CWA Local 2055 Legislative Update

Spring, 2008
Expect Bigger Paychecks This Year
Its an exciting year for Local 2055 members and their paychecks. Thanks to Senate Bill 150 and House Bill 4076 all state employees will see an increase in their paychecks, but on top of the three percent increase, the West Virginia Division of Corrections, Division of Juvenile Services and Regional Jails employees will receive a $2,004 salary adjustment (as the 2nd part of the 3-year, $5,000 salary plan)! The work involved in the legislative process of implementing a pay raise is enormous. It took the CWA lobbying team working all day, every day, during the legislative session to ensure the bill made it through the numerous committee votes and eventually passed in both the house and senate. It was a long, hard struggle but thanks to key legislators, and especially Governor Manchin, working and cooperating with your lobbying team we achieved major gains in salary for the hard working employees in the Division of Corrections and Division of Juvenile Services. Additionally, Regional Jails employees will receive the same gains as a result of the Regional Jail Authority Boards action. The three percent salary increase for all state employees will go into effect on July 1, 2008, the result of Senate Bill 150, the budget bill. The bill ensures a $700 minimum salary increase which means any state employee earning under $23,332 a year will be receiving more than a three percent increase. For example, a state employee earning $12,000 a year will receive a 5.8 percent increase due to the minimum floor being established. House Bill 4076 increased state employee increment pay from $50 to $60 per year. This is the first increase achieved in many years and we hope the first step of our efforts to systematically increase the increment level over the next several years. The CWA lobbying team will continue to make gains for the membership but the more members we have the more we can do. Talk to your co-workers about joining the union, if they are not already members, so they join in a movement that is improving wages, working conditions and retirement benefits. The greater our numbers, the greater our strength!

Retirement Study Underway

Thanks to House Concurrent Resolution 52 being adopted in the past legislative session, there will be a study to explore options for a new retirement system for West Virginias correctional officers and those in similar positions. This is the first vital step in the process of creating of a retirement system especially for correctional workers, taking into account the risks and hazards associated with their work. There have been attempts in the past to do a study and while we were involved in the process, this time we believe the legislature has finally adopted the correct means to do a valuable, in-depth study. The study will take place during the legislative interims. We strongly encourage you to participate in this process because its important for the legislators to hear your side. You were instrumental in making our case before the interim committees about the staffing shortages and need for pay hikes. This is a wonderful opportunity to be involved in finding a system that meets the specific needs of the correctional workers. But it cant be done without members getting involved.

Dont Sell Unused Sick Days

We also wanted all state employees to be aware of the measures introduced in Senate Bill 476. This bill allows state employees to sell unused sick leave for 25 percent of their average daily salary. If the employee sells their unused sick leave days, he or she must continue to work for the state for another five years or pay back the money received from selling their unused sick leave days. Currently, if a state employee uses his or her unused sick leave for free or reduced PEIA retirement coverage, the day is worth the same for an employee earning $16,000 as it is for one earning $100,000 per year. Under the scheme in SB 476, highly paid state employees will receive far more payment per sick leave day than a worker earning $16,000 a year. The lower paid worker will be asked to sell his or her day for approximately $17 per day, when its current value may be as high as $148 per day depending on hire date and if the day is being used before or after turning 65. State employees are strongly urged NOT to sell their unused sick leave.

Ballots have been independently counted and certified and the 2008 CWA Convention delegates for Local 2055 will be Jack Ferrell, First Delegate, and Jason Reeder, Second Delegate. First Alternate is Becky Slayton.

Convention Delegate Election

Employee Rights Expanded

With the passage of House Bill 4328 state employees can serve as poll workers, run for and participate in state and national party conventions and serve and participate on the County Executive Committees of political parties. The restrictions on these activities were removed by legislation that was effective from passage. Your lobbying team worked with AFSCME, UMWA and the WV AFL-CIO to abolish these restrictions on state employees. CWA members can now work the polls during the primary and general elections. If you have the day off on Election Day and would like to earn extra money this is a great opportunity. The bill also allows members to run or participate in Democratic or Republican County Executive Committees and become delegates at the Democratic or Republican Party Conventions. We invite you to take advantage of this opportunity and get involved!

We Need You!
Our legislative agenda is created with member input. We need Local 2055 members to join us and take part in the legislative process. During interim meetings legislators discuss a variety of issues affecting you so they need to hear from you. You can go online at: http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Committees/Interims/ interims.cfm to view the interim meeting schedule and agendas. We also encourage you to contact your legislators and Governor Manchin to thank them for your second pay increase in as many years. You can also use it as an opportunity to voice your concerns. You can always get in touch with your Steward or Contact to share your opinions and concerns. Or you can call Jack Ferrell, Organizer at 342-2023 or email Elaine Harris, CWA International Representative, at eharris@cwaunion.org. Please remember that your lobbying team works for you, the CWA Union member. Our legislative agenda is created every year by you. We cant put together the agenda without your input and direction. Let us know what is important to YOU!

Thanks for making Corrections Day at the Legislature a success! Working together we can make a big difference!
Elaine Harris, CWA International Representative

PEIA Is Okay
More good news as we once again fought off any proposed increases to PEIA. Your CWA International Representative Elaine Harris serves on the PEIA Finance Board and works to protect your interests within the system. She and Perry Bryant, lobbyist for AFSCME, represent active public employees and retirees on the board. PEIA now has an administrative liaison with Coventry to specifically work with PEIA retirees. The liaison will help PEIA Medicare eligible retiree to navigate the claims process and understand their benefits and eligibility requirements.

CWA Local 2055 900 Lee St. Ste 1212 Charleston, WV 25301

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