This section provides definitions for specific terms used in the article. 'Differential compensation' refers to either reducing the required working hours or increasing a salary. 'Shift' is defined as the number of working hours, including a meal break of at least 30 minutes during seven- or eight-hour shifts, typically at the midpoint. This definition doesn't apply to employees working six hours or less or those on split shifts.

This law requires community college districts, or their personnel commissions, to investigate how private companies compensate employees who work different shifts. When possible, they should try to offer similar pay differences to their non-teaching staff who work morning or night shifts.

This law allows community college districts to pay extra to certain employees if their job involves unpleasant, dangerous, or unusual tasks, and the board thinks it's fair. If the district uses a merit system, the personnel commission must recommend these extra payments, and they must still ensure equal pay for the same kind of work is maintained.

If there is a job assignment that comes with extra pay, and it lasts more than 20 workdays, it should be given based on seniority. This means among employees who are in the same job level and want the assignment, the one who's been there longest gets it first.

If an employee is assigned to work a shift with additional pay, known as differential compensation, they cannot be downgraded in their job level or pay grade because of this assignment.

If an employee gets extra pay for working a certain shift, they won't lose that extra pay if they're temporarily moved to a different shift for up to 20 working days where that extra pay isn't usually given. For all other purposes, their regular pay rate should include the extra pay from their usual shift.

This law states that certain rules, known as the merit system, are applicable to community college districts just as if they were included in another related section of the law. Essentially, it means the merit system rules should be followed by those districts in the same way they were intended in a different, specified area of law.