Supervisors FAQs

CAPS has represented supervisors in their employment relationship with state management since 1984. This Q&A is written to provide important background on the employment relationship between state supervisors and state management. It also encourages state scientific supervisors to join CAPS, something you can do online here: http://capsscientists.org/contact/application/

If you have additional questions, please ask: (916) 441-2629, or email caps@capsscientists.org

Why should a Supervisor be a CAPS member?

Because membership in CAPS is the right choice for EVERY state scientist—rank-and-file, supervisory, or managerial! CAPS fights to improve and protect the rights and employment conditions of ALL scientific classes — at the worksite, with your departmental management, with CalHR on salary and benefit issues, before state boards and commissions, in the Legislature, with the media, and, when necessary, in court.

Individual and Group Representation. CAPS provides individual representation for many employment related problems.  Your membership dues ensure that you will receive professional representation from a seasoned CAPS consultant, or attorney when necessary.  Even state supervisors are sometimes subject to counseling and discipline. That’s when expert advice can cost thousands of dollars — something that’s included at no extra charge with your CAPS membership.

The CAPS Supervisory Committee represents the interests of all supervisors on issues that affect their working conditions. Membership also affords supervisors an opportunity for input on statewide and departmental issues affecting supervisors.

CAPS membership includes a $5,000 group term life insurance and $100,000 group AD&D insurance with double indemnity coverage for common carrier transportation at no additional cost. CAPS members can participate in competitively–priced group supplemental term life, accidental death and dismemberment, discounted auto and homeowner insurance programs, and many other consumer discounts: http://capsscientists.org/benefits/insurance/

Membership allows supervisors to run for the CAPS Supervisory Director Board position. Membership also provides the opportunity to vote in elections for Executive Officers and the Supervisory Director who determine CAPS’ positions. Read more about those benefits here: Member Benefits

How Does the Supervisory Committee improve salaries and benefits for supervisory members?

The CAPS Supervisors’ Committee leads in efforts to improve salary, benefits and working conditions for all state scientific supervisors. The CAPS Supervisory Committee proposes salary increases and benefit improvements separate from those proposed for rank and file employees. CAPS’ salary proposal is based on the results of salary surveys. Supervisors receive some benefits not enjoyed by rank & file, such as the one-hour additional vacation or annual leave credit per month, $25,000 life insurance policy paid for by the state, and enhanced dental benefits. As a result of action by CAPS, most state supervisors received a salary increase of up to 43% effective with the July 2014 pay. The CAPS Supervisors Committee is working on a similar increase the remaining state scientific supervisors.

What authority does the CAPS Supervisory Committee have to meet and confer with management?

State law requires the state to meet and confer with a supervisory employee’s representative upon request. The meet and confer process for supervisors is somewhat different than for rank-and-file employees. State law only requires the state to consider input by supervisors, while rank-and-file employees have a somewhat stronger right to meet confer in good faith, with agreements required to be reduced to writing. For supervisors, state law does not require the state to reach an agreement or sign a contract before a proposal is implemented by the state.

Does the CAPS Supervisory Committee work with other supervisory groups to address common issues and concerns?

Yes. The CAPS team meets with CalHR representatives as an individual organization and works collectively with other representative supervisory groups on issues of common interest.

What salary increases and employee benefits are CAPS actively pursuing for Supervisors?

CAPS proposed to implement the Like Pay for Like Work decision for all state scientific supervisors.

How much does the State pay towards CoBen premiums?

The state provides and covers part of the premium. Go to http://www.calhr.ca.gov/ to determine enrollment costs.

Does CAPS represent State Supervisors in the Legislature?

Yes. CAPS legislative advocates dedicate countless hours to advancing and protecting the interests of supervisory members. In 2014, CAPS advocates convinced Governor Brown to include funding for the 2008 LPLW decision in his proposed state budget, and that amount remain in the budget when he signed it on June 29, 2014. The resulting pay letter increased salaries for most state scientists by up to 43%. The CAPS Supervisors Committee has the goal of extending that increase to ALL state supervisors.

How are supervisors represented in CAPS, and what is the general organization of CAPS statewide?

CAPS supervisory members are represented on the CAPS Board by one director elected solely by supervisory members. There are 12 Board members: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, five Regional Directors, two Directors At-Large, and one Supervisory Director.

CAPS staff is located in three offices, Sacramento, Pasadena and San Francisco. The staff includes dedicated, experienced labor relations professionals, negotiators, attorneys and clerical support.

Are Supervisors/Managers represented in adverse action appeals?

Yes. All CAPS represents every member if and when disciplined in a process that can be dauntingly complex. Adverse actions can be taken for alleged sub-standard performance, misconduct, insubordination, inappropriate use of state equipment, and many other reasons. CAPS’ representation is provided as a benefit of membership as part of dues — at no additional charge (as determined necessary and appropriate by CAPS). When compared to the cost of hiring outside counsel, benefits of membership far outweigh not being a member. For example, in a recent case that lasted for over one year, a CAPS lawyer successfully restored a supervisor from a wrongful demotion, and he was restored to his former position with back pay. Legal fees in the case would have been a nearly impossible burden for the supervisor to pay. Due to his CAPS membership, CAPS provided the expert representation and there was no cost to the member.