State Will Give Hospital Staff Priority for Jobs

More than 1,300 employees remaining at Camarillo State Hospital were told Wednesday they will be given the highest priority in seeking new jobs with other state agencies.

The announcement came during two hospital-wide meetings held in Hagerty Auditorium on the hospital campus.

The designation means that personnel officials in other departments of state government must consider employees at Camarillo State for jobs for which they are qualified.

“Management had a meeting with employees to let them know that we have received verbal approval from the Department of Personnel Administration to provide the [priority],” Camarillo State personnel director Alan Medieros said.

“This requires [state employers] to give preference to those employees who are in danger of being laid off,” he said.

Brian Bowley, president of the union that represents about 600 hospital technicians, said the announcement would make it easier for his members to find jobs after the hospital closes in June.

“It’s an expected step in the process,” Bowley said. “The unions all requested it some time ago.

“Everything helps, even though employees seem to be doing a pretty good job of finding jobs on their own,” Bowley said. “We have another 90 people leaving this month.”

Gov. Pete Wilson ordered the 60-year-old hospital closed earlier this year to save money. Cal State officials, meanwhile, are polishing a proposal to take over the property and convert it to a public university.