During a Telephone Town Hall on February 29, PEF leaders and staff explained the ins and outs of the first-of-its-kind Higher Educational Differential negotiated in the 2023-2026 PS&T Contract and urged members to act now if they qualify. 

Members have until March 29 to submit proof they hold an associate’s or higher degree, or a professional license issued by the State Education Department and payments are expected to come April 24 (Administration Payroll) or May 2 (Institution Payroll). That proof can come in several forms, the degree or license does not need to be related to the member’s State job, and the proof can be submitted in a variety of ways. 

“In early February, agencies and facilities started putting out instructions on how to submit proof,” said Director of Contract Administration Deb Greenberg said. “It’s not uniform. Some agencies have an email box, some have a form to fill out. We’ve been on the phone with OER (the Office of Employee Relations) and the Governor’s Office to make sure agencies are doing this properly.” 

Proof can be copies of a diploma, pictures of a diploma, or final transcripts that reflect the degree conferred. If members can’t find their diploma, they can ask to see their personnel file in human resources. PEF advises photographing the proof and submitting it via the agency’s process. In some agencies, members can also ask the agency to look in their background check file.  Members who don’t have a copy of their college credentials can also order a transcript from their college/university showing the degree conferred.  Members with more than one kind of proof need only submit one. 

Some unique cases 

Greenberg said the college does not need to be accredited for members to use the conferred degree. This is important for those with degrees earned outside of the U.S. 

“We’ve been working out hiccups at agency level, at the statewide level with OER, with the Governor’s Office,” Greenberg said. “We don’t want anybody, particularly people with degrees from foreign educational institutions, not to submit because they heard something about the college or university had to be accredited; as that is simply not true.” 

In rare occasions, members may be unable to find their diploma and unable to request a transcript, such as when a college has closed. 

“It’s very unusual, but we made arrangements for an attestation form,” Greenberg said. Members would need to be specific and outline all the steps they took to try and obtain the necessary proof.  

The higher ed differential will be counted toward overall compensation when calculating overtime. Originally, the state was not going to do so. PEF was prepared to file a class-action grievance on the issue, but after productive conversations, the state changed course before it was needed.  

PEF has your back 

Once members get confirmation their submission was received, they should retain it. 

“You get confirmation, you save it,” President Spence said. “If they say they didn’t receive it, then we will ask you for the confirmation so we can fight for you. We are hoping these things won’t happen.” 

Greenberg urged members to contact PEF if they face any obstacles. 

“We can only advocate when we know there is a problem,” she said. “We need to know what’s going on at the ground level, so if something happens, contact your field rep. If your proof is rejected, contact your field rep. If you think there is obstruction from your agency, contact your field rep.” 

President Spence said he is going through the process now himself. 

“Don’t walk away from this $600,” he said. “I graduated in 1989 and I had to go back and find my degree.” 

PEF Telephone Town Hall for All Members, February 29, 2024

By KATE STICKLES

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