CASE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UPDATE
CalMatters Covers CalPERS Arbitration Decision. Despite the return of an unfavorable decision last week in the CalPERS telework/return-to-office mandate grievance, CASE remains steadfast in fighting to keep our members’ right to work remotely. On Monday, CalMatters published an article relaying the results of the CalPERS arbitration decision, titled “Newsom wants California state employees back in the office. New ruling makes it harder to object.”
CASE President, Tim O’Connor, was featured in the article and conveyed CASE’s persistence in challenging the return-to-office mandate. President Tim O’Connor emphasized that “we’re still aggressively defending our members in the (return-to-office) mandate and continuing to use every strategy that’s available.”
CASE will continue to pursue grievances and arbitrations at all departments that insist on this arbitrary in-office mandate. We already have numerous other arbitrations pending for various departments and will keep members apprised of their status as information becomes available.
Joint Legislative Audit Committee Hearing. On May 14, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) will hear Assemblymember Josh Hoover’s audit request of the proposed changes to state telework policies made by the Department of General Services (DGS) and the Department of Human Resources (CalHR). In anticipation of this hearing, CASE submitted a letter of support for Assemblymember Hoover’s audit request. On the date of the hearing, CASE will be present to offer our testimony in support of the audit request.
State Compensation Insurance Fund Leave Buyback. State Fund has responded to CASE’s request that it offer our members the leave buyback this year. The decision is discretionary with State Fund per MOU section 9.23 which makes clear that it is up to each department head to decide each year whether funds are available – and if so, how much – for leave buyback. This decision by State Fund is very disappointing to CASE, as we expect it is with our entire membership, especially with the lack of a justifiable financial reason, which CASE believes is not within the spirit of the MOU. We encourage our members to provide constructive feedback to State Fund on this important issue which financially impacts our entire membership.
DOF Suspends Attorney V/DAG V Promotions. CASE was made aware this week that the Department of Finance (DOF) has temporarily suspended CASE members’ recommended promotions to the Attorney V/DAG V level. The reasons cited by DOF include the state’s current fiscal condition and the increased costs tied to the promotions. CASE strongly opposes this unfair, unwise, and unilateral action by the DOF, and CASE is evaluating all potential responses. We will be providing further information as it becomes available.
MOU Suggestion Box. While we are a year away from the next round of bargaining, it’s never too soon to collect ideas for future negotiations. You have access to our MOU Suggestion Box, a place for members – and ONLY members – to contribute ideas for new or improved benefits and MOU terms at any time. We are, of course, well aware of the need for the Governor to address continuing salary lags (both within the unit and between state service and local government jobs), so we are hoping to collect your ideas on non-salary MOU items. To complete a suggestion card, click here. (pw: membersmatter22).
REMINDERS
Next CASE Board Meeting is Friday, May 17. Members are invited to attend all CASE Board Meetings. The next quarterly Board Meeting is Friday, May 17. Register here no later than Thursday, May 16 at 5:00p and you’ll receive the link by 9:00am on Friday morning to attend. (pw: membersmatter22)
Support Foster Youth and Your Health. Join your fellow CASE members for a good cause on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at the Foster the Future Run in La Cañada. The event, with 5k or 10k options, benefits Journey House and CASE members receive $15 off their registration using the discount code CASE.
Tracking Return-to-Office Mandates. Your feedback on the impact of return-to-office mandates is invaluable in helping CASE prepare to meet and confer with departments and agencies as well as preparing grievances and for arbitration as necessary. Consider sharing the impact of the proposed policy changes with us via this form.