CSAC is opposing AB 1603, a measure by Assembly Member Sebastian
Ridley-Thomas that would allow all private contractors who
contract with counties to join in the collective bargaining
process with county union employees. The sponsors of the bill,
the Union of American Physicians and Dentists, have recently
amended the bill to apply only to licensed professionals within
county public hospitals and health systems. However, counties
remain concerned about the August 24 version, which passed out of
the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday and will be heard
on the Senate Floor as early as this afternoon.
AB 1603 would currently allow contracted employees working in
county health settings – including physicians and psychiatrists –
to join in the county collective bargaining process, entitling
them to the same benefits as those that the county bargains with
county unionized employees.
While AB 1603 is not related to AB 1250, it does raise many of
the same issues, as county public hospitals, health clinics, and
the behavioral health system in each county may rely on the
ability to contract with clinicians to provide critical
safety-net services.
CSAC, CAPH, CHEAC, and CBHDA have raised serious legal and
logistical concerns with the measure. We urge counties to oppose
AB 1603. View the most recent CSAC Oppose letter
here .
