, but as a driver, you know how the road’s quality can greatly impact your driving experience and safety,” said Orinda resident and volunteer Bill Waterman. “No one wants to swerve around potholes and incur the additional costs of deteriorated streets. Plus, there is the basic civic pride in knowing the roads are back to high standards again.”
Measure L: Just the beginning
Orinda was founded more than a century ago and was incorporated in 1985 after Proposition 13 (1978). As such, it inherited a 92-mile road network that suffered from a lack of investment and was developed for a rural community instead of a thriving suburb.
Orinda’s improved roads are largely thanks to voters’ decision to pass Measure L in 2012. The measure passed with a two-thirds majority — 7,569 to 3,311 votes. It wasn’t the first time the city had tried to pass such a measure, but it was the first time such a measure had passed.
“After testing the waters unsuccessfully previously about road funding measures, we turned to a group of community members with expertise in transportation and financing to develop a comprehensive road needs assessment and funding plan working with staff,” said Amy Worth, a former mayor and longtime council member. “That comprehensive plan was funded through successive measures presented and approved by the voters which built upon demonstrated success in improving street quality.”
Yet the 10-year funding source in the form of a half-cent sales tax override was just the beginning.
Continued investments yield long-term payoffs
Having seen the value in Measure L, voters in 2014 and 2016 approved two more bond measures totaling $45 million. Each year, property owners pay an average of just under $600 per parcel towards this strategic investment. This funding — in tandem with Measure L revenues, taxes, fees, funds, and grants — allowed the city to dramatically improve its PCI over the past decade.
Since 2013, the city has spent an average of $2.3 million per year on street maintenance and repair. But, even once upgraded, streets deteriorate due to normal wear and tear. With an eye to the future, the city council placed Measure R on the ballot in 2022 as Measure L’s 2023 expiration approached.
Since the approval of Measure L, the Citizens Infrastructure Oversight Commission presented an annual report to the city council that details the conditions of Orinda’s roads, spending, completed work, and projects on the horizon. Working with the commission, the city council convinced voters to approve the new full-cent sales tax by nearly two-thirds, Measure R.
This general tax provides for both public street maintenance and storm drain repair, as well as funding, for emerging needs, including wildfire risk reduction and emergency preparedness. Given the measure’s broader focus, the Measure L oversight commission was replaced with the Supplemental Sales Tax Oversight Commission.
The 2022 Annual Pavement Program utilized the last of the bond proceeds and Measure L revenues, along with some Measure R monies. It marked all but a few of Orinda’s public roads as completely rehabilitated, with the next few years calling for a more normal level of preventive maintenance.
Financing the future with local funding measures
Though the city has made great progress in repairing and improving infrastructure, there are further demands on the horizon. During a five-year, preventative maintenance period, Measure R funds will mostly go towards storm drain repairs — guided by a plan developed by the Citizens Oversight Commission — as well as wildfire prevention and emergency preparedness.
In early 2024, the city will re-evaluate options for addressing future roadway challenges, including those caused by recent weather and the state’s green infrastructure mandates, both of which will require more costly street work. Funding for future street maintenance will come, in part, from Measure R. However, city officials anticipate a funding shortfall in the long term due to higher costs.
Following a “fix it first” principle and extending the life of the city’s streets through strategic preventive maintenance will allow the city to avoid more costly reconstruction and accumulated deferred maintenance costs. These endeavors will be guided through collaboration with city partners, county, state, and federal agencies, and most importantly, residents.
This transformation highlights the importance of strategic funding and planned repairs and serves as a possible road map for other cities struggling with similar infrastructure challenges. It also serves as a reminder that passing local funding measures is never easy. Attempts to raise that threshold will only make it harder for cities to maintain their current levels of service — much less expand it to meet increased demand and mandates.
Gaining support for those measures — and protecting the ability of residents to dictate how their taxes are spent — is always worth trying!
The Cal Cities #LocalWorks initiative shines the spotlight on examples of local actions that are making a difference to their communities.
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Assembly Bill 39 will establish a licensing process for crypto exchanges and provide consumers with needed protections. Senate Bill 401 will establish safeguards for crypto kiosks.
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – On Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, Assembly Bill 39, authored by Assembly Banking and Finance Chair Timothy Grayson (D-Concord) and co-authored by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Chair Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara), and Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine), was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. AB 39 will establish a licensing program for crypto assets within the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) to protect Californians from bad actors and foster responsible innovation. The bill represents a major victory for responsible innovators and California consumers.
AB 39’s lead author, Assemblymember Grayson, released the following statement:
“Today California is taking the necessary step to regulate a market that is volatile, risky, and, in some cases, deliberately rigged against everyday consumers. Because of today’s action, Californians can be confident that crypto businesses, like any other company in financial services, must follow reasonable rules that will protect consumers and their money. Thank you to Governor Newsom for helping ensure that our state leads in fostering responsible innovation.”
