Layoffs update
CSEA is here to support YOU!
by Shannon Carr
Your union, advocating to save your jobs
In this day and age of COVID-19, everyday life has transformed in ways we could have never imagined, and the responsibilities of the 250,000 members we represent have shifted. While many districts are fully utilizing their classified staff, some are prioritizing cost savings rather than providing the best quality education to the 6.5 million students and their families across the state of California. In an Op-Ed written by Association President Ben Valdepeña (posted below) and published in the L.A. Times on Labor Day, he shares that more than 4,640 classified jobs have been lost so far across 175 districts represented by CSEA. On the other hand, there are some districts being creative and morphing job responsibilities for classified staff to accommodate the new wave of education in a different learning environment.
CSEA is here to support YOU!
by Shannon Carr
Your union, advocating to save your jobs
In this day and age of COVID-19, everyday life has transformed in ways we could have never imagined, and the responsibilities of the 250,000 members we represent have shifted. While many districts are fully utilizing their classified staff, some are prioritizing cost savings rather than providing the best quality education to the 6.5 million students and their families across the state of California. In an Op-Ed written by Association President Ben Valdepeña (posted below) and published in the L.A. Times on Labor Day, he shares that more than 4,640 classified jobs have been lost so far across 175 districts represented by CSEA. On the other hand, there are some districts being creative and morphing job responsibilities for classified staff to accommodate the new wave of education in a different learning environment.
Area K Director Bea Mora is one of the bus drivers delivering meals to students’ homes in Central Union High School District each week. The district now delivers more than 500 meals a week, 100 meals a day, among the 12,000 total that are distributed each week.
School district pivots work to deliver meals to homes
In Imperial Valley’s Central Union High School District, for example, their nutrition services and transportation departments pivoted some work to accommodate a need they noticed going into the second week of the new school year. In addition to providing meals at the school sites and to different sites/towns where students take the bus, they began to take meals to a select group of 30 students at their homes because their families could not pick up meals from their schools. They now deliver more than 500 meals a week, 100 meals a day, through their door-to-door services. This is part of the 12,000 meals the district provides weekly with other services, including curbside pickups at school sites and remote locations. “It’s a small sliver but I think what’s most meaningful is it’s this real finite segment that has a need and it’s more than just we need meals, but we don’t even have a way to get there,” said Superintendent Dr. Ward Andrus. Area K Director Bea Mora is one of the bus drivers delivering those meals.
Area K Director Bea Mora is one of the bus drivers delivering meals to students’ homes in Central Union High School District each week. The district now delivers more than 500 meals a week, 100 meals a day, among the 12,000 total that are distributed each week.
Area K Director Bea Mora is one of the bus drivers delivering meals to students’ homes in Central Union High School District each week. The district now delivers more than 500 meals a week, 100 meals a day, among the 12,000 total that are distributed each week.
School district pivots work to deliver meals to homes
In Imperial Valley’s Central Union High School District, for example, their nutrition services and transportation departments pivoted some work to accommodate a need they noticed going into the second week of the new school year. In addition to providing meals at the school sites and to different sites/towns where students take the bus, they began to take meals to a select group of 30 students at their homes because their families could not pick up meals from their schools. They now deliver more than 500 meals a week, 100 meals a day, through their door-to-door services. This is part of the 12,000 meals the district provides weekly with other services, including curbside pickups at school sites and remote locations. “It’s a small sliver but I think what’s most meaningful is it’s this real finite segment that has a need and it’s more than just we need meals, but we don’t even have a way to get there,” said Superintendent Dr. Ward Andrus. Area K Director Bea Mora is one of the bus drivers delivering those meals.
CSEA Op-Ed on essential school staff is published in L.A. Times
CSEA members and the essential work they do for California students were given top billing in the Labor Day edition of the L.A. Times opinion pages. In his piece, Association President Ben Valdepeña praised the districts that are keeping classified staff employed and utilizing their skills to improve student learning in this unprecedented time, while also calling out those districts that are prioritizing saving money by laying off employees over doing what’s best for their students.
Click to read the full L.A. Times Op-Ed by Ben Valdepeña
CSEA Op-Ed on essential school staff is published in L.A. Times
CSEA members and the essential work they do for California students were given top billing in the Labor Day edition of the L.A. Times opinion pages. In his piece, Association President Ben Valdepeña praised the districts that are keeping classified staff employed and utilizing their skills to improve student learning in this unprecedented time, while also calling out those districts that are prioritizing saving money by laying off employees over doing what’s best for their students.
Click to read the full L.A. Times Op-Ed by Ben Valdepeña
Questions?
CSEA has the answers
Unfortunately, some districts are not honoring the state budget, which is leading to layoffs for some of our members. If you are laid off, CSEA is here for you. You can find answers to many of the most frequently asked questions. Go to https://www.csea.com/layoffs-faq. Additionally, you have the option of maintaining your CSEA membership while unemployed—either as an active member with voting rights or as an inactive member. Either one lets you retain all the great benefits available to members like the free college programs for you and your family members. To learn more about keeping your CSEA membership, please call Member Benefits at (866) 487-2732. Remember, you can always reach out to your CSEA chapter leaders or Labor Relations Representative for more information as well. www.csea.com/contact-us Please know your union is fighting any and all attempts at layoffs and will work tirelessly to reinstate those who have been laid off. Districts may think they’re saving money, but they will quickly realize they can’t operate safely or effectively without full classified staffing—both now and when students inevitably return to in-person learning.
