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Feb 4, 2015

Supplemental Information on Prefunding Retirement and New Health Benefit Plans

Posted: 2/4/2015

Last month, Gov. Jerry Brown made a speech revealing details of the 2015 budget. In this proposed budget, he mentioned two items that piqued the interest of state supervisors, managers and excluded employees: prefunding retirement and new health benefit plans. These proposals have the potential to impact state workers for decades to come. An article posted recently by the Sacramento Bee describes these plans in greater detail.

The proposed plan, effective Jan 1 2016, would mandate an unspecified cash contribution to offset retiree insurance benefits that employers and employees would split. Taxpayers would have to pitch in millions of dollars each year to prefund retirement benefits.

In addition, the bill would require CalPERS to offer a high-deductible health insurance plan plus a low-cost Medicare-supplement plan for retirees. Current retirees could see their insurance subsidy decline if a considerable amount of state workers opt for the high-deductible plan.

For detailed information on these bills, read the full text of the state budget bill proposals from the State Department of Finance.

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Feb 2, 2015

ACSS Board Meeting Slideshow - January 2015

Posted: 2/2/2015

Click here to play slideshow

Click here to view photos from the most recent ACSS Board Meeting that took place on January 17, 2015.  The highlight of the meeting was guest speaker Toni Atkins, California Speaker of the Assembly. Board Member Bruce Lee from Chapter 502 retired and Suzanna Nye was sworn in as his replacement. Staff, Committees and Ted Toppin, or Legislative Correspondent from Blanning & Baker, presented informative reports to the Board.

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Jan 30, 2015

Salary Increases and Adjustments for Bargaining Units 6 and 9

Posted: 1/30/2015

Even though SB 216 did not pass, the resonance of the issue of compaction has made its mark in the knowledgebase of California legislators. ACSS has made tremendous strides in the last several years shedding light and creating awareness into the issue of compaction. Five years ago, lawmakers did not know that compaction was a serious issue facing the managers, supervisors and other excluded state employees. With ACSS’ efforts, compaction is now a known and understood topic at the Capitol.  At the recent ACSS Board Meeting held in mid-January of 2015, a Committee member vocalized that “things are starting to happen [with the issue of compaction] and it’s great!” The ACSS Board members agreed.

On January 8, 2015, CalHR released Pay Letter 15-01 for a 4% general salary increase for managers and supervisors of Unit 6. In addition, on January 14, 2015, CalHR released Pay Letter 14-17A as an addition to Pay Letter 14-17 (originally released in September 2014), which announced a special salary adjustment to additional classes of excluded employees of Unit 9. These pay letters are a sign that the compaction ball is rolling and we are starting to see some resolution. Even though not all units and classifications have been addressed by CalHR to resolve the issue of compaction, these pay letters are a start in the right direction.

Immediately after the veto of SB 216, ACSS met with CalHR to discuss the next steps to address compaction. ACSS continues to work closely with CalHR, prioritizing and targeting specific classes. We expected more from the Governor on the support of SB 216 and at this time there is no specific date set to completely resolve the issue of compaction within the State of California. Nevertheless, it is still a top priority for ACSS and despite the unfortunate result of SB 216, we urge members to acknowledge the progress and successes thus far. There has been a fundamental shift in how the state deals with managers and supervisors. It is just in the last few years that the state has finally recognized that compaction must be dealt with and that ACSS is the most prominent organization to lead this monumental effort.

As usual, ACSS will continue to update you with progress on our efforts to resolve compaction.

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Jan 28, 2015

OIG E97 Classes Receive a 4% Salary Increase

Posted: 1/28/2015

On Wednesday, January 28, 2015, CalHR signed off to revise a pay letter to provide OIG E97 classes a 4% raise effective 1/1/15. ACSS noticed that (E97) classifications at OIG were not included in PL 15-01 with BU06 and they were excluded from PL14-08 for the 2% GSI effective July 1, 2014. Pay Letter 13-09 provided OIG (E97) classification a 4% increase to the increase to the top of the salary range, so the last increase our members at OIG in (E97) classes received was the 4% increase to the top of the range. This did not seem correct.  Therefore, ACSS investigated the issue and presented the facts to CalHR. We are pleased that the issue has been corrected and that our affected members will receive the intended pay raise.

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Jan 26, 2015

Don't Forget to Register for Lobby Day!

Posted: 1/262015


  • DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER for the event online by February 20th.
  • At the Training/Dinner, you will be informed about the process of Lobby Day and we will guide you on what messages to stress when speaking to the legislators. In addition, some inspiring guest speakers will appear at the training dinner.
  • On Lobby Day, march with your fellow 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.

REGISTER NOW!

Travel, lodging, and meal expenses for members attending Lobby Day are covered by ACSS.

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Jan 20, 2015

Winner of the 60" TV in our 2014 Membership Drive

Posted: 1/20/2015

In the fall of 2014, ACSS held a membership drive promotional sweepstakes to encourage new membership. The winner, selected at random out of 63 entries, is Mr. Adrian Pena of Chapter 509. Mr. Pena is a Health Program Audit Manager at the Department of Healthcare Services in Fresno.  He won a 60" LG HD TV that was delivered to his home in December. Mr. Pena explains that the reason why he joined ACSS is because "managers and supervisors need to stick together" In addition, he joined because the membership fees are low and are a good value for the services he receives. ACSS congratulates Mr. Pena for participating in our membeship drive and for joining ACSS.

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Jan 15, 2015

Q1 2015 Newsletter is now online!

Posted: 1/15/2015

The Q1 2015 Newsletter is now online! Download it here. This issue features ACSS' Representation Program and how we can help YOU! Also included in this issue is a review of the six-year term of ACSS' President, Arlene Espinoza. Check it out now!

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Jan 14, 2015

Register for Lobby Day 2015 Now!

Posted: 1/14/2015

Join us at the Capitol Building on March 11, 2015!
Training/Dinner March 10, 2015

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 February 20th.
  • At the Training/Dinner, you will be informed about the process of Lobby Day and we will guide you on what messages to stress when speaking to the legislators. In addition, some inspiring guest speakers will appear at the training dinner.
  • On Lobby Day, march with your fellow 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.

REGISTER NOW!

Travel, lodging, and meal expenses for members attending Lobby Day are covered by ACSS.

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Jan 13, 2015

Notable Points From The Governor's State Budget Report

Posted: 1/13/2015

On Friday 1/9/15, Governor Brown released his proposed 2015-2016 State Budget. Brown claims that the budget still remains “precariously balanced” and urges “financial restraint and prudence” in order to avoid another recession in the future. Here are the proposals that affect ACSS and ACSS members:

>> Read More...

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Jan 6, 2015

In Inaugural Speech, Governor Brown Proposes Pension Pre-funding

Posted: 1/6/2015

As has been much reported, the Governor will propose that state employees begin pre-funding of state retiree healthcare in his budget to be released on Friday at 10 a.m. In his inaugural State of the State speech on January 5, 2015, he makes only a vague reference to the issue. The Governor mentions in his speech, “For the next effort, I intend to ask our state employees to help start pre-funding our retiree health obligations which are rising rapidly.” More details will be available on Friday, but we are told the issue will be subject to collective bargaining. Unfortunately this puts supervisors in a difficult position and potentially affects supervisors by having more money taken from paychecks to fund pensions. ACSS will be intervening on this process on behalf of its members.

ACSS will continue to inform you on progress with this issue and bring to light the news that is important to you as managers, supervisors and confidential state employees.

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