Know Your Committees. There are 15 standing and ad-hoc CAPS Committees that work to carry out CAPS’ mission. CAPS Bylaws require the establishment of certain committees, while others are born of necessity to address specific issues. Descriptions for all of CAPS’ Committees and their responsibilities can be found within either the CAPS Bylaws or the CAPS Policy Manual. Over the next few weeks, CAPS will highlight the important tasks that fall to each of our Committees.
Bargaining Committee. The Bargaining Committee, which is comprised of six Rank-and-File CAPS Members, appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors, serves as your representatives at the bargaining table, negotiating for your pay and benefits.
The “GAC” and “PAC.” These committees work closely together to advocate for public policy that improves your pay, benefits, and pensions.
The Governmental Affairs Committee (or “GAC”) assists the Board with developing CAPS’ legislative program by reviewing legislative proposals that may impact state scientists’ jobs. The GAC recommends to the Board whether CAPS should support or oppose bills introduced each legislative session. Additionally, the GAC may also recommend to the Board that CAPS endorse candidates for office or take a position on ballot initiatives.
The Political Action Committee (or “PAC”) works closely with the GAC to direct CAPS’ separately-accounted political funds to further CAPS’ legislative objectives developed by the GAC.
Know Your Rights. Overtime for Assignment to Incident Command Structure. CDFW and CDFA Veterinarians, CDFW Toxicologists, and Research Scientists II, III, IV, and Staff Chemists are eligible to switch to Work Week Group 2 (meaning they become eligible to earn overtime) for the duration of their assignment to an Incident Command Structure. The language in CAPS MOU, Section 7.7(B)(3) was clarified through a side letter, an agreement in addendum to the MOU, in September to ensure that the implementation of the language matched the intent of the Bargaining Team during the last round of Bargaining. If you qualify for the switch, and encounter any issues with receiving your overtime, contact CAPS (caps@capsscientists.org)!
Hotel Reimbursement Rate Causing Issues. In many counties, the State-approved lodging rate still falls short of meeting market rates for local hotels. CAPS has heard that members are paying the overages out-of-pocket. CAPS is exploring options to address this concern for members. You can help with this effort by ensuring you submit your excess lodging forms (10 days before you travel is best, but, in any case, do it as soon as possible) for situations where you are required to travel to a location with high lodging rates. If you submit an excess lodging request and receive a denial (written or oral) from your department for the excess lodging, contact CAPS (caps@capsscientists.org) and let us know the date of the trip; when you were notified of your trip; when you submitted your excess lodging form; and when, how, and why you were denied. Excess lodging is not always approved, but by submitting the form, you can help CAPS build the case for increased lodging rates in the next round of bargaining.
News Briefs.
California Horse Succumbs to EHV-1. Officials at the California Department of Food and Agriculture have confirmed a 13-year-old Quarter Horse mare from San Bernardino County, California, with equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1).
How Much Cannabis Do Californians Use? Researchers Asking In Order To Set Safe Pesticide Limits. Researchers from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation and Sacramento State are trying to calculate how much cannabis the average California user consumes on a daily basis. The information will help them set more accurate safety levels for pesticide use on cannabis crops.