When CSLEA negotiated the side letter for the PLP Program, the parties agreed that PLP had to be used prior to any other leave other than sick leave.  Subsequently, it was realized that employees who were unable to use PLP days as they were earned, would be at risk of not being able to use their PDDs prior to the end of the fiscal year.  The Unit 7 contract does not permit the accrual of more than 16 hours of PDD in a fiscal year which would mean that employees would be forfeiting additional accruals of PDDs.  Also, CSLEA learned that employees who were retiring and had PLP on the books would be forfeiting unused PDDs.

Based on conversations with CalHR as to these unintended consequences of the side letter, it was agreed that state employees in Bargaining Unit 7 would be eligible to use PDDs regardless of whether they had PLP on the books.  CalHR has instructed all agencies employing those in Bargaining Unit 7 to permit the use of PDDs without regard to accrued PLP.

As such, all employees in the bargaining unit are encouraged to use their PDDs prior to June 30, 2021, or risk being prevented from additional accruals. Likewise, employees who are retiring should use their PDDs prior to their effective date. To the extent any employee is being prevented from using their PDDs, they should contact CSLEA so that the issue can be clarified with their agency.