The state budget problem has reached deep into the California State University(CSU) with a 20% reduction in the state general fund support budget to the tune of $583,816,000. This has the CSU poised to either address some of the cuts through furloughs or layoffs. A budget cut through a furlough program allows many to keep jobs but with a reduction in salary for timeoff each month. The layoff approach takes the cuts in whole positions and employees end up out of a job and benefits. Either option is a not a choice one should have, but they are both realities in a harsh economy.
The public sector workforce is under attack across the United States as cities, counties and states struggle with decreased revenue and budget cuts. Public employees are targets because most of the public may not identify with them and are envious of their salaries, benefits and pensions. The public enjoys the services provided by the public workers, but is reluctant to pay for them as they take them for granted.
The University used to seem far away from the budget turmoil and the constant threat of cuts. Yes, there have been cuts over the past 20 years, but those cuts seem superficial to the cuts aimed at the CSU system this year.
It is my belief that the furlough process is the best option for the CSU to consider to keep the cornerstone of the postions in place and to function as a university that may be slightly scaled back. The layoff approach would mandate deep cuts to programs and people as chunks of the dedicated campus workforce is forced onto the street with little career prospects elsewhere.
In the end, each union must decide its course and each employee must weigh all options. The bigger question is: are you willing to be an integral part of a campus community and band to together in tough times with furloughs or individually take your chances as the campus administration rolls the dice to start the layoff process and picks departments and classifications to cut or eliminate? Time will tell what the right choice will be and if you get a state check or an IOU unemployment check.
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