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Association of Civil Service Employees meets to discuss layoffs
The Association of Civil Service Employees met Tuesday afternoon in the Faner Museum Auditorium to discuss alternatives to pending layoffs across campus.
According to ACSE president Ruth Pommier, every seat in the auditorium was filled as more than 100 members gathered to share resolutions to possible layoffs.
"First, we chronologically organized how this situation began and preceded to brainstorm on how we could be part of the solution," Pommier said. "There is $570,000 that would be saved through these layoffs. We wanted to find out how we could save the University money and still save these jobs."
Employees in danger of layoffs will have 30 days after receiving notice to report to human resources in order to evoke their right to 'bump and retreat.'
The process allows civil service employees the opportunity to use their seniority to maintain their positions. The process, however, would require 'bumping' a person in the position under them. Employees also have the option of retreating, or returning, to a position they have previously held and been promoted from. They would not, however, be able to retain their current salaries when entering these positions. This would mean, for some employees taking this choice into consideration, losing as much as half of their present pay.
While opportunities such as bumping and retreating are not the most desirable financially, they are more of an option than some newer employees have. For these individuals, ACSE members worked together to collectively come up with several solutions to possible layoffs.
In addition to reducing the length of some positions from one year to nine months, attendants suggested the option of splitting morning and afternoon hours into two shifts, or job sharing.
They also suggested paying larger health care amounts or job furloughing, a process in which some days of an employee's salary would be given back to the University.
Pommier said that these alternatives were merely suggestions that members said they could tolerate on a temporary basis. During a meeting later that day, she and labor representative Jim Clark brought up these options with Labor and Employee Relations Director Robert York.
"The purpose of the meeting was to share results of the [ACSE] meeting and share suggestions that may be helpful to the University," York said. "All of these things were subject to discussion, but as far as the final decision, they may not be sufficient and [Pommier and Clark] understand that."
During the meeting, Pommier said she was informed of two more layoff notices being sent out, which would increase the number from 29 to 31.
She said knowledge of these additional layoffs concerned her for several reasons. Pommier expressed concern that two campus departments were hiring temporary employees and student workers instead of calling back civil service employees that have recently been released from University positions. She also expressed concern over recently approved faculty raises.
"It just doesn't seem fair that one group should lose employees while another group is being rewarded," Pommier said. "That doesn't seem very good for the University's morale."
As far as the current situation is concerned, University spokeswoman Sue Davis said SIUC was still not in the position to make any definite statements about the layoffs but was aware of some employees' concern.
"We're working on it, but nothing's put together yet," Davis said. "We know people are concerned, and we're moving as quickly as possible trying to come to some resolution.
"The wait hasn't been easy, but we want to identify the best solution possible."
The appropriate University officials could not be reached for comment on these matters.
Pommier said although there was still some anxiety, the meeting helped to relieve some tension felt by members by allowing them to be more vocal with their concerns.
"They have been very good at telling me things I wouldn't know otherwise," Pommier said. "I told them if they are my eyes and ears, in turn I would be their voice.
"I can't always tell them what they want to hear, but what I tell them will always be fact."
York said the University is still evaluating the current situation, and notices should be handed out in the near future.
"I would advice them not to panic and just wait and see," York said. "When and if they receive these notices, they should contact human resources and plan their course of action from there."
