HOW CAN YOU HELP? When you've finished reading, GO TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE ...

During June 2007, we met with DPA, Cabinet members and various legislators asking for their support for the following:

- 5% COLA for excluded employees
- re-establishment of the 10% salary differential between the highest paid rank and file employee and the lowest paid supervisor
- annual salary and benefit review for excluded employees be codified
- acknowledgement of its excluded employee work force for their value and their contributions to the citizens of California

In several of these meetings, ACSS brought to the attention of the decision-makers the contents of three reports in an effort at underscoring our position and showing strong support from other California state government entities. The three reports were:

• State Excluded and Exempt Employee Salary-Setting Task Force Report (of which ACSS participated and co-wrote)
• Little Hoover Commission: Managing the State Workforce to Improve Outcomes
• Current Legislative Analyst's Report on the 2007-08 Budget -- Issues and Perspectives: Legislative Oversight of State Employee Compensation

Finally, ACSS will continue to meet with legislators, staffers, directors and other elected officials to gain their support -- and VOTE -- for a meaningful and immediate raise for our members, and a reliable and consistent process for future salary and benefit enhancements.

OK. How can you help? ACSS needs YOU, our members, to make your individual concerns known to the people who can vote to fix them.

Send your message to the Governor and your legislators (both in the Assembly and Senate). You can mention the four topics listed above and/or add your own topic of concern. Identify yourself as an excluded state employee who is asking for his/her support.