The Alaska Division of Finance reported that 321 ASEA members elected to convert from the annual/sick leave system to the personal leave system during a special opportunity this winter.

Approximately 1,400 members remain in the annual/sick leave system following the month-long conversion window that was specified in the current employee contract.

New contract language providing for the conversion election has replaced, for the life of the current 1-year agreement, terms under which the annual/sick system would be phased out. Earlier terms defined a minimum threshold of 1,500 participating members before all annual/sick leave participants would be unilaterally converted to personal leave.

Contract negotiations with the state to craft a new three-year contract are underway. Unless the CNC successfully negotiates contract language for extending the annual/sick leave plan, the prior terms governing annual/sick leave will apply.

Absent the necessary change ito the contract, it is anticipated that all remaining participants will be converted to personal leave day when the new contact takes effect, July 1, 2004.