TOPICS DISCUSSED

COUNCIL MINUTES
Minutes of the September meeting were approved as read.

REORGANIZATION OF CAMPUS
Due to the reorganization of the university, the current division of delegates is no longer equitable. Some delegates have been moved to units that already have a delegate. A discussion of how the units were originally determined followed. It was determined that a sub committee should be set up to examine the numbers of civil service employees on campus and recommend updated units for employee council. Volunteers for this sub committee were Leona Johnson, Dorothy Tenney, and Gene Wilson.

VEBA and PERS III ANNOUNCEMENTS
Wendy Rittereiser from Human Resources gave us an update on VEBA, a proposed plan whereby the sick leave cashout at retirement would be deposited tax-free in a medical spending account. The cashout rate would be the same as the current plan, which allows you to collect the equivalent of 1/4 of your unused sick leave at retirement. The advantage of the VEBA plan is that the money would not be taxed, and would go into an interest bearing VEBA investment account from which you may withdraw funds for medical expenses. All employees who accrue sick leave will vote on the VEBA proposal. There will be two groups: 1) those civil service employees in classes covered by a union bargaining agreement,
2) all other civil service employees and those exempt employees who accrue sick leave. A simple majority in each group must agree if the plan will be implemented for that group or not. Once accepted or rejected by vote, everyone in the group must abide by the decision. If you are not happy with the vote, a revote will be taken for the next year if a petition is signed by 10% of employees in the group. Informational meetings will be held on Wednesday, November 1, 2000, in the SUB Ballroom. A video will be available for those unable to attend one of the meetings.

PERS III retirement plan will be available in March of 2002. At that time, employees in PERS II will have a 6 month opportunity to switch to PERS III. The choice is irrevocable. If you do not make a choice at that time, you will automatically be switched to PERS III. More information will be made available in the future through fliers, videos, and meetings.

BENEFITS FAIR
Becky Baker reminded us of the Benefits Fair on October 25, 2000. We have until November 30, 2000, to change plans. Why have the medical premiums increased so much? The total medical premiums contracted and paid by the state have increased an average of 14.2% for the employee. (The average increase is across all plans; each plan’s premium increases vary, from 7.7% to 23%, based on the business costs for that plan. Some plans were able to manage their business costs more aggressively, while others have a less managed approach to their business delivery and were less able to control costs. For example, the PPO – Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) is a freedom of choice plan and does not manage the care provided like a managed care plan. As a result they are less able to contain utilization and cost increases and their premium increases reflect the increased cost of paying those claims.) The employee premium contribution increases are directly related to the individual plan premium increase and the Legislative funding decisions to have employee’s share the cost increases. The employee contributions have approximately doubled (on average) consistent with the Legislative Budget assumptions used to calculate the employee benefit funding level. Legislative funding still covers 94% of the medical premium (on average), with employees contributing 6% of the medical premium on average (this is down slightly from year 2000 benefits at 95% of the state and 5% for employees). Medical inflation is increasing rapidly and the Legislature has indicated employees should share some of the inflationary costs. If you have any concerns about your benefits, you can write to: Public Employees Benefits Board, P. O. Box 42684, Olympia, WA 98504-2684, or E-mail www.wa.gov/hca/PEBB/PEBBemployee.html

STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE
President McIntyre has asked for names of staff members to be on the Strategic Planning Committee. Marilyn Thompson, Nancy Bradshaw and Pedro Garcia were suggested. Their names will be forwarded to the president.

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS TO STAFF
Employee Council will invite President McIntyre to address classified staff concerning the issues of CWU's enrollment shortfall and the resulting budget cuts that we are facing. A sub committee to plan the address was selected. This sub committee consists of Nancy Bradshaw, Ginger Linnell, Marilyn Thompson and Dale Hubbard. The presidential address will be on November 16 in the Lombard room. There will be two sessions; one at 10:00 a.m. and one at 2:00 p.m.

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Kevin Dawson, a sports equipment custodian in PEHLS, has been selected as Employee of the Month. Kevin is an employee who goes out of his way to promote CWU and is extremely helpful to the CWU sports teams as well as visiting teams.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., November 9, 2000, in SUB 209. If you are a delegate and cannot make the meeting be sure to notify Colleen Rose and to let your alternate know so he/she will attend.

PRESENT:
Nancy Bradshaw, Business and Administrative Support: Unit A
Paula Moffatt, Business and Administrative Support: Unit B
Karol Barker, Dining Services
Marilyn Thompson, Dining Services
Shelly Voshall, Housing & Residential Services
Pedro Garcia, Housing & Residential Services
Kari Taylor, Instructional Support: Unit A, Chairperson
Gene Wilson, Instructional Support: Unit A
Leona Johnson, Library Services
Kerry Slaughter, Library Services
Dorothy Tenney Plant and Facilities
Ginger Linnell, Enrollment Management & Marketing, Secretary

ABSENT:
Debbie Nethery, Instructional Support: Unit B
Karen Simmons, Instructional Support: Unit B
Rick Gilson, Plant and Facilities
Al Edler, Plant and Facilities
Celia Johnson, Student Services and SUB: Unit B

ALSO PRESENT:
Colleen Rose
Wendy Rittereiser
Becky Baker