2008 Education Support Program is Accepting Applications
May 6, 2008
The 2008 Education Support Program (ESP) is now accepting applications through Friday, June 13, 2008. This program provides administrative leave to accepted employees who are pursuing associates, bachelor's, and master's degrees from accredited institutions in fields specific to MDOT's most needed job classifications. Employees must demonstrate how their participation in ESP will benefit MDOT, including their impact on MDOT's Strategic Plan. Go to ConnectMDOT to review the eligibility requirements or to obtain an application. From the "Services" drop-down menu, select "Employee Services" and then "MDOT Education Support Program." If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Kristie Cheadle in the Performance Excellence Division at cheadlek@michigan.gov or 517-241-4697.
Benefits for Life, the employee-paid, optional coverage program offered to State of Michigan eligible employees is designed to help you be safe, be protected and be prepared. The program offers you the opportunity to apply for coverage in key benefit areas and continue that coverage should you change jobs or retire.
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The League of American Bicyclists promotes Bike-to-Work Week from May 12-16 and Bike-to-Work Day on Friday, May 16. They have provided some suggestions for celebrating bike month. Here are just a few:
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Starting April 21, 2008, the State of Michigan 401(k) Plan will begin offering a Roth 401(k) option. For more information on how the Roth 401(k) provisions can work side-by-side with your other State of Michigan retirement savings options, review Your Guide to Roth 401(k) Contributions.
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2% Negotiated Wage Increase
April 2, 2008
A 2% wage increase will be added to your compensation effective the pay period beginning April 6, 2008. You will see the increase in your May 1, 2008 paycheck. The increase was negotiated into the previous Contract that began in 2005.
Please remember that a group of Legislators tried to take this pay increase away from us! Through the efforts of Union members writing to their Representatives and Senators, the initiative failed and the sanctity of Collective Bargaining was protected. If you have any questions about your wage increase, please contact the SEIU Office.
The following is an E-mail sent by DEQ Director Steve Chester concerning layoff notices going to DEQ members. We are in touch with our legislative liaison to do whatever we can to assure the bills are passed. Please watch for a possible "Get-Active" e-mail to legislators to support passage of this bill.
Update on April 2, 2008 - Click to view the Layoff Notice received on April 1, 2008 
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Meal Reimbursement and Overtime Changes
January 4, 2008
Meal ReimbursementReceipts are now required in order to claim meals while in travel status. Each department should be giving guidance as to how they plan on handling this change. If your department has not issued anything yet, begin keeping your receipts now and you will be informed whether or not to attach them to your travel voucher or whether to keep them. As guidance is put out by departments, the Union will be reviewing and making sure requirements are in accordance with the contract language and within reason.
Overtime
For those eligible for time and one half overtime pay, sick leave taken during the pay period or the week will offset eligibility for overtime pay. If you have questions regarding this change, please contact the Union Office at 517-482-1737 or 866-517-7348.
Information on the new tentative agreement including summaries, calendar of upcoming meetings to discuss the tentative agreement and a schedule of the ratification election.
Please check back often as more information will be added throughout this process. Review the information.
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