DPA and the union representing 7,100 psychiatric technicians working in State mental hospitals, developmental centers, and prisons have reached impasse in their efforts to negotiate a new contract to replace the one that expired June 30, 2006.

 

The next step, following a formal impasse declaration by the Public Employment Relations Board, would be selecting a mediator to help the parties resolve the stalemate.

 

Under the State's collective bargaining law ("Dills Act"), if the parties are unable to resolve the impasse using a mediator, the State could submit its last, best, and final offer to the Legislature, which would vote on funding for the economic package.