NEWS

Turn Your Time Into Money! Cash Out Your Unused Paid Leave.

Starting May 1, 2015, excluded state workers can apply to cash out their unused paid leave time into money.  Cashing in on this opportunity is helpful for both taxpayers and the government and actually helps curb increases to the state's liability, since unused time cashed out at the end of employment is based on final salary. Excluded employees are allowed to cash out up to 40 hours.

>> Click here to read more on this topic from the SacBee article 

>> Click here to see CalHR's memo PDF on the Excluded Employee Leave Buy-Back Program

CalHR and the Administration Work Together to Eliminate Unused Classifications

Posted: 4/17/2015

In order to make the state more efficient and nimble, CalHR is working with the Administration to abolish unnecessary classifications that have been unused over the past 24 months. Cal HR submitted a Classification Consolidation Project strategic plan to the State’s Personnel Board on January 8, 2015 in alignment with the Governor’s 2015-16 Budget Summary to “streamline the state’s job classifications”.

In 2007, SPB and DPA identified over 4,200 separate classifications, of which, 1,000 were vacant. The lengthy list of classifications proposed for the chopping block are the first phase in improving the Civil Service System by consolidating the classifications into broader, more usable occupational families. According to CalHR, “each classification will be reviewed to ensure we do not take away opportunities for upward mobility, restrict entry into state service, eliminate necessary bridging classifications, or negatively impact current or future state employees/members”. Click here to see the entire list of classifications proposed to be abolished.

By removing unused classifications, we anticipate that the complicated task of ending salary compaction may be simplified. In the Classification Consolidation Project report, an item in the Post-Project Implementation Challenges section states “salary compaction issues will occur, but consideration should be given to offering safety and pay differentials for supervisors and managers.” ACSS is determined to work with CalHR to make this project progress smoothly and with utmost fairness.

As always, ACSS will update you on progress with this important issue.

CalPERS: The State’s Pension Contribution Rate Increases by Approximately 6 Percent

Posted: 4/16/2015

CalPERS released a statement on 4/14/15 that announced state funding (from the employer) towards pensions increased by approximately 6 percent. This rate is up from the 2014-15 fiscal year, but less than originally projected. The state employee’s contributions are rising due to the demographic of public employees living longer, implementation of new smoothing policies, and because payroll of state employees covered under CalPERS has increased by 7 percent over last year. The state’s contribution towards pensions is estimated to increase by $487 million from $4.2 billion to $4.7 billion in the next fiscal year. Currently, the state pension plan is approximately 72 percent funded. Full state valuation rates for the next five years will be available this summer. Click here to read more details about state actuarial valuation and employer contribution rates, provided by CalPERS Finance & Administration Committee.

According to Richard Costigan, Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee of CalPERS, “Pension plans require stable funding, and the new rates incorporate the Board’s actions over the last several years that will reduce rate volatility in the long term.”

As always, ACSS is monitoring and keeping a close watch on this issue. We are ensuring that the state does not pass additional pension contributions onto employees, like what has been proposed for healthcare in the 2015-15 State Budget. We will continue to keep you informed as this issue unfolds.

Click here to read the CalPERS news release.

Q2 2015 Newsletter is now online! Feature: Prefunding Retiree Healthcare

Posted: 4/15/2015

The Q2 2015 Newsletter is now online! This issue features Another Attack on Employee Compensation: Prefunding Retiree Healthcare. Check it out now!

ACSS Elections are around the corner!

Posted: 4/10/2015

ACSS Elections are coming up! All candidates have been nominated and voting ballots will be sent soon. Look out for them in your mailbox and make sure to cast your vote! Here is a timeline of important dates for the Elections:

• April 20 - Voting ballots sent to members via mail
• May 20 @ 5pm - Deadline for voting ballots to be received by ACSS HQ
• June 2 - General notification to all members about Elections results
• July 17 - 19 - ACSS Delegate Assembly
• October 10 - 11 - CSEA General Council

For more information on ACSS elections, visit the Elections page on the ACSS website.

In addition, if you wish to run for the position of ACSS Board of Directors at Delegate Assembly, we are now accepting Candidate Consent Forms and Candidate Statements. 

Meet your new Chapter 502 & 503 Labor Relations Representative

Posted: 4/3/2015

Wendy M. Looney joined ACSS’s staff in March 2015 to represent the members of the Sacramento area in Chapter 503 and the northern and eastern California counties of Chapter 502. A skilled lawyer since 2008, Wendy brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the ACSS LRR team specializing in plaintiff law, handling employment discrimination and advocating for victims rights. She recently moved to California from Mississippi and is an avid cyclist and outdoor enthusiast. If you are in need of representation in the workplace or have a difficult job-related issue, contact Wendy at (916) 326-4302 or email wlooney@acss.org.

