Find contact information for your local Labor Relations Representative
Helpful documents to learn more about your rights
Step-by-step guide to the Grievance Process
A guide to help you through the Probationary Period
Learn more about salary issues
A list of Senators, Assemblymembers, and Government Officials that ACSS Endorses
Support Candidates that protect the best interest of Excluded Employees
Periodic updates on Legislative Bills that ACSS monitors
ACSS meetings held at YOUR Department
Annual Event held in the State Capitol
Upcoming Board Meeting Information and forms
The Triennial event for ACSS Elections and Policy Changes
There are several Chapter meetings coming up this fall. Don't forget to attend your local ACSS
Senate Bill 358, the Equal Pay Act, proposes to require equal pay for "substantially similar work" regardless of gender. It also forbids workers to compare wages.
Gov. Jerry Brown says he will pass this bill if and when it reaches his desk.
Click here to read the full SacBee article on this subject.
According to a study released by the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), retirement benefits paid by the Pension Fund generated $30.9 billion in economic activity. The Fiscal Report demonstrates how CalPERS benefits and investments generate significant economic activity in the state, to stimulate business growth and increased tax revenues, and to support and create jobs for Californians.
Click here to read the full article from CalPERS.
Do you work for CDCR or CCHCS? Are you a member of ACSS? Do you have any questions or concerns that you would like ACSS to address in our next quarterly meeting? Some issues that will be address by ACSS include:
The next meeting with CDCR is next week. A meeting with CCHCS will be scheduled in the near future. If you would like to suggest topics for ACSS to discuss with CDCR and CCHCS, please let us know and we will evaluate your suggestion for inclusion on future meeting agendas. Thank you!
Email Nellie Lynn with your comments/suggestions/questions. (nlynn@acss.org)
Former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio, the co-leader of the latest pension reform attack, recently sent out a mass email that deceptively asks supporters to volunteer to become signature gatherers. Opposition from this pension reform measure calls the email a “fundraising scam”. Steve Maviglio, a spokesperson for unions opposing the pension ballot proposal, points out “To get a measure on the ballot, you need signatures on a petition, not a petition for a petition.”
It is not a surprise that the pension reform measure proponents are pulling out an “all-hands-on-deck” approach to try to gather the signatures needed to get the measure on the ballot. In order for DeMaio to get the 580,000 signatures (more signatures than the entire population of Wyoming) he is using a grassroots approach, combined with some traditional paid methods, to obtain signatures.
ACSS opposes this newly-named “Public Employees Pension and Retiree Initiative Constitutional Amendment” pension reform measure because it revokes vested and promised benefits for state employees. We are following this issue closely and, as always, will provide updates to keep you informed.
Click here to read the full article on the SacBee.
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Newly elected ACSS President, Frank Ruffino, made an appearance at the Chapter 502 & 503 meeting in Sacramento on August 11, 2015. Chapter 502 President Lieutenant Coopwood, and Chapter 503 President Jim Teahan were delighted to host Ruffino as the guest speaker of the meeting.
Teahan stated “I was elated to have our new ACSS Executive Committee President attend our Chapter meeting. [Ruffino] expressed to the membership to be open with him on how ACSS can improve and he will commit to those improvements. In his presentation, he exemplified his leadership on how he can support ‘moving ACSS to a higher level’.”
Coopwood added “Frank revealed his vision for the future of ACSS as well as the progress made thus far in various political areas. Many of us share similar workplace issues and it was good to share notes and brainstorm on possible solutions. The meeting was brief and very productive and it is our hope that any one that couldn’t attend will take advantage of our next meeting.”
ACSS President Frank Ruffino chats with Chapter 503 president James Teahan.
The DeMaio/Reed Pension Measure has now been renamed “Public Employees. Pension and Retiree Healthcare Benefits. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.” by Attorney General Kamala Harris yesterday August 11, 2015. Kristin Ford, Harris’ press secretary, stated “We issued a title and summary that is based on independent analyses and gives voters a clear and accurate description of the proposed initiative.”
Dave Low, the head of a pro-labor group called Californians for Retirement Security, said in a statement “This Tea Party-backed measure is a back-door way of repealing Constitutionally-vested and promised rights to retirement security and health care and breaks contracts negotiated through collective bargaining.” However, on the opposite side of the fence, pension reform proponents rejected Attorney General Kamala Harris’ official description of the measure as an attempt “to try to mislead the public.”
Click here to read the official summary from the Office of the Attorney General’s website.
Click here to read the SacBee article on this subject.
The Legislative Analysts Office released a report of its analysis of the latest DeMaio/Reed Pension Measure. In concurrence with ACSS’ standpoint, the LAO also feels that “There is significant uncertainty as to the magnitude, timing, and direction of fiscal efforts of this measure and its effects on current and future governmental employees compensation.” In addition, David Low, Chairman of Californians for Retirement Security, compares the measure to the “Trojan horse that will undermine the retirement security of millions.”
Click here to read the press release on the LAO’s analysis.
In addition, the LAO has also released full text of the ballot proposal for more in-depth specifics.
Are you confused about the latest pension reform proposal?
It is easy to misinterpret the latest proposed pension measure that Chuck Reed and Carl DeMaio hope to put on the 2016 ballot. Contradictory to its name, the Voter Empowerment Act is an attack on the rightful retirement benefits of all state workers. LetsTalkPensions.com has provided ACSS with an exclusive and thorough Frequently Asked Questions document to help you fully understand the scope of this controversial proposed ballot measure. Make sure you have the facts!
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