Assembly Bill 39 is a companion bill to Senate Bill 401 (Limón and Atkins), which will set a regulatory framework for crypto kiosks, a part of the crypto industry rife with fraud and abuse. Crypto kiosks are ATM-like machines that allow consumers to purchase cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. However, these machines charge exorbitant fees and are hubs of criminal activity, scams, and consumer fraud.
“With the important frameworks established by AB 39 and SB 401, California will begin the challenging task ahead of us to regulate cryptocurrency and ensure that no Californian falls prey to scams, investment related fraud, or high-fee asset withdrawal schemes,” said California Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins. “Failures in crypto markets in recent years have emphasized the need for regulatory frameworks that have the backs of consumers, and Assemblymember Grayson and Senator Limón have led the way in doing just that.”
“California is taking a step in the right direction to protect California consumers from fraud, unnecessary risk, and potentially criminal activity with the signing of SB 401 and AB 39,” said Senator Monique Limón. “I am grateful that Governor Newsom sees the benefits to establishing a clear framework that allows for innovation without harming California consumers.”
Senate Bill 401 was signed into law, along with Assembly Bill 39.
“The Consumer Federation of California thanks Governor Newsom for signing these two important bills protecting consumers in the crypto marketplace,” said Robert Herrell, Executive Director of Consumer Confederation of California. “California now retakes its rightful position near the top of states protecting consumers in the crypto market. We also profoundly thank Assemblymember Grayson and Senators Limón and Atkins for their perseverance on these issues. Consumers will be better protected in crypto thanks to these new laws.”
With the Governor’s signature of these measures, crypto companies and crypto kiosk operators must obtain or apply for a license by July 1, 2025, to continue doing business in California. Additional information and the text of both bills can be found here.
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Faces 23 counts of conspiracy to commit wire & bank fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud
7 residents from Martinez, Clayton, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek & Vacaville convicted, fined and sentenced
Former Concord- and Benicia-based company
By U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Oct. 5, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a 23‑count indictment against Ari J. Lauer, 59, of Lafayette, charging him with conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, bank fraud, and wire fraud affecting a financial institution, for his role in the biggest criminal fraud scheme in the history of the Eastern District of California, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
Lauer is an attorney licensed to practice law in California, and from approximately 2009 to January 2019, he was outside counsel to DC Solar and provided legal and business advice concerning DC Solar’s operations. The indictment was unsealed today following Lauer’s arrest.
According to court documents, between 2011 and 2018, DC Solar manufactured mobile solar generators that were mounted on trailers. The company touted the versatility and environmental sustainability of the generators and claimed that they were used to provide emergency power to cellphone towers and lighting at sporting and other events. A significant incentive for investors were generous federal tax credits due to the solar nature of the generators. Jeff Carpoff, 52, Paulette Carpoff, 49, both of Martinez, and their co-conspirators solicited investors to invest in the generators in large multimillion-dollar transactions using a variety of fraudulent techniques.
A key part of the fraud was that investors would never actually take possession of the generators. Instead, DC Solar typically leased those generators back from the investors, and claimed to sublease them to third parties to generate revenue. In reality there was very little actual third-party rental demand for the generators, yet when Lauer and the other co-conspirators learned this, they continued to represent falsely to investors that the rental market for the generators was robust.
In June 2012, Lauer, Jeff Carpoff, and others met to discuss the failure to generate third-party lease revenue sufficient to meet their financial obligations to the investors. The conspirators agreed to conceal that lack of third-party lease revenue from current and prospective investors, by, among other things, making periodic transfers of investor money from one account to another while misrepresenting the flow of funds as third-party lease revenue. Lauer and other members of the conspiracy created a circular payment system they referred to as “re-rent.” In 2014, they created a “re-rent agreement,” backdating the document to 2011, and used it to explain the large sums of money being transferred from one account to another. In fact, the real source of money was new investor money, which was being used to pay obligations to existing investors. The indictment further alleges that Lauer and other members of the conspiracy prepared sublease agreements with “concealed addendums” that materially altered the terms of the contracts. They used the sublease agreements to defraud investors.
Between March 2011 and Dec. 18, 2018, investors collectively invested approximately $759,400,000 and several financial institutions and other investors transferred collectively $152,700,000 to DC Solar as part of related transactions for the purchase and lease of generators. In total, DC Solar closed transactions with investors that contributed an aggregate of more than $912 million to purchase generators. Those transactions purportedly involved approximately 17,000 generators, at approximately $2.5 billion in purported value.
During the conspiracy, approximately 94% to 95% of the supposed lease revenue on the books was actually intercompany transfers disguised as new investor money. In truth, third-party end-user demand for generators never exceeded 5% of the revenue that was claimed. (Learn more about the DC Solar scheme)
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Audrey Hemesath is prosecuting the case.
