COSA Fiscal Year 2010 - Tough Times Ahead

Fiscal Year 2011 to Be Worse

[This article is an excerpt from the August 2009 State of the Union newsletter.
For the entire newsletter, click here:  COSA - State of the Union Aug 2009 ]

The past year has been economically difficult across the country. Our families are suffering and our wallets are feeling the consequences. For FY 2010 the most important thing to our families was making job security a top priority. Unfortunately not everyone in city management sees it the same way as we do. We want to share with you the steps we are taking in the budget process.

Step 1: City Manager Presented to the Council
FY2010 has an $11 million shortfall. The City Manager, Sheryl Sculley doesn’t include a COLA or the next Pay Plan Step! SEIU members had a meeting and discussed options for FY2010. The membership decided to take the position of NO Furloughs and NO Layoffs! They also decided to fight for a COLA increase for everyone as well as the continuation of the Pay Plan as scheduled; as long as it did not cost anyone their job.

Step 2: SEIU Met with City Council
SEIU members met with City Council members and expressed their position on the budget for Fiscal Year 2010. On June 24th, 2009 City Council discussed NO Furloughs and NO Layoffs and gave direction to the City Manager of NO Layoffs and NO Furloughs.

Step 3: City Manager ACTS!
Without knowledge of the City Council or the Consultation Team, the city manager put out an insulting survey. The survey was ONLY given to a select few employees and was only in reference to FY 2010. Employees said, “NO! We are tired of you balancing the budget on the backs of working families!”

Step 4: City Manager Met with the SEIU Consultation Team
On Tuesday August 11th, City Manager Sculley met with the SEIU Consultation Team to brief them on the Budget Proposal she presented to the City Council on August 13th. Sculley verbally presented her budget, informing members that for FY 2010 there would be NO recommendation for layoffs or furloughs. She also stated that she was proposing NO cost of living adjustment for any COSA employee. She then announced that she was proposing that the 10+ year employees scheduled to go to the maximum of their pay range on Jan. 1 2010 would instead go to step 8 of their pay range. This will affect approximately 750 civilian employees.

The SEIU Consultation Team expressed their concern about the survey which no one was made aware of. The city manager apologized and took full responsibility. Members asked to be working partners with the city manager for the FY 2011 Budget. City Manager Sculley took note of the team’s concerns.

Step 5: City Manager Announced Proposed Budget to City Council
On Thursday August 13, 2009 the City Manager announced her proposed budget for review to the City Council. Her proposal includes NO Cost of Living increases for COSA employees. Councilperson Jennifer Ramos (D6), Justin Rodriguez (D7) and John Clamp (D10) spoke on their concern about the impact on working families. All three council members expressed their desire to further discuss this over next several weeks.

Step 6 : Fiscal Year 2011 to be WORSE!!!
The City Manager has recommended 4 Furlough days or a 1.5% pay CUT for civilian employees The time to ACT is NOW. We will not be silent while another budget is balanced on the backs of our families! Defend YOUR family NOW, BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!!!

Contact an organizer at (210) 737-4217 or (210) 213-7167, your Consultation Representative or www.seiutx.org