NEWS

Salary Increase for Some Excluded Employees Associated With Bargaining Unit 07

On August 11, 2017, CalHR release Pay Letter 17-22 that affects some Managers and Supervisors associated with Bargaining Unit 7. Pay Letter 17-22 provides information for a 10 percent Special Salary Increase (SSA) for California State Fire Marshall Division Chiefs (class code 8966) and Deputy State Fire Marshall III (class code 9010) classes. This SSA is effective as of July 1, 2017.

Check out the Third Quarter ACSS Newsletter - Member Spotlight and President's Corner

In case you missed it, check out the ACSS Quarterly Newsletter publication for July - September 2017.  The Q3 features a spotlight on ACSS member Manijeh Fatollahi who stepped up to lead Chapter 512 for over a decade. Also in this edition, check out the President's Corner where ACSS President Frank Ruffino urges members to make a difference, take action and become an Agent of Change as an ACSS Chapter Officer. 

Click here to read past issues of the ACSS Quarterly Newsletter publication.

Work Schedule Policies Are Now Online

On July 25, 2017, CalHR announced that Work Schedule Policies are now posted and updated online. The new Online Human Resources Manual, Section 1501 provides detailed information for Work Week Group E employees (salary employees exempt from the FLSA). CalHR also posted details for Section 1503 for Work Week Group 2 employees (hourly employees covered by FLSA) or employees on an alternate work week schedule. If you are not sure of the WWG for your classification, contact your Department’s Human Resources Department.

Salary Compaction Victory for Correctional Education Supervisors and Other Special Salary Adjustments for Excluded Employees

On July 11, 2017, CalHR released Pay Letter 17-18 which clarifies details on the General Salary Increases (GSIs) for excluded employees, effective July 1, 2017. The Pay Letter also provides more information on Special Salary Increases (SSAs) for certain classifications.

Because of ACSS’ tireless efforts with CalHR and CDCR, we have accomplished a huge milestone by alleviating salary compaction for CDCR Office of Correctional Education Supervisors. In 2015, ACSS reported that we proposed to remedy one of the most egregious cases of salary compaction where the Correctional Education Supervisors were making 13 % less than those they supervised. We are thrilled to report that Pay Letter 17-18 (pages 41-42) officially provides an 8% – 17% special salary increase, to bring those classifications up to a 5% pay differential above the employees they supervise. ACSS continues to strive for a 10% differential for all excluded employees. However, we are extremely pleased that ACSS’s diligence has helped these classes attain some resolution.

The Special Salary Adjustments for excluded employees start on page 39 and include specific classifications in S01, M01, S03, M03, S08, M08, S12, U12, S13, M16, S16, U16, and S17. CalHR’s criteria to pass on the SSA is to follow the administration’s directive to establish and maintain a 5% pay differential. Notable and positive points from the Pay Letter are as follows:

• M07 & S07 – ACSS reported two months ago that managers and supervisors who supervise investigators in DCA and DOI would receive additional compensation. Pay Letter 17-18 (pages 25-26) officially states the specific amounts of SSAs for Supervising Fraud Investigators of the Department of Insurance and Department of Consumer Affairs to bring the pay differential up to 5% above employees they supervise.
  
  
• BU 10 – On pages 27-28, this pay letter clarifies the GSI amounts for excluded employees associated with Bargaining Unit 10. Specific classifications are listed that detail whether a 2% or a 5% GSI will be given for each classification.
  
  
• S12 – includes SSAs for the CDCR Correctional Plant Supervisor, Correction Plant Manager I and II, Plumber Supervisor, Caltrans Highway Mechanics Supervisor, Mobile Equipment Superintendent I, and Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor I, II, and III. (See pages 43-44)

Pay Letter 17-18 also includes additional clarification on the General Salary Increases effective July 1, 2017, for Excluded Employees Associated with Bargaining Units 01, 02, 03, 06, 07, 09, 10, 12, 13, 16, 18, 17, 19 and CBID E and U classes.

ACSS will continue in our efforts to advocate on behalf of our members for fair and equitable salary and benefits.

CalPERS Benefits Education Event in Santa Clara, July 21 & 22

The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) is hosting a two-day CalPERS Benefits Education Event (CBEE) in Santa Clara this month to inform members about programs and benefits available to them. This event will take place at the Santa Clara Marriott on Friday, July 21, and Saturday, July 22, 2017. The same program is offered on each day, so attendees can select the day they wish to attend.

Whether new to CalPERS, in mid-career, or close to retirement, CBEEs offer all CalPERS members a wealth of information about their retirement and health benefits, supplemental savings plans, long-term care coverage, and more. Representatives from CalPERS Regional Offices will be on hand to answer questions.

Open both Friday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event features breakout sessions specific to both early through mid-career members, and those nearing retirement. Topics to be covered include CalPERS retirement benefits, CalPERS health benefits, and deferred compensation.

For more information and to register for this event, visit https://www.calpers.ca.gov/page/education-center/member-education/benefits-education-events.

Excluded Employees Receive Salary Increases Effective July 1, 2017

Late yesterday, CalHR released a Human Resource Manual Update* that provides information about raises for excluded employees. As per our previous news post back in October 2016, excluded employees will receive a General Salary Increase (GSI) effective July 1, 2017, based on the bargaining unit they are affiliated. See the chart below for details:

EXCLUDED EMPLOYEES AFFILIATED WITH BARGAINING UNIT:	GSI
1, 3, 4, 11, 14, 15, 17, 20, 21, - SEIU	4%
2	5%
6	3%
7	3%
9	2%
10	2% or 5%
12	4%
13	3%
16	2%
18	3%
19	4%

 

Salary increases for excluded employees affiliated with Bargaining Unit 5 (Highway Patrol) and Bargaining Unit 8 (Firefighters) will be addressed in future pay letters.

