Local 1000 Auditors meet; prepare for bargaining
More than 50 auditors met to discuss issues that
are specific to their classifications and to help Local 1000 prepare
for its 2008 contract campaign.
“The
biggest issues for us are the disparity of our pay compared to auditors
outside of state government,” said I. Budiawan, Association Management Auditor, DMV. “We have to be committed to finding beneficial solutions to these problems.”
Some of the topics discussed included:
- Improved wages
- Federal per diem rate for meals and hotel stays
- Licensing fees reimbursement
- Differentials based on professional certification
- Alternate work schedule and telecommuting
- Continuing education
Outsourcing,
retention issues and the state’s growing budget deficit may effect
bargaining next year. But the auditors are poised and ready for the
fight.
“We know we’re facing an uphill battle given the
governor’s announcement that he’s cutting state department budgets by
10 percent,” said Dennis Gonzales, Program Specialist II, FTB. “In
this environment, we know we’ll have to come together and fight to keep
the benefits we’ve worked so hard to achieve and to win more of what we
deserve.”
The next auditors’ meetings will be January 22 in Los Angeles, and January 24 in Oakland and Sacramento.
You can also get involved in a program focusing on auditors’ issues by participating in a Local 1000 Auditor poll below.