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Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Since this grim news was announced in early February, I have met with management on several occasions, including the day the anticipated shortfall and cuts were announced. ODJFS union leaders and staff have been stressing the importance of open communication and labor and management partnerships during difficult times like these.
At a meeting on Feb 25 with Director Jones-Kelly, I made it very clear that that the lines of communication are broken. The rumor mill is running rampant and members in ODJFS are confused and concerned by the budget process.
As a result of this meeting, the Director has agreed to the union’s suggestion of forming a labor management committee – what we will be calling the Joint Budget Committee – that will give the union an opportunity to make suggestions about savings and explore ideas about how to avoid layoffs. This is certainly the most proactive approach. The last thing the union wants is to be involved AFTER the agency plan is developed and it is too late to enact the changes the union proposes.
The budget squeeze is on, sisters and brothers, but you can help to save your job.
You know your work and the customers you serve better than anyone. That’s why the ODJFS Assembly is requesting your input on ways to cut costs. The Joint Budget Committee will begin meeting immediately. Union members on the Committee will be working closely with the ODJFS Assembly Budget Taskforce, OCSEA leaders who will be working directly with the membership to find cost-saving approaches.
Send your cost-saving ideas IMMEDIATELY to odjfstaskforce@ocsea.org
Here are some things to consider:
How could ODJFS…
·
Consolidate administrative functions and better align management-to-bargaining unit ratios?
·
Eliminate redundancy and duplication of services?
·
Streamline operations through technological enhancements?
·
Contain costs through better collection of monies owed?
·
Examine un-bid contracts and contracted-out work that could be brought in house?
Your money-saving contributions – even the simplest of ideas – could help reduce or eliminate the chance of layoffs in ODJFS.
In Solidarity
Tommy Jones
ODJFS Assembly President
President's Report
The ODJFS Assembly Budget Taskforce
This is the official name of the Assembly’s taskforce. It is made up of only OCSEA members only. The purpose of the taskforce to brainstorm possible cost-savings solutions that could ultimately save jobs during this budget crisis. They will serve as an advisory committee to the Joint Budget Committee that will be working together with management (see below). Leaders and members are being encouraged to email the taskforce at odjfstaskforce@ocsea.org. The taskforce will compile this information, discuss and relay any pertinent information to the Joint Budget Committee.
Members of the Taskforce include:
Ronna Harding (chair and Joint Budget Committee liaison)
Cindy Bobbitt
Chrystal Champaign-Swan
Gretchen Genung
Tommy Jones
Mike McCabe
Cathy Newton
Anissia Goodwin (staff)
Peggy Tanksley (staff)
The Joint Budget Committee
The joint budget committee, made up of both labor and management employees, will work together in partnership to come up with viable cost-savings solutions that can be implemented to help deal with the budget short-fall and, ultimately, save jobs and, hopefully, help avoid layoffs in ODJFS. The OCSEA members of this committee will use the ODJFS Assembly Budget Taskforce as a resource for developing cost-saving ideas that come directly from the membership.
OCSEA members serving on the Joint Budget Committee include:
James Benedict MIS
Renda Nzeogu FISCAL
JeAnne Ashley CONTRIBUTIONS
Ronna Harding LOCAL OPERATIONS
Karen Baker ORAA
1199 members serving on the Joint Budget Committee include:
Barbara Montgomery OHP
William Culver OCF
ODJFS budget points based on Jan. 31, 2008 meeting between OCSEA leaders/staff and ODJFS Director Helen Jones-Kelley.
Target proposed cuts for ODJFS
FY08: $17.1 million
FY09: $50.3 million
· The possible job loss target – through vacancies, attrition, consolidation of offices, reduction of duplication of services, and layoffs, if necessary – is 309 to 574 positions. ODJFS says it is trying to soften the blow for 2010 pand 2011 when the growth rate of GRF is expected to be a negative number. ODJFS goal is to focus on the core mission without impacting services to Ohioans.
· When it’s all said and done, ODJFS will most likely be looking at actual job loss. However, at this time, ODJFS is unsure what the impact could be and is still evaluating those numbers. The union is monitoring the issue very closely and has requested that ODJFS relay vacancy information, attrition rates and a Table of Organization to the union by early next week. ODJFS is expected to have their full proposal, including proposed cuts and actual job loss, to the Governor sometime next week.
· The union is extremely concerned with the high management to bargaining unit ratios and resulting inefficiencies and is asking that ODJFS seriously consider these when looking at where to cut. The union plans to monitor this very carefully to make certain that essential bargaining unit positions are not eliminated that could negatively impact services to Ohioans.
· ODJFS says they will participate in an Early Retirement Incentive only if they are mandated to do so by the Governor, and, then, they would probably only do so for one year as it would bring no immediate cost savings. If there is a mandatory ERI, this means that the agency will be required to offer an ERI. This DOES NOT mean that employees who are eligible will be required to participate unless they so choose. There are over 800 ODJFS employees who likely eligible for an ERI.
