Bargaining team prepares for compensation negotiations
Local 1000 to offer Brown cost-saving alternativesAs you've heard, the state budget deficit is now pegged at $16 billion or more for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.
Gov. Brown's proposals to balance the budget include significant cuts to healthcare, the court system and other essential services. He's also proposed a $839 million reduction in all state worker pay. The governor proposes to achieve that savings by shortening the work week from five to four days and cutting the work week to 38 hours of pay per week. That reduction in hours equals a 5 percent pay cut.
On May 22, Local 1000's member-elected bargaining team, including leaders of each of our nine bargaining units, agreed to accept Gov. Brown's request to negotiate.
Our first meeting with the governor's representatives from the Department of Personnel Administration is scheduled for June 9.
Other options besides wage cuts
In the meantime, we are telling the governor and the Legislature to look at all other options before hitting state employees with another wage cut.
For instance, the state should consider the California Tax Reform Association's proposal, which calls on our elected leaders to close $6 billion in corporate tax exemptions before cutting services.
We also believe the governor should push other cost-saving measures first, and apply those savings to reduce the amount he is proposing to cut from employee compensation.
We have received many suggestions so far from members who took the time go to seiu1000.org
Our bargaining team is meeting from June 6-8 to review your input and to create a negotiation strategy that will include cost-saving solutions while they work to protect our members' jobs and income.
Other options besides wage cuts
In the meantime, we are telling the governor and the Legislature to look at all other options before hitting state employees with another wage cut.
For instance, the state should consider the California Tax Reform Association's proposal, which calls on our elected leaders to close $6 billion in corporate tax exemptions before cutting services.
We also believe the governor should push other cost-saving measures first, and apply those savings to reduce the amount he is proposing to cut from employee compensation.
We have received many suggestions so far from members who took the time go to seiu1000.org
Our bargaining team is meeting from June 6-8 to review your input and to create a negotiation strategy that will include cost-saving solutions while they work to protect our members' jobs and income.
