NEWS

Success at ACSS Lobby Day 2017!

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On March 14, 2017, ACSS members marched into the Capitol and met with legislators to discuss important issues affecting managers, supervisors and confidential state employees. Lobby Day was a resounding success with 114 members in attendance. Thanks to the dedicated members who attended, our presence at the Capitol was visible and our voices were clearly heard!

For 17 consecutive years, ACSS members have participated in Lobby Day to deliver the ACSS message in person to Assemblymembers and Senators. This year, we continued to lobby for the resolution of salary compaction and we asked for support of Assembly Bill 52 (Public employees - Orientation and informational programs, written by Jim Cooper, AD 09). Lawmakers listened to our message and acknowledged our concerns.

ACSS thanks the attendees who helped make ACSS Lobby Day 2017 a huge success. Over the years, ACSS has worked hard and progressed to make our presence known, and is now a well-recognized association that lawmakers pay attention to, thanks in part to the efforts of members who attend Lobby Day.

Assm. Freddy Rodriguez (AD 52) meets with the ACSS Executive Committee after delivering a speech at the Lobby Day Training presentation.

A group of ACSS members meets with CA State Senator Dr. Richard Pan (SD 06) on Lobby Day.

From left, ACSS Members Brian Adams, Rolinda Gomez, Abdou Lyagarou, and Brett Blaydes prepare for their meeting with their Legislator.

ACSS President Frank Ruffino and ACSS Vice President Elnora Fretwell socializing with CA State Senator Steven Bradford at the ACSS Ice Cream Social event.

Please check back at the Lobby Day webpage at a later date to view a gallery of all 2017 Lobby Day photos - coming soon!

CalHR Policy Update - Leadership Training and Development Requirements

CalHR has added Policy Statement 2801 – Leadership Training to the online Human Resources Manual.

New Policy: This policy introduces CalHR’s new Statewide Leadership Development Model, which establishes a comprehensive framework for meeting the training requirements for state employees appointed to and serving in leadership positions. The policy also provides guidance on leadership training requirements as prescribed by changes to Government Code section 19995.4. These changes require that:

• Supervisors complete a minimum of 80 hours of training within 6 months of initial appointment, but not later than the term of the probationary period.
• Managers complete a minimum of 40 hours of leadership training and development within 12 months of initial appointment.
• Career Executive Assignment appointees (CEAs) complete a minimum of 20 hours of leadership training and development upon initial appointment.
• All supervisors, managers and CEAs complete 20 hours of leadership training and development every two years.

CalHR’s Statewide Training Center catalog offers a variety of classes to develop state leaders. CalHR will also soon be offering an exciting new cohort based 40 hour manager training program, as well as executive development solutions, specifically and uniquely designed to address the new training requirements for state leaders. For specific questions about this policy and/or statewide leaders training solutions being developed and offered by CalHR, please contact Guy Burghgraef at (916) 322-2402 or Guy.Burghgraef@calhr.ca.gov.

ACSS Advocates for Pay Parity for CCHCS Food Administrators

ACSS is working with Food Administrators to address their concerns as part of the ongoing agenda at the Quarterly meetings with the California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS). The most recent meeting with CCHCS was on February 10, 2017.

At the meeting, ACSS requested that CCHCS join ACSS’ efforts to advocate for pay parity for Food Administrators. ACSS is advocating for salary increases for Food Administrators with the California Department of Human Resources in light of the recent salary increases provided to rank and file in the new BU 19 MOU.

ACSS raised concerns over Food Administrators being assigned duties and responsibilities outside of the SPB Job Specification for Food Administrator I, specifically clinical duties that are contained in the SPB Job Specification for the Registered Dietitian classification.

If you are being asked to perform duties outside your job specification, please contact your local ACSS Labor Relations Representative for assistance. Here is a list of the ACSS Labor Relations Representatives near you.

You can learn more about your rights when assigned work outside of your classification from the ACSS Quarterly Newsletter Q1 2017.

