Commerce is not going to avoid layoffs during this budget session. We already know that the cuts in the supplemental budget will force Commerce to layoff a half a dozen or more employees. Much larger budget cuts loom ahead.
The Union contract offers some protection during layoffs. It outlines procedures that Management will need to follow. These procedures help assure that employees are treated with fairness and consistency. They protect employees relative to their seniority, among other factors. If followed, these procedures will generate various options for employees so that they can avoid getting laid off.
Union leaders at Commerce are gearing up for upcoming layoffs. Among other activities, they are forming a Layoff Member Action Team (MAT). They are making arrangements for representatives from Union Headquarters to meet with Commerce Union members, and the Layoff MAT in particular. These Union reps will explain in more detail what the Contract says about layoffs and the protection it offers.
For the contract to work, layoffs will need to be monitored. This will be the job of the Layoff MAT. It will watch to make sure that layoffs are done according to the Contract and the procedures it outlines. If they see any violations of the Contract and established procedures, then they will immediately bring it to the attention of the Union leadership. Union leaders will then take action to get the process back on track.
The Layoff MAT will also explore possible alternatives to layoffs – such as job sharing, demotions or downshifting. They will identify services that might be available to laid-off members; for instance, continuation of health insurance and how to apply for unemployment insurance. The Layoff MAT will learn how to get access to these services and make this information available to any laid-off member.
Finally the Layoff MAT will help laid-off members to get onto the Recall List. Once the layoffs are over, they will continue to monitor any rehires and make sure that laid-off Union members get first crack at these jobs.
One reason to join a Union is to have power to influence decisions that affect you. We get that power when we speak as a group of people instead of just one voice. Now more than ever we need to be heard – which is why your participation in the Layoff MAT is so important.
Please let us know us know if you would like to be part of the Union’s Layoff MAT. You can send me an email or give me a call. My email address is billtheunionguy@gmail.com or call 725-3051 (work) or 956-3476 (home).