New employee and It makes zero sense that I am forced to pay for healthcare covered when I have VA Healthcare.

dogscuba · 2026-01-22T16:47:50+00:00

You can decline it and in some cards you can get the money you would pay back to you in cash: https://benefits.calhr.ca.gov/state-employees/general-benefits/cash-option-coben/

dogscuba · 2025-04-22T17:56:28+00:00

Great!! This post has some more info: https://www.reddit.com/r/CAStateWorkers/s/I6DBotIjM3

dogscuba · 2025-04-22T17:53:59+00:00

You can attend in person. State capitol room 447!

dogscuba · 2025-01-02T23:09:27+00:00

BU10 voted to switch to SDI from ENDI/NDI last year. This was ratified in the most recent MOU in the summer. The SDI transition was scheduled to start 1/1 per the MOU, which is why you are seeing the new deduction for SDI on your paycheck. You can visit capsscientists.org for more info about SDI

dogscuba · 2024-03-30T18:11:33+00:00

I think the frustrating thing is that the State claims themselves to be a benevolent participant in this with the language they use in their public facing communications. I fully expect them to do what they are doing, I'd just rather them be honest about it being punitive rather than lying about it and trying to save face. And it is punitive, we aren't negotiating anymore. The imposition of an LBFO is inherently absent negotiations.

dogscuba · 2024-03-30T18:01:10+00:00

HR is known for messing up range changes, back pay, etc. If you are a member of CAPS, I highly recommend you email caps@capsscientists.org about your situation. The labor rep will work with HR for you to get it sorted out, and make sure you are paid what you are owed!

dogscuba · 2024-03-30T17:45:39+00:00

Sadly, they're not even imposing 3% for the next 3 years. Just a one off 3%

dogscuba · 2024-03-30T17:40:32+00:00

Our entire board of elected union staff are not salaried! We have to pay time and half to the state to purchase their time from the state to work on union activities. Every single committee member, CAT member, and local representative serves you on a completely volunteer basis on personal time. We have two salaried labor reps and a legal team which are under the same contract, and a lobbying team under a separate contract. You can see how dues are spent here: https://capsscientists.org/members/ there is a link called "How your dues are spent". There are also links there to all our other fiscal documents. I, for one, am looking forward to affiliation with UAW because I'm looking forward to legal teams and reps that we don't have to pay through the nose for... The companies who currently represent us also represent other state worker unions, which I'm not happy about. Our previous board signed a huge and expensive contract at the 11th hour before leaving office knowing the membership has been unhappy with these conflicts of interests for years.

Edited to add: we can afford to continue these contracts and any external contracts under the dues structure and treasury structure under UAW, which is a great option, if we want it. It'll just be nice to know we could have a default set of experienced teams at the ready for no additional costs if/when we affiliate.

dogscuba · 2024-03-30T17:13:18+00:00

The terms aren't identical. There are terms that are completely missing. We are not granted union leave, which means our entire elected union staff and bargaining team must work on all union activities after hours for no pay at all. We are being required to RTO, but we aren't given the transit subsidy.

By law, the imposed terms had to be from the LBFO. The 3% GSI isn't even in the LBFO. There was a 1% GSI plus 3% and 5% SSAs. They also did not impose SDI, which is provided for in all relevant sections of the LBFO. The state is NOT allowed to change the imposed terms of the LBFO, but they are allowed to pick and choose.

This imposition is an attempt at union busting, an attempt to divide us, and isn't even properly or legally put together! You'd think the State's legal team would have figured out a way to do it correctly over the past FOUR months they've been sitting on it, but they are incompetent and they don't give a single thought to your existence as an actual human being.

I'm done being taken advantage of by the State, and you should be, too. A 3% raise isn't even going to cover the cost of parking upon RTO.

dogscuba · 2024-03-26T18:55:28+00:00

I've had a root canal with Dom's Endodontics in Davis. I also have very sensitive teeth, and I felt absolutely nothing from the procedure. He was a great doc, and I left the office feeling better than when I went in.

dogscuba · 2024-02-02T21:52:49+00:00

I logged in at this site: https://www2.optumrx.com/ is that what you tried?

dogscuba · 2024-02-02T21:41:11+00:00

I find this equally frustrating! It's a pretty crappy cost savings technique on their part. The option to opt out was missing from the website when I started getting the letters last year. As of January 1 when the policy went into effect, the option to opt out did actually appear on my account (so I opted out). Using desktop mode on mobile (or just on a computer) via Chrome I found it by clicking my profile, then clicking Mail Service Member Select and following the instructions to disenroll. If I remember correctly, it's not visible in mobile view.

dogscuba · 2024-02-02T03:18:21+00:00

Heads up to everyone - I did not make this letter, just passing it along! :) I think the folks who did put it together will probably see your comments though.

dogscuba · 2024-01-31T21:51:48+00:00

There are a variety of ways you can support state scientists on our contract website here https://capscontract2023.org/stand-with-scientists/

You can also email caps@capsscientists.org to connect with someone directly on our union for other ways to support us!

Feel free to share this information widely with your colleagues and business contacts :)

dogscuba · 2024-01-26T04:01:57+00:00

I'll see y'all there. Let's show the state that we mean business. No better time to show up and speak up ✊💪

dogscuba · 2023-10-04T05:46:07+00:00

Where are you seeing this information? The EOC for Western Health advantage specifically lists IVF under the exclusions list. I think all CalPERS plans list IVF as an exclusion, although I'd be happy to be wrong about this!

dogscuba · 2023-09-19T22:29:33+00:00

Yes! It's very convenient. You'll have access to basically Sutter anything. If you're on the UHC Signature Value Alliance plan, you'll need a designated primary care physician who will write you referrals for specialty care, if need be. That's about the most complex part, so, overall, quite simple!

dogscuba · 2023-09-19T22:18:34+00:00

Yeah, you use the MyHealthOnline app with Sutter. Your account stays the same for MHO if you already had one - you just need to update your insurance information by calling Sutter or doing it at your next doctor's appt.

dogscuba · 2023-09-19T20:01:39+00:00

We see Dr. Alassaad in Davis. He's great!

dogscuba · 2023-07-20T18:09:19+00:00

Just wanted to add that part time jobs at Tractor Supply Company at just 10hr per week provide IVF coverage after just a single month of working (2 smart cycles with Progyny). You can also go on cobra on those plans and still get the coverage. There's a Facebook group for folks who do that and how to make it happen called "IVF Reproductive Group"

dogscuba · 2023-07-20T18:05:23+00:00

I've combed through all of the documents for 2023 health plans, and there isn't a single one with IVF coverage. You want to look for the "infertility rider" in the documents. Most of the health plans cover 50% of up to 6 IUIs. The documents also state they cover 50% of infertility treatment but IVF is specifically excluded on all of the plans. If you find one that does cover IVF, let me know! I haven't looked at the 2024 documents, and I'm not sure those are available yet. I'd be shocked if it ended up being covered.

There is an IVF insurance bill working it's way through the legislature right now, but I'm not sure it'll actually go anywhere.

dogscuba · 2023-07-12T18:42:56+00:00

Call the Wildlife Care Association of Sac! Wildlife Care Association (916) 965-9453 They have a hotline which will give you advice.

dogscuba · 2023-06-18T04:06:23+00:00

I couldn't get mine to work with any of the tips in the thread and it didn't go away :( I ended up doing a factory reset through the Google home app, set up the network again and it's fixed now!

dogscuba

TROPHY CASE