Questions From The Trenches

For this installment of APA Questions From The Trenches, we asked APA President Maury Koffman to answer questions regarding the APA 2017 October wage increase.

How much is the negotiated APA annual wage increase this year for 2017?

For October 2017, the salary increase will be provided as a 1.9% base wage increase with 40% of the wage increase provided automatically across-the-board and 60% of the wage increase provided by management’s application of the merit pay guidelines.

How much is the negotiated APA annual wage increase next year for 2018?

The APA negotiated annual wage increase is applied every year in October and is determined as a formula that benchmarks from our annual health care cost increase. For the measuring year that determined the APA 2018 base wage increase, health care costs increased 16.4%. Per the contract, any year health care costs increase 11.01% or more, health care continues to be fully funded for single, double, and family coverage but there is also a salary freeze. Since health care costs increased more than 11.01%, for October 2018 APA members will be on a base wage salary freeze unless a department budgets otherwise.

How is the merit pay portion of the wage increase determined for 2017?

The APA contract codifies a mandatory objective process in determining the merit pay portion of the APA annual wage increase.  The full details can be found within the APA contract.  In short, the criteria must be openly communicated and objectively applied in the department.  Additionally, the decision on merit pay allocation is to be discussed between you and your immediate supervisor before your October 2017 paycheck is issued.

Does the APA contract define a minimum and maximum annual salary for all members of the bargaining unit?

Yes and no.  The APA contract outlines minimum salary requirements for all grade levels within the bargaining unit. The APA base wage increases serve only a floor and your supervisor/department may provide you with a greater salary increase in October or throughout the year in addition to the APA negotiated base wage increases. 

How does the formula work to determine my annual base wage increase?

The formula defines the annual APA raises based on the amount of the health care cost increase from the previous year.  You can review the formula on page six (6) of the Wage and Health Care Agreement on the APA website:

http://lay.wyz.mybluehost.me/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/MOU-2014-2017.pdf

Who can I contact for more information or if I have questions or concerns?

Please feel free to reach the APA office anytime via email at [email protected] or call us during regular business hours at 517.999.4004.