Tresa Weaver, KSU Foundation, made a presentation to the Senate about the All University Campaign. Jennyfer Owensby, Classified Senate President-Elect, serves as a co-chair on this committee and is currently taking ideas from classified employees on things would benefit classified employees funded through campaign contributions. If you have an idea of something that would be of benefit to classified employees, contact Jen: jennyfer@ksu.edu.
Gary Leitnaker, HR, reported that work on the new parking garage south of the union has begun. The hourly meters are being removed and the demolition contractor will begin work on Monday, August 6th. Murray and Sons, Inc., of Topeka was selected as the main contractor. An email notice will be sent to all faculty, staff and students before work begins on Monday, August 6th. Employees, students and visitors should take the time necessary to become familiar with where they will park and with traffic-flow changes during the garage construction. Contact Parking Services with any questions at 532-7275.
The Senate Campus Affairs Committee reported they have sent a letter to HR requesting statistical information regarding the practices at KSU for above step hires, and the conversion of classified positions to unclassified over the past seven years. This information should be available for the next Senate meeting. The benefits fair is October 4. A sign-up sheet will be passed around at the next Senate meeting for Senators to sign up to man the Senate booth. Any Senate committee wanting to hand-out information at the Benefits Fair should contact Becki or Joe to coordinate. The next meeting is August 8 noon - 1pm in 107 Ackert.
The Legislative Affairs Committee reported the trip to Topeka on July 30 to attend the meeting of the State Employee Compensation Oversight Commission was very informative. A panel of five private businesses in Kansas were invited to discuss their pay plans and compensation strategies. The representatives from these businesses were: David Kerr, Secretary of Commerce and former President of AT&T/Kansas; Colleen Meurer, Director of HR Hallmark Cards; Anne Trebino, VP of HR Security Benefit Group; Kim Walker, Assistant HR Director Sedgwick County; and Janet Hamous, Director of HR Via Christi Health System. Bob Young, Director of HR Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas was the fifth panelist and did not attend.When the panel was asked by Senator Roger Reitz how they would fix this problem of pay for state employees, Mr. Kerr answered, "You have to make paying your employees a priority." This was the main theme from these private businesses, that in order for a pay plan to work it must be set as a priority. The most disturbing information presented at the meeting was the continually reference by Alan Conroy, Director, Legislative Research Department to classified pay as discretionary. Classified salaries are not budgeted into the state budget and are added on at the end of the legislative process as determined by the state legislators. As Connie Kissee, Co-Chair of the Classified Senate Legislative Affairs Committee says, "The state balances the budget on the back of classified employees." Mr. Neville Kenning, Hay Group, pointed out that the state pay system was broke from the allocation of COLA's (Cost of Living Adjustment) over the years. Mr. Kenning stressed that in order for a pay plan to keep up with times, it must be based on market analysis where increases are added to base salaries. COLA's are not added to base salaries and do not reflect market value of positions. Mr. Kenning said that education of supervisors will be a key factor if the state implements a new pay system with merit. The next meeting for the State Employee Compensation Oversight Commission will be in September with date and time to be determined. Check the Commission web link on the Senate home page for updates.
NAGEL'S COMMENTS: The Supreme Courtroom in Topeka should have been packed with classified employees on July 30th, but instead it was packed with KOSE (Kansas Organization of State Employees) who weren't even state employees of Kansas. They were hired by the union to be present. Other than KOSE representatives, the legislative liaison from Pittsburg State, Gary Leitnaker, HR KSU, Sue Petterson VP to the President & Director Governmental Relations at KSU and 6 KSU Classified Senate Senators there were no other interested parties in attendance. This is the most important issue to classified employees state wide, and only 6 classified employees (all from KSU) out of the whole state of Kansas were there to show interest and concern about the issue of a new pay plan. A sad, sad commentary. With that kind of message, why should the state really spend too much effort on fixing the state pay system? If you are happy with your pay then continue to remain silent, but if your not, then now is the time to have your voice heard as a classified employee. You need to be writing the chair person of the State Employee Compensation Oversight Commission, your house and senate state representatives, including Roger Reitz who sits on the Commission, and Governor Sebelius. You need to be attending the Commission meetings (if at all possible) and you need to be passing the word along to other classified employees to have their voice heard also. The Commission web link can be accessed from the Classified Senate home page as well as finding your representatives. If ever there was a time for classified employees to speak up, it is now! The state needs to hear that our pay is a priority along with the development of a new state pay plan. (Remember: DO NOT USE YOUR KSU EMAIL OR UNIVERSITY LETTERHEAD FOR CORRESPONDENCE.) If you have questions about the Commission or need assistance drafting your correspondence to various parties, contact your Classified Senator or the Senate President.
Janel Harder, VP of Classified Senate reported that approval was received from Bruce Shubert, Associate VP for Admin & Finance for another meeting of the Kansas Council of Classified Senates at Kansas State. This meeting has tentatively been set for November 5, 2007 at the Kansas State Alumni Center. At this meeting the Joint Council's position paper will be finalized for presentation to state legislators at Legislative Days in January. The position paper bullets key points the Regents schools would like to see legislators act upon on behalf of classified employees.
The Public Relations Committee reported that the Senate web pages have been modified, updated and are up and running. The committee is also working on the next publication of the ROAR which will be available as a PDF from the Senate home page. For those employees who don't have access to a computer, a printed version will be delivered to their work location. The Public Relations Committee has worked hard to provide a wealth of information links on the Senate web pages to access various resources for classified employees.
The Recognition Ceremony Committee reported their first meeting is August 7 from noon to 1:30.
New Business discussed:
Next Classified Senate Meeting is September 5, 2007 in KSSU room 212 at 12:45