STRS and Larissa?!

By Becky Curtis
October, 2007

Have you taken a look at your paycheck lately? I for one noticed that deductions were being taken out of my check from both LARISA and STRS—then I was just switched to STRS without my knowledge and without any notification. There are approximately 200 faculty affected by this problem. But what do we do now? Are we in STRS legitimately? Do we want to remain in STRS?  These questions need answers and the problems need to be resolved. What is being done about it?

    This involuntary switch started at the end of ‘05 and continued for several months before the FA found out what happened. During the Retirement Workshop, Ian Fraser, payroll manager, suggested that an error occurred with a county clerk who apparently applied a state law mandating that if you work over 60 hours in a pay period you have to be moved into STRS. That law was vacated in '05 and forward, but the prior law may (or may not) apply for the earlier periods, depending.

    No one is really sure what happened then or what's supposed to happen now. It takes a lot of time to go back and research each problem, payroll manager Ian Fraser says, without stating when they are going to at least start the process.  The FA has had several meetings with President Chui Tsang as well as VP Randy Lawson, and the district seems in no hurry to fix the problem.  Finally the FA has had to file a claim, which is the first step to filling a lawsuit to get the district to resolve the problem.

    I have received emails from scores of very frustrated part-time faculty -- Now let's take action. Part-time faculty should come to the Monday 11/6 Board Meeting, 7 pm in Business 117 , and fill out a card to address this issue, which will be included on the agenda. We must put pressure on the district to solve the problem. You can also contact Marcia Wade Vice-President of Human Resources, and tell her your story: (310) 434-4010 wade_marcia@smc.edu

Changes to Your Paycheck

    HR has changed the calculation process for your paycheck from load factor to hourly pay. You will get the paid the same total amount per semester, however you will no longer get 4 equal payments. Generally speaking you will get two checks for four weeks pay and two checks for five weeks, totaling the same previous amount that had been paid in four equal payments.  For specific questions, contact Ian Fraser, payroll manager, at: (310) 434-4327 or email:  fraser_ian@smc.edu