Some months ago we told you that the Alliance of California Judges was going into hibernation. Something just woke us up.
Judges don’t negotiate their salary increases. Our pay increases are determined by a formula set forth in Government Code section 68203. It’s pretty straightforward: Our salaries are supposed to get bumped by the average of the salary increases paid to most other state workers.
There’s a reason why our latest pay increases have been so puny and falling far short of the rate of inflation. The state didn’t tinker with the statutory formula, but it seems to have played with the inputs. In calculating our latest pay increase, the state only factored “general salary increases” received by other state employees, failing to take into account the “special salary adjustments” that many state workers received.
Not satisfied with mere expressions of concern and dismay, Alliance director Maryanne Gilliard is taking action. Following in the footsteps of retired justice Robert Mallano, who fought long and tenaciously when we were being short-changed ten years ago on back pay and interest, Judge Gilliard is working with the law firm of Skadden Arps to get the state to come correct.
We’ll keep you posted of all new developments as the case proceeds.
Directors, Alliance of California Judge