CSUEU E-News: July 9, 2009
Biweekly news digest from the California State University Employees Union
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CSUEU AND CSU REACH TENTATIVE AGREEMENT ON FURLOUGHS
STATE AND CSU BUDGET UPDATE
STATEWIDE ELECTION RESULTS
CSUEU ENDORSES JOHN GARAMENDI FOR CONGRESS
STEWARD TRAINING
FROM AMERICAN RIGHTS AT WORK: THANK YOU, AL FRANKEN!
UPCOMING EVENTS
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CSUEU and CSU Reach Tentative Agreement on Furloughs
After three intense days of negotiations on July 1, 2 and 6, the bargaining team, led by VP of Representation Russell Kilday-Hicks, reached a tentative agreement with CSU on the implementation of a furlough plan. The development was announced with a CSUEU press release on Tuesday afternoon, followed by posting of the agreement and an explanatory FAQ yesterday.
“The bargaining team recommends this tentative agreement,” says Russell. “We listened to members’ concerns, we bargained hard on their behalf, and we got the protections we wanted. Now it’s up to the members to decide whether or not to go forward with this agreement.”
He adds, “On a personal note, I’m gratified that we arrived at an agreement that holds the promise of retaining jobs during this most difficult time in the history of the CSU. The huge budget problems facing the CSU require some creative thinking and some sacrifice in order for all of us to pull through.”
Following are key provisions of the tentative agreement:
The furlough agreement calls for up to 24 furlough days for full-time 12-month employees between August 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010. Employees’ pay will be spread evenly over the 11- month period. Part-time employees shall be subject to furloughs on a pro-rata basis. It is our preference that campus presidents close campuses on furlough days, but that is discretionary. Presidents have the discretion to designate as a furlough day holidays that have been rescheduled for observance on another day. Employees will also have the ability to choose furlough days using a process similar to how vacation days are requested. If there is a scheduling conflict, the president or appropriate administrator shall prioritize requests based on seniority. The president or an employee can designate one five-day furlough period. Furlough days will be subject to the approval of the appropriate administrator. Furloughs do not adversely impact employee benefits or retirement. Employees in public safety positions will be exempt from the furlough.
As the CSU budget picture has deteriorated over the last several months, with cuts the size of which have never before been seen since the CSU was founded in the early 1960s, it became clear that staff would inevitably be impacted. Given that such a large proportion of the CSU budget (80 to 85 percent) goes toward employee compensation and benefits, the CSU proposed furloughs as an alternative to massive layoffs. Their plan calls for either furloughs or layoffs not only across all bargaining units but also at the MPP level as well.
In response, the CSUEU Board of Directors authorized three methods to assess members’ perspectives on the choice between furloughs and layoffs. The results of a scientific poll, a web-based poll, and advisory votes on campuses around the state were that a resounding 80-plus percent of our members favored furloughs over massive layoffs. The Board of Directors authorized the union’s bargaining team to sit down with the CSU to negotiate the best possible agreement.
“There are no easy choices in this scenario,” says CSUEU President Pat Gantt. “But all you have to do is read the headlines to know that the CSU is facing a crisis of historic proportions, making it all too clear that we now have to make some very difficult choices. If we don't agree to furloughs, there are going to be layoffs.”
The Board of Directors met via teleconference earlier today to work out the details of the voting procedures. Voting is set to take place in chapter meetings next week. Check with your chapter leadership for their plans for meetings on your campus.
State and CSU Budget Update
CSUEU President Pat Gantt sent the following update to the Board of Directors yesterday morning.
The last couple of weeks have been a flurry of activity within the CSUEU with our Board of Directors meeting, elections and the furlough issue. I figured it was time to give you another budget update as things have taken another twist.
We now have a July Revise.
This new tactic keeps the books open on the last fiscal year that ended June 30th for another month and applies some budget cuts retroactively. Yes, this is another gimmick with the intent to avoid some restrictions in the federal stimulus funds. The CSU cut does not change and still seems at $583,816,000.
A large part of the cuts in the last year they are trying to capture are in education funding--the “maintenance of effort” part of the federal stimulus:
“State Maintenance of Effort Requirements Under the Federal Stimulus Package Fiscal Stabilization Fund: To be eligible for the Fiscal Stabilization Funds, a state is required to assure that it will provide education funding at least at the fiscal year (FY) 2006 level in FY 2009 and FY 2010.”
This helps shield the CSU budget from further cuts, but there is a growing concern that the Governor could ask the federal government for a waiver, which would allow him to make deeper cuts as the state budget battle drags on and the revenues continue to lag. The state bond rating has just been lowered due to the budget stalemate, and that will make any borrowing more expensive, adding to the problems.
In the CSU Trustees meeting yesterday, there was Budget Presentation for the whole board and for those in attendance. The $583,816,000 cut to the CSU is equal to 20% of the state general fund funding. The Chancellor also reported that CSU employees will not be affected if IOUs are issued, as he will authorize the use of student fee revenue funds to meet payroll and allow the system to cash flow. The comments lead me to believe that they can do this for a couple of months into the fall if the budget stalemate drags on.
There does not appear to be a solution close at hand to the state budget. The Governor has called yet another special session to deal with the budget. He has also ordered an emergency third furlough day for the state agencies that are directly under his control. The CSU is not impacted by this order and has only planned for the equivalent of two furlough days per month for the current fiscal year to reduce costs and avoid layoffs.
