Tuesday, May 12, 1998
Early layoffs bode badly for workers
DENTAL SCHOOL: Five employees lose their jobs, union worries
restructuring could take its toll
By Kathyrn Combs
Daily Bruin Staff
In a move to enhance the operations of the UCLA School of
Dentistry, restructuring of the layoff unit has been proposed and
has fueled concern among employees who fear the worst.
The proposed plan would divide the now single layoff unit into
five parts, organized by the skills and needs of employees.
While union officials argue this move will make it easier to
conduct layoffs, dental school officials assert restructuring will
enhance the organization and administration of its programs.
However, employees may now have a reason to worry. Five
employees, represented by Coalition of University Employees (CUE),
have been laid off, as of late last week.
"The only thing they have notified us of is the potential
restructuring of the layoff unit at the dental school," said
Claudia Horning, statewide vice president for CUE.
"If there is other restructuring going on, they need to give us
notice," she said.
According to medical school officials, individual layoffs are
not subject to negotiation, while the structure of the layoff unit
is.
The dental school employs over 300 individuals that all have
different responsibilities. The school aims to restructure the
layoff unit along three lines: function, funding and location,
officials said.
However, any changes in the terms of employment for clerical
employees should not take place without the union’s consent,
Horning said.
"Our position is that individual layoffs are subject to
bargaining, because it is a change in the terms and conditions of
employment in the clerical unit," she said.
Last November, CUE became the official union for clerical
employees – but a new contract has not yet been adopted.
This means that legally, the school can not make any changes
regarding terms of employment without consulting the union first,
Horning said.
Laila Abdalla and Kathleen Moore who were laid off on April 14
as a result of administrative restructuring.
"We were expecting changes in the school because of the changes
going on in the administration," said Abdalla, an accounting
assistant who has been with the School of Dentistry for almost
three years.
"They told us they were merging our two positions and that we
could apply for it if we wished," said Moore, a university employee
for nearly 17 years.
"It was a shock, but I had to accept it and say thank you very
much," she said, adding she did not expect to be laid off.
Layoff letters read, "this action is due to restructuring of the
School of Dentistry administrative unit, and resultant lack of work
and is in order of seniority."
"That is our own internal restructuring of the administrative
units," said Kiser in a previous interview.
Union officials asserted that although school officials say it’s
not their policy to bargain on layoffs, employees still have their
rights.
"Even though in a lot of cases people feel afraid, they should
understand that on paper, at least, there are rights and procedures
that the university is supposed to follow," said CUE representative
Scott Miller.
However, both Moore and Abdalla assert that it was the way in
which the layoffs occurred that disturbed them the most.
"They basically wanted us out of there," Moore said. "Your work
is an extension of your self and you try to do your very best …
and in the middle of the afternoon, as cruel and sudden as it could
be … someone just walks in the door and says right now you are
laid off," Moore said.
Further, Moore said she was upset with how she was laid off.
"It shouldn’t have to be done like that to anybody. That is
very, very traumatic," she said.
While university and union officials held an informational
meeting May 8, the outcome of the meeting was uncertain. Dental
school officials have refused to comment whether there will be
further layoffs.
"We’re in the process of discussing restructuring with the
unions and with Human Resources," said Kiser in a previous
interview.
No grievances have been filed thus far.