Take 3 percent pay cut, college trustees ask staff

Employees should take a 3 percent pay cut, trustees for the Yuba Community College District recommend as they cite state budget reductions that mean a $4 million loss of funds for the district.

Alan Flory, president of the board of trustees, said the college district management has taken a 3 percent pay cut and saved $65,000 to restore laid-off positions.

Trustees hope the staff will follow suit.

"The well-being of our employees, students and district depends on it," Flory said.

A total of 58 nonteaching jobs — including secretaries, groundskeepers and custodians — have been identified for layoffs, according to the district.

"During these grave fiscal times, more than ever, we must pull together to do the best we can for our students, staff, colleges and the communities we serve," Chancellor Nicki Harrington said.

"The pain of this economic downturn," Harrington said, should be shared among all to minimize the number of layoffs that need to be made.

The last day of employment for laid-off workers will be Jan. 22, college district spokesman Adrian Lopez said.

He said it's hoped employee groups and the district will reach agreement on a pay reduction in negotiations and have a pact in place by Jan. 1.

The precise savings involve a complicated formula and depend on a range of employee pay, Lopez said.

State representatives of the California School Employees Association joined the local chapter Wednesday in Woodland to protest staff layoffs. Picketing took place before the board of trustees' meeting at the campus.

Donna Veal-Spenser, local chapter president of the school employees union, said Thursday that she supports reducing by 2 percent college district reserves of $3.1 million and using the funds to restore laid-off positions.

If that plan goes forward, Veal-Spenser said, "then our negotiators will go to work" on issues including the trustees' request for the 3 percent pay cut.

Trustee Brent Hastey at Wednesday's board meeting had asked the college district staff to look at using some of the reserves to avert as many layoffs as possible. Hastey said his request comes as trustees ask employees for the pay cut.

"We needed to show we were willing to give something," he said.

The staff review will include a look at what percentage of reserve funds may be used.

"It's a scary thing to do," Hastey said of spending reserves. "It's not something we want to do."

Contact Appeal reporter Ryan McCarthy at 749-4707 or rmccarthy@appealdemocrat.com.