Everyone is aware that the Governor closed Executive Branch offices due to the snowstorm...unfortunately, he also continued his streak of improperly applying the State's Telework agreement with the Unions.

The Governor's written directive states: 

          All level 2 executive branch state employees whose job duties can be completed remotely should telework, or they may request use of accrued leave

The actual Telework Agreement states in item 8.3.2.:

          In addition, teleworkers may be requested to telework on non-telework days as operational needs dictate or in the event of an

This isn't new news, but we can confirm that the state employee pension fund did hit its target of a 6.9% return rate for calendar year 2023.  As such, the 2% surcharge that went into place on July 1, 2023 will cease on July 1, 2024.  This means that all Tier 4 employees will not have the 2% pension surcharge deducted from their paychecks starting July 1, 2024.

The next evaluation period for the pension return rate will be at the end of calendar year 2024.

A&R is still conducting discussions related to a General Wage Increase for July 1 as well, we will keep you posted as this process moves along.  If you want to have a say/vote in the July GWI for A&R, you must be signed up as an A&R member...if you are a fairly new hire into state service and haven't signed up with A&R, the process is simple, just follow this link

Today, the A&R Convention Call was mailed out to all members (non-members will not receive the Convention Call mailing).  The Convention Call is a notice to members that our elections for Officer, Member Representative, and Delegate positions are forthcoming.  It is important to note that ONLY A&R members can vote in the union elections.  If you are not signed up as a member then you cannot vote...so how do you know if you are signed up as a member?  Basically, most people are signed up (we only have 150 people who have not signed up and the VAST majority of those are recently hired employees

We want to ensure A&R members that we are working diligently to secure a good wage package for the one year reopener which will cover July 2024 – June 2025.  As a refresher, the current A&R contract runs from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2025 and includes a “reopener” provision for the final year of wages, meaning that wage increases (including steps) for the one year period covering July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 are subject to collective bargaining and yet to be determined.  Virtually all of the state employee union contracts have similar reopener provisions, with identical timing.  As a

Step Increases/Top Step Payments:  Step Increases were effective on December 29th, 2023 and show up in your January 25th paycheck.  Those already on the 9th Step (the top step) will instead receive a 2.5% Top Step Payment (in the form of a lump sum) in that check.  These increases represent the third year of our four year contract.

The above increases were negotiated previously and are incorporated within our current contract.  Wage increases for the upcoming fiscal year (the final year of our contract) are governed by a re-opener provision.  This means that wage increases for the period

Now that the winter weather is finally upon us, we want to remind members how to conduct themselves in accordance with the contract. 

Lateness Due to Inclement Weather
Drive safely and know that Article 16 Section 6 of the A&R contract incorporates lateness due to inclement weather.  When there is inclement weather, hazardous driving conditions or a mass transportation failure, then tardiness for up to 1 hour is not to be charged to an employee.  There is then discretion given for an additional 1-1/2 hours (for a total of 2-1/2 hours) based on the severity of the conditions.  New language to