Update: CalEPA Telework Meet and Confer. On June 10, CAPS held a Meet and Confer with CalEPA and labor representatives from Waterboards, Pesticide Regulations and CalRecycle. DTSC and OEHHA were unable to attend. Several Board Members and Local Reps joined CAPS Staff in the meeting. To start the meeting, both teams walked through the comment letter that CAPS submitted to notify CalEPA of our comments, concerns, and objections. The walk through produced some need for follow up from both teams – some information gathering from CalEPA’s perspective and some suggested langauge to be provided to CalEPA from CAPS.
After the groups addressed the letter, the CAPS group took the floor to ask pointed questions – such as the metrics behind a 2-day in office requirement, and what measures were being taken to mitigate the uptick in COVID-19 cases in light of their installment date of July 1, among others. The CAPS group also detailed their own experiences, reflecting positively on flexibility for telework over the last two years. The CAPS group concluded by questioning the future of recruitment and retention at departments who have limitations over other more flexible and open departments and employers.
Shortly after CAPS’ meeting, the CalEPA departments began releasing notices that the July 1 date was being pushed out to mid-August due to the requirement to meet with the unions and the recent uptick in COVID cases.
Department of Water Resources – Telework Issues. At least two separate Programs in DWR have released documents recently that solidify the rumors – some members are being required to be in office at least 2 days per week. CAPS received copies of the documents that detail the limitation on telework and submitted a formal complaint directly to DWR.
CAPS Insurance Premium Adjustment. Some CAPS members who have insurance through CAPS with The Standard Insurance Company will see an increase in their insurance premium deduction effective with their pay warrant received at the end of June (July 1 warrants for retired CAPS members).
Members who turned 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60 since July 1, 2021, will see an age- related premium increase as specified in plan documents. (Please note that The Standard Insurance Company does not send individual letters notifying affected individuals of these increases.)
Everyone should periodically review their estate plan to ensure loved ones are financially secure in case of death or disability. If you want more information about CAPS’ low-cost insurance benefits, or obtaining a quote on insurance coverage – with the convenience of payroll deduction – please contact CAPS (insurance@capsscientists.org), or visit the CAPS web page: http://capsscientists.org/benefits/insurance/
Recruit a New Member, Earn a Recruitment Incentive. CAPS now offers a $50 incentive for recruiting new members, whether they are Rank-and-File, Supervisory or Managerial State Scientists. The online membership application form can be located on the CAPS website at http://capsscientists.org/application. It only takes a few minutes to sign up. Make sure the applicant fills in the “referred by” field to receive your bonus!
CAPS CALL TO ACTION: SAVE THE DATE FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2022! CAPS is planning to hold a rally for this contract in-person on Friday, July 29, 2022, on the West Side of the State Capitol. More details will be released soon, but we’d love to see you, your colleagues, your friends, and your family there! Please note, attendance will need to be on your own personal time, so get your leave request in early! Together we can show Governor Newsom and his administration that we support our Bargaining Team’s efforts at the Bargaining Table, we demand pay equity, and NOW is the time to #ValueScientists!
In Review. Check out what you may have missed from past CAPS Updates here: https://capsscientists.org/members/caps-member-updates/
Read the rest of the entries, or see what else you may have missed on the CAPS Website here: http://capsscientists.org/members/caps-member-updates/ The password is ChooseCAPS! – it is case-sensitive.
Choose Unity. Choose Strength. Choose CAPS!