First let me assure all of you that I have not been approached by the University about any give backs or furloughs and if and when they do approach us i will be telling them no thank you.  Before we could consider any type of "givebacks" the University would have to let all the 03's on campus go.  I understand the concern that they are threatening layoffs but they can't guarantee us that even if we give back our COLA's or agree to furloughs that layoffs won't happen.  I just received an email from the MTA who was called to a meeting (along with other public sector union representatives) with a representative of Administration and Finance on behalf of the Governor. The following information was just sent to me:

This meeting apparently was a component of the Governor’s strategy following his announcement that the recalculation of tax revenue required by October 15 was projected as $600 million short during this budget year.  In his announcement and reported in all the newspapers was a projection that 2,000 jobs would have to be eliminated by the first of the year.

You have also read that he was going to reach out to the unions to explore cost saving measures including furloughs.  During yesterday’s meeting the Governor’s representative outlined what he was seeking as a “concept”.  The following is that concept.

• To delay the effective date of our yet to be funded contracts by one year, with the caveat that, if revenue targets improve, the effective date could be six months earlier (January 2011, e.g. for those with contracts starting July 1, 2009) and to work together to have them funded.  No hard proposal about targets was provided. 

• Governor’s commitment not to pursue increases in health care premium splits or co-pays from now until the end of FY 11.

• Governor’s commitment “to the highest degree possible” that any concessions would offset layoffs.

• Negotiated mandatory furloughs with the knowledge that even with furloughs there will be layoffs.  There was no mention of how many days.

• That the administration is open to any other ideas for cost savings in a restructured contract.

In closing we were told that there will be no unit that will not be affected.

We have no idea what the University is proposing to do in response to the A&F's presentation and we are not prepared to agree with anything at this time. I'd like to encourage all of you to contact your legislators and tell them they need to raise revenues to stop these cuts.  I have heard from several of you with your concerns and I want to assure you that I am working to be proactive and as always I will communicate what I know and can substantiate when I know it.  Please feel free to contact me with your concerns.

In solidarity,
Donna Johnson
President