Excluded employees will not get personal holidays to replace two that were cut
After getting some good news from DPA recently -- that excluded employees may take their furlough time in one-hour increments -- the news from our April 7 DPA meet and confer kind of burst our bubble: Contrary to what we had previously been made to understand, excluded employees are not eligible to replace the two holidays the governor cut with floating holidays (which SEIU has negotiated). The holiday takeaways -- Lincoln's birthday and Columbus Day -- are written into the budget bill and cannot be changed except through bargaining or a law change, we were told. Excluded employees can have their furlough reduced and per diem increased -- but only if the bargaining units they're tied to negotiate those provisions. For example, if SIEU's contract is ratified, excluded employees tied to SEIU's bargaining units will get the one-day furlough and the per diem increase but will not get the two holidays or lower health care premiums that SEIU members get. No other bargaining units have yet ratified new contracts.
If you have a question you'd like us to answer, please continue to use the email form at right. Below that form, we've posted the major documents that have been issued pertaining to the furloughs. ACSS wishes the best to all state workers during this crisis. We will continue to keep up with the published furlough news on our home page Daily Blog.
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The most recently updated question will always be at the top of the list. Check back often. We are adding new answers daily. You can also search for furlough-related documents on the DPA web site and on the CA.GOV site.
According to the DPA, no.
According to the DPA Web questionnaire, the furlough does apply to you. In your case, working three-quarters time, you will be furloughed 12 hours per pay period (or month). Part-time employees are furloughed based on the percentage of time they work (e.g., 12 hours is three-quarters of the full furlough of 16 hours). Intermittent and part-time employees can find their furlough hours at http://www.dpa.ca.gov/personnel-policies/furloughs/main.htm. Scroll down to the charts at the bottom.
Bonnie Morris, sr. labor rep, from DPA: DPA has asked the departments to continue offering their alternate work schedules and told them they must get DPA clearance to cancel them. DPA also has asked departments who want to change these schedules to come up with alternatives that will accommodate the employee's needs.
From DPA: No.
From DPA: Yes, employees can cancel their participation in the VLP program even if they haven't met the 12-month minimum.
From DPA/Bonnie Morris, Sr. Labor Rep: ACSS has gone on record to request from DPA that excluded employees be treated the same as rank and file if the furloughs are altered or reduced.
From DPA: Your benefits are still based on your full salary and will not change. Specifically, the furlough won't affect your leave, service credit or health, dental or retirement benefits.
From ACSS Sr. Labor Rep Bonnie Morris: California Highway Patrol, Unit 5, is exempt because they have a contract in force until June 30, 2010.
According to DPA, from Bonnie Morris, ACSS Senior Labor Rep: Yes, employees with previously scheduled hearings will be entitled to choose an alternate furlough day.
From the DPA: You must take the first and third Fridays of the month unless you're in a specifically exempted position. Departments that must remain open 24/7 or who provide public services that must continue may choose alternate furlough schedule. For details, see the DPA FAQs and a Sacramento Bee compilation.