Employee Forum Agenda — July 11, 2007
9:15 a.m.—Meeting: Wilson Library Lobby Pleasants Family Assembly Room
I. Call to Order
II. Welcome Guests & Members of the Press
III. Opening Remarks
IV. Special Presentations
- Chuck Brink, UNC System Staff Assembly Delegate
- Bylaws of the UNC System Staff Assembly
- Presentation to Felecia Perry Upon Her Retirement
- Steve Lawson, Member Action Coordinator, SEANC
V. Human Resources Update
VI. Stretch Time
VII. Minutes Pending
VIII. Old Business
IX. New Business
X. Employee Presentations or Questions
XI. Forum Committee Reports
- Communications and Public Relations: Brenda Denzler
- Community Affairs, Recognition, Awards and Outreach: Jane Tornow
- Peer Recognition Awards
- Compensation and Wages: Alan Moran
- Education and Career Development: Jane Majors
- Health Benefits: Robert Agans
- Legislative Action: Mike Hawkins
- Membership and Assignments: Lisa Inman
- Staff Relations, Policies and Practices: David Brannigan
XII. Chair’s Report (Executive Committee): Ernie Patterson
XIII. Task Force/University Committee Reports
- Board of Trustees Finance Committee—Ernie Patterson
- University Priorities and Budget Advisory Committee—Ernie Patterson
XIV. Announcements/Questions
XV. “Go Around the Room”: A Chance for Attendees to Share the Issue Most on their Minds
XIV. Adjournment
MINUTES
July 11, 2007 Minutes
Vice Chair David Brannigan called the meeting to order at 9:20 a.m. He welcomed guests and members of the press. He was pleased to recognize Felecia Perry of Human Resources for her work with the clerical skills internship program. Chuck Brink spoke warmly about her service. The Forum presented Perry with a plaque in her honor and a bouquet of flowers.
Steve Lawson of SEANC gave a presentation on the work of that organization and the evolution of this year’s budget. He noted approvingly the work of George Stokes and the State Health plan, although many difficulties with the plan still remain. He also noted the trend to shift health care costs from the employer to the employee. Lawson updated the Forum on slight boosts in the retirement accrual rate and the State’s retirement system contributions. He also noted the range of benefits available to SEANC members. Alan Moran asked about SEANC’s advocacy of percentage wage increases versus flat rate increases. He noted the latter tend to benefit lower wage employees more. He also asked how many lower paid employees compose the leadership of SEANC. Finally, he noted that the comprehensive pay plan had yet to be funded.
The Forum discussed the election of delegates to the UNC System Staff Assembly, noting that it needed to elect a delegate to fill a three year term. This election will replace David Brannigan. Chuck Brink said that the Forum’s calendar did not fall in sync with the Staff Assembly calendar, leaving a gap in the terms of its elected delegates. Brink also noted that staff organization chairs are not guaranteed a place on the Staff Assembly. He thought that there might have been some misunderstanding or misrepresentation as to that arrangement when the Forum elected its delegates last August. The Executive Committee of the Staff Assembly confirmed that alternates shall attend only when delegates are unavailable.
Alan Moran noted that the Forum must still devise a method for electing its delegates. He proposed a motion that the Executive Committee take up changing the Forum Guidelines to present proposed revisions to this effect. The motion was seconded and approved, with Mike Hawkins and Michael McQuown abstaining.
Vicki Bradley gave a presentation on career banding. She outlined the process that the University used to establish career banding in the Information Technology and Public Safety areas. She said that a legislative initiative had asked Fox Lawson and Associates to review all personnel policies of the State. This consultant would meet with randomly selected people from different job families to give their views on personnel policies. These people had already been selected and would meet the week of July 16. Fox Lawson should issue a report on career banding in October.
Alan Moran asked if the focus groups would review policy related to career banding. Bradley said that focus group team members were randomly selected from different job categories. She noted that the Forum had the opportunity to nominate people for the advisory committee.
Brenda Denzler noted the dispiriting effects of receiving an advanced job classification but not receiving the salary that’s due to go along with it. Bradley said that no money has been allocated for increases and granted that there are many situations in which people are paid the minimum below their competency level. She advised employees in this situation to talk with their managers. Claire Miller advised that employees bring in their generalists to work on this problem.
Committee Reports
Jane Tornow of the Community Affairs, Recognition and Awards committee noted that the group had received sixteen nominations already for the unsung heroes award. Alan Moran of the Compensation and Wages committee said that group was working on a proposal to combine pay grades 50-55 into one band. Mike Hawkins of Legislative Affairs said that he would organize a lobbying effort to reach other delegates of the UNC System Staff Assembly. Matt Banks reported for the Membership and Assignments committee that nomination submissions are underway.
Brenda Denzler of Communcations noted that preparations for the July InTouch insert are nearly completed. Alan Moran suggested that the Forum publish these inserts quarterly, so that more Facilities Service personnel will have a chance to read them.
The Forum discussed the possibility of representing temporary employees, noting that this representation was not in the Forum’s initial Guidelines. Denzler and Moran found common cause with these employees, saying that the Forum should represent all employees in general.
Respectfully submitted,
Matt Banks, Recording Secretary