NEWS

ACSS 13th Delegate Assembly was a Huge Success!

Despite the pandemic, ACSS hosted a successful in-person 3-day event at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento on October 8-10th. ACSS held its 13th triennial Delegate Assembly to review Association business and elect the Board of Directors and Executive Officers.

New Telework Stipend Program Policy Effective October 1; Retroactive Payments Likely

The Department of Human Resources (CalHR) and the Department of General Services (DGS) have implemented a new Telework Stipend Program and a new statewide Telework Policy – each effective on October 1, 2021. Although the new statewide DGS Telework Policy is now effective, emergency telework provisions still remain in effect.

CalPERS Member-At-Large Election Results – ACSS-Endorsed Candidates Win!

David Miller and Jose Luis Pacheco have been declared the unofficial election winners for the two Member-at-Large seats on the CalPERS Board of Administration. ACSS has continually supported these candidates and thanks ACSS members who voted in the CalPERS election in support of Miller and Pacheco.

Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Urges State Employees to Get Vaccinated; ACSS to Meet with CalHR Over COVID-19 Testing Direction to State Agencies

On September 28, 2021, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) shared a letter with ACSS drafted by Dr. Mark Ghaly, Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency. Dr. Ghaly’s letter urges all state employees who have not yet been vaccinated to reconsider and get a COVID-19 vaccine. ACSS has consistently taken the position that no excluded employee should be mandated to be a COVID-19 “Test Administrator”, responsible for handling potentially infectious swabs, over their objection.

Vacancies Filled and Issues Discussed at ACSS Board Meeting in Sacramento

On September 11, 2021, ACSS held an in-person Board of Directors meeting in at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento. The first order of business was to fill two vacancies on the ACSS Board of Directors, and a vacancy for a Chapter President. Amal Kattan-Handal was Nominated by Chapter 503 President Jim Teahan and confirmed as the new Board Member for Chapter 503 (Sacramento area). Bret Blaydes was confirmed as the new Board Member for Chapter 509 (Southern Central Valley area). Nicole Stewart was confirmed as President of Chapter 507 (South Bay Area and Monterey). ACSS President Todd D’Braunstein swore in the new Board Members and Chapter Officer by reciting the Oath of Office.

Open Enrollment for Health, Dental and Vision Begins September 20, 2021

Open Enrollment for health, dental and vision coverage starts September 20 and ends October 15. This is your opportunity to evaluate your health care selections and make any changes to your health, dental or vision plans and add or drop dependents effective January 1, 2022.

Dental and vision premiums remain unchanged, but health premiums are increasing. Basic Health Maintenance Organization health plans will increase by an average of 4.69% while Basic Preferred Provider Organization plans will see an average increase of 8.67%. The good news is that these increased premiums are accompanied by a significant increase in the state employer contribution for excluded employees.

The 2022 employer contribution through the Consolidated Benefits (CoBen) allowance to be used for health, dental and vision benefits effective January 1, 2022 will increase by approximately 7 percent to $739 (Single)/$1428 (2-Party)/$1845 (Family). The 2022 excluded employee “Family” employer contribution is an increase of $122 per month over the 2021 amount. With the increased employer CoBen contribution, some excluded employees will actually see a decrease in the employee contribution for the 2022 calendar year, depending on their health plan enrollment.

The employer contribution is calculated based on the weighted average premium of the four largest enrolled health plans. The new 2022 CoBen amount for supervisors, managers, and confidential employees is $55 per month higher than the state employer contribution for most rank-and-file employees.

CalHR has updated the “Benefits Calculator” portion of the CalHR website for comparison of plan costs and calculating your exact out of pocket costs, or your CoBen cash back if your selections are lower than the CoBen Allowance. Visit the CalHR Benefits calculator and select “2022” and “Excluded Employee” before entering your options.

If you would like to explore different health plan options, CalPERS has a tool that allows you to search plan availability and premium rates based on your zip code. Visit the CalPERS website.

Be on the lookout for Open Enrollment forms from your department. If you are not making changes, no action is needed.

Now that we Prevailed in the Recall, Vote in the CalPERS Election!

Governor Newsom has prevailed against the recall efforts, and by a record margin. While a small number of ballots are still being tabulated, it was clear almost immediately after polls closed that the Californian voters overwhelmingly supported the Governor and soundly rejected the recall effort.

Pleased with the results, ACSS President Todd D’Braunstein said, “I want to thank all ACSS members who participated in the special election and supported Governor Newsom against the recall. Opposing the recall is an important step in keeping Californians safe against the spread of coronavirus and protecting the rights of workers. In continuing with protecting your overall benefits and retirement, don’t forget to participate in the ongoing CalPERS election.”

