SIDE LETTER #10
Survivor Benefits

Notwithstanding Government Code Section 22777, the State employer shall, upon the death of a bargaining Unit 9 employee while in State service, continue to pay employer contributions for health, dental and vision benefits for a period not to exceed 120 days beginning in the month of the employee’s death. The surviving spouse or other eligible family member, if any, shall be advised of all rights and obligations during this period regarding the continuation of health and dental benefits as an annuitant by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System. The surviving spouse or eligible family member shall also be notified by the department during this period regarding COBRA rights for the continuation of vision benefits.

 

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SIDE LETTER #15
Cal/EPA Relocation Agreement

The November 9, 2000 agreement between the State and PECG, along with January 31, 2001, February 8, 2001, and March 7, 2001 amendments, regarding the California Environmental Protection Agency headquarters office building and related Boards, Departments and Offices moves shall remain in effect.

Except as otherwise specified, this section shall apply only to those employees headquartered in the Cal/EPA Building located at 1001 I Street in Sacramento, California.

A.  Telework Policy

      The Cal/EPA Telework Policy shall be implemented and available to all Unit 9 employees throughout the State employed by the Cal/EPA.

B.   Commute Mitigation

      1.   Alternate Transportation Support – The State and PECG agree that the State shall encourage employees to use alternate means of transportation to commute to and from work in order to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.

      2.   Incidental Use Parking – Cal/EPA shall develop an “Incidental Use Parking Program” for employees who use alternate means of transportation to commute to and from work.  Upon 24 hours notice, employees who self-certify that they are using alternate transportation to commute to and from work at least three times per week, shall be eligible to park for up to two days per pay period in a Cal/EPA parking space set aside for this purpose.

      3.   Guaranteed Ride Home Program – This program exists through the Sacramento Transportation Management Association.  This program allows employees who use alternative transportation at least three times per week to obtain transportation in the case of emergency or unanticipated approved overtime that precludes the use of their regular ride home.  Eligible employees may use the program up to six times in a 12-month period.  All Cal/EPA boards, departments and offices will maintain membership in this organization in order to provide this benefit to all qualifying employees.

C.   Parking

      1.   Parking Lot Waiting List – For purposes of allocating available parking spaces to Cal/EPA employees who were not assigned a lottery number on August 3, 2000, the following priority order shall be used after September 1, 2000:  1) handicapped, 2) car/van pools and shared permits with at least two Cal/EPA employees, and 3) all others, on a first come first served basis, without exceptions.

      2.   Waiting List Status Reports – Upon request of the exclusive representative for any of its affected Bargaining Units, Cal/EPA shall provide reports describing: 1) the number of parking permits available by lots, 2) the number of permits issued, and 3) the number of employees on the waiting list of each lot.

      3.   Parking – It is understood that the State will not subsidize employee parking.

D.  Bicycle Transportation

      1.   Bicycle Storage Fee Reimbursement – Employees charged a bicycle storage fee shall be eligible for reimbursement of $15.00 per month from when the employee relocates to the Cal/EPA building.  This shall not be considered compensation for purposes of retirement contributions.  The State may establish and implement procedures for the administration of this benefit.

      2.   Bicycle Storage Assignments – Bicycle storage shall be assigned based on commute days, by lottery numbers, and in accordance with the following priority: 1) five days per week, 2) four days per week, 3) three days per week.  Cal/EPA shall notify each bicyclist of storage arrangement beginning October 1, 2000.  Advance acceptance of the storage assignment may be submitted to appropriate administrative officials.  After assignments are final at each bicycle storage area, each employee may then request to be placed on a waiting list for specific bicycle storage areas.  Placement on a waiting list shall be based on a first come, first served basis.  Upon satisfactory proof of the need for such accommodation, bicycle commuters who require special needs accommodations shall have priority over all others commuting the same number of days per week.

            The Cal/EPA Bicycle Storage Area is not scheduled to be available for parking until December 2000.  Employees with permits may either park bicycles in general work areas of a Cal/EPA sponsored Pilot Project, or use available bicycle storage facilities located at 901 P Street, or any other state building.

      3.   City Storage Fee Reimbursement – Employees who commute to and from work by bicycle at least three days per week shall be eligible for reimbursement of the fee charged by the City for bicycle parking until the bicycle storage facilities in the new building are available for use, and afterwards, if the facilities in the new building are fully utilized.

E.   Clothing Lockers

      Priority assignment shall be given to employees who commute by bicycle or on foot by lottery number and in accordance with the following priority: 1) five days per week, 2) four days per week, 3) three days per week.  Employees who commute to and from work by bicycle or on foot who were not assigned a lottery number, shall be assigned available clothing lockers in accordance with the same priority and on a first come, first served basis.  Employees requiring a clothes locker to meet special needs accommodations shall be assigned a clothes locker upon satisfactory proof of the need for such accommodation.  All other clothing lockers shall be utilized on a first come, first served basis.

F.   Safety Committee

      Cal/EPA agrees to establish a Safety Committee to review and discuss safety issues and concerns applicable to the employees of Cal/EPA and its Boards, Departments and Offices (BDO) located at the new Cal/EPA Headquarters building at 1001 I Street in Sacramento.  The Committee shall meet quarterly and participants shall include the safety officer from each BDO and one representative from each Bargaining Unit willing to participate.  The Committee shall establish Bylaws that may or may not be based on any such existing committees, so long as they are not in conflict with the Memoranda of Understanding for each participating Bargaining Unit.

G.  Building Card Key Costs

      Employees are responsible for their building card keys.  Except in cases of loss and/or damage due to negligence, building card keys will be replaced at no cost to employees up to two times per year.

H.  Implementation

      Where necessary, Cal/EPA shall develop procedures to implement any of the above programs.