Hi everyone!
It has been a long time since I have communicated with everyone. Chapter 324 has been busy throughout the Fall Semester, and we want to take this opportunity to update you on a few items.
Layoff Potentiality Memo
The CSU sent out a memo to all Unions about potential layoffs at various campuses, in response to potential budget issues. However, I am happy to report that Channel Islands is NOT considering any contingency plans that include layoffs for APC, CFA, CSUEU, or SUPA, nor further layoffs for SETC. Our hearts go out to our brothers and sisters at other campus that have layoffs imposed upon them.
Chapter 324 Elects New Officers
Chapter 324 has filled three positions on our Executive Board. All certified campus stewards unanimously elected Nick Fuentes as our new chief steward on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009. Nick will track campus grievances, chair meetings of the Stewards Council, and make monthly reports to our Labor Relations Representative, Brenda Brown. All open cases and actions are being transferred to Nick for tracking, and we look forward to his efforts to represent our employees. Be sure to congratulate Nick the next time you see him!
Additionally, we have filled out vacant Bargaining Unit Representative positions. Please welcome our new Unit 7 Representative, Leticia Romero, and our new Unit 9 Representative, Theresa Olivo. Leticia and Theresa will represent their respective bargaining units, provide input on campus Meet and Confer meetings for new policies, and will have voting positions on our Executive Board. Be sure to stop by the Enrollment Center and congratulate Leticia and Theresa!
Holiday Meeting – December 9th, 2009
Mark your calendars! Chapter 324 will hold its annual holiday meeting on Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 at 12:00pm. We will have a nice turkey dinner and a raffle for a variety of prizes. The agenda will include a message from me, an introduction of our new members, the review and approval of our chapter budget for 2010, and the latest information on the CSU budget, furloughs, and other news. The Outlook request will go out shortly. Please let Evelyn Taylor or Paul Lopez know if you plan on attending, and if you have any dietary restrictions. We will do our best to accommodate everyone!
Workload Reduction Plans
President Rush has been clear with all management that during this furlough period, workload would be reduced by 10% wherever possible. Workload reduction comes in one of three forms: (1) removal of duties and services that were previously assigned; (2) cancellation of projects and committee memberships when possible; and (3) extension of timeframes for completing normally assigned tasks. Channel Islands has seen many examples of efforts to adjust workload, but Chapter 324 wants to hear from you. What workload reduction plans have you seen for your areas? What accommodations have been made to adjust your workload? If you feel you haven’t seen a drop in workload or timeline expectations, please let us know! I will take these concerns forward to the Labor-Management Meeting to discuss these concerns and determine the appropriate course of action.
Victories – Night Shift, Overtime Mileage
OPC was considering moving the night shift employees to the day shift as a result of furloughs, which would have resulted in some employees having to choose between their position at Channel Islands and secondary employment outside the University. Chapter 324 worked together within the Labor-Management Meeting to preserve the current schedules for the duration of our furlough agreement.
Compensation for overtime mileage was recently removed from the SETC contract, but prior to the current contract, SETC was due mileage expenses for overtime work. It was determined that other employees, including represented employees in Unit 5, were due this same compensation. All employees who file overtime paperwork should remember to claim this expense when you are called back to work or work on weekend work.
Do Your Part – Direct Deposit, Helping Hand
If you haven’t yet enrolled, please consider signing up for direct deposit with the Human Resources office. This service is available at no cost to the employee and would help reduce the workload for our fellow employees in Human Resources and the Cashier’s Office.
The Helping Hand program is still active and available for employees in need. Channel Islands has helped twelve families so far. Additionally, they are taking donations from those who wish to help out their fellow employees. Chapter 324 encourages everyone to step up and donate even a small amount to help out those in need. A little bit from everyone can go a long way. Contact Human Resources for more information on this program!
Get Involved!
Chapter 324 is looking for individuals to help out with a number of Union projects. Not everyone may have the time to serve on the executive board, or as a steward, but we need individuals to help us with our campus newsletter, campus website, general meeting preparation, document creation, and many other projects on campus. If you are interested in helping out, please let me know! We will match your skills to our chapter needs, and will make sure you are as active as you are willing to be.
In Union,
Joseph Dobzynski, Jr.
CSUEU Chapter 324 – President