CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE PERSONNEL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
October 13, 2004
Roll Call
- Genevieve Burmeister
- Bonnie White
- Susan Alt
- Kerry Evans
- Dawn Watkins
- Sheron McIlhattan
- Bob O'Driscoll
- Sara France
- Jodie DeLay
- Matt Blazicevich
- Sue Martin
- Mark Reinholz
- Eileen Baker
- Carol Shannon
- Guests: Quint Nyman
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
Matt Blazicevich moved that the minutes of the September 15, 2004 meeting be approved. Bonnie White seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
- Tasks for Fall Sara France reported that most of these items would likely be covered in the 2004-05 goals. She recommended that the topic be reviewed one last time once the goals are set.
- Electronic ElectionsKerry Evans reported that Allen Porter, ITC, does not require scripts from Personnel and Payroll Services until the New Year. However, Kerry will get these to him as soon as amendments have been made to suit his needs. The aim is for CEPAC to be operating electronic elections by spring, 2005.
- Invitations for Fall Sara France will contact Craig Roloff's office to reschedule his visit to CEPAC. Sara confirmed that Kala French (student Regent) and Blake Rasmussen (ASMSU President) have indicated they will attend the November CEPAC meeting, at which President Gamble will be present.
- CEPAC office and budget update Bob O'Driscoll announced that Sara France accepted the paid position of CEPAC Administrative Associate III. Sara's official commencement date was October 1, 2004. Sara reported that the CEPAC office is in Guest Room B, Hannon Hall. The telephone number is 994 6895. Voice mail is active at that number and Sara will move into the office as soon as the computer equipment can be delivered (hopefully next week). Sara had circulated by email a copy of the CEPAC budget FY05. This has been approved by Craig Roloff, under whose Vice Presidential administration the CEPAC office falls. Sara noted that the request for funding had been kept to the essentials only and warned that we must be frugal in order to keep expenses within budgetary limits.
- Board of Regents meetings Bob O'Driscoll reviewed items discussed at the September Board of Regents meeting: the possible change from Blue Cross Blue Shield to Allegiance; the two new positions created in the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education; the Regents' compensation study report. Reference was made to the September 28, 2004 meeting with Jim Rimpau (Director of Planning and Analysis) at which the Regent's Compensation Study was reviewed.
Bob O'Driscoll and Sara France reported that the topic of a November Board of Regents collaborative presentation by CEPAC and the other campuses' Staff Senates has yet to be decided. The meeting concluded that CEPAC did not want to participate in the July proposal - taking as large a group of classified staff as possible to the November meeting as a "show of numbers" in support of a pay increase. Rather, CEPAC supported Bob and Sara's suggestion that cost of living, supplemental income and employment retention information be presented instead. Bonnie White moved that Sara prepare documentation for the Regents and/or campus use. Such information to refer to how classified staff supplement their incomes, the Regents' compensation survey figures, cost of living generally as well as county to county, and reasons why employees leave MSU. Sheron McIlhattan seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Sara will contact the Staff Senates and encourage a collaborative presentation to the Regents along these lines.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee reporting is now being handled electronically. Committee members submit a report to the CEPAC Secretary prior to each month's CEPAC meeting, and these reports are circulated to the membership. The CEPAC-nominated representative on each committee is encouraged to attend CEPAC meetings to answer questions about their report, to convey other important information and to generally participate in CEPAC business and communication. Submitted reports can be accessed below:
SPECIAL BUSINESS
CEPAC welcomed Quint Nyman, Assistant Director, MPEA to the meeting. Questions were invited from the floor, and some useful information was gleaned:
- MPEA has requested bargaining to commence and, meanwhile, the State's pre-budget meeting had been brought forward to within the next week or so. MPEA is proposing an 8% increase for each of the next two years, a change in the longevity status to provide a 1.5% increase every 4 years, and maintenance of the current insurance plan funding. Staff were encouraged to exercise their right to vote.
- MPEA/CEPAC collaboration could be useful in improving communications and in bringing bargaining issues to MPEA. Suggested areas for such collaboration included quality of working life issues, eg. parking.
- MPEA has been in existance for about 35 years. A dues increase was approved in June to add a new position in Missoula. Improved communications and streamlining of services are anticipated as a result.
- MPEA is in favor of the continuation of the Dependent Fee Waiver pilot policy.
- Furthering the Fee Waiver Policy amendments requested by the Bozeman classified staff is ultimately a bargaining issue. MPEA would consider CEPAC's seeking to collaborate with Labor Management Committee as an appropriate way to commence the process. If acceptable to the Labor Management Committee, LMC could draft language, etc for presentation to the bargaining units. (CEPAC has been granted agenda time for this purpose at the next MUS-LMC meeting in November).
- MPEA may present a proposal on early retirement at the upcoming session but there is no further specific information in this regard at the moment.
- MPEA has been asked about pay increases within grant-funded departments. MPEA suggests supervisors first discuss a proposal with the campus administration.
- All compensation aspects of the MAP program (including the paperwork) are subject to bargaining. Campuses may operate differing funding sources for one-time bonuses at their discretion (eg. the FY04 centralized pool of funds for lump sum bonuses). The drawback to demanding funding for bonuses is the potential for this to be supplied out of any base pay increase. Currently, achievement pay is funded by each campus. MPEA is not in favor of financing achievement pay from any base increase. A proposal is under consideration to refine MAP provisions for appeal processes. (There followed general discussion about the various elements of the MAP program).
At eleven o'clock, Sheron McIlhattan moved that the meeting be closed. Matt Blazicevich seconded and the motion passed. Remaining agenda items will be dealt with electronically, or deferred to the next meeting.
