AFSCME Post-Position Classification Review Process

Contract reference

The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign has collective bargaining agreements with two AFSCME locals. The most recent version of both contracts have introduced the same language, in Article XIV for Local 698 and Article XXI for Local 3700, regarding position classification reviews:

"In the event that Illinois Human Resources determines that, employee is performing the work of a higher classification for the preponderance of time, and the work of a higher classification is permanent, the employee shall be paid a wage premium of 4% or the minimum pay for the higher classification, whichever is higher, for the period of time that the work of the higher classification was performed as long as the incumbent has been shown to meet the minimum qualifications of the new position and/or otherwise qualifies by successfully completing the appropriate examination for up to 60 days, which the 60 days may be extended at the discretion of the University and through consultation with the union."

Requirements

• The classification resulting from the position review is part of the same AFSCME Local as the employee's pre-review classification.
• The position review is approved and results in a promotion.
• The request for this pay must be submitted to Illinois HR Labor & Employee Relations in writing within 30 calendar days of the date the position review approval was communicated to the employee.
• The position review must occur June 26, 2025, or later, following the date this contract was fully executed with this language.

Procedure

This language comes into consideration following the approval of the position classification review by IHR, because that is the point at which both the approved classification and effective date are known. Once the approval is communicated, the employee has 30 days to request pay under this provision (the union may also request it on the employee's behalf), to be submitted to IHR Labor & Employee Relations.

• IHR LER will confirm the request conforms to the level of documentation accepted in the past for grievances related to this topic. They will review as needed with the same classifier who approved the position review (i.e., the CCCA COE staff member for DCP reviews).
• Pay under this provision requires documentation of the permanent assignment of higher-level duties associated with the promotion at a date prior to the reclassification effective date. The form of documentation may vary from case to case but must substantiate the timing and nature of the duties assigned. IHR will confirm that the duties reflected in the submitted documentation are the same duties which led to the reclassification approval. 
• IHR LER will approve the effective dates related to this contract provision.

Outcome and payment

Payment calculation: The employee's previous rate, $X/hr, and the new classification minimum rate, $Y/hr, are considered via the below formula.

• Determine if the new minimum is more than 4% above the current rate: If ( $Y divided by $X ) > 1.04, the rate paid for the approved time is $Y minus $X.
• AFSCME 3700: Otherwise, the rate paid for the approved time is $X/hr * 0.04, rounded to the tenth of a penny per hour (Excel formula ROUND($X/hr * 0.04,3).
• AFSCME 698: Otherwise, the rate paid for the approved time is $X/hr * 0.04, rounded to the penny per hour (Excel formula ROUND($X/hr * 0.04,2).

Appointment processing:

• The employing unit submits a new job on the same position number as the employee's primary appointment, with a different suffix. This is a HRFE Add Job transaction. 
• Job Title: The title matches the employee's pre-reclassification job title.
• Rate: As calculated above, NOT the total pay rate for the employee during the affected time period.
• Job Type: Overload
• Dates: The begin date of the job is the earliest date approved by IHR LER based on the documentation submitted. The end date is the day before the Personnel Date of the actual reclassification effective date.
• If the same employee experiences this pay more than once in the same position, the same suffix used for the earlier instance can be reappointed.
• Attachments: The unit must attach the approved dates and rate from IHR LER.

Payment processing:

• Because this pay is by definition in prior pay periods, it is processed by the employing unit via PARIS PUA transaction across the applicable BW pay period(s) of the pay dates.