By admin 
California state workers are watching the state legislature this week as policy debates could affect their workplace.
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These items range from combatting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s return-to-office mandate to unfunded raises for state scientists to considering Eid al-Fitr a state holiday. Here’s what you need to know as California’s legislature wraps up this coming Monday. Lawmakers will return in early December.
State worker telework bill
Many California state workers are watching Assembly Bill 1729, which would recommend, but not require, state agencies and departments allow telework. The bill comes as Newsom brought many state workers back to the office four days a week, sparking widespread dissent and protests.
The bill is expected to go before the state Senate for a third reading this week, after passing the Assembly in May. If it gains legislative approval, Newsom will likely veto it. He stood by RTO during a press conference last month when he compared his mandate to a three-day weekend.
“You get three-day weekends, you still do,” Newsom said last month. “You know, four years ago that would have been a triumph. Now, it’s some burden.”
Implementing telework policies could save California upwards of $225 million annually, according to a legislative analysis. It would cost the state $10 million annually.
Scientist raises
State scientists were scheduled to receive special salary adjustments on July 1 ranging from 3% to 5%, but they’re now going without. The legislature didn’t fund the wage increases after the Department of Finance omitted it from the proposed budget. Many workers are watching to see if lawmakers take action to finance raises.
An informational hearing earlier this month before the Senate Subcommittee on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation revealed the union was informed of unfunded raises a day before they were expected to start.
Legislators on the subcommittee said they support scientists receiving raises and committed to advocate for the wage boosts.
State law does not require the legislature to fund raises, according to the California Department of Human Resources, but it opens the door to renegotiate union contracts, bringing forth questions about the strength these deals have if the state doesn’t follow through with promised funding.
“It seems like ignoring a negotiated contract is as easy as choosing not to fund what you negotiated and agreed to in (a contract), so what good is the process if that’s all it takes?” said state Sen. Kelly Seyarto, R-Murrieta, during the hearing.
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Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha
A bill spearheaded by Assemblymember Matt Haney, D-San Francisco, looks to add Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha to a list of state holidays. The bill, if signed into law, would allow state employees to use holiday credit for the two Islamic holidays. It’d also allow community colleges and public schools to close.
It passed the Assembly with one opposing vote, but requires state Senate approval before going to Newsom.
SEIU Local 1000 negotiations
The clock is ticking for SEIU Local 1000, the largest state worker union with nearly 100,000 members across nine bargaining units, to ratify a contract before session ends. A deal could still come after the session concludes, but it would be tentative until the legislature approves it.
Chief Negotiator Bobby Roy last month said SEIU Local 1000 isn’t going to accept a bad deal just to ratify a contract before session ends.
“We’re going to take our time to get the right deal to do things right,” he previously said. “We’re not going to (fast-track an agreement) because when you rush, you tend to make mistakes.”
SEIU Local 1000’s contract expired at the end of June. The union is asking for a 20% raise across three years, telework and health benefits to ensure accessibility to affordable medical services.
The union went to the Public Employment Relations Board with complaints last month after it said CalHR denied proposals affecting the budget at the last minute.
Public safety pensions
Assembly Bill 1383 would allow unions to negotiate more generous retirement benefits for newly hired police officers and firefighters and lower the retirement age from 57 to 55, according to the most recent legislative analysis. It’d also allow a maximum formula of 3% at 55 rather than the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act’s current 2.7% at 57.
Supporters of the bill, like the Sheriff’s Employees’ Benefit Association, say it could help attract and retain eligible first responders. While those opposed say it could increase unfunded pension liabilities.
It is expected to go before the Senate, and if approved would need Newsom’s signature.
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