From: Tim Woolery
[mailto:twoolery@oregonafscme.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2010 12:36 PM
To: Amber Grant ; Andre Dunn; Artz Russell; 'Balzer Brian J'; 'Burger
Brian K'; 'Campbell Scott P'; Chandler Tim; Clark Ryan E; Cooley Rob D; Dwayne
Skinner; Elizabeth.C.Mancino@doc.state.or.us; Gallino
James D; 'Hampton Vern'; Herron John R; Jason Weyand; Karlos Brown; Knight
Dennis B; Majuri Kate H; maupin@oregonafscme.com; Michael Dehner; Miller Bob C;
Patrick Wiebelhaus; Rasmussen Amanda L; Roger Bouch; Roger Singleton; Shannon.L.Simons@doc.state.or.us; Tilman Greg L; Wanous
Anton J; 'Ware, Roger'; yaju@oregonafscme.com; Bill Jewell; Bryant-Kaae Cathy
F; Casper Carissa; Culp Ken B; Daniel Bielenberg; 'Evans Mark K'; Hilberg
Janice K; Hunter, Dusti; Hust Lynn A; John Marshall; Johnson Brenda J; 'Judy
Rocque'; Mary Freelove; 'Petterson Scott'; Ray Tami M; Robert Hillmick; Ron
Thompson; Sam Nagy; Tami Jarnport; Thompson, Ron (ronjt@cableone.net); Warren
Lyons; Warren Lyons home; 'Watts Julie'
Cc: 'Mary Botkin'; 'kallen@oregonafscme.com'; 'Greg Schneider'
Subject: Upcoming meeting about budget & opportunity to suggest cuts
etc
Importance: High
I need something from all of
you without much time to respond.
Everyone
should know by now that an additional 377 million shortfall has
been forecasted in General Fund revenues under what was budgeted for 2009-2011.
This is on top of the 577 million that was already reduced from the budget a
couple months ago so we are close to a billion short on a budget that was
already significantly reduced from the levels that it should have been to
maintain the service levels of the 2007-2009 budget. The Director and his staff
have done extremely well at responsibly planning and administering their budget
and weathering this storm without undue or significant impact to the operation
and/or staff reductions. It is partly because they have done so well that
I am somewhat concerned with the ability to continue to be so successful. Most
of the low hanging fruit has almost certainly already been harvested.
It
remains to be seen what exactly this means to the Department of Corrections piece
of the budget and plans and numbers are being crunched as we speak to determine
what proposals are to be sent to the Governor who reportedly requested an
additional approximate 8% across the board cuts from all Agencies. There should
be no question among any of us that this continues to be or is becoming a more
serious or dire budget problem than ever before and certainly in my 25 year
history. In the midst of these challenging times and the occasional cry
for additional financial concessions by public employees (mainly by republican
candidates / public officials, the press and some in the community) Oregon
AFSCME Council 75 has repeatedly risen to the defense of our members who have
already borne significant sacrifices. We have waded into the rushing stream
against us and jumped on each opportunity to set the record straight. We have
also maintained the position that you all have directed which is that we are
not willing to reopen the contracts.
In
light of the latest revenue forecast and what it may portend, Ken Allen, Mary
Botkin and I have engaged in discussions and arranged to meet with the Director
and his executive staff to share information on the impact to the Department,
its employees and explore options. This meeting has been scheduled for September
9th so as usual there is not much time but I need to reach out to
you all to seek your input and guidance. Every one of you and the members
you represent work in the trenches of this Agency superbly performing the
mission of the department on a daily basis despite any challenges. It is and
has been my opinion that collectively there is a lot of experience and
knowledge that should be sought simply by asking for your input and suggestions
particularly on challenging situations like this that are facing us. As
your representative, I believe that our organization’s primary goal is the
protection and betterment of the membership and that is always my focus. I
would like each of you to be thoughtful and seek input from your constituents
and fellow local leaders and report back to me as soon as possible regarding
responsible and legitimate ideas to achieve savings that can stand up to
scrutiny, be defended/justified and that in as much as possible make sense
while attempting to maintain the safety & security of the Department and
it’s mission.
Additionally,
I would like you to pay particular attention to identify positions that do not
provide direct service to inmates and the public and to programs that do not
provide good evidence based outcomes. Often we have heard concerns expressed
over the years with Span of Control or the perception / reality of the higher
than needed number of management level staff. Undoubtedly, many of these
positions are of value or needed in the organization but also undoubtedly some
may be redundant or surplus to requirements. Now is your opportunity to
carefully consider suggesting –in times as difficult as these – which ones
might be able to be temporarily or permanently reduced and/or eliminated.
Please respond /reply to
this message so I can easily keep track of any suggestions that you all may
have or forward on from your members.
Tim Woolery
Staff
Representative
Oregon AFSCME Council 75
Salem Office
1400 Tandem Avenue NE
Salem, Oregon
97301
Office 503-370-2522 or 800-521-5954
Fax 503-370-7725
Cell
503-339-6855 or 866-661-0318
