Check this page for the latest news, notices, and correspondences from the SCMA Board.
06/28/10
Two important votes were taken at the Sacramento County Management Association Business Luncheon on June 24, 2010. The SCMA members voted overwhelming to increase the dues of SCMA members to $10.00 per pay period. The Department of Personnel Services has informed us that this increase is expected to show on your Pay Period #15 paystubs. We heard your request to keep the membership dues at a reasonable level and we have complied.
The second vote taken was to approve the nominees to the historic first SCMA bargaining team. The membership voted and approved Sue Elliott, Craig Rader, Kelsey Johnson, Al Mateer and RoseMary Vaske. This process is tentatively scheduled to start in early July.
SCMA is pleased to announce that Michelle Espy, a member of our civil attorney’s REO, is a new member of the SCMA Board of Directors. She will fill the position vacated by Bruce Coker. We want to thank Bruce for his participation on the Board and we wish him the very best in the future.
Remember that membership in SCMA is very important as that is the only way you will be able to vote on membership issues in the future. This includes the opportunity to vote on our first REO contract! Let other managers know that you are a SCMA member and the importance of joining so they too can take part in shaping the future!Membership forms can be obtained on the SCMA website or by contacting one of the Board Members directly.Help us in our effort to “Go Green” by checking the SCMA website for ongoing information at www.scmamgt.org.
6/25/10
Per request from SCMA members at the June 24th SCMA Luncheon, below is a copy of a correspondence from the SCMA Lawyer to the County Exeuctive (dated May 21, 2010) requesting clarification of a memo and follow-on conversation regarding COLA's and Equity Adjustments. Following receipt of this letter, the County Executive informed SCMA that the issue did not apply to SCMA members.
The Sacramento County Management Association would like to thank everyone who took part in the historic election on April 29, 2010. Attached are copies of the press releases regarding the managers and civil attorneys. We thank you for your continued support, and look forward to this new beginning. Click the following links for Press Releases:
We would like to take this opportunity to update you with a progress report on our efforts to become the recognized employee organization (REO) for the managers of SacramentoCounty. Please see attached document.
3/12/10
County managers are invited to join SCMA Board members for dessert at one of several scheduled information sharing sessions to learn more about the status of the on-going Recognized Employee Organization (REO) effort, the date for the REO election, and why it is in your best interest for SCMA to become a REO. See FLYER for dates/times/locations of the information sharing sessions.
2/22/2010
See FLYER for upcoming LTD Insurance open enrollment meeting dates/times/locations.
2/10/2010
The following message was sent to the BOS regarding the compaction issue on 02/08/10:
Dear Chairman Dickinson and Members of the Board,
The Sacramento County Management Association (SCMA) would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued interest and desire to resolve the ongoing management compaction issues that have been presented to your Board over the last several months. We would also like to recognize Mr. Devine, Mr. Norris, and Mr. Lopez for their continued efforts regarding this issue.
We are sorry that we were unable to attend the Board of Supervisor’s meeting on January 26, 2010 when the manager compaction issue was brought back to your Board.
On January 14th, SCMA met with Mark Norris, David Devine and Joe Lopez to discuss the issues presented on January 26th. Shortly after this meeting, David Devine shared the Board letter with us and we felt comfortable that we had reached an understanding. However, since viewing the Board item, we recognize that we have some issues that will require further discussion.
We would like to make it clear, that while we understand during these difficult financial times your Board is unable to maintain the 10% spread between management and subordinate classes, SCMA does not agree that the 7% compaction rate currently used should become the new policy in the Unrepresented Pay Plan. The 10% spread as identified in the Pay Plan should remain as the policy with the understanding that it is currently unachievable due to the county’s fiscal situation. To suggest anything less will impact the county’s ability to recruit and retain quality managers.
Additionally, SCMA looks forward to continuing the dialogue with the Department of Personnel Services and your Board regarding the following compaction issues:
·Natural versus un-natural relationships between management and subordinate classes ·Differentials used in determining compaction
As you are probably aware by now, there is a grass roots movement gaining momentum to determine whether there is enough interest via signature cards to organize the managers of Sacramento County into a Recognized Employee Organization (REO). The difficult financial situation the County has found itself in has resulted in unilateral reductions in management and unrepresented compensation and benefits. SCMA members believe that the best way to move forward and protect the benefits we have left is by becoming an REO. This would ensure that we “have a seat at the table” when it comes to working through the financial difficulties faced by the County.
Becoming an REO does not have to compromise our professionalism as managers. It does however, make the County Leadership sit down, recognize, and negotiate with us in the issue involving compensation and benefits. US Airways pilot Sully Sullenberger has said that one of the benefits of a union is that it levels the playing field and that it’s only through a union that collectively we have a voice.
Some REO’s have worked with the County and renegotiated contracts that included deferrals of some benefits, with timelines on when those deferrals would end. The offers made by these REO’s are all less severe than the reductions management was forced to accept. When the Sacramento County Managers Association (SCMA) asked if it was possible to defer, rather than eliminate, COLA’s, step increases, etc. we were told NO. To mitigate the loss of cash out for vacation over max we recommended an increase in the maximum vacation accrual, again the response was NO. The loss of cash out for vacation over max and the elimination of the 2009-10 COLA is a permanent reduction in your compensation. These reductions will affect you for the rest of your career and will also affect your retirement benefit.
Up to this point, the communication between the County leadership and SCMA has been one sided. They met with us and told us what they are going to recommend to the Board of Supervisors. The only tool SCMA has is to speak at the Board meetings just like any other constituent. Unfortunately, these efforts have been largely ignored.
