A merit based civil service system is a vital component of a healthy, democratic government, yet state and local civil service protections are increasingly coming under attack. Click on a section below to access information and resources addressing the changing landscape of civil service.
Skills-Based Pay
Skills-Based Pay (SBP) is a growing trend where workers are paid based on the skills they use rather than their length of service, job title or classified position. Advocates may contend that SBP creates financial incentives for workers to continuously develop relevant job skills at a time of evolving employer needs, but beware — SBP is ultimately a tool to contain labor costs by substituting equity within job classifications and permanent salary increases with management discretion over pay, bonuses and individual raises. By increasing management discretion, SBP fundamentally undermines the union’s role in bargaining equitable wages for our members.
Learn more by following these links:
- Explore Skills-Based Pay Basics
- The Threat of Skills-Based Pay to Workers
- Impact on Collective Bargaining
If you spot signs your employer is considering any element of SBP, please reach out to the Job Training and Development Center for assistance.
Reviewing Proposed Civil Service Changes
State and local government can propose changes to civil service rules affecting a broad range of government employment including hiring, layoffs, promotion and due process rights of employees. Use these downloadable resources to help you review proposed changes, understand their intent and reconcile them with your collective bargaining agreements.
Preparing for Layoffs & Furloughs
As state and local governments are facing less federal support, they may turn to layoffs and furloughs to help balance their budgets. Use these resources to help you prepare to navigate these waters.
Providing Career Transition Resources
Contact Us
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