ACSS Needs You! Become a Chapter Leader for Chapter 502, 509 or 512.

Posted: 3/20/2015

Have you ever wanted to be more involved with ACSS? Do you have ideas on how to improve your regional Chapter and the ACSS organization as a whole? Do you want to actively participate in governing the way ACSS manages business affairs and policies? 

Now is your chance to let your voice be heard! Utilize your talents to help make ACSS better.  ACSS is in the process of re-electing Chapter officers and delegates for a new three-year term. Chapters that have vacant positions open are:

• Chapter 502 (Alpine, Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity and Yuba counties) needs the following positions filled:
     - Vice President
     - Secretary/Treasurer
     - Delegates
  
• Chapter 509 (Fresno, Kern, King, Madera and Tulare counties) needs the following positions filled:
     - Delegates
  
• Chapter 512 (San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties) needs the following positions filled:
     - President
     - Vice President
     - Secretary/Treasurer
     - Delegates
  

If you are interested in nominating yourself for one of these positions, download the Candidate Consent Form and fax or e-mail it to ACSS Headquarters. ACSS MUST receive your Candidate Consent Form before 5pm on Wednesday March 25th!

For more detailed descriptions on these positions and additional ACSS election information, visit the ACSS Elections webpage.

Stand up and be the voice of your Chapter! 

ACSS Walks for Senate Candidate Joan Buchanan

Posted: 3/18/2015

From left, Nicholas Mraovich, Frank Ruffino, Senate Candidate Joan Buchanan, Reynold Roth, Joaquin Murphy and Michael Bonner.

On March 14th, under the leadership of Frank Ruffino, VP of Governmental Affairs, a team including ACSS PAC Chair Reynold Roth and member activists Joaquin Murphy, Michael Bonner and Nicholas Mraovich attended Joan Buchanan's "Get Out the Vote" Rally in San Ramon and then walked precincts to deliver lawn signs in Livermore. At the end of the day Buchanan thanked ACSS for our work on her behalf. Buchanan has been a long-time supporter of ACSS's issues.

On March 17, 2015, the special election for Senate District 7 took place. Unfortunately after the votes were counted, she placed 3rd (with 22.6%) behind Susan Bonilla (24.9%) and Steve Glazer (32.8%). Bonilla and Glazer advance as the top two candidates and will appear on the ballot in the November General Election. ACSS is proud to have supported Buchanan in her tireless efforts on behalf of our members over the past years.

Frank Ruffino and Reynold Roth delivering lawn signs in support of Buchanan.

ACSS Thanks Members for Attending Another Successful Lobby Day!

Posted: 3/13/2015

ACSS members with Senator Dr. Richard Pan (SD 06).

To all members who attended Lobby Day this week, ACSS thanks you for your participation! Cheers to another successful Lobby Day event where California state supervisors and managers met with legislators to urge the resolution of compaction and discuss concerns on prefunding retiree healthcare.  With record-high attendance this year, your 109 voices were heard and your presence at the Capitol was prevalent, helping spread further awareness of ACSS.  Lobby Day is ACSS's largest and most impactful event of the year.  If you missed Lobby Day this year, make sure you mark your calendar to attend next year's event in March 2016. 

ACSS Executive Officers, VP of Membership Todd D'Braunstein, Vice President Elnora Fretwell, Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (AD 63), President Arlene Espinoza, and VP of Governmental Affairs Frank Ruffino at Lobby Day Training.

From left, Senator Jim Beall (SD 15) with ACSS members President Arlene Espinoza, VP of Governmental Affairs Frank Ruffino, Secretary/Treasurer Pam Robison, Reynold Roth, Bill Homsany, Brad Geldert (Chapter 507).

From left, Diane Parker-Harris, Dionne Faulk, Deborah Anderson, Assemblymember Chris Holden (AD 41), Maria Bauer, VP of Membership Todd D'Braunstein, Sal Rizzo (Chapter 511).

CalHR Issues Memo on Premium Reduction on Long Term Disability Insurance

Posted: 3/12/2015

CalHR's Benefits Division released Memo 2015-008 for Personnel Management Liaisons. Effective April 1, 2015, there will be a premium rate reduction for participants in the Long Term Disability (LTD) Insurance program for excluded employees. In addition, open enrollment will be held from April 1 through April 30, 2015.  This memo provides information on the eligibility criteria, effective dates of coverage, new premium rates, and the various communication methods that will be used to provide open enrollment information to eligible employees.

Click here to download Memo 2015-008 for more information.