Second Annual SRNII Seminar:
CCSO will host the 2nd Annual SRN II Seminar from February 27, 2020 – February 29, 2020. The event will be held at the Universal Hilton in Universal City. The purpose of the seminar is to provide training and insight regarding the challenges SRN IIs currently face inside the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation institutions. We hope to have a representative from each chapter attend.
Meeting with the Division of Adult Institutions:
On Wednesday, January 8, 2020, CCSO representatives met with DAI’s executive management. Some of the items discussed were sergeant and lieutenant transfers, updating the disciplinary matrix, the new appeals process, conditional bids, and hold over and skipped overtime for supervisors. The meeting was productive and both parties worked together to problem solve and provide feasible options for the aforementioned issues. A follow up meeting is scheduled in February. In the meantime, CCSO will continue communicating with DAI to ensure both sides stay engaged.
Walk Time Update:
On Tuesday, December 10, 2019 CCSO’s attorney Gary Goyette attended an all-day meeting with other plaintiff’s attorneys to lay out our overall plan for Phase II of the litigation, including the written discovery they’ll issue to get documents from the state and the time study we are preparing to have done at representative prisons. They are in the process of learning the specifics at each prison on all matters related to the compensable pre and post shift time at issue, by having video conferences and other communications with class members. CCSO Chapter Presidents, or sergeants and lieutenants they designate, have been involved with each prison they’ve covered so far. That includes CHCF, KVSP, ASP, CMF, SATF, COR, LAC, CMC, SQSP, and PBSP.
The next appearance before the Judge/Court is at the end of February. The main attorney for CDCR has stated he plans to file a motion to decertify our class. More will be learned about that motion in the Joint Statement, due a week before the appearance, as well as at the appearance. At the last appearance in court in November, the Judge told CDCR’s attorney he had to provide details justifying how and when he intends to do the motion. Gary and the other attorneys do not believe he has facts or arguments to be successful on this motion. The attorney also stated at the last Court appearance that while the state is not opposed to attempting settlement at some point, he thinks it is premature without any of the pre and post shift time measured at the prisons yet.
Gary is pushing aggressively ahead in our Phase II discovery and time study planning. Initially four or five prisons will be selected at which our expert will measure the pre and post shift time.
Attorney Reviews:
Oviedo Law Group, Inc. received the following positive feedback:
Review Score: 5/5
Review Feedback: J.R. Oviedo was able to answer all the questions I had about the case with objectivity, which allowed me to understand all aspects of my decisions. I would recommend him to anyone needing legal representation.”
Castillo Harper APC received the following positive feedback:
I recently endured a very difficult and stressful 8 months in my professional career. I was represented by Attorney Kasey Castillo who represented me like a Pitbull! I feel she did an excellent job and went above and beyond in looking out for my best interest. I am very grateful to have had her on my side. In my 21 years with CDCR, this was the first time (hopefully the last) I needed legal representation. The 8 months it took for OIA to complete my investigation was not just difficult on me but my family as well, I am glad this negative experience is over and I can now move forward. I want to say thank you for the caliber of representation that was afforded to me!
2020 Time Books:
The CCSO office was informed that many members did not receive their 2020 time book. If you did not receive your CCSO 2020 time book, please contact your Chapter President for a replacement.
CCSO 2020 Scholarship:
Check your mailbox for the 2019 Annual Report. It contains the announcement for the CCSO 2020 Scholarship. The CCSO Scholarship fund is for high school students who will be graduating this year and plan on attending college. Each year we award students $500 to $1000 for their academic achievements.
The CCSO scholarship information can be obtained by going to the CCSO website at https://www.ccsonet.org/about/scholarships/. April 30, 2020 is the deadline to submit the CCSO Scholarship applications.
CLEA 2020 Scholarship:
All CLEA plan participants check your mailbox for the 2019 Annual Report which will include information on the California Public Safety Administrators, Inc. Children’s Scholarship Program. The California Public Safety Administrators, Inc. provides four children of CLEA participants with scholarships each year. The CLEA scholarship information and eligibility can be found by going to the CLEA website at https://www.clea.org/scholarship/. April 1, 2020 is the deadline to submit the CLEA Scholarship applications.
What To Do When You Receive a Notice or NOAA: Call CCSO Immediately
Contact CCSO at 800-449-2940 immediately anytime you receive a notice to appear for an investigative interview, receive a direct adverse action, or receive any other action that warrants attorney representation. The more notice we can provide our attorneys, the better it is for their operational needs. A timely notice assists CCSO’s ability to schedule your legal needs in an efficient manner.
Steps To Your Defense:
1) Don’t wait, call the CCSO office at 800-449-2940 the day you receive a direct adverse action, or a notice to be interviewed or receive any other action that warrants attorney representation.
2) Directly after talking to the CCSO representative, you will fax a copy of the notice for interview or the Adverse Action to 209-838-6759 or email the information to ccso@ccsonet.org.
3) Do not discuss your case with anyone but the CCSO office representative or your assigned CCSO attorney.
Disclaimer: This newsletter is for CCSO members only and may contain confidential and/or sensitive information. please do not disseminate through CDCR email. Contact the CCSO office with any questions or concerns.