Biweekly news digest from the California State University Employees Union
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CSU BUDGET BATTLE LOOMS
BARGAINING UPDATES
CALPERS BOARD BALLOTS ARE IN MAIL THIS WEEK
GARAMENDI WINS IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 10
CHANNEL ISLANDS ACTIVIST PENS FIRST NOVEL
CALIFORNIANS ARE WORRIED ABOUT HIGHER ED CUTS
CSEA FOUNDATION BOARD SEEKS CANDIDATES
UPCOMING EVENTS
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CSU Budget Battle Looms
One day after Governor Schwarzenegger declared on Monday that California will be some $14 billion short of funding across this fiscal year and next, the CSU Board of Trustees distributed a press release declaring they will need nearly $900 million in the coming fiscal year just to stay even. At that, CSU now expects to cut enrollments by some 40,000, even if they receive that funding.
“It’s going to be a crucial but uphill battle to convince legislators to find the funds needed to keep the CSU adequately funded,” says CSUEU President Pat Gantt. “Considering that federal stimulus funds, which helped balance the books this fiscal year, will be largely unavailable in the new fiscal year, it’s more imperative than ever to impress on our legislators the value of the CSU as the state’s most important economic engine.”
During their upcoming meeting this Tuesday and Wednesday, the CSU Trustees will vote on the 20010/11 CSU budget request. This request asks the state to restore funding for cuts imposed in 2009-2010 totaling $305 million, as well as an additional $587 million increase for other costs such as enrollment growth, compensation increases, and a restoration of funding promised under previous budgets. Read the CSU budget request.
Staff, faculty, and students will assemble at the CSU Trustees meeting on Wednesday morning, November 18, to take a stand against the systematic destruction of the CSU and all of California’s public higher education institutions. The event will push back against the “restructuring” of the university currently taking place throughout the CSU system. Those interested in participating should meet at the CSU Chancellor’s Office (401 Golden Shore, Long Beach) on the 18th at 9:30 am.
Bargaining Updates
Two bargaining updates were posted last week covering such topics as exemptions to the furlough program and the lifting of a restriction against employees taking more than one furlough day per week.
November 5 bargaining update.
November 6 bargaining update.
Ballots for the CalPERS Board Are in the Mail This Week
Ballots for the final open seat on the CalPERS Board of Administration were mailed yesterday and should arrive at most CSUEU-represented employees’ homes this week. The run-off election comes on the heels of widespread reports of insider deals at CalPERS and a 25 percent drop in the value of the pension funds’ investments.
CSUEU endorses J.J. Jelincic because he has pledged to:
• advocate for the members and dependents
• protect and expand secure retirements
• control health care costs through efficiencies, not cost shifting to members, and
• improve customer service.
Return ballot envelopes must be postmarked by December 4.
Jelincic was the top vote-getter in this fall’s election, receiving 71,197 votes, or 36.8 percent, of the total votes cast. The second highest vote-getter got 54,934 votes, or 28.4 percent.
A former statewide president of CSEA, Jelincic has held several other positions within CSEA, including bargaining chair for Unit 1, representing professionals, including analysts and accounting officers. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and an MBA in finance, and he is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Jelincic currently works as an investment officer at CalPERS, where he has been employed since 1986. He was appointed by the governor in 2004 to serve on the California Performance Review (CPR) Commission, which conducted public hearings around the state on proposed state government reforms.
Jelincic grew up in a union environment. Both of his grandfathers were union steel workers, and his 
father was a teacher who was very involved in his union. Before his career at CalPERS, Jelincic worked at a range of jobs, from garbage man to truck driver to commercial lending officer
Jelincic invites any CSUEU-represented employees who have questions for him to contact him. His phone number is (916) 265-5628, and his web site address is www.jjforcalpers.org.
Jeffrey Callison, host of "Insight" on Capital Public Radio, will be interviewing Jelincic and his opponent as part of the show this Monday morning, November 16, 10:00-11:00 a.m. “Insight” can be heard in a large part of Northern California on the FM dial: 90.9 KXJZ in the Sacramento area; 91.3 KUOP in the Stockton/Modesto area; 90.5 KKTO in the Tahoe (and Reno) area; and 88.1 KQNC in the Quincy area.
Listeners elsewhere in California can listen to the live stream at www.capradio.org/insight or go there a few hours after the broadcast to download the archive version.
Garamendi Wins in Congressional District 10
Voters of the 10th Congressional District this week elected a tireless advocate and proven champion for working people in John Garamendi, whose candidacy was endorsed by CSUEU. This important victory puts us a step closer to rebuilding our economy, both in California and nationwide.
As one of his first acts in Congress, Congressman Garamendi will serve as a critical vote in support of comprehensive health care reform, providing vital leadership on what has been a signature issue throughout his career. Additionally, he’s vowed to continue his lifelong advocacy for workers’ rights by being a leader in the effort to pass the Employee Free Choice Act in the coming year.
Channel Islands Activist Pens First Novel
Channel Islands Chapter 324 President and Communications Committee member Joseph Dobzynski can check one more item off his to-do list: he’s just finished and published his first novel, which he began writing back in 1997.
He describes The Life of Patrick as the story of a boy as he grows up in Kansas and struggles with life as we know it and life of the world to 
come.
Or, as the book jacket describes it: “The world was mad. Patrick was born on the sunset of civilization, growing up in a world unprepared for the trials to come. From college parties to the private sector and back to his home town, Patrick walks upon the path to a new world.”
It’s available on Amazon.com and at signing parties, the first of which was held one week ago in Camarillo. “Words can’t express what it’s like to have so many friends and family attend a special event like that,” says Dobzynski, who’s now working on the second novel in a series of five that he envisions as starting with The Life of Patrick.
Californians Are Worried About Cuts to Higher Education
A new poll from the Public Policy Institute of California reveals that Californians are worried about deep cuts in higher education funding, fearing that qualified people will not be able to attend college. As outlined in this November 11 Sacramento Bee article, the survey finds that state leaders get record low approval ratings for their handling of higher education: 21 percent for Governor Schwarzenegger and 16 percent for the state legislature.
CSEA Foundation Board Seeks Candidates
The CSEA Foundation is seeking candidates to fill two three-year vacancies on its Board of Directors. Foundation members help raise funds for scholarships, interest-free student loans, and the CSEA disaster relief fund.
For consideration as a candidate, send resumes by December 18 to:
CSEA Foundation
c/o Gae van Waggoner
1108 O Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
At its Board meeting on January 30, the CSEA Board of Directors will decide which candidates will fill the two position. For further information, call (916) 326-4228.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday-Sunday, November 13-15
CSUEU Board of Directors Meeting
Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza, Sacramento
Tuesday-Wednesday, November 17-18
CSU Board of Trustees Meeting
Long Beach
Thursday-Friday, November 26-27
Thanksgiving holiday
Headquarters closed
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See back issues of CSUEU E-News, distributed every other Thursday.
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