for
the Amherst campus of the University of Massachusetts
January 11, 2002
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Unions offered incentives for reducing costs by Daniel J. Fitzgibbons, Chronicle staff  s
the campus moves to reduce spending and possibly minimize layoffs,
campus employees from three bargaining units are being offered a slate
of cost-savings options, ranging from voluntary reductions in force
to reduced work weeks, unpaid leaves and 43-week work years. The various voluntary options were outlined in a Dec. 27 memorandum to deans, directors and department heads from Nick Marshall, Labor Relations administrator in the Division of Human Resources. Under the plans, some incentives are being offered to employees who choose to leave campus service voluntarily. In those cases, the University would pay for six months of health and dental benefits or bonus vacation pay. Employees on unpaid leaves also would receive health and dental coverage. Marshall said this week that while the cost savings options are aimed at reducing personnel expenses during the current fiscal year, they will be treated with some flexibility to allow their use in FY03, which is already expected to pose financial challenges for the campus. "We have a real crunch now," he said, "but we're also concerned about the next budget." According to Marshall, the cost- savings packages, which differ slightly from unit to unit, apply to members of the Service Employees International Union, Local 509 Unit A, which represents professional staff; the University Staff Association, which represents clerical and technical employees; and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Local 1776, which represents tradesworkers on campus. "With the approval of department heads, this initiative will help minimize or offset layoffs due to the budget reduction the University received in this fiscal year," said the memo. "These options are purely voluntary and with no guarantee that in some reduced hour situations the employee will return to full-time work." Marshall cautioned that employees should consider the various options only if the steps meet their needs. Applications were sent to all eligible employees, who must submit the forms to their supervisors for review. The deadline for USA members is Jan. 18 and SEIU members must apply by Feb. 15. The deadline for AFSCME members has been extended to Jan. 18, Marshall said this week. According to Marshall, department heads should review applications and "based on the department's operational and budgetary needs," make a recommendation for or against each application. The recommendations and applications will then be passed on to the appropriate vice chancellor for a final decision. Employees who did not receive the cost savings options informational package can obtain copies from the Division of Human Resources in Whitmore. For additional information on the cost-savings measures, contact Nick Marshall at 5-2736. |
