On September 6th, ACSS met with CalHR Director Richard Gillihan to discuss salary compaction and address other issues that affect excluded state employees. ACSS President Frank Ruffino, ACSS Executive Director Rocco Paternoster, and ACSS Assistant Director of Representation Nellie Lynn attended the meeting and agreed it was both positive and productive.
Ruffino commented, “Never before have we seen such cooperation and mutual respect between CalHR and the ACSS leadership team. This was an opportunity for great dialog which I envision will translate into positive results for ACSS members. I am optimistic for the path ahead.”
ACSS voiced concerns on behalf of members in response to our previously reported article on Pay Letter 17-18. In response to that article, members voiced their concerns to us about their specific classification not receiving a Special Salary Adjustment (SSA) similar to their subordinates. After the meeting on September 6th, ACSS and CalHR are closer to reaching some resolutions to provide additional SSAs. We intend to deliver the details to you as soon as we learn more information.
Another issue discussed with CalHR was the implementation of Out-of-State Health Care Benefits for excluded employees. CalHR decided to pass on this benefit to excluded employees based on the efforts of ACSS. The program provides for a monetary benefit for excluded employees headquartered out-of-state who cannot enroll in a CalPERS HMO. More news on this topic is coming soon.
ACSS and CalHR also addressed remaining salary compaction solutions as part of the future pay package and the budget cycle of 2018-2019.The discussion was also very positive and we hope to continue building on these discussions to ensure fair standards for all excluded employees. Progress has been made towards reaching resolutions and we will continue to move forward with our goal of having all excluded employee receive fair and equitable salary and benefits.