Resolve, To Restore the Integrity of the State Pay System

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  state employees have not received a salary step increase or a longevity payment for more than 4 years; and

Whereas,  over this same period of time, the cost of living has continued to rise; and

Whereas,  this combination of events has left state employees at a strong disadvantage and has resulted in many employees leaving state service for other employment; and

Whereas,  in order to provide fair compensation for state employees and prevent the further loss of state employees, it is imperative that this resolve take effect quickly; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Restoration of salary step increases and longevity pay for one year. Resolved: That, beginning with the first pay period after July 1, 2013 and ending with the first pay period after July 1, 2014, on each state employee’s applicable anniversary date, the State shall award that employee one salary step increase and any longevity pay required pursuant to any collective bargaining agreement in effect or, if no collective bargaining agreement is in effect, pursuant to the terms of the most recent collective bargaining agreement.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

summary

This resolve requires that for one year, beginning July 1, 2013, state employees be awarded one salary step increase and any longevity pay those employees are entitled to under a collective bargaining agreement in effect or, if a collective bargaining agreement is not in effect, under the most recently expired collective bargaining agreement.