DSH Release and Transfer of Psychiatric Programs to CDCR/CCHCS

The Governor’s Proposed 2017-2018 Budget included transferring the psychiatric inpatient care program from the Department of State Hospitals (DSH) to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS).

DSH provided the Association of California State Supervisors (ACSS) notice of their intent “to release and transfer all DSH staff at DSH-Salinas Valley, DSH-Stockton and DSH- Vacaville, as well as a small number of DSH-Sacramento staff who support operations at the psychiatric programs to CDCR/CCHCS.” The transfer of employees is contingent on the proposal being approved by the Governor and the State Legislature through the budget process.

According to DSH, initially, “organizational structure and classifications will remain the same… However, CDCR and CCHCS are analyzing the classifications and structure. Any proposed action and/or required change will be reviewed and discussed. If there is a determination that a classification/employee is being impacted”, ACSS will be noticed of the proposed change. DSH provided a FAQ, which will be updated periodically throughout this process.

ACSS has requested a meet and confer with DSH and CalHR. Under the Bill of Rights for State Excluded Employees Government Code Section 3533 a “Meet and Confer” means that the state employer shall consider as fully as it deems reasonable, such presentations as are made by ACSS - the verified supervisory employee organization - on behalf of its supervisory members prior to arriving at a determination of policy or course of action.

If you are a DSH excluded employee and have any questions or concerns that you would like ACSS to address, please contact Nellie Lynn, ACSS Assistant Director of Representation, via email at nlynn@ACSS.org. Your thoughts and input regarding the proposed transfer of psychiatric programs are important to ensure that the concerns of all impacted excluded employees are addressed.

Download the Q1 2017 ACSS Quarterly Newsletter

The ACSS Q1 Newsletter focuses on how ACSS helps members receive their rightful compensation when working Out-Of-Class.  Also, ACSS President Frank Ruffino shares his view on the 2016 year in review.

Download the ACSS Q1 2017 Newsletter now! Or, catch up on previous ACSS Quarterly newsletters. 

CalPERS Expects 5.8 Percent Annual Investment Return, Significantly Lower than the 7 Percent Goal

On February 7, 2017, CalPers announced they anticipate a 5.8 percent annual investment return. In our article from December 2016, ACSS provided information about CalPers lowering the discount rate from 7.5 percent to 7.0 percent. CalPERS predicts this lower estimate of 5.8 percent could reduce the portfolio’s more volatile stock and private equity sectors and increase allocations of more stable investments. CalPERS expects higher investment returns in the decades to follow.

Don Boyd, fiscal studies director at the Rockefeller Institute of Government, says “It requires a rosy view of the future to assume a long-run return on 7 percent while expecting to earn only a 5.8 percent in the first 10 years. But the alternative would require raising government contributions by even more than they have increased already, undoubtedly an unpopular and difficult move.”

>> Read the full article from Reuters here.

Lobby Day Registration is OPEN! Register Before February 17th.

At Lobby Day the goal is for you to unite with other ACSS members and educate your legislators about the issues that affect your careers. We need to turnout in greater numbers than ever before to show lawmakers, the media, and the general public that we want our careers to stay productive and protected!

• Make sure you register for the event online by FRIDAY FEBRUARY 17th!
• At the Informational Meeting & Dinner on March 14th, you will be informed about the process of Lobby Day and staff will guide you on what messages to stress when speaking to the legislators.
• On March 15th at Lobby Day, march with your members into the Capitol Building to talk with legislators and discuss important issues. Lunch will be provided.
• Stick around afterwards for the Ice Cream Social in the Capitol Building to candidly mingle with legislators and ACSS members.

This event is what ACSS is all about. Stand up with fellow excluded employees and let your voices be heard! Together, we can make a difference.

ACSS Members, REGISTER NOW for Lobby Day! 

Click here to learn more about Lobby Day, read Frequently Asked Questions, and see photos from last year's event.

There's an ACSS Chapter Meeting Near YOU!

