The California Association of Psychiatric Technicians will begin informational pickets next Wednesday at state hospitals, developmental centers and prisons, drawing attention to ongoing cuts that are not only hurting employees, but also the vital services Psych Techs provide to Californians in their care.

Informational picketing will take place at a different state facility each Wednesday, beginning with Metropolitan State Hospital (11401 Bloomfield Ave., Norwalk; front entrance) Wednesday, July 22, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Information on future locations is forthcoming.

"Our message is simple: We're asking Californians to support our work of caring for people with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses," said Tony Myers, CAPT state president and a Lanterman Developmental Center Senior Psychiatric Technician. "Governor Schwarzenegger's unpaid furloughs, proposed layoffs, hiring freezes and other staffing cuts are impacting workers as well as staffing levels and safety for individuals in our 24-hour facilities."

As licensed and certified level-of-care nursing staff specializing in therapeutic and medical care for people with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses, Psychiatric Technicians' concerns are threefold:

- For clients and patients - Proposed layoffs, continuing hiring freezes and unpaid furloughs are impacting Psychiatric Technicians' ability to provide adequate staffing, which can affect quality of care in 24-hour state facilities.

- For staff - As with most Californians, ongoing pay cuts are hurting members' families as well as efforts to recruit and retain a quality workforce.

- For Californians - Increased mandatory overtime to cover staffing gaps means increased costs to taxpayers, while unpaid furloughs mean less patronage for local businesses.

CAPT is seeking to lift the state's hiring freeze at 24-hour facilities, the reduction or elimination of furloughs, and an end to the proposed layoffs of nearly 300 employees.

Members of the public are welcomed and encouraged show their support by filling out an online petition at http://www.psychtechs.net. Signatures will be forwarded to decisionmakers during CAPT's continuing efforts to end harmful staffing reductions and cuts.

Source
California Association of Psychiatric Technicians