In the CalPERS Member-at-Large Election, ACSS supports candidates David Miller and Jose Luis Pacheco for Seat A and Seat B, respectively. ACSS believes these candidates will work hard to protect your pension and ensure you receive your rightful retirement benefits with security and dignity. We encourage you to participate in the CalPERS Member-at-Large election by turning in your ballot before September 27, 2021. To learn more about the CalPERS election, click here.

Don’t Forget to Vote in the Upcoming Special Election!

ACSS supports Governor Newsom and we encourage a “NO” vote in the recall election. Take action to ensure that we retain a leader in office that supports resolving salary compaction and protecting your hard-earned pension. Make sure you mail in your ballot (post-marked) before Tuesday September 14th or vote in-person on Tuesday September 14th to make your voice heard!

Yesterday Kamala Harris stood by Governor Newsom in a rally in San Leandro to support the Governor and protest the recall effort. Harris praised Newsom’s COVID-19 policies by saying he “led with courage” during the early days of the pandemic in locking down California ahead of the rest of the country to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

If Newsom is recalled, the long list of replacement candidates could work against the best interests of ACSS members by threatening your hard-earned pension and future compensation. In addition, some candidates may roll back Newsom’s COVID-19 policies, which keep Californians safe. Todd D’Braunstein, President of ACSS, stated, “Not only is it clear that candidates opposing Newsom are anti-pension and anti-labor, it is clear that a NO on the recall is a YES to preserving your pension and ensuring your rightful compensation.”

While recent polls show Newsom is slightly in favor, he still needs your support. Don’t forget to mail in your ballot on or before September 14th! We stand by Governor Newsom and we strongly encourage ACSS members to do the same to ensure your rights, pension, and best interests are protected.

Here are some additional guides and helpful information regarding the Recall Election

• Official voter information guide
• Voting and ballot information

ACSS' 13th Delegate Assembly is coming up!

ACSS is a member-driven organization, run by excluded state employees just like you! Every three years, elected Delegates participate in an Assembly to review and implement the bylaws and policies that govern ACSS. Delegate Assembly is also the stage where members of the Board of Directors are elected and sworn into office. Delegate Assembly is an open meeting that members are allowed to attend in the audience. If you are an elected Delegate, Alternate Chapter Officer, or Board Member and have not RSVP'd to the event, please do so immediately!

October 8, 9 & 10, 2021

Sheraton Grand Hotel
1230 J Street, Sacramento CA 95814

Click here for more information about Delegate Assembly

Vote Now in the CalPERS Board of Administration Member-at-Large Election!

ACSS endorses David Miller and Jose Luis Pacheco for CalPERS Board Seat A and Seat B, respectively, in the 2021 CalPERS Board of Administration Member-at-Large Election.

David Miller, a leader in the California Association of Professional Scientists (CAPS –Bargaining Unit 10), promises to protect pensions, maximize investment returns, improve health care benefits, and restore integrity for the voice of all CalPERS members.

Jose Luis Pacheco has a long history of union member involvement and currently serves as Chapter President of CSEA Chapter 363 in San Jose. Pacheco strongly supports the labor movement, and wants to protect defined benefits and healthcare to allow state workers to retire with rightful security and dignity.

Voting is now open! Ballots for the Election were mailed to eligible voters on August 27, 2021, and will arrive in your mailbox in a blue envelope. Inside the blue envelope you will find three items:

• Your Candidate Statement Voter Pamphlet – which provides information about the candidates and how to vote. The how-to-vote information is especially important if you haven’t tried the latest online and telephone voting options. These options allow you to cast your vote in seconds from anywhere.
• Your ballot card – that includes a detachable paper ballot and unique Personal Identification Number (PIN) that you will need if you are voting online or by phone.
• A return envelope – if you are voting by mail, use the detachable paper ballot in your blue envelope, place your completed ballot in the postage-paid return envelope, sign the perjury statement on the back of the return envelope, and drop it in the U.S. mail. All paper ballots must be received by September 27 to be counted.

The voting period is August 27 through September 27. Your vote must be received by mail, telephone, or online by 11:59 p.m. PST on September 27, or it won't be counted. If you mail your ballot, don’t forget to sign the ballot.

If you do not receive your ballot by September 3 or need a replacement ballot, please call 877-610-8637.

ACSS supports these candidates and we encourage you to cast your vote in the CalPERS Board of Administration Member-at-Large Election.