One of the worst things that can happen to us as people is to be ignored. The same goes for us as managers and supervisors in state service. In fact, if the state ignored our leadership, all state programs, policies and personnel would very quickly find themselves in jeopardy.

But the state -- meaning the governor, the Legislature, DPA, etc. --  has been ignoring us when it comes to adequate compensation. In anyone's book, six years without a raise is unacceptable and, in fact, an abominable reality. No matter how we have brought this to the state's attention: through meet and confers with DPA, through sponsorship of legislation, through personal visits with decision-makers and lawmakers, through newspaper and magazine articles, and through departmental and agency meetings, we have been treated as the forgotten public servants.

But the state hasn't forgotten the work we do, the responsibilities we have, or the leadership we bring to the work place and work force. It's just forgotten that excluded employees are important to the functions of state government and should be paid appropriately.

So ... to bring that importance back into clear focus for the governor and every elected Assembly and Senate member, ACSS is now producing one-page messages -- we're calling them LEGISLATIVE BLASTS -- that are informing our elected leaders of who we are, what we do, and why the state's managerial and supervisory ranks are dwindling. We haven't had a raise in 6 years. DPA keeps telling us we have to wait until collective bargaining is completed before our pay and benefits can be addressed; but they're never addressed. The years keep rolling by without any additional remuneration.

These LEGISLATIVE BLASTS began in March 2006 and will continue biweekly until ACSS gets its point across to the Legislature and the governor. There is already some response from legislative leaders who said they "just didn't realize" what was going on. They've asked DPA Director Mike Navarro, who has admitted excluded employees have been an annual "afterthought." That's like saying, YEP, THEY'VE BEEN IGNORED.

We won't be ignored anymore. We can't accept being an "afterthought" after 6 years with no pay increase. There are more things being done by ACSS: bills being sponsored, district legislative office visits occurring throughout the state, testimony at hearings... and much more. And ACSS is sending out e-mail updates to our members and friends on all these efforts.

Oh, and we're not going to stop, either. That's a promise.

If you want to know what you can do personally to effect a change in DPA's behavior, a change in the governor's willingness to pay us appropriately, a change in the Legislature's understanding of who we are, what we do and the value we bring to state government and the citizens of California, join us in any one or more of these efforts. You can call our headquarters office at 1-800-624-2137 or your local Chapter president and find out what YOU can do.

Together we can do MORE. Together we can made a difference. You can count on me. Can I count on you?