GOOD NEWS – You Are Getting A Well-Earned Pay Raise: MEA Secures 15% Special Assignment Pay for Payroll Specialists in the Fire-Rescue Department

In response to MEA’s advocacy, strong support from Fire Chief Colin Stowell and Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s recommendation, the San Diego City Council has voted to approve a 15% Special Assignment Pay for the Payroll Specialist Series (I, II and Supervisor) assigned to the Fire-Rescue Department.  This special pay increase will be in addition to the 3.3% general salary increase called for under MEA’s MOU for this fiscal year, and also in addition to the Special Salary Adjustment that all Payroll Specialists will continue to receive this year.

Both increases (the 3.3% general salary increase and the additional 15% special assignment pay increase) will become effective during the first full pay period after July 1, 2019.

These salary increases are also “pensionable” meaning that (1) they count toward increasing the future lifetime pension allowances for employees in the SDCERS defined benefit pension plan who are not yet in DROP; and (2) they count toward increasing the City’s contribution to the 401(k)-style retirement benefit for those hired after July 19, 2012 under “Prop B.”

This Special Assignment Pay would not have been possible without the advocacy of your Fire-Rescue Department management – specifically Fire Chief Colin Stowell. MEA is grateful for his leadership and wanted to make special note of his critical involvement in this process.

Overcoming resistance fueled by a tight budget and competing demands for the City’s limited resources, it took concerted efforts to persuade the Mayor and City Council to support the implementation of this SSA in the coming fiscal year. MEA recognizes and appreciates the leadership it took for the Mayor to recommend, and the City Council to approve, this critical Special Assignment Pay for Payroll Specialists in Fire-Rescue!

 If you have any questions, please contact MEA at 619-264-6632 or email us at info@sdmea.org.