On Nov. 9, 2021, Jeff Carpoff was sentenced to 30 years in prison and ordered to pay $790,600,000 in restitution for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. His wife Paulette Carpoff pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and money laundering. She was sentenced on June 28, 2022, to 11 years and three months in prison.
On Nov. 16, 2021, Joseph W. Bayliss, 48, of Martinez, was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay $481,300,000 in restitution for securities fraud and conspiracy in connection with the DC Solar scheme. On April 12, 2022, DC Solar CFO Robert A. Karmann, 57, of Clayton, was sentenced to six years in prison and ordered to pay $624 million. On May 31, 2022, Alan Hansen, 50 of Vacaville, was sentenced to eight years in prison for conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and aiding and abetting money laundering. Ryan Guidry, 48, of Pleasant Hill, was sentenced on Jan. 31, 2023, to six years and six months in prison and ordered to pay $619,415,950 in restitution for to conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and aiding and abetting money laundering.
Ronald J. Roach, 55, of Walnut Creek, pleaded guilty to criminal offenses related to the fraud scheme and is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 14, 2023. Roach faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years prison. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
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Suspect from Concord and Oakley
By Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard
On Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 8:46AM Oakley Police Officer D. Navarrette was dispatched to 2005 Main Street, Suite B for a burglary to Uncle Wong Chinese Restaurant. Upon arrival Officer Navarrette observed the front glass door to the restaurant was broken. Officer Navarrette entered the closed restaurant and noticed the cash register area had been ransacked and it appeared as if the cash register had been stolen. Officer Navarrette had the owner of the restaurant respond to confirm if there was any loss. The victim did confirm the cash register was missing along with a credit card reader and an undisclosed amount of cash. In addition to the loss there had been approximately $500 worth of damage done to the restaurant.
Officer Navarrette began his investigation, and he discovered the suspect had been captured on a security camera from inside the restaurant. The security camera footage revealed the suspect forcibly entered the restaurant at 2:43 AM. Officer Navarrette circulated an image of the suspect to all of the other police officer of the Oakley Police Department in hopes somebody would make a recognition.
On October 12, 2023, Officer C. Johnson was on patrol on the west end of town and saw a male who matched the image of what Officer Navarrette had circulated and he was still wearing the same exact clothing as from the night before. Officer Johnson contacted the person and the person admitted to committing the burglary. Officer Johnson arrested the person and booked him into jail. The suspect was not in possession of any of the stolen goods when he was arrested.
The suspect in this case is a young man named Jonathan Douglas (18, Concord/Oakley). I further understand the suspect in this case is down on his luck. What I see in this case however, is a criminal act and criminal acts need to be associated with accountability. I applaud the communication, dedication and teamwork between my officers that lead up to this arrest. Simply put I have grown accustomed to expecting nothing less out of the men and women of the Oakley Police Department. I do hope the best possible decisions are made in the case of this young man to create positive change in his ways.
Stay safe Oakley.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreMore than 85,000 Kaiser Permanent healthcare workers win landmark new contract
On heels of historic strike, on-the-ground engagement from Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su helped bring sides to agreement
Frontline healthcare workers secure deal for critical workforce investments that bolster patient care
The 4-year tentative agreement increases wages, expands job training, and improves performance sharing plan; now goes to employees for ratification
From Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions:
LOS ANGELES – More than 85,000 Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers reached a historic tentative agreement today for a new contract that will bolster patient safety and make critical investments in the healthcare workforce at hundreds of Kaiser facilities across California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
The deal was reached on the heels of Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su traveling back to her home state of California to engage in the most recent talks. Su arrived Thursday evening to successfully help the sides bridge the gap on key lingering issues.
“We’re incredibly grateful to acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su and the Biden administration for supporting workers’ right to collective bargaining. Acting Secretary Su was instrumental in advancing talks and helping to facilitate a successful conclusion to these negotiations,” said Sarah Levesque, Secretary-Treasurer of OPEIU Local 2.
“What the parties have achieved here in Oakland demonstrates, once again, that collective bargaining works. When workers have a voice and a seat at the table, it can result in historic gains for workers, their employer, and our country,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie A. Su. “The President and I congratulate the parties on reaching a mutually beneficial deal that delivers important stability for this critical workforce, for Kaiser Permanente, and for the patients in their collective care.”
The landmark deal follows months of tireless advocacy from thousands of frontline healthcare workers.
“This deal is life-changing for frontline healthcare workers like me, and life-saving for our patients,” said Yvonne Esquivel, a pediatric medical assistant at Kaiser Permanente in Gilroy, California. “Thousands of Kaiser healthcare workers fought hard for this new agreement, and now we will finally have the resources we need to do the job we love and keep our patients safe.”
