On 01/29-30th I worked the West Virginia Legislature for the WVTA and I wanted to update you on a few developments:

 

The Governor proposed a 2.5% pay incentive for all state employees.  This incentive was basically a one time amount that state employees would recieve but not affect base salaries.  On Tuesday I and Elaine Harris of the CWA met with the Governor and the state employees representatives about this.  We wanted to make sure that the State Police were in on the 2.5% raise and not being left out due to last years raise.  We were informed by the Governors office that the State Police uniformed members and civilian members were part of the 2.5%.  At this meeting we asked the Governor to consider the 2.5% be placed on the base salary of the employees and not give it as an incentive.  The Governor's staff is preparing numbers for this and will meet with the Public Employee representatives again to discuss the matter further.

 

The on call pay issue was introduced on the Senate and House floors this week.  Department HQ prepared a cost analysis for the Legislature that approximates the amount that paying Troopers to be on call would cost.  We have gained a lot of interest in the bill and are hoping for success this year.

 

The Plan B (55 to 50) bill has not been introduced as of yet.  The WVTA is addressing the Table Gaming bill and the State Police involvement in it as a possible funding source for the 55 to 50 change.  President Merrill and Joe Adams are working this issue hard and are keeping watch on amendments to the Table Gaming bill that would affect the State Police.

 

The locality housing pay issue has not been introduced as of yet but we are still early in the session.  Several other state employees are addressing locality pay also.

 

I will keep you all informed as I gain new information.  If you have any questions please contact me.