NEWS

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."

50+ pro-supe candidates elected

Thanks to the efforts of hundreds of members and activists, ACSS helped put 54 candidates in office this year that pledged to work with ACSS to rectify issues that impact the careers of state supervisors, managers, and confidential employees.

Our member-led candidate screening process helped identify candidates that are truly committed to working with ACSS to correct issues such as pay inequity.

Nearly 90% of ACSS-endorsed candidates claimed victory in this year's General Election.

See our Advocacy page for a full list of ACSS-endorsed candidates.

The next step will be to hold our elected officials accountable, starting with ACSS Lobby Day this coming March.

Before you vote, get informed!

Ready to head to the polls?

Make sure you take a look at ACSS' Advocacy page before you do to get information on key ballot measures and candidates' stances on issues that impact your career.

Pension cuts more drastic than Brown let on

Your ACSS is working with CalHR and CalPERS to address any issues that may arise from the recently released PML regarding pension cuts.

On page two of the PML, CalHR states that current employees will be required to pay "at least 50% of the normal cost to fund the employee's retirement benefit." [Emphasis added by ACSS]

This is in direct contradiction with Gov. Brown's earlier statements re: his pension plan, which stated that he would work with current employees to increase their contribution up to 50%, not beyond.

Your ACSS labor relations team is working with CalHR now to address this issue and other potential problems with the cuts.

ACSS Quarterly: Arriving soon!

Keep an eye on your mailbox for the newest edition of ACSS Quarterly, featuring articles on the General Election, political action, and more!

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

Prop. 32 on the ropes

According to a new poll by the Public Policy Institute of California, some 53% of likely voters are joining ACSS and dozens of other organizations in voting NO on Prop. 32, the Special Exemptions Act.

As we approach the election, however, it is likely that our opposition - the folks who want to silence your voice in the Capitol and let corporations funnel massive amounts of money into politics - will renew their attacks.

Keep on spreading the word to your friends and family about voting NO on this poorly disguised anti-working class power grab.

Visit our Advocacy page for more information on Prop. 32

Prison healthcare back in State control by 2014

J. Clark Kelso, the federally appointed overseer of California's prison healthcare system, has stated that the State is on track to resume full control over operations by 2014.

Though the process of returning control to the State has just begun, Kelso has claimed he is already reducing his staff in preparation for his withdrawal.

Prior to his full withdrawal, Kelso will need to negotiate with the State to determine standards for measuring inmate care and how helathcare administration will be structured.

As always, your ACSS is committed to working with the State to ensure that your rights are not violated as the receivership comes to an end.

ACSS secures large settlement for CHP supervisors

Your ACSS Labor Relations team recently won a key settlement for CHP supervisors that were forced to work "on-call" without compensation dating back to 2010.

After two Public Safety Dispatch Supervisors II approached ACSS regarding CHP's practice of forcing them to work on-call without pay, ACSS filed a grievance with CHP.

The resulting settlement awarded the two supervisors six hundred hours each of compensatory time off, 360 of which will be in cash compensation as the maximum CTO amount permitted is 240 hours.

This settlement is just one example of the representation benefits that ACSS members enjoy. As always, we are dedicated to improving your career by ensuring that you are treated fairly and equitably.

Have a sneaking suspicion that your rights are being violated? Are you forced to work out of class or without pay? Contact your regional ACSS Labor Relations Representative today and find out if you're entitled to compensation.