exchange of views

Exchange of Views

Career Employees Council (CEC)

Meeting Summary - April 29, 2008

Administration
1.	State Funding Per Dr. Steven Wallace, the Florida legislature will probably approve a 6 percent tuition increase, creating $1.6 million in revenue for FCCJ. The College intends to maintain its current health benefits plan in its current form, but employees should expect an increase in dependant coverage premiums. The administration intends to recommend to the Board a 3 percent salary increase and plans to cut operating budgets. Protecting academic programs is a top priority.
Career
1.	Educational Benefits Dr. Chris Arab is going to research the issue of whether or not employees and their dependants will get tuition coverage for the bachelor degree courses, and that agenda item will be carried-over. Also carried-over is discussion on the federal guidelines concerning what age limit is defined for dependants.
2.	2008-09 Compensation Recommendation Mr. Gerald Orso distributed a handout detailing the following CEC compensation recommendations: Base salary increase. Dr. Wallace will recommend 3 percent increase. Rollover of excess annual leave into a secondary sick leave account. The administration encourages employees to take their annual leave. An idea to consider: For a two-year trial period, forfeited annual leave hours can be contributed to the sick leave pool, thereby automatically being eligible for sick leave pool hours. Dr. Wallace will talk to other employee groups and discuss at the next Career EOV meeting. In-grade increase for career employees where a reclassification is not applicable. This is being proposed for employees whose duties have increased in scope but not in a greater level of responsibility, thereby being ineligible for job reclassification. Dr. Arab said the CEC recommendation has merit, and she will bring back next time. Board policy and APMs would have to be changed. Dr. Wallace said there will not be a major reorganization of the College at this time.