Board Of Directors Meeting. The next CAPS Board of Directors’ (BOD) Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, February 5, 2022, at 9 a.m. In consideration of attendee safety, the meeting will be held virtually. Members who wish to attend will need to pre-register for the event here. Registrations must be received no later than Friday, February 4, 2022 in order to attend. All members are welcome. Attendees must follow the CAPS Virtual Meeting Participant Expectations.
Draft Agenda and Minutes. The Draft Minutes from the November 6th, 2021 BOD Meeting, as well as the Draft Agenda for the February 5th BOD Meeting, are posted on the Members-Only Section of the Website (the password is ChooseCAPS! – it is case-sensitive).
Pre-Board of Directors Meeting Virtual Worksite Meetings. In advance of the Board of Directors’ Meeting on Saturday, February 5, 2022, the CAPS BOD will be hosting virtual “worksite” meetings to allow members a forum to hear from and talk to their Board Members. The meeting will begin with a presentation by the Board, covering recent events and committee work, and end with a Question and Answer (Q&A) session, open to members present.
The two virtual Worksite Meetings will be held on Thursday, February 3, 2022, for Districts 1, 2, and 4, and Friday, February 4, 2022, for Districts 3 and 5. Members will receive an invite to pre-register for the appropriate district worksite meeting. Members will need to pre-register for the event in order to attend, and follow the CAPS Virtual Meeting Participant Expectations. Information about pre-registering for your appropriate worksite meeting will be sent to members in the appropriate district to attend.
Telework Stipend. The CAPS Bargaining Team secured a stipend for telework as of September 30, 2021. The stipend, once approved by the State Legislature, will be able to be claimed retroactively to October 1, 2021, for members who qualify. The State Legislature has yet to introduce a budget trailer bill to fund the stipends. When Departments are able to fund the stipend, CAPS will inform members.
Vacation/Annual Leave Cap Reminder. The CAPS Bargaining Team agreed to the COVID-Recovery Side Letter Agreement on June 9, 2021. Part of that agreement ensured the previously-negotiated expansion of the vacation/annual leave cap to 832 hours would remain in place for CAPS members through June 30, 2025. Members’ Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2020 balance does not affect this leave cap. If your department is requesting you to lower your leave balance below 832 hours before 2025, contact CAPS (caps@capsscientists.org).
Media.
California state agency weighs changes to pre-employment drug test appeal policy – The Sacramento Bee. In a sign of changing norms and attitudes regarding drug use, the California State Personnel Board is considering making minor changes toward its pre-employment drug screening policy. The proposed regulation would amend state policy concerning when an applicant for a state job is allowed to appeal the results of a failed pre-employment drug test.
Equine Fatalities in California Continue Steep Decline – BloodHorse.com. Equine fatalities at California Horse Racing Board-regulated facilities dropped to 71 in 2021, the lowest tally in the state in 10 years of data posted on the CHRB website.
Soil samples in downtown Greenville turn up lead, arsenic, and mercury – Plumas News. Lead, arsenic and mercury – not necessarily due to the fire – have been discovered in downtown Greenville. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control is leading an investigation, which includes drilling and taking core samples up to two feet in depth to determine the extent of the heavy metals in the soil.