It is crucial that we protect the benefits we currently have, as well as continue to rally for benefits that are comparable to surrounding governmental agencies. To this end, we are asking for your help in taking the first step in determining interest on whether to become an REO. Please complete the Employee Showing of Interest Card so that we can move toward the confidential ballot vote by all 050 managers. Remember, by signing the card you are not voting; only expressing interest in allowing the process to move forward. If SCMA obtains cards from 30 percent of 050 membership, a confidential ballot election will be held in Early 2010.
After many years of service to the managers of the Sacramento County Management Association (SCMA), Phil Fischbach resigned from his position as SCMA President and from the SCMA Board of Directors on September 10, 2009. The Board would like to thank Phil for his service and the effort he put forth into improving the communication and working relationships with the County leadershipand for addressing management issues before the Board of Supervisors.
At the SCMA Board meeting on September 15th, the Board unanimously approved Sue Elliott, previous Vice-President, as President and Michael Guiver as Vice-President, with terms ending December 31, 2009.
Nominations for new Board members will be sent out during the 4th week of October with elections taking place between November 30th and December 18th. We encourage all SCMA members interested in making a difference to get involved either by running for the Board, volunteering for a committee, or becoming involved in any way you believe your talents or voice could be utilized. These are exciting times and there is plenty of work to be done.
We look forward to seeing you on October 15th at our 2009 Fall Business Luncheon being held at the Arden West Hilton. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.scmamgt.org/.
Sincerely,
2009 SCMA Board of Directors
September 11, 2009 SCMA Presentation to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. Click ICON on the right to view the video clip.
The 2009 Fall Luncheon will be on Thursday, October 15th at the Hilton (see "Events" page for more information and directions). To RSVP, please go to the RSVP Page.
County managers protest suggested budget cut
by Kathleen Haley, published on September 11, 2009 at 6:56PM
08/21/09 Message from SCMA President, Phil Fischbach
Dear SCMA Members,
First, I would like to thank all of you who took time out of your busy schedules to attend last week’s Board meeting and to support SCMA. Your presence was both visually and audibly impressive. Many have asked why we did not discuss the Management Sick Leave Pay-Out at Retirement issue, especially since that was originally the primary reason we attended the meeting. In case you were not aware, we were informed a few weeks ago this issue would be on the agenda with other Report Backs at the Board meeting. After we had sent out the post card notices to all 050 members, it was decided by the County Executive’s Office it would not be placed on the BOS agenda. Since we had already committed to address the Board at the meeting, we decided we would use the opportunity to address several issues of concern, including the Management Sick Leave Pay-Out issue. Members of the SCMA Board of Directors came to the meeting fully prepared to address the issue with a 2-pronged approach. I was to present a general concern about several management issues, including the Management Sick Leave Pay-Out, and Al Mateer (SCMA Past President) was going to present a detailed follow-up exclusively focused on the Management Sick Leave Pay-Out. During the course of the Report Back presentations, I was summoned to the lobby by Nav Gill, Chief Operations Officer for the County. During the discussion it became apparent it would be in SCMA’s best interest not to address the issue during our presentations that day. Hence, I deleted the issue from our presentations. We were informed this benefit would not be discussed in the final budget hearings and have been promised when, or if, this issue does arise again, we will be fully involved in all aspects of the policy decision, up to and including one-on-one discussions with individualBoard members, if required. Once again, thank you for your support of your SCMA Board’s efforts to advocate for the interests of all managers. We will get through these difficult budget times together. Feel free to contact me or any member of the SCMA Board by telephone or through our web site at any time. www.scmamgt.org. We look forward to you joining us for the Annual SCMA Business luncheon on Thursday, October 15th at the Hilton Hotel located at 2200 Harvard Street. Meeting announcements will be sent out in September. Phil Fischbach, President SCMA Board of Directors
876-6310
August 11, 2009 SCMA Presentation to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. Click ICON on the right to view the video clip.
The SCMA Board of Directors has posted a video of the portion of the June 15, 2009 Board meeting where retirement sick leave payment was discussed.To view the video, go to: (http://video.yahoo.com/watch/5320953/14028316).Runtime is approximately 18 minutes.
Reminder:On Monday, June 22, 2009 from 11:00 to 12:00, the SCMA Board and Nav Gill, the County’s Chief Operations Officer, will be conducting the first (in a series) information sharing event at the Board of Supervisor’s Chambers (700 H Street).We encourage you to attend and support our concerns.
06/12/2009 Management Sick Leave
To 050 Management Employees:
As you are all aware, with the current budget issues, there is a lot of activity on several fronts in the County. The SCMA Board of Directors has been meeting frequently with the CountyExecutive’s team to discuss these issues. One of the points that has been made frequently is that we, management employees, need information. Acknowledging this issue, Nav Gill has agreed to meet with all County management employees for Information Sharing Sessions on a monthly basis. These meetings will be jointly hosted by the CountyExecutive’s Office and the SCMA Board of Directors. The meetings will be interactive. Nav Gill will provide updates and questions will be encouraged. This is our opportunity to provide valuable input that can help affect change. Your attendance at these meetings is appreciated. It is our hope that these meetings will be informative and productive. We hope to see you there.
****The first meeting is on Monday June 22nd at 11:00 – 12:00 in the Board of Supervisors Chambers 1st floor 700 H Street.
Phil Fischbach, President, SCMA Board of Directors
Nav Gill, Chief Operations Officer County Executive’s Office
In addition to the above notice from Phil and Nav, the attached Board letter regarding management sick leave is on Monday's Board of Supervisors' Agenda.The SCMA Board is attending the meeting to represent the interests of SCMA members.
