State scientists agree to new contract
Negotiators for the State and
the California Association of Professional Scientists have reached agreement on
a new two-year contract to replace the one that expired July 1, 2006. The contract covers roughly 2,700 employees in
bargaining unit 10.
Under the new agreement,
employees would receive a 3.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment effective July 1, 2006, and a second COLA on July 1, 2007, of 2-4 percent, based on the consumer price index.
In addition, effective Jan. 1, 2007, the maximum salary for approximately 400 public
health positions would increase 2.5 to 10 percent to aid State recruitment.
Employees not covered by these "equity adjustments" would receive a one-time
payment of $1000 upon contract ratification. The last raise for these employees
was July
1, 2003.
Other key provisions:
·
Pension benefits
for new State employees will be based on their highest three-year average
salary, rather than the highest single year that applies to current employees.
·
The State's
contribution to employee health premiums will be reduced from 85 percent of the
average premium to 80 percent.
·
New employees who
enroll dependents under their State health plan will be subject to a two-year
vesting period before they qualify for the full employer health contribution
for dependent coverage. 1
Click here for a summary.
1 The tentative agreement, which would run through June 30, 2008, now goes to the Legislature and union members for
ratification.
DPA creates
and administers compensation, benefits, training programs, and the
classification plan, and advocates for the interests of the State employer.
