Message from UC-AFT Executive Board re: draft UC furlough/salary reduction guidelines

Dear UC-AFT-represented Librarians and Non-Senate Faculty:

As you very likely know, the University is the process of soliciting comments in regard to draft furlough/salary reduction guidelines. These draft guidelines propose to give the President the authority to declare a financial emergency and, in such circumstances, to seek the implementation of furlough and/or salary reduction plans.

We write today to clarify that the University may NOT implement salary cuts or furloughs for members of our bargaining units until they have bargained these issues with UC-AFT. We have existing Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) that set out the terms and conditions of your employment. UC cannot effect layoffs or salary cuts that are contrary to the express agreements UC made when we negotiated our MOUs. The only way that UC can change these conditions of employment is to return to bargaining with the union.

It is true that UC can do whatever it wants to do in terms of salary cuts and furloughs for its unrepresented employees. These people are not protected by a union contract.

As bargaining unit members who are represented by UC-AFT, your terms and conditions of employment are protected by our MOUs. You are also protected by the collective bargaining rights conferred by the Higher Education Employment Relations Act (HEERA). In difficult times, this is a key advantage of union representation.

Down the road, it may be the case that the University will try to gain concessions from or impose cuts on our union. Again, UC cannot do this without engaging in the bargaining process.

We are keeping close track of the University's actions and we are working with other UC unions. Within UC-AFT, we need to stand together and to continue our fight to protect our unit members, who are key to UC's mission.

If you have questions, please contact Karen Sawislak, UC-AFT Executive Director, at ksawislak@cft.org.

Bob Samuels, President

Miki Goral, Secretary-Treasurer

Mike Rotkin, Vice President for Organizing

Alan Karras, Vice President for Grievances

Ben Harder, Vice President for Legislation