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Click on links below for more information |
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Proposed "Banding" Changes to Civil Service
A major proposed rule change at the Civil Service Commission (CSC)would significantly impact the present Civil Service system. The rule proposal bypasses the legislature and contract negotiations to "broad band" civil service titles, rewrite promotional rules, and eliminate or limit important protections like veteran preference, testing and ranking on lists, and layoff rights. The "broad-banding" proposal would also base future promotional advancement solely on interviews of candidates that management deems "competent," and anyone deemed not "competent" could potentially be demoted. There are significant concerns that this proposal could lead to management patronage, discrimination, favoritism, and other workplace problems.
The Civil Service Commission held a hearing on April 10, 2013. Unfortunately, despite repeated requests in advance and at the hearing to move the meeting to a larger room, the hearing room held less than 50 people. Over 100 members from many unions picketed outside for the duration of the hearing. Over 60 email letters were sent by PSMA members using our Legislative Action tool.
Click here to read more...
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We Need You!
We need more managers who are eligible for IBEW representation to join PSMA and support this historic effort to develop the first contract for managers. Right now less than half of the eligible managers are providing financial support for contract negotiations and it is not fair. Please make an extra effort to get eligible managers off the sidelines and encourage them to participate. We need them to show support which in turn provides strength in numbers as well as financial support by signing up for bi-weekly payroll deductions of only $13.00 per pay period. Also note: PSMA is providing an incentive to our existing members by providing a $100.00 bonus (see below) in exchange for each new member recruited. Please get your colleagues to stand up and support the contract negotiations effort. |
IBEW Seeks to Organize X,Y,V, & W
IBEW, as promised, is seeking to bring appropriate employees who are classified as X,Y,V & W into Local 30 (the Managers' local). IBEW will be starting a card campaign for all affected employees shortly. They are looking for volunteers to help in this campaign. If you are in one of these bargaining units please contact Executive Director Ginther at execdir@psmanj.org as soon as possible! |
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Welcome to the Public Sector Managers' Association |
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The Public Sector Managers' Association, Inc. (PSMA) has been recognized
by the State of New Jersey as the Constitutional Representative of all non-
aligned/non-union managers in New Jersey government as of November 13,
1993 pursuant to Article 1, Paragraph 19 of the New Jersey State Constitution.
PSMA's responsibility under that provision is to serve as a vehicle for two-way
communication between the State as an employer and its managerial employees.
The representation, however, is limited to managers who are dues-paying
members of the State government. Recently, PSMA has partnered with the
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and has been certified
by the Public Employment Relations Commission as the representative of certain
manager titles in State government as of December 8, 2010. PSMA will continue
to operate as a partner of the IBEW until a contract with the State is achieved.
At that point the organization will be reformed.
PSMA's mission is to serve all non-aligned/union managers in New Jersey
government by achieving and maintaining superior and ethical management
service; promoting a high regard for our managers by those outside and within
the government; and restoring equity to the human resource policies and
practices of New Jersey government as they relate to managers.
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Negotiation Meetings Continue
The IBEW Local 30 Negotiations Committee representing managers in the executive branch has continued to meet with the State on a regular basis. A meeting was held with the State on April 9, 2013. The next meetings are scheduled for May 5, 2013 and May 17, 2013. The IBEW Negotiations Committee has been making steady progress with the State and have tentative agreement on a number of issues. In addition, the Negotiations Committee continues to meet on a regular basis to finalize the draft contract.
It is important to recognize that the IBEW Negotiations Committee members use their own leave time to attend bargaining sessions, as well as personal time for the many hours of preparation. Additionally, on occasion the team may need to retain legal counsel or seek the advice of a labor negotiations consultant as negotiations move forward. Therefore, not only do we need to thank each member of the Committee for their tremendous sacrifice, but we also need to help fund these efforts by recruiting new members and grow our organization!
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New Member $100 Bonus Is Back
Earn $100 for every new member that you refer that enrolls in PSMA. (See details below.)
1. New member (as of 7/24/11) must complete a payroll dues deduction card and submit it to their payroll office.
2. The new member must also complete a PSMA membership application (available from www.psmanagers.org ) and mail the application to the PSMA mailing address (see below). The membership application list the name of the PSMA sponsoring member in order to be eligible for the $100.00 recruitment rebate.
3. The Executive Director will issue the rebate to the sponsor upon receipt of payroll deduction verification completed membership application with the sponsor's name.
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Bill Seeks To Expand State Health Benefits For Mental Health
The state's public employee health plans would no longer be able to deny coverage to treat eating disorders, alcoholism and some other substance-abuse and mental disorders under a bill approved by a Senate committee.
The bill, S-1253, and its companion bill, A-1665, requires the State Health Benefits Program and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program to treat alcoholism, substance abuse and other "non-biologically based mental illnesses" the same as other illnesses.
Under the 2010 federal Affordable Care Act, individuals and small businesses will receive mental-health coverage if they buy insurance through an exchange. In addition, federal law requires that private group health plans that offer mental-health coverage provide it on an equal basis with other health insurance. For instance, copayments, deductibles and the frequency of appointments for treating mental illness must be similar to those for other illnesses.
Senator Vitale, sponsor of the bill, said federal law is flawed in allowing states to "opt out" of providing mental-health parity. The State Health Benefits Commission has opted out so far, although it has been considering offering parity.
"This bill would address that and say that the state cannot opt out and that everyone is entitled to the same coverage, whether it is for a physical illness or a mental illness, whether it is biological or - as some have called it - a non-biological treatment or illness," Vitale said.
Current state requirements only cover conditions that are defined as biologically based under a 1999 law, including schizophrenia, depression, paranoia and autism. The proposed bill would extend those protections to eating and anxiety disorders, and disorders resulting from sexual abuse and assault, as well as alcoholism and substance abuse. Bill advocates say that there is no scientific distinction between biological and non-biological mental disorders.
PSMA strongly supports this bill and is asking its members to join in by writing their legislator through our Take Action Now button below!!
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