2007-2011

PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC

AND

TECHNICAL SERVICES UNIT

AGREEMENT

Article 42

FAMILY BENEFITS PROGRAM /WORK-LIFE SERVICES

42.1 In recognition of the mutual advantages in addressing employees’ dependent care needs, the State and PEF agree to provide dependent care benefits through family benefits programs designed to assist employees with balancing work and family responsibilities.

42.2 A joint labor/management advisory body, which recognizes the need for combined representation of all employee negotiating units and the State, will monitor and evaluate the family benefits program and other work-life services.

42.3 The State and PEF remain committed to ensuring that all network child care currently available to State employees is provided in safe, high quality centers. Therefore, the State and PEF agree to:

(a)    Continue financial support for health and safety grants for child care network centers;

(b)   Provide technical support and training for child and elder care initiatives; and

(c)    Encourage the continuation of existing host agency support for child care centers.

42.4 The Committee shall continue to fund the administration of the Flexible Benefit Spending Program, Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAA). This program will provide employees with the opportunity to increase their net income by paying for all or part of selected benefits such as child care, elder care, and dependent care with pre-tax dollars.

42.5 In Calendar Year 2009, the State shall provide a contribution to each Dependent Care Advantage Account enrollee as follows:

Employee Gross Annual Salary          Employer Contribution

                        Up to $30,000                                     $700

                        $30,001 to $40,000                             $600

                        $40,001 to $50,000                             $500

                        $50,001 to $60,000                             $400

                        $60,001 to $70,000                             $300

                        Over $70,000                                      $200

In subsequent years, the employer contribution may be increased or reduced so as to fully expend available funds for this purpose, while maintaining salary sensitive differentials. In the event that available funds are not fully expended for this purpose, the residual funds shall be made available to benefit members as mutually determined by the Director of GOER and the President of PEF or their designees.  In no event shall the aggregate employer contribution to DCAA enrollees exceed the available funds for this purpose.

42.6 Employees choosing not to use the Flexible Benefit Spending Program who use worksite child care centers designated by the Governor's Office of Employee Relations may elect to pay their child care fees to the child care centers through a payroll deduction program to be put in place pursuant to law.

            42.7 In the interest of providing greater availability of dependent care and other services to PEF represented employees and maximizing resources available, the Family Benefits Program may support additional initiatives as recommended by the Advisory Board.

            42.8 The State shall prepare, secure introduction and recommend passage by the Legislature of such legislation as may be appropriate and necessary to obtain appropriations of $1,628,000 for Fiscal Year 2007-2008, $1,709,400 for Fiscal Year 2008-2009, $1,794,900 for Fiscal Year 2009-2010, and $1,884,600 for Fiscal Year 2010-2011 to fund activities of the Program.

            42.9 The President of PEF, or the designee of the President, shall serve as a member of the Advisory Board for the term of this Agreement.