IMPORTANT: WALKTIME LAWSUIT UPDATE
CCSO is pleased to report that, as an update to our previous announcement that a tentative
settlement had been reached for the walking time cases, the process for the settlement of CCSO’s
Shaw and Kuhn class action lawsuits, coordinated with the Stoetzl and Bojorquez lawsuits
(collectively the California Correctional Employee Wage & Hour Cases), are underway. After 14
years of litigation, all named Plaintiffs and the state have signed off on the settlement agreement,
and the motions seeking preliminary approval of the settlement by the Court have been filed.
Focused on overtime pay strictly for Sgts and Lts. for time incurred performing required yet
unpaid pre and post-shift tasks, CCSO initiated the effort to obtain past and future overtime pay
for such time by filing administrative grievances, giving CDCR a chance to resolve this issue
without litigation. When that failed, CCSO utilized experienced class action attorney Gary
Goyette to begin litigation on the overtime pay claims by filing the Shaw and Kuhn class actions.
As all the named Plaintiffs and many class members know, Mr. Goyette worked persistently for
14 years – – first on the Shaw and Kuhn cases as independent class actions, then on Shaw and
Kuhn as coordinated with the Stoetzl lawsuit, and for the last three years, in Phase II of the
litigation jointly on the coordinated cases, which then included the Bojorquez case. CCSO and
Mr. Goyette helped ensure that the claims for Sgts and Lts were protected and aggressively
pursued throughout the litigation. Pending Court approval of the settlement and completion of
the class settlement process, compensation for the pre and post-shift tasks – – including tool/chit
pick up/exchange/drop off, debriefing, and staff accountability – – will finally be obtained for
CCSO Sgts and Lts.
CCSO will update all Sgt. and Lt. members once the Court has decided on the motions for
preliminary approval to provide more details on the settlement process. As the largest
correctional supervisors’ association, CCSO, with attorney Gary Goyette, will strive to continue
to answer all questions from class members regarding any aspects of this historic
settlement.
Art Gonzales
CCSO President
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.