PLP 2020 Effective July 1. As we reported in a CAPS Alert last Thursday, CalHR released guidelines for so-called excluded employees with regard to the legislatively-required employee compensation reductions. Under CalHR’s guidelines, PLP 2020 went into effect on July 1, 2020. CAPS has confirmed with CalHR that Supervisory and Managerial State Scientists will also see a 0.5% reduction in their retirement contribution, commensurate with the Rank-and-File. That, coupled with the suspension of employee OPEB contributions means Supervisory and Managerial State Scientists will see an overall 5.93% reduction to their pay. If you encounter issues with using your PLP 2020, contact CAPS (caps@capsscientists.org).
SCO Releases Cal Employee Connect for All State Employees. The State Controller’s Office (SCO) has released Cal Employee Connect for all civil service and California State University employees. This secure self-service portal allows state employees to view, print, and electronically save their own W2, leave balances, direct-deposit earnings statements, and more. This accelerated release comes as a result of employees working in alternate locations during the COVID-19 outbreak. You can access Cal Employee Connect here.
CAPSule on the Website. The June issue of CAPSule is posted on the CAPS Website. Access it here. If you’d prefer to go green, you can opt-out of receiving an in-print copy of the CAPSule on the CAPS Website here.
News Briefs.
State recalls, quarantines raw milk because of Campylobacter – California officials have recalled and quarantined raw milk from Valley Milk Simply Bottled because tests have shown it to be contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni. State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones announced the recall and quarantine on July 2, 2020, in a public alert. She warned consumers about the dangers in the alert. There is concern that some people may have unused portions of the unpasteurized milk in their homes.
Poisoned sea lions are showing up on California beaches. Here’s why experts are worried – More than 20 California sea lions are suffering from deadly domoic acid poisoning on the West Coast, including a handful in San Luis Obispo County. Sickened marine mammals have been found in Avila Beach, Pismo State Beach, and Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. Domoic acid poisoning is caused by an algae, Pseudo-nitzchia australis, that produces a natural neurotoxin that accumulates in fish, such as sardines and anchovies. People can also be affected by domoic acid poisoning when they eat tainted shellfish. According to the California Department of Public Health website, symptoms of amnesic shellfish poisoning can occur within 30 minutes to 24 hours after eating toxic seafood.