The following is an open letter to court employees released on September 17, 2010.
Dear Ventura court employees:
Yesterday we signed an agreement with the Ventura court that implements mandatory furloughs starting September 19, 2010. The agreement includes a clause that if court funding increases as we expect when the state budget is signed, we will move to end furloughs and restore court services.
We signed this agreement because Republican and Democratic leadership in Sacramento have agreed to new funding for state courts — an estimated $2 million more for Ventura. That won’t close the budget gap, but it should eliminate the need for mandatory furloughs.
How will this sunset clause work? When the governor signs the state budget, the Judicial Council then allocates trial court funding. Under the agreement, SEIU and the Ventura court will meet immediately to look at the impact of new funding on the court budget and decide whether to continue furloughs.
Furloughs hurt the public and degrade court operations. This agreement protects your rights and helps us move forward together to protect court services.
Stephanie Cabral, court reporter
Rosa Castro, procurement specialist
Richard Goldner, court program supervisor
Sherry Jacoby, judicial secretary
Graciela Lessing, court interpreter
Agreement highlights:
- Mandatory furloughs would start Sept. 19 and be reflected on most employees’ Oct. 7 pay check.
- Furloughs are not retroactive.
- SEIU 721 and Court will meet when state budget is passed to decide whether to continue furloughs.
- Employees who agreed to voluntary furloughs may cancel any untaken days if mandatory furloughs end.
The Superior Court of California, County of Ventura is continuing the Mandatory Time-Off Program (MTO) as one of several measures to achieve cost savings for fiscal year 2010-2011. The Mandatory Time-Off Program calls for the equivalent of twelve (12) furlough days for fiscal year 2010-2011, and will be in place from September 19, 2010 through June 25, 2011. The deductions will be effective on the pay check received October 7, 2010. The Mandatory Time-Off Agreement may terminate upon passage of the California state budget for Fiscal Year 2010-2011 if following conditions are met:
After the state budget is signed and the Judicial Council has determined the allocations to the courts, SEIU Local 721 and the Ventura Superior Court agree to meet within 10 days of such allocation by the Judicial Council to determine whether the Mandatory Furlough Program will continue.
Individuals who agreed to Voluntary Furloughs will have the opportunity to cancel any untaken days if the Court and SEIU decide to discontinue the Mandatory Time-Off Program.
The Court reserves the right to evaluate the day(s) taken as furlough days depending on the business needs of the Court.
Signed September 16, 2010