Unit 3 had to negotiate six furlough days per MOU year to reach the concessions demanded by the City of Phoenix. Since we don’t have the deferred compensation other units had since our members have always wanted the money in wages we had to come up with another way to reach 3.2% in concessions. It was either furlough days or further cuts to wages or cutting longevity or merit wages. With furlough days there is some benefit to the employee since they do get the day off.

As with any time off, employees must request and be approved for the time by supervision prior to taking the time off. If you take furlough pay even though the time is unpaid.

Remember, there are three paychecks in July and December this year, so those would be good months to schedule furlough days. We know some employees have scheduled vacation days for a furlough day to reach their quota. Employees are expected to keep track of their furlough obligation. Also keep in mind if you work 4-10 schedule you can take a full 10 hour furlough.

We were able to negotiate with human resources to allow employees to to take four hours off as furlough time rather than a full day in Unit 3. In some departments (with the Director’s approval) less than four hours may be taken. This would allow employees to take less than a day off for a doctor’s appointment or other activity.

Through ECHRIS you can also increase your withholding tax to lessen the effect of the furlough day on your net pay. Just remember to go back in and change it to a normal withholding after that pay period so you don’t end up owing taxes at the end of the year.

If you have any questions, you can call our office or Human Resources/Labor Relations at 602-262-6607.  We are dealing with problems as they arise on a case by case basis.

In solidarity,
Nancy Gray

As a cost saving measure, the city is expected to save close to a million dollars annually in printing costs, paper and the cost of fuel for delivery to the various departments city wide.

For those with direct deposit, the information available on your pay stub is exactly the same information as your paycheck report in e-CHRIS. The format is similar to what you are used to seeing as well. Plus, e-CHRIS has the added benefit of instant access to every paycheck issued to you over the last several years.

If you currently receive a live paycheck (no direct deposit), your paycheck will be mailed on payday Fridays from City Payroll to the mailing address you have on file with e-CHRIS. City employees are encouraged to verify the mailing address currently on file with the city by logging into e-CHRIS and selecting Home and Mailing Address from the Personal Information tab of the main navigation screen.

Employees wishing to change from a live paycheck to direct deposit may also make this change in e-CHRIS. Please take the time to verify your banking information before saving. Pre-notifications are no longer made to the banking industry, and your selection will be automatically deposited to the requested account on the next available payday.

If you need help with e-CHRIS, with setting up your direct deposit or viewing/printing your pay check online, please contact the e-CHRIS helpline at 602-534-4357, or contact your local payroll clerk.

A medical coverage premium holiday will take place during April 2010 for employees and retirees. This premium holiday keeps medical coverage in full force while saving employees, retirees and the City premium costs for one month.

How is this premium holiday possible? The self-funded health insurance program implemented by the city in 2005 has resulted in medical and prescription drug costs that are somewhat lower than the cost trends that were originally projected.  While this is the second year in which a premium holiday has been deemed possible, it is not anticipated that a premium holiday will occur annually.  The decision to provide a premium holiday is preceded by careful analysis of the Health Care Benefits Trust’s performance, input from the Health Care Task Force, and recommendation by the Health Care Benefits Trust Board.

Active employees with City health coverage will not see the usual premium deduction from their April 9th and April 23rd paychecks. If you are wondering what your current premium deduction amount is, you can find it on your check stub in the Before-Tax Deductions section next to “BCBS PPO,”  “BCBS HMO,” or “CIGNA HMO”. Please note that premium deductions are usually taken on a pre-tax basis which means the increase to your net pay on April 9th and 23rd will be less than the deduction amount.  This is because the pre-tax deduction will, instead, be taxable income on your April 2010 paychecks.

This can be viewed online using e-CHRIS Self-Service.

• From the city intranet, in Self-Service go to Payroll and Compensation -> View Paycheck->Before Tax Deductions.
• From an outside computer, you may access e-CHRIS at http://phoenix.gov/phxechris.html

Employees affected by lay-off are included in the premium holiday if they have city health coverage. The city health coverage they have in place on their last day worked will be extended through April 2010 at no cost to the employee.

Please contact the Benefits Office with questions at 602-262-4777 or benefits.questions@phoenix.gov.