Details of the tentative agreement include:
- Addressing the staffing crisis by raising wages by 21% over four years to better retain current healthcare workers
- Establishing a new healthcare worker minimum wage – $25/hr in California and $23/hr in other states where Kaiser Permanente operates
- Protective terms around subcontracting and outsourcing, which will keep experienced healthcare workers in jobs and provide strong continuity of care for patients
- A wide variety of initiatives to invest in the workforce and address the staffing crisis, including streamlining hiring practices, increased training and education funding, mass hiring events, and a commitment to upskill existing workers and invest in the training of future healthcare workers.
“Millions of Americans are safer today because tens of thousands of dedicated healthcare workers fought for and won the critical resources they need and that patients need,” said Caroline Lucas, Executive Director of the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions. “This historic agreement will set a higher standard for the healthcare industry nationwide.”
In California, the tentative deal has set a new potential bar for negotiations already underway at Prime Healthcare and other area health systems. Nearly 2,000 Prime workers are concluding a five-day unfair labor practice strike today as their management threatens and intimidates workers, and refuses to bargain in good faith to fix unsafe working and patient care conditions caused by the short-staffing crisis.
The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions represents 85,000 Kaiser healthcare workers in seven states and the District of Columbia. In April, the Coalition began its national bargaining process ahead of the September 30th contract expiration. The Coalition and Kaiser Permanente had last negotiated a contract in 2019, before healthcare workers found themselves on the frontlines of the COVID pandemic that has worsened working conditions and exacerbated a healthcare staffing crisis.
From Wednesday, October 4 to Saturday, October 7, 75,000 Kaiser healthcare workers held an unfair labor practice strike. The actions, led by workers across multiple states and in Washington, D.C., constituted the largest strike of healthcare workers in U.S. history. On October 9, Coalition unions issued a second 10-day notice for a strike that would have commenced on November 1 and included an additional 3,000 healthcare workers in Seattle.
Frontline healthcare workers in the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions are expected to begin voting to ratify the agreement starting October 18.
Kaiser Also Announces Agreement
OAKLAND, Calif. – Kaiser Permanente and the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions are pleased to jointly announce that in the early hours of October 13, 2023, we reached a tentative agreement for a renewed National Agreement, bringing the nearly seven months of contract negotiations to conclusion.
The Coalition and Kaiser Permanente wish to thank Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su for her instrumental involvement in bringing negotiations to a close.
The tentative agreement now goes to the more than 85,000 Kaiser Permanente employees who are represented by Coalition unions for ratification. The ratification process will begin October 18. Once ratified, the agreement will have an effective date of October 1, 2023.
The new 4-year agreement will offer Coalition-represented employees competitive wages, excellent benefits, generous retirement income plans, and valuable job training opportunities that support their economic well-being, advance our shared mission, and keep Kaiser Permanente a best place to work and receive care.
The tentative agreement:
- Establishes new minimum wages over three years for Coalition-represented employees, that will reach $25/hour in California and $23/hour in other states where Kaiser Permanente operates
- Provides guaranteed across-the-board wage increases totaling 21% over four years
- Enhances employees’ Performance Sharing Plan with minimum payout opportunities and a substantial maximum payout opportunity
- Increases investments in professional development and job training, and includes other initiatives to help address the staffing crisis in health care
Further details of the agreement will be made available later.
The Coalition unions have withdrawn their notices for a November strike.
About the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions
The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions unites more than 85,000 health care workers at Kaiser Permanente facilities in California, Colorado, Oregon, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.7 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information visit about.kp.org.
Read MoreThe new eVTOL goes on sale in 2024
By Contra Costa County District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis
George Jetson would feel right at home if he visited Byron Airport.
That’s because in recent years, companies like Pivotal have been testing their innovative personal flying electric vehicle prototypes at Byron. (See video) Last week, Pivotal unveiled the Helix, a new eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle in development since 2011. The Helix will be priced at $190,000 when it goes on sale in 2024.
Testing innovative technologies at Byron was our goal when I worked with the Contra Costa County Airports Division to partner with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Federal Aviation Administration and other agencies to make our Contra Costa County airports official unmanned aerial system test sites. Byron Airport and Buchanan Field are in perfect locations to test drones because of the open testing areas and their proximity to the various aviation companies headquartered in the Bay Area (Pivotal is based in Palo Alto). Learn more about our Bay Area Test Site, a.k.a. “Drone Town USA” on the Contra Costa County Airports website or by watching the video.
Having groundbreaking testing facilities in Contra Costa County is just the first step. In the medium and long term, we’re working to have the vehicles of the future developed and even manufactured locally. In the meantime, I’m proud to have products tested in District III ready for sale to aviators everywhere.
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