2-18-303. Procedures for using pay schedules. (1) The pay schedule provided in 2-18-312 must be implemented as follows:
     (a) The pay schedule provided in 2-18-312 indicates the entry salary and market salary for each grade for positions classified under the provisions of part 2 of this chapter.
     (b) Each employee newly hired by the state of Montana must be hired at the entry rate, except as provided in subsections (6) through (9).
     (c) On the first day of the first complete pay period in fiscal year 2004, each employee is entitled to the amount of the employee's base salary as it was on June 30, 2003.
     (d) Effective on the first day of the first complete pay period that includes January 1, 2005, the base salary of each employee must be increased by an amount equal to 25 cents an hour or by a lesser amount so that the employee's base salary after the increase does not exceed the maximum salary of the pay grade as provided in subsection (1)(f).
     (e) An employee's base salary may be no less than the entry salary for the employee's assigned grade.
     (f) The maximum salary for each grade is determined by subtracting the entry salary from the market salary and adding that amount to the market salary.
     (2) The pay schedule provided in 2-18-312 and the provisions of subsection (1) of this section do not apply to those teachers or blue-collar occupations compensated under the pay schedules provided in 2-18-313 and 2-18-315.
     (3) The pay schedules provided in 2-18-313 and 2-18-315 must be implemented as follows:
     (a) (i) The pay schedules provided for in 2-18-313 indicate the annual compensation for teachers employed under the authority of the department of corrections or the department of public health and human services for fiscal years 2004 and 2005.
     (ii) The compensation of each teacher on July 1, 2003, is the same as it was on June 30, 2003.
     (iii) Effective on the first day of the first complete pay period that includes January 1, 2005, the base salary of each teacher employed in the department of public health and human services and the department of corrections is the amount provided for the teacher's step and education level under 2-18-313(2). This subsection (3)(a)(iii) does not provide for a step advancement.
     (b) The pay schedules provided in 2-18-315 indicate the maximum hourly compensation for fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, and June 30, 2005, for employees in apprentice trades and crafts and other blue-collar occupations recognized in the state blue-collar classification plan who are members of units that have collectively bargained separate classification and pay plans.
     (c) The compensation of each employee on the first day of the first pay period in each fiscal year is that amount corresponding to the grade occupied on the last day of the preceding fiscal year.
     (4) (a) (i) If the legislature authorizes a pay increase for state employees, a member of a bargaining unit may not receive a pay increase until the employer's collective bargaining representative receives written notice that the employee's bargaining unit has ratified a completely integrated collective bargaining agreement.
     (ii) If ratification of a completely integrated collective bargaining agreement, as required by subsection (4)(a)(i), is not completed by the date on which a legislatively authorized pay increase is implemented, retroactivity to that date may be negotiated.
     (iii) If ratification of a completely integrated collective bargaining agreement, as required by subsection (4)(a)(i), is not completed by the date on which a legislatively authorized pay increase is implemented, members of the bargaining unit must continue to receive the compensation that they were receiving until an agreement is ratified.
     (b) Methods of administration not inconsistent with the purpose of this part and necessary to properly implement the pay schedules and adjustments provided in 2-18-312, 2-18-313, 2-18-315, and this section may be provided for in collective bargaining agreements.
     (5) The current wage or salary of an employee may not be reduced by the implementation of the pay schedules provided for in 2-18-312, 2-18-313, and 2-18-315.
     (6) The department may authorize a separate pay schedule for classes of medical professionals if the rates provided in 2-18-312 are not sufficient to attract and retain fully licensed and qualified professionals.
     (7) (a) The department may develop and implement an alternative pay and classification plan for certain classes, occupations, and work units. Pay for employees in the alternative pay and classification plan may be established and changed based on demonstrated competencies and accomplishments, on the labor market, and on other situations defined by the department.
     (b) To the extent that the plan applies to employees within a collective bargaining unit, the implementation of the plan is a negotiable subject under 39-31-305.
     (8) The department may develop programs that enable the department to mitigate problems associated with difficult recruitment, retention, transfer, or other exceptional circumstances. To the extent that the program applies to employees within a collective bargaining unit, it is a negotiable subject under 39-31-305.
     (9) The department shall review the competitiveness of the compensation provided to all occupations under this part. If the department finds that substantial problems exist with recruitment and retention because of inadequate salaries when compared to competing employers, the department may establish criteria allowing an adjustment in pay or classification to mitigate the problems. To the extent that these adjustments apply to employees within a collective bargaining unit, the implementation of these adjustments is a negotiable subject under 39-31-305.

     History: En. 59-916 by Sec. 2, Ch. 563, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 59-916; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 678, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 421, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 710, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 740, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 21, Ch. 609, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 621, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 661, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 660, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 262, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 720, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 640, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 455, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 25, Ch. 546, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 12, Ch. 42, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 417, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 558, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 553, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 552, L. 2003.