November, 20011

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - ROBERT A. KACZMAREK - In this time of national tragedy whose full impact is still not completely known, our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone whose lives were impacted by the attacks of September 11th. As public servants, we empathize with our brothers and sisters serving in the areas of the attacks. Many of these people made the ultimate sacrifice. Our condolences go out to the families of the Fire Fighters, Police Officers, Port Authority Police, EMTs, people on Flight 93 which crashed in Pennsylvania, and the thousands who worked at the Pentagon and World Trade Center. New York Fire Chaplain Mychal F. Judge, a member of AFSCME Local 229, died giving last communion to a victim. The BCEA is accept donations of our fallen brothers and sisters. For more information go to: http://www.afscme.org/whatsnew/terror.htm We want to thank those who have already made donations at the BCEA Office.

AFSCME FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
This year again AFSCME is offering the Family Scholarship for graduating high school seniors. The senior must be a child, or financially dependent grandchild of an AFSCME member. Under the program, 10 scholarships of $2,000 each are awarded annually to the winners selection from eligible applicants. Applications must be postmarked no later than December 31, 2001. You can get the applications online at http://www.afscme.org/about/greenrm.htm#scholarships or at the BCEA Office.

UNION PLUS CREDIT CARD SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Union Plus Credit Card Scholarship is also available for members, spouses, and dependent children. Applications are also available at the same website listed above or at the BCEA Office, and are due January 31, 2001.

The AFSCME scholarships page also has information on other scholarships, and school information resources.

BCEA MERIT PAY PLAN
The BCEA and City have completed the new BCEA Merit Pay Plan. This was developed out of the work of the Joint Labor Management Committee on Merit Pay. I would like to thank the Committee members who helped out: Mike Castro, Sean Hagen, Kim Withers, Sharon Leech, Kathleen Lindblom, Teri Kaczmarek, Randy Karraker, Norm Lefmann, Jo Ann Davis, and Richard Corbi. The plan covers all BCEA employees, it includes new Merit Pay language, and a new evaluation form. The new form will be used for annual evaluations for step increases, Special Achievement, and Merit Pay. The system reinforces the setting of objectives and goals for the employee as a guide. These should be set cooperatively with the supervisor and employee agreeing on the goals.

The new Merit pay plan has pool 2.5% of BCEA employees in a department/division. Once change is that the amount is no longer fixed and can be from 1% to 5% maximum for an employee. This should more parallel trends in business today. Another new opportunity is Special Achievement pay and Group Awards. Special Achievement can be paid based on outstanding performance on the job not set out on the evaluation goals or work above and beyond. Group Awards could be for a team goal that was achieved. We will have copies of the form and new language at the meeting.

Congratulations to Deni Siedschlag who received the Police Department's Professional Esteem Award. Deni was presented the award at the October 30th City Council Meeting for her help in identifying a suspect wanted for a strong of crimes. Great job Deni!

ATTENTION: MILITARY RESERVE MEMBERS
The Burbank City Council passed Resolution No. 26,119 amending the Civil Service Rules to provide additional salary assistance to members of the military reserves who are called to active duty as a result of the terrorist acts of September 11th. If you are a reservist and are activated, the City will make up the difference between your military and City salary until September 1, 2002, or up through the cessation of hostilities, which ever occurs earlier, unless this assistance is continued by a Resolution of the City Council. This will include continuing to pay insurance premiums for the employee. This requires the employee who is a military reservist to provide certified copies of official orders and pay records when requested. This is similar to what was done during the Persian Gulf War. Copies of Resolution 26,119 are available at the BCEA and the City Clerk's Offices.

HEALTH INSURANCE NEWS
CalPERS extended its open enrollment to November 2, 2001. This was in response to the large volume of enrollment changes.

The BCEA PEBT extended its open enrollment to October 31, 2001. Our rates are: