NEWS

ACSS Quarterly - Arriving Soon!

Keep an eye on your mailbox for the newest edition of ACSS Quarterly, featuring articles on Lobby Day 2013!

In the meantime, feel free to browse through last quarter's issue on our news page.

Your support, Your political success

We've all heard about the billions that anti-labor and anti-public employee Super PACs funneled into the 2012 General Election, but did you know that ACSS has a PAC dedicated to fighting for your career and benefits?

Our PAC is 100% led by state excluded employees just like you. No billionaire donors. No special interests. Just state supervisors, managers, and confidential employees that want to fight back against the attacks on our livelihood that have become all too commonplace.

Without the ACSS PAC, we wouldn't have been able to fight back against Prop. 32 or put more than 50 pro-supervisor candidates in office in 2012.

Want to find out more about the fight for better careers and benefits?

Take a look at our PAC brochure.

Still not an ACSS member? Join online now.

ACSS has launched a new online application system for supervisors, managers, and confidential employees.

It only takes a minute to join the state's largest and most experienced organization fighting for your career and benefits, and we offer more benefits - for less - than any other organization in the state.

Monthly dues max out at just $36 and entitle you to:

* Career representation from the state's most experienced labor professionals

* Hundreds of discounts on electronics, phones, Apple products, and more

* Discount insurance policies

* $10,000 death benefit

* And so much more!

FAQ on new state hospital neckwear policy

On October 31, 2012, the Department of State Hospitals' (DSH) new Neckwear Policy became effective. Your ACSS met with DSH to address the concerns and questions raised by impacted excluded employees.

DSH explained that the new policy is consistent with Cal OSHA's review and recommendation that resulted from concerns of choking hazards being brought to CalOSHA by employees at Napa State Hospital. As part of their review CalOSHA identified other items that presented a choking hazard. Under the new policy DSH employees "working within any state hospital shall not wear any item that encircles the neck and could be used as a choking or strangulation device."

Examples of prohibited items include, but are not limited to:

• Neckties,
• Scarves,
• Necklaces, and
• Non-state issued lanyards.

See our full FAQ and DSH's responses after the jump.

Holiday parties!

Have you checked the ACSS calendar lately?

There are lots of upcoming meetings throughout the state, including Holiday/End of Year parties.

Make sure you check the calendar, find your regional meeting, and RSVP before the deadline!

Looking back on Lobby Day 2012

As we begin preparations for Lobby Day 2013, it's time to look back and reflect on the success of last year's event.

Each year, hundreds of state supervisors, managers, and confidential employees join together at the Capitol and talk with legislators face-to-face. It's a chance to put a human face on the issues that we so desperately need resolved.

Issues like pay inequity, pension attacks, health and safety concerns, and more.

There is no greater opportunity for new or returning legislators to hear how the decisions they make on the senate or assembly floor really impact state excluded employees.

Head over to www.acss.org/LobbyDay to see photos and reflections from last year's event.

Holding politicians accountable starts with you

In this General Election, California state supervisors, managers, and confidential employees helped put more than 50 legislators in office who have pledged to lend their support to our most crucial issues.

Issues like supervisors making less than the employees they supervise.

We're not going to fix all of our problems in one year, but 2013 is a key year for ACSS political action.

And it all starts with you.

In the coming weeks, we'll be posting information about and opening online registration for Lobby Day 2013. Lobby Day is your chance to sit down face to face with your elected officials and hold them accountable for the promises they made on the campaign trail. It's your chance to get involved in the fight for better careers and benefits, and after all the attacks we've faced this year, we're going to need a big turnout to make an impression.

Stay tuned, and get ready to fight for your rights!

Q1 Board Meeting Hotel Deadline

Attention ACSS leaders:

The deadline to reserve your hotel room at the ACSS discounted rate for the Q1 2013 Board Meeting in San Francisco is drawing near. If you do not reserve your room by Dec. 26th, 2012, you will incur the full charge for your hotel room.

We recommend making your reservation ASAP to lock in your special rate of $129/night.

Note that members must have their chapter president's approval prior to reserving a room or attending the board meeting.

How PEPRA will affect your retirement

Your ACSS met with CalPERS Chief of Governmental Affairs Danny Brown this week to discuss the impacts of the newly implemented and controversial Public Employees Pension Reform Act (PEPRA).

Brown emphasized that a multitude of details are still being finalized, but stressed a few key points for state supervisors, managers, and confidential employees.

First among these is that, as many of you know, the deadline to purchase non-qualified service credits, or "airtime" is drawing near. After Dec. 31st, current and new employees will no longer be able to purchase airtime. Brown stated that as long as requested are received by Dec. 31st, they will be honored.

Though PEPRA will restrict retirees from returning to state service as a retired annuitant for a period of 180 days after their retirement, Brown was unsure if annuitants hired before Jan. 1st of 2013 would be forced to honor the 180 day "sit out" period.

"I don't think they will be let go," said Brown.

"Probably not, but we will be addressing that at an upcoming board meeting."

As always, your ACSS is working to ensure that your rights are not violated during the complex implementation of PEPRA.

ACSS helps strike down Prop 32

The fight to strike down Prop. 32 was long and difficult, but state supervisors, managers, and confidential employees can rest easy - for the moment - knowing that their voice will continue to ring throughout the halls of the Capitol.

Like many of you, ACSS Vice President of Governmental Affairs Frank Ruffino said he was "exhausted" at the end of the General Election. "But I'm also excited, proud, and hopeful," he continued.

"This was not just a victory for ACSS, it was a grassroots victory for good government and the future of public service in our state."

Ruffino said he was counting on ACSS members to push ahead in the coming year.

"In 2013 we need to work with returning and newly elected legislators to push for respect, fairness, and appreciation for state supervisors and managers. It's been a long time coming."