State employees: memorandum of understanding: approval.
The bill alters existing law by enabling certain financial commitments within state employment agreements to be activated irrespective of the traditional annual Budget Act approval process. This is considered beneficial for the immediate financial sustainability of employee benefits and rights under the MOU. However, it maintains a safeguard requiring explicit legislative appropriation of funds for these provisions to take effect. If such funding is not appropriated, affected parties must meet and negotiate to adjust the provisions accordingly, preserving the discourse between state employers and employee organizations.
AB2628, introduced by Assembly Member Rodriguez, seeks to amend Section 3512 of the Government Code, affecting state public employment. Specifically, it aims to approve provisions within a memorandum of understanding (MOU) reached between the State and California Correctional Peace Officers Association (Bargaining Unit 6) that require the expenditure of funds. Historically, such provisions only became effective when sanctioned by the Legislature during the annual Budget Act. This bill proposes that these provisions can be enacted through legislation outside of the annual budget cycle, thus expediting their implementation.
The sentiment surrounding AB2628 appears to be focused on improving labor relations and providing clearer mechanisms for addressing state employee rights and conditions. Supporters of the bill generally emphasize its potential to enhance state employee welfare and streamline the approval process for necessary expenditures. However, some may voice concerns regarding the bypassing of the annual budgeting process, fearing it might lead to fiscal irresponsibility or unintentional prioritizing of certain employee groups over others.
Opponents of the bill may argue that allowing such provisions to take effect outside of the standard budget framework compromises legislative oversight and financial accountability. While the bill fosters improved employer-employee communication and solidifies the rights of state employees to form and support organizations, it still faces scrutiny regarding its long-term implications on state employment regulations and the precedent it sets for similar future agreements.
On May 30, 2018, AB2628 achieved a favorable vote in the Assembly with 57 members voting in favor and 10 against, indicating significant legislative support for the bill.