We reported on September 25 that resolution to the Donated Sick Leave Bank was expected.
The MOA has been signed and we have a fully executed agreement. The EC approved the agreement at its meeting on September 28. The Ratification vote opened on September 29 at 8am and will close on October 15 at 5pm. All members should have received a ballot from election buddy to vote in the special election ballot.
In order to accomodate the ratification vote, the opt out window will technically be from October 16 to October 31. Members who wish to opt-out will use this DSLB Opt-out form.
Here is a summary of the changes to the Donated Sick Leave Bank program (DSLB):
- Goes from an opt in to an opt out program. All bargaining unit members will be automatically enrolled in the DSLB on October 1 each year unless they opt out by October 31 of each year. For 2017 the opt out window will be October 16 to October 31 to accommodate the ratification vote. The contributions will be debited from department accounts on November 1 of each year.
- DLSB members will have access to up to 20 working days of paid sick leave, for a qualifying family medical emergency, renewable for 20 additional working days The initial donation is seven (7) hours. All donations will be acknowledged.
- Once you are in, you are in for the entire year, until open enrollment the next year. There is no need to re-enter the bank through additional donations midyear.
- If the bank needs replenishment, an assessment can be imposed on participants automatically up to six (6) additional hours in two (2) hour increments.
- After a participant has donated thirteen (13) hours, if the bank needs replenishment there will be a special call for an additional seven (7) hours, which is voluntary. Members who choose not to respond to the special call will remain in the DSLB.
- The eligibility for donated sick leave bank usage remains the same.
- Human Resources is required to provide to the DSLB committee the information the committee needs to administer the DSLB.
- All members who were negatively impacted by the DSLB deficits since June 2017 will be made whole.
Even if you are a relatively new employee, or for any other reason you have few sick leave hours left, there is no down side or no reason to fear. Your initial donation of 7 hours gives you access to up to 40 days of paid sick leave.
Again, for this year, PSU-AAUP and the administration have agreed that the opt out window will be from October 16 to October 31 to allow for ratification. Members will receive emails from HR and PSU-AAUP on or around October 16, if not before.
The DSLB committee will be hosting a number of meetings in the coming months to explain the new DSLB program, and committee members are willing to come to departments- either during a regular meeting, or a special meeting just to explain the DSLB. To request a department meeting, please contact Bob Schroeder, DSLB member.
The open meetings that are scheduled so far are:
Fri Oct 13 12:00 - 1:00 Library Room 170 Host Bob Schroeder
Thu Oct 18 12:00 -1:00 CUPA 710 Board Room Host Sarah Giles
Thu Oct 19 12:00 - 12:45 Library Room 160 Host Bob Schroeder
Mon Oct 23 12:00 - 1:00 CUPA 710 Board Room Host Sarah Giles, Krista Kennedy
Tue Oct 24 12:00 - 1:00 Library Romm 284 Host Bob Schroeder