How many times have you heard the saying that "some things never change" or "you take two steps forward but three backwards?" I use this as a prelude to the Legislature's five year strategy plan and commitment for a positive and constructive change in higher education with the passage of Senate Bill 377 in 1993.
As I prepare to begin a new direction for higher education, in the form of Senate Bill 653, I decided to review some of the early material I have accumulated regarding the Mercer study. One of the items I found was a July 6, 1993 video highlighting a discussion of the classification system.
This system was the result of the passage of Senate Bill 420 in 1989, calling for the establishment of a uniform and equitable system of job classification for classified employees working in higher education. The Legislature originally mandated that the new system be in place by July 1, 1990, but an extension was granted until January 1, 1993, to allow more time to complete the classification project. This deadline was extended another year because a number of controversial issues could not be resolved.
William M. Mercer, Inc., a firm specializing in human resource consulting, was hired by the governing boards to provide technical guidance in developing a job classification system. In February 1993, employees were notified of their preliminary, pay grade and job classification under the new system. How many staff can recall that as a result of this first notification approximately 1,500 appeals were filed by the University System and about 350 by the State College System? As a result of the quantity of appeals, interest in learning more about job classification was about to begin.
WNPB Public Television in Morgantown, invited the chairs of both Systems Advisory Councils and an official of the Central Office to participate in their "On the Line" program telecast. I represented the University System and Frank Stanley, West Liberty State College, represented the State College System. The program aired live on July 6, 1993. This video has recently been viewed by the present BOT ACCE members and the WVU Staff Council. The reason in placing the video on each groups agenda was to show how "some things never change" and that many of the same concerns today were debated over seven ago as recorded by the video.
With the salary increases July 1, 2000 the five-year funding has been completed. The schedule will remain in state code until such time that Legislators approve a new schedule or make adjustments to the one we currently have in place.
In 1993 we were beginning to discuss the increasing of the increment from $36 to $50. (approved 7/1/98). We were also addressing moving the increment years of service from the present 20 to 30. Series 62, the legislative rule governing the clarification system, remains an item of concern. As we enter the transition year these problems and a new salary schedule will need to be top priority areas of concern for classified staff representatives. Do these concerns sound familar?
Let us hope that progress can be made to resolve these issues during the Legislative interims this summer and fall. Classified employees want to work with the legislature. We are looking forward to discussing these issues that can result in a solid plan to fund a salary schedule in 2001.