19827.4.
(a) The Legislature finds that improving promotional salary relationships is a top priority and will enable California to compete for, and retain, the scientific expertise the state requires while minimizing the costs associated with high employee turnover and low morale.(b) The University of California, Berkeley, Labor Center shall undertake a study of existing salary structure, issues currently impacting horizontal and vertical salary relationships as compared to historical relationships, and provide recommendations, if applicable, for alternative salary models for State Bargaining Unit 10 (Professional Scientific) rank-and-file employees currently covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The California Association of Professional Scientists, the exclusive representative for State Bargaining Unit 10’s rank-and-file employees, and the Department of Human Resources shall be consulted in identifying the study’s parameters and objectives.
(c) (1) The University of California, Berkeley, Labor Center shall report to the Director of Finance, the Chairperson of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, and the chairpersons of the appropriate legislative policy and budget committees the study’s findings, including any identified alternative salary structures, by April 30, 2024.
(2) The report shall include, at a minimum, the following:
(A) The advantages of any alternative salary model included in the study’s findings.
(B) The transition costs and ongoing costs associated with any alternative salary model included in the study’s findings.
(C) Recommendations for appropriate salary ranges, using comparable salaries of similar professions in California’s state civil service, larger local agencies, higher education, or relevant industries.
(D) Ways that alternative models address issues of horizontal and vertical salary relationships as compared to the historical relationships.
(3) The preparation of the report shall not delay or prejudice the collective bargaining process as required under the Ralph C. Dills Act (Chapter 10.3 (commencing with Section 3512) of Division 4 of Title 1).
(d) The report required pursuant to subdivision (c) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795.
(e) Any increase in compensation resulting from this study shall be implemented through a memorandum of understanding negotiated pursuant to the Ralph C. Dills Act (Chapter 10.3 (commencing with Section 3512) of Division 4 of Title 1).