5.2 ERMUSR 12-12-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Committee also discussed adjusting the 457 deferred compensation benefit employer contributions for the management pay group. This was considered as a correction to salary compression issues. The Committee is still discussing and will make a verbal recommendation at the commission meeting. Unused Vacation Time at the Time of Retirement In light of recent retirements of longtime employees, the request was made to look into the distribution of unused vacation time paid out upon termination (including retirement), to instead be deposited into the Health Care Savings Plan(HCSP) upon retirement and paid out upon termination. The request was made out of consideration of the additional taxes that are withheld with the current payout distribution upon retirement. Since any changes to the plan have to be approved by the state, Theresa contacted the MN State Retirement System (MSRS)to verify this change, and inquired on the appropriate language to use. We were told this change would be allowed and were provided the appropriate language. This was discussed with the Committee and agreed upon. The final step is to pass a policy change at our Commission meeting and forward that onto the MSRS for filing. The policy change requested is attached and identifies two different areas in our personnel policy that need to be changed: one under Section 36 Vacation, and one under Section 40 Health Care Savings Plan. The changes are highlighted in red. Lead Bore Rig Operator Position In 2014 ERMU created a Bore Rig Operator position. In 2015 a Lead Bore Rig Operator Position was created and filled through an internal promotion. In 2015, ERMU hired to fill the Bore Rig Operator position. The creation of the Lead Bore Rig Operator was done to establish a crew lead allowing for some independent project management. However, it has become evident to staff that in reality the Lead Bore Rig Operator position is expected to perform project management in the field beyond the original expectation and this position's pay grade points. In reality, this position has similar project and crew management responsibilities of a lead lineworker yet the position pay grade points do not reflect that. This issue was reviewed by the Wage &Benefits Committee (W&BC) on November 27. The committee reviewed the difference in responsibilities from the origin of this position to current actual practice. This difference has an impact to the pay grade points in one of the multiple categories that go into the calculation of the position's pay grade points. And upon review, the Committee had consensus with the need to change the positon pay grade points and gave staff direction to submit a change in position pay grade points for Commission approval. The proposed adjustment to job position's points would now reflect the in-field skills requirement needed to oversee a crew and plan work for a project. This change would reclassify this position from Field Pay Group 8 to Field Pay Group 9. ATTACHMENTS: • Proposed ERMU Policy Change for Health Care Savings Plan Vacation Contribution Page 3 of 3 97