<p>On April 30, 2019, ACSS met with CalHR Director Eraina Ortega to discuss the new administration’s plan for salary and benefits improvement for the State’s excluded employees. Director Ortega was appointed by Governor Newsom in March. Director Ortega met with ACSS President Todd D’Braunstein, ACSS Executive Director Rocco Paternoster, ACSS Director of Representation Nellie Lynn and ACSS Legislative Advocate Ted Toppin.</p>
<p>ACSS President Todd D’Braunstein comments, “ACSS is pleased to be working with the new Administration and we anticipate a productive relationship moving forward. It was a pleasure talking with Director Ortega and I believe together we can work towards achieving positive results to resolve the issues affecting ACSS Members.” Director Ortega is committed to working with ACSS to ensure excluded employees are part of the process of developing the compensation package for excluded employees. ACSS appreciates the opportunity to work cooperatively with CalHR to ensure future excluded employee salary and benefits improvements address existing salary compaction issues and establish pay differentials for supervisors and managers that attract the best candidates for the State’s management team making the State of California an employer of choice.</p>
<p>ACSS asked Director Ortega about implementation of a Paid Family Leave component to the disability program for excluded employees and conveyed ACSS’ long standing advocacy and support for Paid Family Leave for excluded employees. </p>