Fellow OCAA members,
The following is another update regarding the implementation of the settlement agreement and MOU with the county:
1) 2% bonus for PEPRA employees and their reverse pick up:
Now that all of the increases in current pay for the delayed and denied step raises portion of the settlement agreement have been implemented, the county is processing the 2% bonus for all PEPRA employees (those employees who because of PEPRA do not receive 2.7 at 55) as called for by the new MOU. The county told us the 2% bonus will be issued in a separate paper check, and they expect the checks to be issued by the end of October or early November. Once the checks are issued, the county will begin deducting the reverse pick up. The reverse pick up will start being deducted in either the paycheck following receipt of the bonus check or the next paycheck.
2) Back pay for delayed or denied step raises:
As noted, the increases in current pay as a result of the delayed and denied step raises portion of the settlement went into effect on our September 11 paycheck. Now that the increases in current pay have been implemented, the county is processing the back pay. As explained in a previous update, even if you did not see an increase in your current pay, you are still entitled to back pay for all delayed or denied step raises between March 2013 and May 12, 2015. The county told us this back pay will be issued in a separate paper check, and they expect the checks to be issued by mid to late November.
In addition, when you receive this back pay, the county will deduct retirement contributions as they are currently deducted. However, for any back pay that was earned during the period of the imposition (March 2013 to May 12, 2015), the retirement contributions should be deducted at the level they were deducted prior to the imposition, which was lower. The difference in the retirement contributions from this back pay will be refunded to you in another separate paper check, and the county expects to issue these refunds about two weeks after the initial back pay checks are issued.
3) Refunds for incorrect retirement contributions for back pay from delayed merit increases:
This portion of the update is separate from # 2 above. If you received a delayed merit review because your supervisor was late completing your review, and you received your back pay from that review after May 8, 2015, the county likely deducted an incorrect retirement contribution from any back pay that was earned prior to May 12, 2015. The refund for that incorrect retirement deduction will be issued in a separate paper check, and the county expects to issue these checks in late November or early December.
4) Changes in pregnancy-related disability:
In a previous update we explained that the implementation of the changes in pregnancy-related disability from our new MOU was delayed because the county had to amend its contract with its disability insurance provider. On September 22, the Board of Supervisors ratified the changes. The changes will become effective on October 2, 2015.
###
OCAA will continue to monitor the implementation of the settlement agreement and new MOU, as well as provide updates. We will also continue to have a forensic accountant verify that all compensation is calculated correctly by the county pursuant to the terms of our agreement. Please contact an OCAA board member if you have any questions or concerns.