Layoffs at Merced College

October 2009 - VIDEO

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I am sorry to report that the Merced College Board voted last night to lay off 14 of our CSEA brothers and sisters. (The Administrators were able to find funding to resend one of the proposed layoffs.)

I want to thank everyone for the support you have shown for each other! We had a wonderful turn out! Classified staff, faculty, and students (many wearing blue) eagerly spoke in opposition to the layoffs. Everyone did a brilliant job of stating their case and I am very proud to see the campus organizations coming together and working in support of each other! The Merced Sun-Star and Univision were also there to report in the issue.

We requested to table the decision until we had more time to work together to develop alternative solutions, but the Board did what they felt they had to do. Trustee Eugene Vierra stated, “I am forced to vote for this, it is mandated by my position.” Trustee Eva de Long summed it up well when she said, “Good luck.” Trustee Les McCabe (also wearing blue) was the only Board member who voted to oppose the layoffs. Thank you Les McCabe!

The 14 affected members are supposed to receive their layoff notices today. Their final day will be November 21. I am terribly sorry for these people! For now your CSEA Officers will be working to determine displacement or “bumping” rights and gathering pertinent information for these individuals. If you are one of the 14 and have not yet contacted CSEA, please do so. We would like to maintain contact with you throughout this time.

As we know the economy is terrible and it doesn’t look like things are going to improve in the next year. In fact, they may worsen. Our work has only begun. Our task now is to work together to find ways for the college to cut costs and/or generate income. Classified staff are the ones who handle the day-to-day tasks on campus and I’m sure many of you have ideas for cost-cutting measures. I am eager to hear these, but I am especially eager to hear your ideas for GENERATING INCOME! The Administrators, Faculty, Classified Staff and ASMC have all expressed a willingness to work together to save these positions and prevent future layoffs. The layoffs can be recalled if we can find a way to generate the funding for them.

I would also like to know what, if anything, you personally are willing to do to prevent these and future layoffs. Many school districts have resorted to furlough days, pay cuts, paying more for medical benefits, voluntary demotions, etc. I realize this is a tough question so please take some time to think about it, be honest in your response, and be creative. There are no right, wrong, or dumb answers. Ultimately what we are willing to do will be decided as a union, but I would like to hear everyone’s individual ideas. I know if we continue to work together we can find a way to get through these tough times. THANK YOU!

Link to the story in today’s Merced Sun-Star: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/story/1099782.html

Sincerely,

Christine Grimaldi
CSEA President
Chapter #274
Merced College
(209) 384-6019

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." ~Margaret Mead

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