Effective July 1, 2017, most Managerial, Supervisory, and Confidential employees designated E48, E68, E78, E79, E97, E98, and E99 will receive a GSI of four percent (4%).

Exceptions to the salary increases above will be identified in pay letters that will be released in the following weeks.

In addition to the GSI, Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) prefunding will begin. Click here for more information on OPEB for each bargaining unit.

ACSS continues to work hard on your behalf to attain pay parity and fair compensation for all excluded employees. As always, we will provide you with further updates as we receive additional news from CalHR.

*The PML Process has been replaced by the CalHR Human Resources Manual online.

Do the Impending Board of Equalization changes affect you?

Effective July 1, 2017 Assembly Bill 102 will go into effect to create the new California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) and the new Office of Tax Appeals (OTA), dismantling the existing Board of Equalization (BOE). On June 15, 2017, AB 102 passed and was quickly set into motion. The bill basically splits the BOE into three parts:

1. The CDTFA will take over administrating sales tax, business tax, and fee programs such as tobacco and cannabis sales.
2. The OTA will be composed of Administrative Law Judges and will act as California’s tax court, overseeing hearings on tax appeals.
3. The remaining BOE will focus on overseeing property tax, utility tax and taxes on insurers.

This process strips BOE of all of its power. BOE recently underwent a rigorous audit which revealed corruption and inappropriate business practices, creating a climate of fear among state workers. AB 102, endorsed by Jerry Brown, State Controller Betty Yee, BOE Board Member Fiona Ma, Senate Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, promises to create a better system to deal with issues appropriately and to ensure that taxes are fairly collected and managed across the state.

Click here for an FAQ guide on this issue.

According to the Sac Bee, “about 90 percent of BOE’s 4,800 employees are expected to move to the new departments where they will continue to do the same jobs under different leadership.” ACSS will be meeting with CalHR on June 29th, 2017, to discuss the impact on excluded employees. If you have questions or concerns that you would like ACSS to discuss with CalHR on your behalf in regards to this matter, please contact Nellie Lynn, ACSS Assistant Director of Representation, at nlynn@acss.org.

Special Salary Adjustments for Firefighters, Physicians, Dentists and Podiatrists

CalHR released Pay Letter 17-15 and Pay Letter 17-17 which outline Special Salary Adjustments (SSAs) for excluded employees associated with Bargaining Unit 08 and Bargaining Unit 16.

Pay Letter 17-15 (released on June 6, 2017) outlines SSAs for some classes of firefighters in M08 and S08. Classes for Forestry and Fire Protection Administrator, Unit Chief, and Assistant Chief received an additional 1.54% salary increase. Forestry Equipment Managers received an additional 2.3% increase. These SSAs are effective as of January 1, 2017.

Pay Letter 17-17 (released on June 8, 2017) outlines SSAs for some classes of physicians, dentists, and podiatrists in M16, S16 and U16. The following SSAs are effective as of May 2, 2017.

• Chief of Medicine (Veterans Home) – 8.04%
• Chief Medical Officer (Veterans Home) – 8.51%
• Chief Physician and Surgeon – 1.01%
• Public Health Administrator I – 2.96%
• Public Health Administrator II – 7.04%
• Public Health Medical Officers I, II, III – 2.96%
• Medical Consultant II – 2.96%
• Medical Program Consultant – 2.97%

As always ACSS is working hard with CalHR to resolve salary compaction and will continue to bring you updates to additional salary increases as we become aware.

Regional Meeting in Sacramento - IT Classification Consolidation

Charlotte Hoar, ACSS Member Outreach Coordinator, will be holding a special set of meetings in the Sacramento area to address CalHR's Information Technology Classification Consolidation Project on Wednesday, June 14th. 

ACSS Board Member and IT State Supervisor, Michael Bonner, will join us at ACSS HQ (1108 O St.) in the Golden One Conference Room on the Second Floor. You will have a choice to attend one of two sessions. The first session starts at 4:30 p.m. and the second session starts at 6:00 p.m.

The new proposed IT structure will affect 19 excluded IT classifications. These meetings will allow ACSS to give you an update on our efforts on this issue along with answer your questions and receive your feedback so that we can best address your concerns with the state. 

Dinner will be provided to current and potential members who RSVP by Tuesday, June 13th. Please bring a beverage. 

RSVP NOW!

For questions, please contact Charlotte Hoar at choar@acss.org or call (916) 326-4388.

CalHR Assures ACSS that Pay Raises are Coming Soon for Excluded Employees

On May 31, 2017, ACSS met with CalHR to discuss the May Revise of the Budget, raises from Collective Bargaining, pay raises for excluded employees, and consolidation of classifications. In attendance were CalHR Director Richard Gillihan, ACSS Executive Director Rocco Paternoster, ACSS President Frank Ruffino, ACSS Assistant Director of Representation Nellie Lynn, and ACSS Legislative Advocate Ted Toppin. The meeting was productive, positive and informative. After discussing the outcome of the May Revise Budget at length, Gillihan reassured ACSS that the budget contains raises for all excluded employees. Final numbers of how much of a raise has yet to be disclosed. ACSS will know more details about pay raises for excluded employees when the budget comes out of conference and is sent to the Governor’s desk.

ACSS continues to work hard to resolve salary compaction and pay equity for ALL excluded employees. With pay raises from October 2016 and upcoming pay raises in July 2017, ACSS’ efforts are proving to be successful. ACSS President Frank Ruffino noted, "This is the first time in history that excluded employees have received two separate general pay increases within a year. ACSS’ tireless efforts on your behalf have been successful and we anticipate more productive and positive meetings with CalHR in the future.”

ACSS plans to have another meeting with CalHR in August 2017 to resolve even more classes affected by salary compaction.