ACCE Mountaineer Spirit February 8, 2001 Article
Paul R. Martinelli

The ACCE (Advisory Council of Classified Employees) Legislative Information Brochure 2001 was finalized and approved during the January 17, 2001 meeting. A cover sheet was selected that features an outline of the State and the location of each higher education campus.

Approximately 500 brochures will be printed for distribution to legislators, staff councils, Higher Education Policy Commission, Chancellor, campus presidents and campus libraries. Copies of the brochure will be used by ACCE members when visiting the Capitol during the upcoming legislative session.

Contents of the brochures were prepared to highlight classified staff immediate areas of concern and provide legislators with information and profile data about concerns with the present language found in SB 653. The brochure is not a wish list but intended to serve as an information reference.

Some of our concerns that must have the attention of legislators are:

• A new, market-level salary schedule that must remain in State Code, that addresses (1) red-lining, (2) critical retention, (3) seniority and (4) salary equality.
• The percentage of West Virginia's total general revenue appropriation for higher education has decreased from a high of more than 17% in the mid-1970's, to a current level of 14.7%. During the same period enrollment in higher education has grown without a corresponding increase in appropriations from the legislature.
• Increase the maximum number of years used in calculating the annual increment from 20 to 30 years of service. DO NOT REMOVE THIS BENEFIT FROM STATE CODE.
• We seek to maintain and expand health care coverage for classified staff, so that: (1) PEIA is required to structure its contracts with carriers, (2) carriers cannot change their contracts with providers, and (3) providers cannot terminate their contracts with carriers.
• At this time, we are opposed to the implementation of a merit pay system. The majority of classified staff feels that merit is too political to work effectively. Any funding for a merit system should be placed into a new salary schedule.
• Higher education classified staff headcount in 1994-95 was 5,852. In FY 1999-2000 the total was 5,564, a total decrease during the SB 547 period of 288. State-funded decreased during the same period from 4,097 to 3,766, a net decrease of 331.
• Higher education employees should be allowed to continue with grievance procedures contained in code 18B-29-1. We do not believe this system should be changed to the state employee's grievance procedure.

In reviewing the draft of the Enhancement Legislation document, developed by the HEPC, it is apparent that a number of benefits currently in State Code are recommended for removal. This document was presented to the legislative l eadership January 1, 2001. Recommendations to remove benefits from State Code is a major concern being considered in the enhancement document.

An important date during the month is February 14, the first day of the legislative session. ACCE members will be meeting at the Capitol on February 22 and a number of Staff Council members will travel to the Capitol with the Farm Bureau on February 28. Meetings are being planned with LOCEA and local legislators to discuss these concerns.