Several local ACSS Chapter meetings are coming up in February and March. Join your fellow excluded employees and come to an ACSS Chapter meeting in your area. Members and potential members are welcome to attend.  Click on the Chapter link below to RSVP now!  Dinner is FREE for members and potential members*. 

• Get informed about recent ACSS-related news
• Discuss your job-related concerns among your fellow excluded employees
• Learn more about your rights as an excluded state employee
• Ask questions about joining ACSS and the exclusive Member Benefits that come with membership
• Review Chapter business

>> February 8th - Chapter 509 - Visalia

>> February 9th - Chapter 508 - Stockton

>> February 16th - Chapter 511 - Monterey Park

>> February 16th - Chapter 514 - Ontario

>> February 21st - Chapter 507 - Gonzalez

>> February 22nd - Chapter 502 & 503 - Sacramento

>> March 2nd - Chapter 505 - San Francisco

>> March 3rd - Chapter 513 - Orange County

>> March 7th - Chapter 504 - Sonoma/Napa Area

>> March 7th - Chapter 509 - Fresno

Members attending their first meeting receive a free gift!

*Spouses may attend, but must pay for their meal separately. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the free dinner and must be purchased separately.

ACSS Met with CalHR to Address the Concerns of Managers and Supervisors

On January 19th, ACSS met with CalHR to discuss the possibility of salary increases for excluded employees in reaction to the recent rank and file agreements that were reached through bargaining in December of 2016. ACSS also intended this meeting to introduce ourselves to CalHR’s new Labor Relations Officer, Kate Van Sickle (who replaced Steven Booth). ACSS helped bring VanSickle up to speed with the history of ACSS’ efforts on advocating for resolving salary compaction and helped familiarize her with the full scope of issues that ACSS advocates for. The meeting was productive and ACSS brought valuable items to the table, yet many specific items were left unanswered by CalHR. CalHR was not specific about which classifications will get additional pay and when it may happen.

ACSS thinks that excluded employees got the better deal regarding the sweeping 3% GSI salary increase for excluded employees in October 2016 versus the $2500 one-time bonus that Rank and file recently received. The 3% GSI increase for excluded employees is a “forever benefit” and it is PERSABLE, so it will count towards your retirement benefits. The $2,500 bonus that Rank and File just received does not.

In our recent January 19th meeting with CalHR, they confirmed that they will NOT be providing excluded employees with a one-time bonus, like that of SEIU Local 1000. During the meeting, ACSS heavily advocated on behalf of members for special salary adjustments to be passed on to excluded employees. CalHR’s response continues to be that final decisions have not yet been made and they will follow the administration’s directive to establish and maintain a 5% pay differential instead of the 10% that ACSS advocates as fair and equitable.

There is good news in the Governor’s proposed 2017 – 2018 budget. The budget adds $1.2 billion for increased employee compensation. It is anticipated that this will provide for General Salary Increases for excluded employees in July 2017, as per PML 2016-023. This is just the beginning of the budget process. Unlike bargaining, where rank and file agrees upon multi-year salary increases, excluded employees are excluded from bargaining, which means that they rely upon the budget each year to determine salary adjustments. The final approved budget bill is still a long way off and a lot can happen between now and the end of the fiscal year. ACSS will continue to monitor the budget process and advocate funding to provide excluded employees fair and equitable pay packages.

ACSS Lobby Day is on March 15th. We strongly encourage you to join us at Lobby Day and meet with legislators and educate them about the issues affecting excluded employees, like pay compaction. As news develops, ACSS will provide any updates in regards to pay increases and further discussion with CalHR.

CalPERS Benefits Education Event in Sacramento

The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) is hosting a two-day CalPERS Benefits Education Event (CBEE) in Sacramento to inform members about programs and benefits available to them. This event will take place at the Sacramento Convention Center on Friday, February 3, and Saturday, February 4, 2017 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m..

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. 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, visit CalPERS Benefits Education Events.