I will try to update you as the budget and impacts to the CSU unfold in the coming weeks. There is nothing currently proposed to change the size of the cut to the CSU, and, as has been the case for months now, there is potential that things could get worse.
Statewide Election Results
Results of the June 28 statewide elections, held at the Board of Directors meeting in Millbrae:
President
Pat Gantt, Chico
Vice President for Finance
Loretta Seva'aetasi. San Francisco
Vice President for Organizing
Ronnie Grant, Northridge
Vice President for Representation
Russell Kilday-Hicks, San Francisco
BU2
Chair: Tessy Reese, San Diego
Vice Chair: Pam Robertson, Sacramento
At-Large:
Vicki Baingul, San Francisco
Lori Williams, SLO
Kathleen Cole, San Bernardino
Lisa Bush, Los Angeles
Lynn Barba, Fullerton
Corina Carpiet, Long Beach
BU5
Chair: Sharon Cunningham, San Diego
Vice Chair: Richard Berry, San Bernardino
At-Large:
Michael Chavez, Stanislaus
Dan Williams, San Luis Obispo
John Adame, Bakersfield
Angel Melendez, Fresno
Jerry Saner, Humboldt
BU7
Chair: Annel Martin, San Bernardino
Vice Chair: Michael Brandt, San Luis Obispo
At-Large:
Linda Nunez, Los Angeles
Rocky Sanchez, Pomona
April Webster, San Diego
Gilbert Villareal, San Jose
George Ball, Monterey Bay
Dawn McCulley, Stanislaus
BU9
Chair: Rich McGee, San Bernardino
Vice Chair: Alisandra Brewer, Sonoma
At-Large:
Stephen Tillinghast, Humboldt
Michael Reeder, Fullerton
Roy Park, Channel Islands
Matthew Black, Long Beach
Gus Leonard, Monterey Bay
Christina Valero, San Francisco
Congratulations to all!
CSUEU Endorses John Garamendi for Congress
The CSUEU Legislative Committee and Board of Directors has endorsed Lt. Gov. John Garamendi for California’s 10th Congressional District seat.
“John has long been a friend to CSUEU and CSEA,” says Legislative Committee Chair Natalia Bremer. “He has always made time to meet our members, including attending our Lobby Day receptions when in town and helping to open the last two CSEA Women’s Conferences. He cares about us as employees and values the work we do.”
The primary is set for September 1, and a special election for the seat takes place on November 3.
Hopefuls for the seat vacated by former Rep. Ellen Tauscher have until July 20 to formally throw their hats in the ring, but the race has already hit a furious pace with a dozen candidates on the campaign trail. Tauscher represented the district, which includes much of the East Bay in the San Francisco Bay Area, since 1997 but resigned last month after being confirmed to the post of Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security Affairs in the State Department.
Garamendi, 64, has served as a state assemblyman, state senator, insurance commissioner and lieutenant governor.
“John understands that we are part of the integral framework that keeps the doors to CSU open,” adds Legislative Committee Vice-Chair Andrew Coile. “He knows about the importance of an affordable college education and the valuable role that the CSU plays in revitalizing the California economy and workforce. He’s often been the lone voice of reason on the CSU Board of Trustees.”
“He served for many years with the Peace Corps and even risked his life in Ethiopia to get water to refugees, so he has a deep understanding of the basic needs of life,” explains Bremer. “He is well known in Washington and can well represent our members’ needs and values at the nation’s Capitol.”
Steward Training
Dennis Dillon, Roni Jennings, and Michael Hejazi served as trainers for steward training at CSU Sacramento last month. A highlight was a talk by Chief Administrative Law Judge Paul Ramsey of the State Personnel Board (not pictured). The contract review portion of the training was conducted through an interactive game, Contract Bingo, created for this training.
From American Rights at Work: Thank You, Al Franken!
"As of about half an hour ago, I became the co-sponsor of my first piece of legislation in the Senate. And it's something called the Employee Free Choice Act."
That's what Al Franken said Tuesday night ... just hours after being sworn in as a U.S. Senator from Minnesota!
Today, Senator Franken is heading to the U.S. Capitol for his first full day on the job — and to thank him for his support, we're putting together a huge welcome card. Will you add your name?
Take a minute to sign our welcome card to Senator Al Franken!
It's been a long road for Senator Franken. After a close vote, his opponent fought in court for months to stop him from being seated. Today, the people of Minnesota finally have their next Senator. Tell him that we're thrilled to have him here, standing up for America's workers.
Senator Franken has already taken a strong stand for workers. Just hours after being sworn in yesterday, he signed on as a co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act.
But Senator Franken is up against some serious opposition, so he needs our support and encouragement. As our economy continues to slide, an army of Big Business lobbyists continues to fight relentlessly against workers having a fair shake.
Take a moment to welcome Senator Franken — thank him for being a leader on this issue and remind him how important it is that he keep fighting. Sign the card!
Together with Senate champions like Al Franken, we can restore the middle class and get our economy back on track.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, July 21
CSU Board of Trustees Meeting
Long Beach
Friday-Monday, September 4-7
CSEA 65th General Council
Los Angeles
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