Pay-Problems Labor Management Committee Update

Committee Efforts and Progress

State Supervisors APEA/AFT Local 4900 and the State of Alaska convened a Labor Management Committee (LMC). The committee was formed to focus on resolving pay problems affecting our members. Representing the State Supervisors are Jesse Slone (SU President), Larry Owen (South East Primary Negotiator), and Jeff Kasper (APEA Business Manager). The LMC met on September 20 and October 28, with participation from Labor Relations, Division of Finance Directors, and supporting payroll staff.

The committee's purpose is to:

Address the backlog of NOPPs, particularly those affecting members who are owed significant backpay or nearing retirement.

Streamline payroll processes to prevent future issues.

Ensure that our members are prioritized in addressing pay concerns.

Key Updates

New Finance System: A new system for categorizing NOPPs is now in place, helping Finance staff better understand and prioritize pay issues. This system can be accessed in the Application section of the Division of Finance homepage: Division of Finance.

Backlog Status: At our first meeting on September 20, there were over 3,000 open NOPPs, with 395 affecting State Supervisors. By our second meeting on October 28, Finance had resolved about 12% of the entire backlog—a significant step forward.

Staffing Improvements: Finance reported hiring additional staff and training them specifically to address the NOPP backlog.

Member Involvement: APEA has asked members to contact the union if they are owed substantial amounts of money or are nearing retirement. These cases are being prioritized for faster resolution.

Employee Call Center: The Employee Call Center is available for SU members to address payroll-related questions. Please don't hesitate to reach out: Employee Call Center.

Ongoing Meetings: Finance will continue providing regular updates, and further meetings will be scheduled as needed.

Class Action Update: Delayed NOPP Response (ASU-02318)

Filing and Progress: The class action was filed on December 20, 2023. Due to ongoing contract negotiations, the case was temporarily placed in abeyance in February. On September 12, APEA sent a Demand for Arbitration to the State of Alaska. An arbitrator has been selected, and the arbitration is scheduled for March 17.

Watching Similar Cases: We are also monitoring arbitrations by ASEA and other unions related to similar issues, which may provide useful precedents.

Next Steps

We will keep you informed as more progress is made. Please reach out if you have questions or need support.