August 12, 2024
Our names are Monty Larson, Justin Garcia, Itzia Rivera, Robert Haerr, Jacqueline Tkac, and Steve Sander – we are state scientists like you, and we make up your CAPS-UAW Bargaining Committee representing rank-and-file scientists in contract negotiations with the State. Voting on contract ratification for rank-and-file state scientists begins today, at 8am! Voting will be open through Friday, August 23 at 5pm. This morning you should receive a vote link from ElectionBuddy Elections at (“invitations@mail.electionbuddy.com” or 877-225-8712) to your personal email and to your personal cell phone via text. Please follow that link to access your ballot and vote!
We are voting Yes and encourage you to do the same.
It’s important to us that the Total Tentative Agreement pave a path toward pay equity for all rank-and-file state scientists. Under the new agreement, salaries for scientists at the maximum of their salary range will increase from between 14 and 22 percent, and for scientists not at the maximum, salaries will increase by 9%. Here are a couple examples of how that will play out:
- Example 1: Sam Frog is a Environmental Scientist with 10 years of state service and is at the top of the salary range. Sam’s current salary is $7,926 per month.
- Retroactive to July 1, 2024: $8,877 (12% SSA in 2024)
- On July 1, 2025: $9,321 (5% SSA in 2025)
- On July 1, 2026: $9,787 (5% SSA in 2026)
- Example 2: Ava Fox is a Research Scientist II with 22 months of state service with an anniversary date of October 1, 2024. Ava is not at the top of the salary range and therefore eligible for merit salary adjustments. Ava’s current salary is $7,512 per month.
- Retroactive to July 1, 2024: $7,737 (3% SSA in 2024)
- On October 1, 2024: $8,124 (5% MSA)
- On July 1, 2025: $8,368 (3% SSA in 2025)
- On October 1, 2025: $8,786 (5% MSA)
- On July 1, 2026: $9,050 (3% SSA in 2026)
- On October 1, 2026: $9,502 (5% MSA)
You can find the salary scales under the tentative agreement here. These increases are meaningful for all state scientists, and they are higher than other state worker unions have won in recent years.
There are numerous other victories for state scientists if this agreement is ratified:
- 2.19 Longevity Pay Differential: NEW provision giving scientists longevity pay differentials that other state workers receive: phased in each year by 2026, at 17-20 years of service scientists will receive 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5.5% longevity pay differentials.
- 3.24 State Disability Insurance: Provides disability insurance with improved wage replacement rates for up to 52 weeks for a single disability (in comparison, the ENDI and NDI that scientists can currently enroll in only allow disability leave for up to 26 weeks). Allows for leave balance supplementation of up to 40 hours per pay period. For the first time, scientists will be eligible for Paid Family Leave including bonding with a new child or caring for a seriously ill family member for up to 8 weeks.
- 2.25 Classification Review (Audit): For the first time, the state has agreed to audit its own classifications and review the duties and responsibilities to ensure that state scientists are properly paid for their job duties – including in comparison to other similar job titles in the state (many of which are performed by men).
- Many more victories are highlighted in the Tentative Agreement highlights summary
As your Bargaining Committee, we strongly recommend a “Yes” vote on this tentative agreement so that these critical improvements can go into effect as soon as possible. Below is a list of resources where you can find more information about the specific provisions of the tentative agreement:
Tentative Agreement highlights summary
Salary Explainer and Salary Scales
If you encounter an issue while voting, for example, you did not get an invitation to your ballot or you are having trouble logging into the ballot, please contact 2024ratificationvote@capsscientists.org.